East Kirkton Quarry, Limestone quarry and scientific site in West Lothian, Scotland.
East Kirkton Quarry is a limestone quarry in West Lothian with exposed layers of volcanic tuff, limestone, and silica deposits from the Carboniferous period. The geological strata formed around ancient freshwater lakes and reveal the environmental conditions of that time.
Limestone extraction at the site began in the 18th century and ended in 1844, exposing the geological layers. In 1984, fossil collector Stan Wood discovered a tetrapod skull, which sparked renewed scientific investigation of the quarry.
Scientists from multiple disciplines conduct research at East Kirkton Quarry, studying fossils that reveal information about early land vertebrates and ancient ecosystems.
The quarry is an open site with exposed rock faces and uneven ground, so wear sturdy shoes and bring weatherproof clothing. Access is easier in dry conditions, as wet ground can make walking difficult and potentially unsafe.
Several fossil species found here exist nowhere else on Earth, including the early tetrapod Westlothiana and the scorpion-like Pulmonoscorpius. These endemic discoveries make the quarry scientifically significant as they shed light on early terrestrial vertebrates.
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