Gravel extraction

A gravel pit is an open-pit mine for the extraction of gravel. Gravel pits often lie in river valleys where the water table is high, so they may naturally fill with water to form ponds or lakes. Old, abandoned gravel pits are normally used either as nature reserves, or as amenity areas for water sports, landfills and walking. In addition, many gravel pits in the United Kingdom have been stocked with freshwater fish such as the common carp to create coarse fishing locations. Gravel and sand are mined for concrete, construction aggregate and other industrial mineral uses.

Panorama of a gravel pit near Ans, Denmark

A gravel pit in Germany

A naturalized gravel pit, now Silver Springs Park in East St. Paul, Manitoba.

Tennessee quarry

Gravel pit in Tullingeåsen, which forms part of Uppsalaåsen.

Overhead view of the quarry Thornton Quarry.