Rifle Butts Quarry is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.[1] The particular interest of this reserve is the geological feature exposed on the quarry face. The site is owned by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.[2] The exposure which is identified as being of national importance in the Geological Conservation Review shows a Cretaceous unconformity, where sediments from the Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous periods were eroded away. It shows a section of Red Chalk and White Chalk overlying Lias.[3] A shelter has been constructed to protect the quarry face from erosion. The reserve is situated on the western edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, one mile south-east of Goodmanham and two miles from Market Weighton.[4] The site, which was designated a SSSI in 1952, has over 150 plants recorded. It still displays some characteristic chalk species, including cowslip, marjoram, field scabious and wild basil. Breeding birds include willow warbler and yellowhammer.
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 Primula veris cowslip | |
  Shown within the East Riding of Yorkshire | |
| Location | East Riding of Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SE898426 |
| Coordinates | 53°52′20″N 0°38′06″W / 53.872284°N 0.634952°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.7 acres (0.0028 km2; 0.0011 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1975 |
| Natural England website | |
References
edit- ^ "Rifle Butts Quarry" (PDF). Natural England. 1987. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Nature Reserves Rifle Butts Quarry". Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Rifle Butts Quarry SSSI". Hull Geological Society. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ^ "Breathing Places Event Finder - Rifle Butts Quarry - Yorkshire Wildlife Trust". BBC Breathing Places. Retrieved 22 July 2009.[permanent dead link]