Buckanay Farm Pit, Alderton facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.7 hectares |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Buckanay Farm Pit, Alderton, is a special place in Suffolk, England. It's a small area, about the size of a sports field, that's important for understanding Earth's history. This site is protected because it shows us amazing things about ancient times.
Contents
What is Buckanay Farm Pit?
Buckanay Farm Pit is a 0.7-hectare area located east of Alderton. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected spot because of its unique natural features. In this case, it's important for its geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and how they formed.
A Window into the Past
This pit is a fantastic place to learn about Earth's past. It's part of something called a Geological Conservation Review site. This means scientists have studied it carefully and found it very valuable. The rocks here are from an ancient sea and are full of fossils.
The rocks you can see are part of the Red Crag Formation. This formation tells us about a time when the sea slowly became shallower. You can even see patterns in the rocks that look like giant ripples, called megaripples. These show how water moved millions of years ago.
How Old Are These Rocks?
The rocks at Buckanay Farm Pit are incredibly old! They formed at the end of the Pliocene period and the start of the Pleistocene period. The Pliocene ended about 2.6 million years ago. So, these rocks give us a glimpse into Earth's history from millions of years ago.
Visiting the Site
If you're interested in seeing this amazing geological site, you can access it from Buckanay Lane. It's a great spot for anyone curious about fossils and how our planet has changed over time.
