Crag Farm Pit, Sudbourne facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 4.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Crag Farm Pit, Sudbourne is a special place in Suffolk, England. It's a 4.8 hectare (about 12 acre) area known for its amazing geology. This site is protected because it helps scientists understand Earth's past. It's also part of a beautiful natural area called the Suffolk Coast and Heaths.
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What is Crag Farm Pit?
Crag Farm Pit is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important place for its natural features. In this case, it's important for its geology. The site is located east of Sudbourne in Suffolk. It was officially recognized as special in 1985.
Why is it a Special Scientific Site?
Crag Farm Pit is a "Geological Conservation Review" site. This means it's one of the best examples of certain geological features in the country. It's like a natural history book written in rocks and soil. Scientists study these sites to learn about Earth's history.
It's also part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a protected landscape known for its stunning scenery.
A Look Back in Time: The Pliocene Era
The rocks and soil at Crag Farm Pit tell a story from the early Pliocene period. This was about four million years ago! Imagine what the world was like back then. Natural England, a group that protects nature, says this site is very important.
What Makes This Site Special?
Crag Farm Pit shows the best examples of ancient "sandwave formations" from the Coralline Crag Formation. Think of huge underwater sand dunes, like those you see in deserts, but formed by ocean currents. Over millions of years, these sandy layers turned into rock.
Scientists have found many bryozoan fossils here. Bryozoans are tiny sea creatures that live in colonies. They often look like moss or coral. Finding their fossils helps scientists understand what the ancient oceans were like.
Visiting Crag Farm Pit
Today, Crag Farm Pit has been filled in and is now a field. It is on private land, so there is no public access. This means you can't visit it directly. However, its scientific importance remains.
