Lydney Cliff facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°42′58″N 2°30′05″W / 51.716106°N 2.501503°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 8.0hectare |
| Notification | 1990 |
Lydney Cliff is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. This means it's a protected area where scientists can study Earth's history. The site covers about 8 hectares, which is like 11 football fields! It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1990. Part of Lydney Cliff is also included in the larger Severn Estuary SSSI.
Discovering Ancient Rocks
Lydney Cliff is a fantastic spot for learning about geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and how they formed. Here, you can see layers of rock from a very old time period called the Lower Devonian. This was about 419 to 393 million years ago!
What the Rocks Show
The rocks at Lydney Cliff are mostly a type of reddish mudstone called Raglan Marls. These layers of rock tell us a lot about what the area was like millions of years ago. You can even see ancient soil layers, called calcrete, which formed when the land was dry. There are also sandy parts within the rocks.
Fish Fossils and Ancient Waters
One of the most exciting things about Lydney Cliff is the discovery of fish fossils! These fossils are found in the sandstone layers. Scientists have found two very important layers filled with fish remains. These fish fossils are special because they help scientists understand if the area was once covered by the sea or if it was a river or estuary (where a river meets the sea).
The types of fish found here are a mix, suggesting different environments. Some fossils show that the area was once influenced by the sea, while others point to river environments. This mix helps experts figure out how the landscape changed over millions of years. One unique fish species found here is called Sabrinacanthus arcuatus.
