Gipsy Lane Pit facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Leicestershire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.5 hectares (1.2 acres) |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Gipsy Lane Pit is a very special place located in Leicester, England. It's about half a hectare in size, which is roughly the size of half a football field! This site is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because it has unique natural features. Gipsy Lane Pit is also a Geological Conservation Review site, which means it's considered one of the most important places in Britain for studying rocks and the Earth's history.
Contents
Why Gipsy Lane Pit is Special
Scientists find Gipsy Lane Pit incredibly interesting for two main reasons: its rocks and its minerals.
A Window to the Triassic Period
The site is important for understanding the Triassic period. This was a time in Earth's history that lasted from about 252 to 201 million years ago. During the Triassic period, the first dinosaurs appeared! By studying the layers of rock at Gipsy Lane Pit, geologists can learn about what the environment was like millions of years ago. They can see how the land changed over time.
Mysterious Minerals
Gipsy Lane Pit is also rich in sulphides. Sulphides are minerals that contain sulfur and another element. Some of the sulphides found here are quite rare and not fully understood by scientists. This makes the site a fantastic natural laboratory for mineralogists, who are scientists who study minerals. Natural England, a group that protects England's natural environment, has even said that Gipsy Lane Pit is "unique in Britain, and possibly internationally." This means it's a one-of-a-kind place in the world for studying these special minerals!
Visiting Gipsy Lane Pit
It's important to know that Gipsy Lane Pit is on private land. This means there is no public access to the site. It is protected so that scientists can continue to study its unique geological features and minerals.
