Easter Park Farm Quarry facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°42′25″N 2°16′32″W / 51.706963°N 2.27564°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.15 hectare |
| Notification | 1986 |
Easter Park Farm Quarry is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. This means it's a protected area due to its important natural features. The quarry was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1986.
This site is also listed as a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). Both of these titles show how important the quarry is for understanding Earth's history.
Contents
Exploring Easter Park Farm Quarry
Where is This Special Place?
Easter Park Farm Quarry is located in the south west of Minchinhampton. It's a small area, about the size of a small sports field, covering 0.15 hectares.
A Glimpse into the Jurassic Period
This quarry is super important for studying rocks from the Middle Jurassic period. Imagine a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth! That's how old these rocks are.
The rocks here are mostly limestone. Limestone often forms from the shells and skeletons of tiny sea creatures that lived long, long ago.
What Fossils Can We Find?
The limestone at Easter Park Farm Quarry is full of incredible fossils. These are the preserved remains or traces of ancient life. Scientists can learn a lot about the past by studying them.
- Ammonites: These are like ancient squid that lived inside spiral shells. The ammonites found here help scientists figure out the exact age of the rocks.
- Corals: Just like corals in today's oceans, these were tiny animals that built hard skeletons.
- Echinoids: These are ancient sea urchins, often spiky and round.
- Gastropods: These are fossil snails.
- Bivalves: These are like ancient clams or mussels, with two hinged shells.
By looking at these fossils, scientists can see how the type of rock changed over time. The rocks here show a shift from very fine-grained limestone to a coarser type called oolitic limestone. This change tells us about the ancient environment.
Protecting This Natural Treasure
Keeping Easter Park Farm Quarry in good condition is important. In 2011, experts from Natural England said that some plants needed to be cleared away. This helps to keep the rock faces exposed so scientists can continue to study them. It ensures the site remains a great place for learning about Earth's past.
