Geology

Geology

The spectacular rocks of Haltwhistle Burn Gorge were laid down about 300 million years ago at a time when the land which was to become Northumberland was close to the equator. During this period, which is now called the Carboniferous, the land was by turns covered by shallow tropical seas, vast braided rivers and forested swamps. Each of these environments left behind deposits which, through the passage of time, became rock.

The Rocks of Haltwhistle Burn

Find out about more about the Geology of Northumberland here

A Walk through Time

10 million Years of Earth’s History,

300 Years of man’s Ingenuity

Discover how the rocks of the Burn Gorge have been used by the people of the town over the years. Download a walk leaflet PDF here

Get the whole story from Northumberland National Park

Download Northumberland National Park’s Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan here

Haltwhistle Burn

Geo-trail

Discover the rocks of Haltwhistle Burn. Follow this detailed Geo-trail

Download the PDF here

View pictures in the Rock Gallery

Below: Limestone formed from the limy deposits of the shallow seas.

Above and below: Sandstone formed from the sandy beds of the rivers.

Using the Rocks

Discover how the rocks of Haltwhistle Burn were used by the people of the town

Above: Mud-stone and shale from the muddy soils of the forest and coal from the remains of the vegetation.

Above: The Haltwhistle Burn gouges a channel through this layer-cake of rocks revealing of the story of the land 300 million years ago.

In places the detail the rocks show are truly amazing - each season of sand deposit, the different grain sizes and colours, clearly visible on the rock face.

Left: Here the grandeur of the cliff faces engenders a sense of wonder - it’s not just dramatic and beautiful but astounding when you realise that every single, tiny grain of sand which makes up the towering cliff face was once part of a mountain, far away, weathered out and carried away by vast rivers, only to be deposited in a sand bank , compacted, transmogrified into sandstone and now ready to be washed away by another river to another shore.

Discover how the rocks were used

Download a PDF of a walk exploring the geology and related industries of Haltwhistle burn here

View more pictures of rocks from Haltwhistle Burn here

Down load a PDF of a detailed Geo-trail through Haltwhistle Burn Gorge here

Find out more about the rock cycle here