Charlotte Gibson

Andrew Illingworth

Jon Elliott

ContentContent

Geology of the area. Problems. Engineering Solutions.

HistoryHistoryIndustrial revolution- Iron and ceramics Coal Iron ore (mining) Coke & limestone (blast furnaces) Sand (moulding cast iron) Clay (bricks, tiles)

Today- World heritage site Tourism

GeologyGeology Geologically young

Still developingErosion & slippage will continue until

balance reached Rocks originally deposited as horizontal

strata before being tilted, folded and faulted to form present structure.

Solid geology made up of Silurian & Carboniferous age rocks (400 and 280 million years old)

Age Unit Description Appox Thickness

Carboniferous Upper Coal Measures

Mudstones, Sandstones, Thin coal seams

120m

Middle Coal Measures

Mudstones, Sandstones, Thin coal seams

15m

Lower Coal Measures

Mudstones, Sandstones, Thin coal seams

15m

Limestone Series Limestone 55m

Basalt

Silurian Wenlock Limestone Limestone with interbedded siltstones

15-17m

Thickwood beds Shales with limestone nodules 15-25m

Wenlock shales Mudstones with thin beds of limestone and bentonitic clay

100m +

Geological MapGeological Map

Problem of LandslidingProblem of Landsliding Gorge slopes covered by a complex of

vaneer of colluvium. Rates of movement of colluvium vary

over the gorge. ‘Active-landslip’ in more underdeveloped

areas. Evidence of ground movement in

developed areas. Still susceptible to more landslides.

Problems caused by Problems caused by miningmining Heavily mined during the industrial

revolution. Waste material causing surcharge. Abandoned workings deteriorating. Mine voids creating drainage paths.

Modern development causing local steepening and extra surcharge.

General SolutionsGeneral Solutions

Retaining walls Gabion walls Effective drainage Services above

ground Management plans

Complex SolutionsComplex Solutions

Slatted road surface Excavation of landslide Inverted arch on bridge Reinforced concrete

tubes