Rockfall at an Abandoned Quarry in Frankfort

Sunday, June 11, 2000, part of a highwall in an abandoned quarry near downtown Frankfort, Ky., failed, a continuation of a rockfall that began in October, 1999. The failure took place in the Grier, Devils Hollow, and Tanglewood Members of the Ordovician Lexington Limestone. The units tend to be fractured, are highly argillaceous, and contain shale partings. The Ordovician Clays Ferry Formation caps the top of the hill behind the quarry. A pit at the base of the highwall was partially flooded during high water on the Kentucky River in the late 1970's or early 1980's. Photos were taken Sunday, July 23, 2000, and Tuesday July 25.

State Journal, Frankfort, Kentucky newspaper accounts (courtesy of the State Journal)

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qry_0008.jpg	Close-up of scarp, weathered joint face at head of failure (in shadow)	qry_0009.jpg
To the best of my recollection, this is what the left side of the highwall used to look like.	Pool with flooded entries at base of highwall now partially filled by material at toe of slide.	Business near base of highwall
View westward (down river) from the Singing Bridge showing housing overlooking highwall	qry_0020a.jpg	Close-up of houses overlooking highwall
Fractured spire to left of slide.	Top of highwall showing fracturing	qry_0022a.jpg
Close-up of joints at top of quarry highwall