Earthwatcher's photos with the keyword: vein

Originally uploaded for the Guesswhere UK group. This is at Odin Mine (lead) near Castleton, Derbyshire. This slot-like feature is Odin Gorge, which marks that portion of the Odin Vein which was completely worked-out at the surface, before being extensively mined underground. Odin Mine is the earliest recorded, named, lead mine in Derbyshire, dating back to at least 1280, and possibly earlier - the Romans were thought to have worked the mine.

By 1993, the reworking of Dirtlow Rake for fluorite and barytes had just about reached its maximum depth. This photo shows the vein itself exposed in the SW part of the quarry, probably close to the former Hollandtwine lead mine. My wife standing in the bottom of the excavation indicates the scale (see note). Of note are the horizontal slickensides ('scratch marks') on the side of the vein. This is at the boundary with the host rock and vein and provides good evidence of relative horizontal movement; and demonstrates that this vein at least was emplaced along a fault line which had mostly horizontal displacement - a strike-slip or wrench fault, a bit like a miniature San Andreas fault. In all probability, most of the WSW-ENE trending mineral veins in this part of the Peak District have a similar origin. Taken with a Zenit E camera; scanned from a Kodacolor print.

The photograph is of 'open works' along the Dirtlow Rake mineral vein, between Pin Dale and Cavedale, near Castleton. The vertical slot is where lead miners have removed the vein, from medieval times onwards. Later workings took place underground and there are many old shafts along the length of the vein. The view is eastwards along the vein. The small 'bump' on the skyline is Win Hill. The village of Hope lies hidden beyond the green fields in the middle distance.