Steinbruch an der Schanz, Geological quarry in Burgberg im Allgäu, Germany.
Steinbruch an der Schanz is a geological site in Burgberg im Allgäu that exposes limestone and sandstone layers in vertical walls. These rock formations belong to the South Helveticum fold structure and reveal how sediment layers were tilted and compressed over millions of years.
The quarry was opened in the 1930s; in 1978 an Allgäu bitumen-mixing firm took over industrial operation. The extraction permit expired at the end of 1999, and a 2009 attempt to reopen the quarry failed because of resistance from Burgberg residents. Mining has not taken place since 2000.
The formation ranks among Bavaria's 100 most beautiful geotopes, revealing substantial geological evidence of ancient marine deposits through its sedimentary structures.
The quarry lies on the Weinberg between Rettenberg and Burgberg, measuring 250 metres long and 70 metres wide and high. Mining stopped at the end of 1999, and since 2000 the pit floor has been recultivated, so the former working level is now a green surface below the rock face. A 2009 attempt to reopen the quarry failed after resistance from Burgberg residents.
The Seewerkalk here holds white to clear calcite crystals up to several centimetres long, mostly as scalenohedra, in cavities of calcite veins. Pyrite and marcasite occur in dark grey patches, and strontianite, which often coats the calcite, is rare. Anatase crystals up to 4 mm may also be present in the rock.
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