ES18.

ASSESSMENT OF

MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR
AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
COMMISSIONED BY
THE COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES
Under
Contract number ES01700

by
Professor John Gunn

LRC Report 2012/13

March 2012

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

SUMMARY
Field mapping has confirmed published statements that Mynydd Llangynidr contains the finest array of
collapse (caprock) dolines and subsidence basins seen anywhere in Britain, and clearly demonstrates the
surface geomorphic effects of interstratal karst. Moreover, discussion with colleagues in other countries
indicates that this is not just the best of its kind in Great Britain, it is of global importance. In addition to the
surface landforms three caves are of particular importance as they allow the boundary between the grit and
the limestone to be viewed in further detail from underground and provide further insights into the
development of interstratal karst. Two short caves in Blaen Onneu Quarry are also considered to have
interstratal karst interest. A suggested revision to the Statement of Interest for the GCR Site that reflects the
additional cave interest is provided and a revision to the indicative boundary for the GCR site to encompass
the core area of interstratal karst is also suggested. The proposed GCR site includes the minimum area
required to represent the assemblage of densely concentrated dolines, whilst excluding areas that do not
contain interstratal karst. The boundaries are not extended to include those few individual outlying caprock
dolines that are separated from the core area by areas with no interstratal karst.
Given the clear national and international importance of the Mynydd Llangynidr GCR site it is recommended
that it should be protected as a SSSI. The value of the interstratal karst lies both in the individual landforms
and the fact that within the proposed SSSI (pSSSI) area the density and variety of caprock dolines is
unsurpassed anywhere in Britain.
The pSSSI encompasses land being considered for inclusion as a preferred area of search for mineral
extraction in the draft Blaenau Gwent LDP. It is recommended that this proposal should be opposed as the
area contains over 70 caprock dolines and is an integral part of the pSSSI. Moreover, with the exception of a
small strip close to the rim of the present quarry, the limestone is overlain by Millstone Grit and superficial
deposits. The exact thickness is unknown but on the basis of dolines close to the rim of the present quarry it
is estimated to be at least 3m, rising to over 10m deep further north and east. This implies that a large amount
of material would have to be removed and tipped before the limestone could be extracted.

1.

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF

1.1 Surveys of Britains karst regions were undertaken between 1978 and 1990, as part of the Geological
Conservation Review (GCR). During this process, Mynydd Llangynidr was registered as a GCR site on 1st
June 1982. The GCR statement reads as follows:
The site covers the summit area and upper dipslopes of Mynydd Llangynidr, where the solid outcrop is
nearly all Millstone Grit. It includes the most spectacular assemblage of collapse dolines to be found
anywhere in Britain. These have formed by solutional erosion in the underlying limestone, with consequent
collapse, pitting and foundering of the grit. The result is a surface geomorphology which is an excellent
doline field and Britains best example of interstratal karst.
1.2 As with all GCR sites, an indicative boundary was drawn at the time of registration. The GCR survey
of British karst was published in the GCR volume entitled Karst and Caves of Great Britain (Waltham et
al., 1997). A report on the scientific value of the Mynydd Llangynidr site is given (pp 236-239), expanding
on the above GCR statement.
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

1.3 The Geological Conservation Review identifies sites of national and international importance needed to
show all the key scientific elements of the Earth Heritage of Britain. The final decision on the case for
notification is made by the Council of the respective country agency, in this case the Countryside Council for
Wales. In order to progress notification a formal SSSI boundary needs to be defined. As the current GCR
boundary does not always reflect the karst features seen on the ground CCW have commissioned Limestone
Research & Consultancy Ltd to undertake research aimed at ensuring that a subsequent SSSI boundary is
drawn that encompasses all the important features without including any unnecessary extraneous areas of
land.
1.4 A proportion of the GCR site, as it is currently defined, is at potential risk from future quarrying, as it
is under consideration for inclusion as a preferred area of search for mineral extraction in the draft Blaenau
Gwent LDP. CCW requested a detailed survey of this area to ascertain whether it is worthy of notification as
SSSI.

1.5

The project specification has three main components:

1. A desk-top review of available literature sources on Mynydd Llangynidr.
2. A field survey of the entire GCR site, identifying and surveying important features. This survey
needs to be sufficiently accurate to inform the delineation of a scientifically robust potential
SSSI boundary, and to support notification of the entire area, with particular attention paid to
that area being considered for mineral extraction.
3. A report detailing the nature and location of important features as pertaining to the GCR
statement, and detailing the extent to which such features extend and hence a suggested SSSI
boundary.

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

2.

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The literature review requested as part of the project specification refers specifically to Mynydd
Llangynidr. However, it was felt that a brief review to provide background on dolines (the primary
landforms on Mynydd Llangynidr) and interstratal karst (the highest level interest feature on Mynydd
Llangynidr) would provide useful background to the more detailed review. In addition, the stratigraphic
nomenclature is also briefly reviewed.
Stratigraphic nomenclature
2.2 The nomenclature for the rocks that crop out in South Wales has been revised several times over the
years and it was felt useful to briefly outline the main units to avoid confusion. Virtually all published
accounts relating to Mynydd Llangynidr and the surrounding area, and the most recent 1:50 000 Series BGS
Sheet 232 which covers the area, and the Memoir (Barclay, 1989) refer to the stratigraphic sequence as:
Lower Coal Measures
Millstone Grit
(also referred to as the Namurian Millstone Grit Series and as the Millstone Grit Group)
Carboniferous Limestone
(also referred to as the Dinantian Limestone)
2.3 These terms are used in this report in the sense used by the original authors and in particular the term
Millstone Grit is used throughout in an informal sense. However, it is recognised that they have been
superseded and Waters et al (2009) outline the most recent nomenclature at Group level as:
South Wales Coal Measures Group (Westphalian age)
Marros Group (replaces Millstone Grit Group; Namurian age)
Pembroke Limestone Group (Tournaisian to Visean age)
Avon Group (Tournaisian age)
2.4 At formation level there is lateral variability in South Wales but in the Mynydd Llangynidr area the
sequence is:
Bishopston Mudstone Formation
Twrch Sandstone Formation (locally the base of the Marros Group and of Marsdenian to
Yeadonian age; formerly called the Basal Grit(s) or Basal Grit Group)
Dowlais Limestone Formation (Holkerian age)
Garn Caws Sandstone Formation (Arundian age)
Llanelly Formation (Arundian age)
Gilwern Oolite Formation (Chadian age)
Coed Ffyddlwn Formation (Courceyan age)
Blaen Onnen Oolite Formation (Courceyan age)
Pantydarren Formation [Courceyan age)
Pwll y Cwm Oolite Formation [Courceyan age)

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

2.5 Importantly there is a substantial unconformity between the top of the Dowlais Limestone Formation
and the base of the Twrch Sandstone Formation. The uppermost limestone beds were deposited before the
end of the Holkerian about 333 million years ago whilst the gritstones at the base of the Twrch Sandstone
Formation were laid down at the start of the Marsdenian about 315 million years ago. It is possible that
limestone deposition continued into the Asbian or perhaps even to the end of the Brigantian, about 326
million years ago and that any related deposits were subsequently removed by erosion. This means that there
was a period of around 11 million years before the deltas in which the grit was deposited began to transgress
the area and that is sufficient time for substantial karstification of the exposed limestone. Jones & Owen
(1966) describe the top of the limestone as being highly irregular with slumped masses of Millstone Grit
filling depressions in the limestone and this has also been observed on Mynydd Llangynidr during the
present project.
Dolines
2.6

Williams (2004, p. 304) provides a good introduction to these landforms:

A doline is a natural enclosed depression found in karst landscapes. Dolines are also sometimes known
as sinkholes, particularly by engineers and especially in North America. They are usually subcircular
in plan and tens to hundreds of metres in diameter, though dolines can range from a few metres to
about a kilometre in width. From the lowest point on their rim, their depths are typically in the range
of a few metres to tens of metres, although some can be more than a hundred metres deep and
occasionally even 500 m. Their sides range from gently sloping to vertical, and their overall form can
range from saucer shaped to conical or even cylindrical. Their lowest point is often near their centre,
but can be close to their rim. Dolines are especially common in terrains underlain by carbonate rocks,
and are widespread on evaporite rocks. Some are also found in siliceous rocks such as quartzite.
Dolines have long been considered a diagnostic landform of karst, but this is only partly true. Where
there are dolines there is certainly karst, but karst can also be developed subsurface in the
hydrogeological network even when no dolines are found on the surface.

2.7 As dolines are present in almost every area in which karstifiable rocks crop out or are present at
shallow depth the literature contains a varied terminology reflecting form, process, materials and local
conventions. However, since 2003 six main doline-types have been recognised by leading international
experts (Figure 1; Waltham & Fookes, 2003; Williams, 2004; Waltham et al., 2005; Ford & Williams, 2007).
2.8 Dissolution of bedrock is the initial formative process in all dolines and the sole process in the
development of solution dolines. The two other formative processes are collapse (which is commonly rapid
and involves fracturing of the surface material) and subsidence which is a more gradual process. Collapse
can only occur if there is a void for the material to collapse into. In the case of collapse and caprock dolines
the void is formed by bedrock dissolution and must become sufficiently large that the stress exceeds the
strength of the overlying bedrock. Proximity to the surface is also important and collapse of a cave roof at
depth may have no surface expression (Figure 2, Type E) although Thomas (1974) has argued that collapse
of a cavity as much as 250m below the surface can lead to doline development. Conversely, Bull (1977) has
argued that doline development can lead to breakdown and the development of boulder chokes in caves as
much as 250m below the doline base. In dropout dolines the void forms in cohesive superficial deposits
which are evacuated down a dissolutionally enlarged conduit. Suffosion dolines (commonly called
shakeholes) form when non-cohesive superficial deposits are washed down a dissolutionally enlarged
conduit. As dropout and suffosion dolines are formed in superficial deposits over karstified bedrock they
tend to be short-lived landforms on a geological timescale. Solution, collapse and caprock dolines are longerlived and where they become filled with sediment they are classed as buried dolines.
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 1 : The six main types of dolines (diagram courtesy of Tony Waltham)

Figure 2
Possible relationships between caprock dolines and cave boulder chokes in South Wales
(from Bull, 1977; note that the geology is highly simplified).

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

2.9 Where karstifiable rock crops out or has a thin cover of superficial deposits solution dolines are the
commonest form but as the thickness of superficial deposits increases suffosion dolines become more
common. Collapse dolines are much less common than solution dolines. Caprock dolines are quite common
over evaporite bedrock but much less common in carbonate bedrock. In the karst regions of Great Britain
collapse dolines and caprock dolines are rare outside of South Wales, as discussed further below.
2.10 The doline-type classification is process based and dolines may also be classified by shape. In an early
paper Cvijic (1893) used the diameter/depth ratios to distinguish three primary forms: bowl-shaped (flattish
floor; diameter ~ 10 x depth); funnel-shaped (diameter 2-3 x depth) and well-shaped (diameter < depth).
Over time collapse and caprock dolines may evolve from well-shaped, through funnel-shaped to bowlshaped (Figure 3).

Figure 3 : Change of collapse doline shape over time (from Waltham et al., 2005
Interstratal karst
2.11 Where karst rocks do not crop out but are present beneath less soluble or insoluble cover strata
subsurface dissolution is termed interstratal karstification (Quinlan, 1967). Interstratal karst is common
where the karst rocks are sulphates or halites but less common in carbonate rocks. In some areas there is no
surface evidence for dissolution of the karst rocks but in others dissolution of the karst rocks is manifest by
collapse or subsidence structures in the overlying rocks and these structures may extend to the surface as
caprock dolines. Interstratal karstification is sometimes confused with intrastratal karstification which refers
to the preferential dissolution of a particular bed or other unit within a sequence of soluble rocks (Ford &
Williams, 2007, p3).
2.12 In Great Britain the only extensive interstratal karst region is in South Wales and extends with minor
breaks for 60km between the western end of Black Mountain and the Blorenge area in the east (Thomas,
1974, pg 139; see also Figure 4 below). In North Wales Battiau-Queney (1984) identified what she termed
flat-bottomed basins excavated in Millstone Grit rocks in and around Moel Garegog, south of Mold. She
describes them as being completely closed and having an average length of 100m with long-axes following
the strike. I am not familiar with this area and do not know of any other descriptions of what may be a small
area of interstratal karst, although Battiau-Queney (1984) ascribes the origins of the depressions to
dissolution of silica and its evacuation by groundwater. Elsewhere on the Carboniferous limestones of Great
Britain there are no known examples of interstratal karst or caprock dolines in the Peak District karst but
there are several small areas of interstratal karst with isolated caprock dolines in northern England, around
Simons Seat to the northeast of Craven (Dr David Lowe, pers comm) and near Grassington (Dr Andrew
Farrant (British Geological Survey, pers comm., 2012). Dr Farrant has also informed me that in the Forest of
Dean there are caprock dolines in the Cromhall Sandstone Formation where it overlies the Black Rock
Limestone and on the Mendip Hills where the Harptree beds overlie the Carboniferous Limestone but there
are no extensive areas of interstratal karst.

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Mynydd Llangynidr

Figure 4
Generalised geological map of the North Crop region of the South Wales coalfield (Thomas, 1974).
The eleven boxes show the areas of interstratal karst that were surveyed by Thomas
2.13 Outside of the Carboniferous limestone areas Thomas (1974) notes that pitting of non-calcareous cap
or cover rocks by dolines and allied forms has been recorded in the middle Thames valley (Hare, 1947) and
in the Dorchester area (Fisher, 1859). Dr Andrew Farrant (British Geological Survey, pers comm., 2012) has
confirmed that these and are other similar examples are a consequence of dissolution of Chalk beneath a
cover of Palaeogene and London Clay. These areas have previously been described as covered, as opposed to
interstratal, karst and the depressions have been regarded as subsidence forms rather than caprock dolines
(see discussion of Cull-Pepper's Dish and Devil's Punchbowl in Waltham et al., 1997). Although there is
some similarity with the South Wales examples there is much less variability in form.
The South Wales interstratal karst
2.14 Thomas (1974) summarised the results of his detailed studies of the South Wales interstratal karst
undertaken over a period of over 20 years and reported in a series of papers (Thomas 1954a, 1954b, 1959,
1963, 1973). As this is thought to be the most detailed research undertaken on an interstratal karst in
carbonate bedrock anywhere in the world it is summarised briefly below. The research covered eleven blocks
(Figure 4) each of which were surveyed in detail on the ground. Thomas identified four main groups of
interstratal karst features: collapse dolines, shallow subsidence depressions, foundered Millstone Grit masses
and dry valleys.
Collapse dolines
2.15 Thomas (1974, pg 150) considered the fields of collapse dolines (which would be referred to as
caprock dolines using modern terminology) to be the outstanding feature of the South Wales interstratal
karst. He mapped the whole area using aerial photographs and ordnance survey maps and examined 437
dolines in detail, including all those with a long axis greater than 25m. For these 437 he measured and
recorded:
Lateral dimensions
Depth
Sidewall slopes
Slope of the land surface that is pitted by the doline
The nature of the sidewalls and any bedrock exposure
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

2.16 Where rock sections were present these were surveyed to ascertain whether they conformed with the
regional dip or provided evidence of some degree of up-ending or buckling as a consequence of subsidence
(pg. 140). Thomas also assessed the role of faults and joints in doline evolution and constructed crossprofiles to determine whether the doline should be classed as a single-cycle feature resulting from a single
sudden collapse or whether there had been a process of long drawn-out foundering occasionally varied by
cycles of movement of greater order over segments of individual depressions (pg 140).
2.17 Thomas (1974) classed the 437 dolines according to the Cvijic scheme (see para 2.5) as follows:
Funnel-shaped
Bowl-shaped
Well-shaped

314
85
38

2.18 The larger dolines surveyed by Thomas are largely developed on low angle slopes with 63% on slopes
less than 5 and only 18 (4%) on slopes greater than 12.
Surface slope angle (degrees) Number
<5
277
5-8
92
8-12
50
>12
18
2.19 Just over 25% of the dolines surveyed had a practically perfect circular outline and the majority of the
others were elliptical. Thomas explained this as being due to the influence of faults and joint sets, with
individual fractures showing close spacing.
2.20 Of the 314 well-shaped dolines, almost one-third (101) contained freely-exposed rock-sections but
these were generally of restricted extent and embraced less than 10% of the sidewall area. Thomas noted that
many of the sidewalls had a mantle of loose grit blocks with variable quantities of clayey head that largely
masked the bedrock. He also concluded that the majority of the depressions are single-cycle features
originating as a consequence of one major catastrophic collapse (page 141).
2.21 Thomas (1974, pg 151) argued that the caprock dolines were formed by cavern collapse and that
major elements, such as large caverns or passageways of considerable cross-section, within substantial
cave systems formed the foci of the main collapses. Bull (1977, 1980) expanded on these ideas and
investigated the relationship between caprock dolines and boulder chokes in South Wales cave systems. He
put forward a simplified model (Figure 2) with five types that were considered to represent components of
a continuum that could occur in isolation or in combination. The geological relationships shown on the
model are highly stylised but it provides a simple visualisation of possible relationships that might evolve
over time. At least initially, the dolines were considered to develop independently from the production of
boulder chokes in deep caves by breakdown processes (A and E on Figure 2) with the possibility of
convergence over time (B, C and D on Figure 2).

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Subsidence depressions
2.22 These depressions are described as being shallower (maximum depth commonly <5m) and more
scattered than the dolines. They are broadly oval in outline but have no consistent elongation that might
reflect possible structural guidance.
Foundered Millstone Grit masses
2.23 On the basis of his own field surveys and mapping by the Institute of Geological Sciences (now the
British Geological Survey) Thomas (1974, pg 148) identified areas that had been mapped as Carboniferous
Limestone but were covered with the collapsed and soliflucted residue of a former Basal Grit cover, let
down to a maximum of 250m. Importantly for the present report he noted (pg 148) that In places therefore
it is virtually impossible to define with any degree of precision the exact boundary of these two major
formations despite their sharply contrasting lithologies (Figure 5). Thomas went on to identify three major
types of foundered mass:
i.Segments of rock pavements which have been disrupted and tilted along the lines of major joints
ii.Beds which have subsided gradually without major rupturing to form structural basins normally
discernible in the surface relief
iii.Successions which have been subjected to collapse of varying amplitudes and lateral extent so as
to provide a jumble of loose blocks preserving no indications of the former structure at least not
in the uppermost and visible sections of individual accumulations.

Figure 5 : Schematic cross-section illustrating foundered Millstone Grit masses (from Thomas (1974)

ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Dry Valleys
2.24 Thomas identified several short (up to 2km) stretches of dry valley in the Millstone Grit area. He
divided them into two types:
i.Shallow features whose floors are punctuated by collapse dolines or broader subsidence depressions
but show a decrease in elevation in a down-dip direction
ii.More sharply defined gorge-like features up to 15m deep and occasionally with collapse dolines
extending laterally into the valley-side.
Both types of valley are largely confined to areas where the limestone is <50m below the grit and Thomas
suggests that they are dry because the grit is well-jointed and can absorb rainfall.
Development of the South Wales interstratal karst
2.25 Thomas suggested that the unprecedented development of interstratal karst in South Wales is
attributable to three factors:
1. In contrast to other parts of Britain, there is a very abrupt lithological break between the
Carboniferous Limestone and the Millstone Grit. In the west there are thin shales between the
limestone and grits but in the east (including Mynydd Llangynidr) the limestones are directly
overlain by massive, jointed quartzites and quartz conglomerates. These have a higher permeability
than the shales that directly overlie the Carboniferous limestones in most other British karst areas.
2. The regional surface gradient is broadly similar to the dip of strata so that the thickness of the grit
cover beds (the Twrch Sandstone Formation on Mynydd Llangynidr) increases slowly from a fine
feather edge.
3. Many of the main drainage areas in South Wales are directed generally down-dip.
2.26 As noted above, Thomas (1974) ascribed the development of the interstratal karst in general, and the
dolines in particular to dissolution of the carbonate bedrock and the formation of cave systems. However,
Burke & Bird (1966) suggested a mechanism whereby caprock dolines could form by dissolution of
carbonate without the necessity for integrated conduit systems (Figure 6). This fits better with observations
on Mynydd Llangynidr where there are few known caves and those caves that are known have no clear
relationship to caprock dolines. This is discussed further below.

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 6 : The Burke & Bird (1966) model for the development of caprock dolines from drip pockets
2.27 An alternative explanation was provided by Battiau-Queney (1984) who suggested that chemical
weathering of the Millstone Grit quartzites during a period of warmer climate was an important process in
landform evolution in South Wales. In particular, she argued (pg 238) that Under a climate hot and wet
enough to allow a rapid solution and massive export of silica, the decay of some beds could create dolines
without the prior formation of caves in the underlying limestone. Dissolution of limestone was not thought
to occur until some time later following tectonic opening of fractures in this rock to allow water circulation.
The dolines would then act to focus drainage and the process would be self-reinforcing as it would channel
aggressive water down to the limestone increasing the rate of dissolution. A major flaw in this argument is
that it is implicit that there was already some form of drainage system in the limestone such that the
dissolved silica could be exported underground. It seems likely that such a system would have developed at
the time represented by the late Holkerian to early Marsdenian unconformity and it is known that some of the
early grits filled voids in the limestone. However, further research is required to develop a convincing
unifying theory for caprock doline formation and Mynydd Llangynidr is the ideal location for this to take
place.
Literature specific to Mynydd Llangynidr
2.28 Thomas (1974) surveyed eleven areas of interstratal karst (Figure 4) and stated that of these Mynydd
Llangynidr had the most spectacular assemblage of collapse dolines (Figure 7). The GCR Volume (Waltham
et al., 1997) states that there are over 500 dolines concentrated in an area of less than 10 km2 (Figure 7)
although it is not clear how this was derived as Crowther (1989, pg 35) gives the number in the same area as
600. In any event this is a very much greater doline density than anywhere else in Great Britain and it is large
by global standards.

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

2.29 Thomas states that sample blocks of 250m by 250m on Mynydd Llangynidr contain up to 12 large
dolines, 20-40m in diameter and 5-8m deep. The majority are in the area underlain by the Basal Grit but
seven have collapsed upwards into the overlying shales and one is recorded as extending up to the Lower
Coal Measures which are about 30m above the top of the limestone at this point. Interestingly, this doline,
which lies to the east of the B4560 and is within the Mynydd Llangatwg (Mynydd Llangattock) SSSI is the
largest in the area being some 55 m wide and 17 m deep (Figure 8). On the 1 25 000 map supplied by CCW
it is labelled as Pwll Coch but on the 1:10 000 base map supplied by CCW and on the Ordnance Survey 1:25
000 Brecon Beacons (East) Sheet that name has (probably erroneously) been given to a much smaller doline
a few metres to the northwest and on the opposite side of the road.
2.30 Thomas (1974) estimated that within his Mynydd Llangynidr survey blocks what he terms the
maximum total volume of doline craters is some 180,000 m3. It is not clear how this figure has been derived
but it does illustrate that a substantial amount of limestone, and probably also some gritstone, has been
removed in solution.

Figure 7 : Geological map of the doline field on Mynydd Llangynidr

(from Waltham et al., 1997; partly after Thomas, 1974: Ogof Carno survey by Brynmawr Caving Club).
The cover shales are Bishopston Mudstone Formation and South Wales Coal Measures Group; the Basal
Grit is the Twrch Sandstone Formation; the limestone is Pembroke Limestone Group and the sandstone
beneath the limestone is Devonian. Much of the limestone outcrop is covered by soliflucted grit blocks.
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Vehicles on B4560

Figure 8 : Pwll Coch, the largest caprock doline in the area (photo by John Gunn).

2.31 In addition to the many caprock dolines Thomas (1974) identified six subsidence depressions on
Mynydd Llangynidr. They comprise Llyn y Garn-fawr which has a flat floor and a lake that expands and
contracts seasonally and five depressions to the east that have sediment floors pitted with what are probably
suffosion dolines (Figure 7). He also identified three substantial areas of foundered basal grit (Figure 7) the
easternmost of which lies to the east of the B4560 and is within the Mynydd Llangatwg (Mynydd
Llangattock) SSSI. The two eastern areas occupy ground mapped as being Millstone Grit but the western
area overlaps the Millstone Grit-Carboniferous Limestone boundary. Thomas also identified a much larger
area that he described as the collapsed and soliflucted residue of a former Basal Grit cover lying on
Carboniferous Limestone. This runs for about 4km along the northern edge of the escarpment, overlooking
the Claisfer Valley, and extends some 200m to the north of the mapped boundary between the Millstone Grit
and Carboniferous Limestone. In the GCR Volume Waltham et al (1997) estimate that is has an area of more
than 12 ha. This is a particularly interesting zone and the present writer would concur with Thomas that in
much of this area it is virtually impossible to define with any degree of precision the exact boundary of these
two major formations despite their sharply contrasting lithologies. This is discussed further in Section 3.
2.32 Thomas (1974, page 150) makes brief mention of Ogof Cynnes and suggests that other substantial
cave systems not yet fully described and completely explored are known beneath Mynydd Llangynidr.
However, the writer is only aware of four caves of any size on Mynydd Llangynidr: Ogof Cynnes (~1300m
long), Chartist Cave (~440m long), Crescent Cave (675m long, 81m deep) and Blaen Onneu Quarry Pot
(426m long, 74m deep). There are also two shorter caves in Blaen Onneu Quarry (also referred to the the Old
Blaen Onneu Quarry) referred to by Oldham (1986) as No 1 (~20m long) and No 2 (~7m long).
2.33 The caves are described in two cavers publications (Oldham (1986) and Stratford (1986)) and in more
detail on three main web-sites:
1. The Cambrian Caving Council : http://www.cambriancavingcouncil.org.uk/registry/
2. UK Caving : http://ukcaving.com/wiki/index.php
3. http://www.ogof.org.uk

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2.34 Ogof Cynnes, Chartist Cave and Crescent Cave each has an entrance in, and is partially roofed by, the
Millstone Grit (Figures 9-16). They provide interesting insights into the relationships between cave passages
and interstratal karst features and as such they are considered to be important GCR and SSSI features. They
are also important in providing access to the unconformity between the Millstone Grit and the Carboniferous
Limestone which has clearly played an important role in the development of the interstratal karst.
2.35 Figures 17 and 18 are surface related plans of Chartist Cave and Ogof Cynnes both of which have
rectilinear patterns that are indicative of a strong structural influence on their development. No surface
related plan is available for Crescent Cave but a survey and profile on www.cavinguk.co.uk/info/cresSurv/
show the horizontal and vertical complexity of this cave that has developed entirely under a cover of
Millstone Grit.
2.36 The Blaen Onneu Quarry Caves (no 1 and No 2) provide an important contrast to Ogof Cynnes,
Chartist Cave and Crescent Cave in that they are developed a short distance below the Millstone Gritlimestone unconformity. No surveys are known to exist and the caves are only accessible for a few tens of
metres but they appear to be trending beneath the grit. The roof of the lower cave (Oldhams No 1) has a
mammelated form that could be a paleokarst horizon. Oldham (1986, pg 2) also states that the No 2 cave has
been smoke tested to Cave No 3 and Cave No 4 and that The northern side of this quarry appears to be one
large boulder ruckle. However, the location map that he provides has no north point and when it is correctly
orientated it is clear that the No 3 and No 4 caves, and the boulder ruckle lie to the west in an area of
Millstone Grit. No description is given of the No 3 and No 4 caves and they were no located during the
present study. However, Blaen Onneu Quarry Caves No 1 and No 2 clearly form an integral part of the
interstratal karst interest.
2.37 The hydrology of Mynydd Llangynidr is described by Gascoine (1989) who reports water tracing
experiments that showed two sinks to the west of the GCR site (presumably in caprock dolines as this is well
within the area where Millstone Grit crops out) drain south to Ffynnon Shon Sheffrey. However, a sink in a
caprock doline northeast of Ogof Cynnes, another sink about 1km to the east and Pwll Coch were all traced
east to Ffynnon Gisfaen. A sink about 360m northnortheast of Pwll Coch was traced to the Ace of Spades
inlet in Agen Allwedd. The tracing experiments were undertaken with Lycopodium spores and have not been
replicated but it would appear that there is an underground watershed beneath Mynydd Llangynidr. Figure
12.3 in Smart & Gardener (1989) also shows a trace from Ogof Cynnes to Ffynnon Gisfaen and from Blaen
Onneu Quarry to the Turkey Streamway in Agen Allwedd.

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 9 : Caprock doline with entrance to Crescent Cave (behind figure)

Figure 10 : Entrance to Crescent Cave exposed bedrock is all Millstone Grit

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 11 : Millstone Grit exposed in roof of entrance chamber, Crescent cave

Figure 12 : Arched entrance (in Millstone Grit) to Chartists cave

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figures 13 : Looking back towards entrance of Chartist Cave. Roof Millstone Grit; walls limestone

Figure 14 : Caprock doline with gritstone arch and entrance to Ogof Cynnes

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 15 : Entrance chamber of Ogof Cynnes. Roof Millstone Grit; walls limestone

Figure 16 : Lens cap is at junction of Millstone Grit and limestone, Ogof Cynnes

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 17 : Surface related plan of Chartist Cave (compiled by John Stevens)

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 18 : Surface related plan of Ogof Cynnes (compiled by John Stevens)

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

3.

FIELD SURVEY & PROPOSED SSSI BOUNDARY

3.1 The Mynydd Llangynidr interstratal karst extends over an area of ~12km2 and budgetary constraints
limited the time for fieldwork to three days. It was clear from the descriptions in Thomas (1974) and in the
GCR Volume (Waltham et al., 1997) that the core of the GCR site is of very high value and hence it was
decided to focus mapping along the indicative boundary of the GCR site with a view to determining the
location of any areas of interstratal karst importance outside the indicative boundary and any areas inside the
indicative boundary that did not have interstratal karst interest features. Unfortunately on 2 of the days the
visibility was less than 50m, dropping to less than 25m for part of the time and this both made for slow
progress and meant that features more than 50m from the transects could not be seen. However, very good
aerial photograph coverage is available for the area and this has allowed those areas that could not be visited
to be assessed using information gained from those areas that were visited.
3.2 The procedure adopted was to create a series of Waypoints using a hand-held Garmin GPS 12. At each
Waypoint photographs were taken and notes made. The locations were exported to Excel and CCW imported
them into a GIS and overlaid them onto aerial photographs and 1: 10 000 Ordnance Survey sheets allowing
the field notes and photographs to be placed in context. The majority of the Waypoints are considered to be
accurate to less than +/-5m horizontally based on recording of the same point at the start and end of each
transect and on the recording of known points such as Garn Fawr and a trig point. However, Waypoints in
the base of steep-sided dolines have a lower accuracy.
3.3 During the transects over one hundred dolines were recorded, confirming the density of these features.
There was a remarkable variability in diameter, depth, shape and materials. They included a full range of
morphologies from shallow flat-floored to deep and steep-sided. Several dolines acted as stream-sinks, some
contained standing water bodies and some contained reeds but the majority were free-draining. Exposed insitu bedrock was only present in a few dolines but coarse grit blocks were a feature of many and a small
number appeared to be developed entirely in foundered grit.
3.4 As expected from the published work of Thomas reviewed in Section 2 it is clear that the special
scientific interest of the site derives from both the individual landforms and from the remarkable density of
the caprock dolines, far greater than in any other part of Great Britain. These are not fully reflected in the
indicative GCR boundary as there are important interstratal karst areas outside the boundary whilst some
areas where no interstratal karst interest has been identified are within the boundary. To correct these
imbalances a new GCR boundary is proposed that contains all of the interstratal karst interest features
identified with the exception of a small number of outlying caprock dolines that are separated from the core
zone of interstratal karst by areas that contain no interest features. The proposed GCR/SSSI Boundary for the
eastern part of the site is shown on Figure 19 and the western part is on Figure 20. The key differences
between the indicative and proposed boundaries are discussed below.

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 19 : Eastern Mynydd Llangynidr.

The yellow line is the indicative GCR boundary and the red line the proposed GCR/SSSI boundary.
The numbers are surveyed Waypoints
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 20 : Western Mynydd Llangynidr.

The yellow line is the indicative GCR boundary and the red line the proposed GCR/SSSI boundary.
The numbers are surveyed Waypoints
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

3.5 The eastern boundary of the pSSSI has been drawn to the east of the B4560 to enclose a group of large
caprock dolines that are an integral part of the Mynydd Llangynidr interstratal karst. They lie within the
current Mynydd Llangatwg (Mynydd Llangattock) SSSI which incorporates the Mynydd Llangattwg Caves
GCR site and is notified for this cave feature as well as various biological special interest features. These
dolines include Pwll Coch, the largest of the caprock dolines (Figure 8). There are several isolated caprock
dolines to the east of the proposed boundary but they do not form part of the core doline assemblage.
3.6 The northern edge of the eastern pSSSI boundary crosses the B4560 close to the old Blaen Onneu
Quarry at WP108 and then trends west past the northern edge of the quarry. This former limestone quarry is
important as the caves provide access beneath the unconformity at the top of the limestone sequence (see
paragraph 2.35). They also contain speleothems that have formed on collapse blocks. Their basal age would
provide a minimum date for the end of collapse.
3.7 Immediately to the west of the quarry edge lies an area of foundered grit that was not recorded by
Thomas. Continuing west there are several caprock dolines followed by a more extensive area of foundered
grit that contains unusual dolines (Figures 21 and 22). Another doline in the same area (which is outside and
immediately west of the indicative GCR boundary) has in situ Millstone Grit bedrock in the backwall but
appears also to be part of an area of foundered grit (Figure 23).

Figure 21 :
Extensive area of foundered grit close to Waypoint 120

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 22
One of several small dolines in the foundered grit close to Waypoint 120

Figure 23 : Doline close to Waypoint 125

Millstone Grit is in situ behind the figure and there is an extensive grit scree downslope
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

3.8 Continuing west, the boundary of the pSSSI initially runs well to the south of the GCR boundary as no
features of special interest were located in this area. However, to the west of Waypoint 141 the pSSSI
boundary encompasses an area of land to the north of the GCR boundary. This was only partially mapped on
the ground but the aerial photograph confirms that it contains numerous dolines. On the BGS 1:50k Sheet
232 most of this area is mapped as Dowlais Limestone. However, Thomas (1974) suggests that the limestone
only crops out as a series of outliers and that most of the area is what he terms Collapsed and Soliflucted
Grit on Carboniferous Limestone. The boundary was placed using the aerial photographs and encloses
virtually all of the dolines. Similarly, continuing west the pSSSI boundary varies from the GCR boundary as
it is drawn to contain the majority of dolines and an area of foundered grit. It is recognised that some of these
dolines in this area, particularly the smaller ones, may not be caprock dolines but instead are probably
normal solution dolines formed in limestone bedrock. However, the complexity of the area is such that
inclusion of all dolines is justified. This can be illustrated by reference to WP50 and WP52 on Figure 10.
Both are well within the area shown on the BGS map as being Dowlais Limestone but whereas limestone
crops out at WP52 (Figure 24), some 150m to the east at WP50 there are several dolines with extensive
trains of grit boulders (e.g. Figure 25) that are similar to those well inside the area underlain by grit.
Moreover, the limestone at WP52 is at a height of 521m (OD, from GPS) whereas the doline rims are at
510m OD.

Figure 24 : Limestone cropping out at WP52 (shown by GPS unit)

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 25 : Caprock doline with extensive train of grit boulders adjacent to WP50
3.9 The western limit of the northern boundary of the pSSSI is placed at WP18. As in the areas to the east,
this area is mapped by BGS as Dowlais Limestone but is better described as Collapsed and Soliflucted Grit
on Carboniferous Limestone and there are several dolines such as the one shown in Figure 26 that contain
water bodies and hence are unlikely to be simple solution dolines. South of WP18 the boundary is again
drawn to include the majority of dolines and extends south of the GCR boundary to abut Trefil Quarry. The
pSSSI encompasses all of the land being considered for inclusion as a preferred area of search for mineral
extraction in the draft Blaenau Gwent LDP and this is discussed in more detail in Section 4.

Figure 26 : Shallow interstratal doline with water body near WP18

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

3.10 From Trefil Quarry the proposed boundary trends east, briefly coinciding with the indicative GCR
boundary before trending north to exclude areas that have no (or very few) dolines and no interstratal karst
interest. This includes the large, shallow valley at the head of Cwm Odyn-ty that extends to within 450m of
the proposed northern boundary.
3.11 The pSSSI boundary follows the head of the valley and then trends southsoutheast across the indicative
GCR boundary before heading west and then northwest to meet the B4560 close to Pwll Coch as described
in paragraph 3.5. The area to the south of the indicative GCR boundary contains many interstratal dolines
including several with standing water bodies (Figures 27 and 28).

Figure 27 : Shallow doline with water body at WP2 in east of pSSSI

Figure 28 : Large doline with water body at WP4 in east of pSSSI.

A stream enters the doline but there is no evidence that the lake ever overflows

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

4.

THE PREFERRED AREA OF SEARCH FOR MINERAL EXTRACTION

4.1 The western boundary of the pSSSI encompasses all of the land being considered for inclusion as a
preferred area of search for mineral extraction in the draft Blaenau Gwent LDP. In March 2010 this area
was examined by a CCW geologist, Gareth Owen, who mapped 73 dolines in the area in addition to 12 that
are shown on the 1:10 000 Ordnance Survey map. He concluded that the area is packed with features key to
the GCR interest and so is a key part of the GCR site.
4.2 The present survey was undertaken under adverse weather conditions that precluded a detailed
assessment of the whole area. Instead a north-south transect was made along the eastern boundary followed
by a transect from south to north close to the quarry margin and then north (Figure 29).
4.3 The survey, and the aerial photograph on which it is plotted, clearly shows that this is an area with a
high number of dolines. Some of the dolines that are closest to, and largely within the curtilage of, the quarry
are in an area where the Dowlais Limestone is shown as cropping out on the BGS 1:50k Sheet 232. It was
not possible to confirm this on the ground but some of these dolines appear to be only a few metres in
diameter and depth which would be consistent with a solution doline on limestone rather than a caprock
doline. However, Thomas (1974) shows a narrow zone that lies between what he terms Basal Grit and
Carboniferous Limestone Series to be occupied by Collapsed and Soliflucted Grit on Carboniferous
Limestone. He shows the same zone as extending northwards along the western boundary of the Basal Grit
and then eastwards along the northern boundary of the Basal Grit. The northern and western boundaries of
the pSSSI have been drawn so as to include the majority of this zone (see discussion in paragraphs 3.8 &
3.9). Using the same logic the pSSSI boundary has been drawn closer to the quarry than the indicative GCR
boundary which appears to have been drawn primarily on the basis of the mapped boundary between the
limestone and basal grit. Hence, the western edge of the pSSSI (and part of the preferred area of search for
mineral extraction) may include some areas of limestone outcrop and some solution dolines but these are
surrounded by areas of collapsed and soliflucted grit that are clearly GCR/SSSI interest features. This is a
very complex area that requires further research and this in itself provides further support of its inclusion in
the pSSSI. To the east of this zone the preferred area of search for mineral extraction is underlain by
Millstone Grit strata with many caprock dolines that are fundamental interstratal karst interest features.
4.4 Although it is outside the scope of this report it should be noted that, with the exception of a small strip
close to the rim of the present quarry, the limestone in the preferred area of search is overlain by Millstone
Grit and superficial deposits. The exact thickness is unknown but Figure 30 shows the doline at WP81, a few
metres from the quarry boundary, which is about 5m deep and Figure 31 shows the doline at Waypoint 83
which is about 3m deep. To the north and east there are even deeper dolines (for example, the doline at
Waypoints 76 and 77 is over 10m deep) so it is clear that before any limestone could be quarried from this
area a substantial thickness of Millstone Grit would have to be removed. If a figure of 2.5t/m3 is assumed for
the density then for each one hundred square metre area of surface that is cleared of overburden around 7500
tonnes of material will be generated. It is assumed that this will be waste that would have to be tipped. At
least some of the Millstone Grit is likely to be intact and coherent and hence may require blasting prior to
removal. Moreover, there are also extensive areas of foundered gritstone boulders such as those between
Waypoints 85 and 86 (Figure 32). It is assumed that this would also be waste that would have to be removed
prior to quarrying of limestone.

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 29 :
Aerial photograph of the preferred area of search showing the many caprock dolines.
The yellow line is the indicative GCR boundary, the red line is the proposed GCR/SSSI boundary
and numbered triangles are GPS surveyed Waypoints
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 30 : Doline at Waypoint 81. Quarry fence posts barely visible in background

Figure 31 : Doline at Waypoint 83

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

Figure 32 : Extensive area of foundered gritstone extending between Waypoints 85 and 86

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

5.

SUGGESTED REVISED GCR STATEMENT OF INTEREST

5.1

Having re-evaluated the site features the following revised statement of interest is proposed:

Mynydd Llangynidr GCR Site Statement of Interest (DRAFT)

The northern edge of the South Wales Coalfield provides the best British example of an interstratal karst,
extending from Black Mountain in the west to the Blorenge in the east. Within this area Mynydd Llangynidr
is exceptional for the morphological variety and density of caprock dolines whilst also containing shallow
subsidence depressions and foundered rock masses of varying topographical form.
The site covers the summit area and upper dipslopes of Mynydd Llangynidr, where the solid outcrop is
dominantly the Twrch Sandstone Formation, locally the base of the Marros Group of Namurian age and
informally referred to as the Millstone Grit. The Twrch Sandstone Formation is underlain by the Dowlais
Limestone Formation, locally the top of the Pembroke Limestone Group (informally referred to as the
Carboniferous Limestone) but there is an unconformity that covers several million years between the two
formations. To the north of the site the Carboniferous Limestone forms an escarpment that overlooks the Usk
Valley.
The site includes a densely packed doline field that clearly demonstrates how subsurface interstratal karst
solution can induce collapse, pitting and foundering in the overlying non-carbonate outcrop. Although
broadly classified as caprock dolines there is an array of depression morphologies ranging from shallowsided forms that commonly contain permanent or ephemeral water bodies through to deep, steep-sided
depressions. Some of the caprock dolines appear to have captured small surface streams and function as
sinks and there are also unusual dolines developed entirely in grit boulder fields. In addition to surface
landforms, Ogof Cynnes, Chartist Cave and Crescent Cave are of particular importance as they allow the
interface between the grit and the limestone to be viewed in greater detail from underground, and provide
further insights into the development of interstratal karst. Blaen Onneu Quarry Caves No 1 and No 2 provide
a contrast to these caves as they are developed at a slightly lower horizon but appear to have connections to
the grit. Hence they are also part of the interstratal karst interest.
Mynydd Llangynidr is of international importance and provides tremendous potential for future research into
caprock doline morphology and interstratal karst development.

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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

6.

CONCLUSIONS

6.1 The Millstone Grit country fringing the upturned northern edge of the South Wales coalfield is
undoubtedly the outstanding British example of an interstratal karst. and within this area Mynydd Llangynidr
has the most spectacular assemblage of collapse dolines together with other features of interest. As part of
the present study three leading international karst experts who have particular knowledge of doline karsts
were contacted and asked whether they were aware of equally good examples of caprock dolines and
interstratal karst: Dr Alexander Klimchouk (Ukraine), Dr Art Palmer (USA) and Professor Paul Williams
(New Zealand). Their collective experience, and that of Professor John Gunn, extends to over 60 countries
and all of the worlds major karst regions. With respect to Mynydd Llangynidr they all concur that there is
no better site with such fine expression of collapses in competent limestone under a strongly cemented
caprock (Williams, 2012, pers. comm.). In short, this is a site that is not just the best of its kind in Great
Britain, it is of global importance.
6.2 A revised GCR statement of interest and boundary have been proposed. The revised boundary
encompasses the interstratal karst interest surface features (caprock dolines, subsidence depressions,
foundered basal grit) and five caves that are integral to the interstratal interest. It is recommended that the
GCR site should be protected as a SSSI. It is considered essential that the entire doline field is included since
one of the aspects that makes the site special is the number, variety and density of caprock dolines. As
discussed in paragraphs 3.8 and 3.9, there are some areas within the boundary where limestone crops out and
these are clearly not part of the interstratal karst. However, these limestone outcrops are surrounded by
complex areas described by Thomas as containing collapsed and soliflucted Grit on Carboniferous
Limestone and these form an integral part of the interstratal karst interest. Although time has not permitted
examination of the ground, evidence from aerial photographs and from Thomas (1974) suggests that most of
the dolines outside the pSSSI are solution dolines on limestone bedrock and not part of the interstratal karst.
There are also a small number of probably caprock dolines that are several hundred metres outside the pSSSI
boundary but in the absence of any interstratal karst interest features in the intervening area it was felt that
extension of the boundary to include these isolated features could not be justified. In contrast, the area
identified in this report as being within the recommended pSSSI boundary is of special interest and all of the
interstratal karst features within the boundary (dolines, shallow subsidence depressions and foundered rock
masses together with the five caves) should be preserved.
6.3 The proposed SSSI encompasses land being considered for inclusion as a preferred area of search for
mineral extraction in the draft Blaenau Gwent LDP. It is recommended that this proposal should be opposed
as the area contains over 70 caprock dolines and is an integral part of the pSSSI. Moreover, with the
exception of a small strip close to the rim of the present quarry, the limestone is overlain by Millstone Grit
and superficial deposits. The exact thickness is unknown but on the basis of dolines close to the present
quarry it is estimated to be at least 3m, rising to over 10m deep further north and east. This implies that a
large amount of material would have to be removed and tipped before the limestone could be extracted.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
John Stevens is thanked for field support and information on the caves in the area. Dr Andrew Farrant (BGS)
and Dr David Lowe are thanked for stimulating discussion on interstratal karst in general and on the Mynydd
Llangynidr area in particular.
Stuart Reid, Gareth Owen and Raymond Roberts of CCW provided advice and information and Graham
Motley of CCW provided invaluable GIS support.
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ASSESSMENT OF MYNYDD LLANGYNIDR AS A POTENTIAL SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST. LRC REPORT 2012/13

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British Geological Survey. 1990. Abergavenny. 1:50 000 Series Sheet 232 (England and Wales)
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Waltham A C & Fookes P G. 2003. Engineering classification of karst ground conditions. Quarterly Journal
of Engineering Geology & Hydrogeology, 36, 101-118.
Waltham T, Bell F & Culshaw M. 2005. Sinkholes and Subsidence. Springer.
Waters C N, Waters R A, Barclay W J & Davies J R. 2009. A lithostratigraphical framework for the
Carboniferous successions of southern Great Britain (Onshore). British Geological Survey Research
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Dearborn, 304-310.

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