Steinbruch Rauen, Natural monument and quarry in Witten, Germany
Steinbruch Rauen is a natural monument and quarry in Witten that displays rock layers from different geological periods. The exposed sections reveal sedimentary formations with coal seams that were mined in earlier times.
The quarry originated from coal mining operations by companies seeking to extract deposits beneath Witten. Later, the site was protected as a geotope to preserve the exposed geological sequence for future study.
Fossil discoveries at the site include marine shells, goniatites, plant remains, and trace fossils from Belorhaphe kochi and Planolites ophtalmoides species.
Visiting requires prior permission, as the area has been protected as a geotope since 2006. Access is managed by a local trail association that provides guidance and ensures visitor safety.
The exposed layers reveal alternating marine, river, and delta deposits that show how ancient environmental conditions changed. This visible transition between different depositional environments is particularly valuable for geological research and understanding Earth's distant past.
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