Downfield Pit facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Downfield Pit north
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| Area of Search | Hertfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 3.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1989 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Downfield Pit is a special place in Hertfordshire, England. It is near the town of Ware. This area is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's very important for nature or geology.
Downfield Pit is special because of its geology. It helps scientists learn about Earth's past. The site covers about 3.6 hectares. This is roughly the size of seven football fields!
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What Makes Downfield Pit Special?
Downfield Pit is a "geological" Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's important for studying rocks and land. It's part of something called the Geological Conservation Review. This review lists the best places in Britain to study geology.
The site helps us understand the Pleistocene period. This was a time when huge ice ages happened. It also teaches us about the ancient River Thames.
The Story of the Ancient River Thames
Long, long ago, the River Thames flowed differently. It used to flow through an area called the Vale of St Albans. This was before a massive ice age changed its path.
About 450,000 years ago, the Anglian Ice Age occurred. Huge sheets of ice covered much of Britain. This ice pushed the River Thames south. It moved the river to where it flows today.
How Rivers Change Course
The ice age caused big changes to the land. As the ice moved, it left behind gravel and clay. These layers of earth show us where the river once was. Downfield Pit has many layers of these materials. They tell a story of the ancient Thames.
Scientists study these layers. They can see how the river changed over time. Downfield Pit is a key spot for this. It connects the history of the Thames with the East Anglia region. This helps us understand the Middle Pleistocene period.
Where is Downfield Pit Today?
Today, Downfield Pit is part of the Hanbury Manor Golf Course. It's split into two main areas. One area is on a steep slope at the edge of the golf course. The other area is actually part of the course itself.
You can observe these areas from Poles Lane. While the site has changed over time, it still holds important clues. Scientists hope to study it more. They might use a special drill called a borehole. This would help them see all the layers of earth.
