Boxford Chalk Pit facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Berkshire |
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| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.4 hectares (0.99 acres) |
| Notification | 1993 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Boxford Chalk Pit is a very special place in Boxford, Berkshire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique rocks and fossils. This site covers about 0.4 hectares, which is roughly the size of half a football field! It's also recognized as a Geological Conservation Review site, meaning it's super important for understanding Earth's history.
Contents
What Makes Boxford Chalk Pit Special?
Boxford Chalk Pit is a former quarry where people once dug out chalk. But it's not just any old pit! What makes it amazing are the layers of rock found here. These rock layers are tilted, which is quite unusual. They date back to the Upper Cretaceous period, a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, about 87 to 84 million years ago.
Ancient Rock Layers
The tilted rock layers at Boxford Chalk Pit tell an incredible story. They formed between the late Coniacian and Santonian ages of the Upper Cretaceous period. These layers are unique because they show evidence of ancient earth movements that aren't seen in other parts of Britain from this time.
Evidence of Earth's Movements
On top of these tilted layers, you'll find chalk that contains broken and folded pieces of what geologists call hardground. Imagine a very old, hardened seafloor. When these hardgrounds are fractured and folded, it suggests that the ground moved a lot! This kind of movement, called tectonism, means the Earth's crust was shifting and changing in this specific area millions of years ago.
Amazing Fossils
Besides the fascinating rock layers, Boxford Chalk Pit is also a treasure trove for fossils. Scientists have found coprolites here, which are fossilized animal droppings! These can tell us a lot about what ancient creatures ate. You can also find many tiny fish teeth, giving us clues about the fish that swam in the seas millions of years ago.
Why is it Protected?
Boxford Chalk Pit is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to make sure these important geological features and fossils are preserved. It's a fantastic outdoor classroom for scientists and students to learn about Earth's ancient past and how our planet has changed over millions of years.
