Haresfield Beacon facts for kids
Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
![]() View from Haresfield Beacon
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Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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Coordinates | 51°46′41″N 2°15′47″W / 51.778022°N 2.263028°W |
Interest | Geological |
Area | 0.73 hectare |
Notification | 1985 |
Haresfield Beacon is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 0.73 hectares of land. This site was officially recognized in 1985.
It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is a protected area. It is important because of its unique geology. The site is also listed as a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). This shows its value for understanding Earth's history.
What Makes Haresfield Beacon Special?
Haresfield Beacon was once called Haresfield Hill. It is a very important location for studying Jurassic rocks. The Jurassic period was a time long ago. It was when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
Ancient Rocks and Fossils
This site has different layers of rock. These include the Cotswold Cephalopod Bed. It also has the scissum Beds of the Inferior Oolite. These names refer to specific rock layers. They were formed millions of years ago.
The most exciting part is the many fossils found here. These fossils are like clues from the past. Scientists study them to learn about ancient life. They also help us understand how old the different rock layers are. This helps us piece together Earth's long history.