Geology of the Glossop district : a brief explanation of the geological map Sheet 86 Glossop

This Sheet Explanation provides a summary of the geology of the district covered by the geological 1:50 000 Series map Sheet 86 Glossop published as a bedrock and superficial edition in 2012. The district lies in parts of the Kirklees Metropolitan District of West Yorkshire, the Barnsley and Sheffield Metropolitan Districts of South Yorkshire, the High Peak District of Derbyshire, and the Tameside District and Oldham Metropolitan District of Greater Manchester. The main population centres are in the west of the district, including Mossley, Stalybridge, Hyde and Glossop, and in the north-east, including Holmfirth and Penistone. These towns are separated by areas of farmland and scattered villages. Large tracts of moorland and valleys present in the north-western, central and southern parts of the district are sparsely populated. The upland moors form parts of the South Pennines and the Dark Peak, occurring respectively to the north and south of Longdendale. Within the Dark Peak, Bleaklow Hill forms the highest point within the district at 633 m above Ordnance Datum. The district is drained by the upper reaches of a number of rivers, including the Holme, Dearne, Don, Derwent, Etherow and Tame. These rivers and their tributary streams have been dammed to form a large number of reservoirs, supplying water for public consumption and industrial usage. Many of these reservoirs now also provide important recreational amenities.