Citation: Welch, R.J. 1909 Land-shell rain-wash at Horn Head, Co. Donegal. Irish Naturalist 18: 113-115
Number of Pages: 3
Keywords: Donegal, Fauna, Gravel, Littoral, Mollusca, Sand, Sediment, Terrestrial
Abstract: An account is given of rain-wash shell deposits found amongst the dune system at Tramore beach, Co. Donegal. These deposits are formed when heavy rainfall washes masses of shells down the hillside between two dunes. The sand then covers up the deposit and protects them from erosion. A deposit examined by the visiting team contained a great number of species which were in good condition, including tiny Vertigo and Carychium shells. The calcareous sands of the west help protect the shell deposits from erosion. The water becomes saturated with calcium carbonate from the sand which prevents solution of the shells.