Hampen Railway Cutting facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°53′01″N 1°54′38″W / 51.883477°N 1.910604°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 3.9 hectare |
| Notification | 1974 |
Hampen Railway Cutting is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. This means it is protected for its important rocks and landforms.
The site covers about 3.9 hectares, which is like nine football fields. It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1974. It is also known as a Key Wildlife Site and a Regionally Important Geological Site.
Location and Ancient Rocks
This important site is found in the beautiful Cotswolds area. The Cotswolds are famous for their rolling hills and pretty villages. This area is also known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
What Makes the Rocks Special?
Hampen Railway Cutting is one of the best places to see rocks from the Middle Jurassic period. This was a time millions of years ago when dinosaurs walked the Earth. The rocks here are part of something called the Hampen Marly Formation.
The railway cutting acts like a giant slice through the ground. It shows a complete set of rock layers. You can see everything from the top of the Lower Fuller's Earth Clay to the middle of the White Limestone Formation.
Learning from the Layers
Scientists use this site to learn about how rocks changed over time. They study the different layers to understand how the land was formed. They compare these rocks to others found in different parts of England. This helps them understand how the Cotswold area is different from places like the Wessex area. It gives clues about Earth's ancient past.
