Archive for June, 2009

Jurassic Coast

June 27th, 2009 by admin | No Comments | Filed in Seascapes

The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site located in Dorset and East Devon Coast in southern England. The coast which measures 153 kilometres (95 mi) stretches from Orcombe Point near Exmouth in East Devon to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in East Dorset and is England’s first natural World Heritage Site and is truly a stunning coastline.

Gad cliff in jurassic coast

Gad Cliff to St. Alban’s Head (Source)

Jurassic Coast was named so because the area consists of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous cliffs, spanning the Mesozoic Era which documents 180 million years of geological history which scientists called geological “walk through time”.

Portland Coast in jurassic coast

The Jurassic limestones on the Isle of Portland which was extensively quarried (Source)

The site contains unique geological features and excellent examples of different landforms. Some of the famous is the natural arch at Durdle Door, the cove and limestone folding at Lulworth Cove and an island, the Isle of Portland. Chesil Beach is a fine example of both a tombolo and a storm beach.

Durdle Door in jurassic coast

The Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast (Source)

Landslip near Lyme regis in jurassic coast

Landslip near Lyme Regis where the first complete Ichthyosaur fossil was found by palaeontologist Mary Anning (Source)