Emeritus Professor Alan Spears is a member of Stumperlowe Probus Club. His previous talk to the Club was entitled Geology and Sorby in Sheffield. His present talk is designed for the layman. The presentation introduces the historical significance of geology in Sheffield, outlining key topics such as landscape, iron-ore, coal, refractory clays, and building materials including sandstones and shales.
Alan started with a slide of Stanage Edge and an explanation of the geological structure to the area around the west of Sheffield.
Geological cross-section to show the Pennine Anticline
Now geological data for any UK location can be accessed via the British Geological Survey’s upgraded web-based Geology Viewer by entering latitude/longitude or postcode.
Iron Ore Resources and Mining in Sheffield:
Bell pit, shallow workings for coal and ironstones
Local iron ores, especially siderite nodules in mudstones like the Tankersley Ironstone, were crucial to Sheffield’s early development. Mining evolved from small bell-pits and adits (horizontal shafts) in the late 18th century to more systematic shallow drift-mines by the mid-19th century.
Coal Mining History and Techniques: Coal mining in Sheffield dates back to Roman times with shallow workings progressing to deeper mines by the 19th century, including the formation of the Sheffield Coal Company in 1805. Mining methods evolved from pillar and stall to longwall mining in the early 1900s. The next map shows adits and shafts in the Greystones area.
Clay and Refractory Materials: Mudstones in the area are suitable for brick making and flowerpots, with associated soils developing into fireclays and ganisters important for refractory uses.
Use of Sandstone in Sheffield: Local sandstones were extensively used in Victorian buildings, roads, pavements, flagstones, grindstones, and gravestones, with notable examples like Brincliffe Edge Rock. Harder rocks like granite were imported due to local availability of sandstone.
Brincliffe Towers built with local stone around 1852
The Tankersley Ironstone, consisting of siderite nodules and lenses, was a key local resource. It was mined from the late 18th century using bell-pits and adits, and later through shallow drift-mines. This ironstone supported local bloom-smithies and contributed to Sheffield’s industrial growth.
Decline and Modern Context of Resources: Local iron ore mining declined by the mid-19th century, replaced by regional and then imported sources. UK coal mining peaked between 1854 and 1913, with current UK coal imports and steel production figures reflecting ongoing industrial demand.