Oakenhill Railway Cutting facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°45′36″N 2°32′12″W / 51.760007°N 2.536763°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.81 hectare |
| Notification | 1985 |
Oakenhill Railway Cutting is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its important natural features. This particular SSSI is important for its geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and how they formed. It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1985.
This site is also listed as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS) in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review'. This shows it's important for local wildlife too.
What is Oakenhill Railway Cutting?
Oakenhill Railway Cutting is a place where a railway line was cut through the land. This cutting exposed layers of rock that are usually hidden underground. It's like a giant slice of Earth's history.
Location and Ancient Rocks
This special site is found in the Forest of Dean, close to a village called Yorkley. It's right next to Oakenhill Wood. The rocks you can see here are very old. They were formed about 300 million years ago, during a time called the Carboniferous period.
Most of the rocks you'll see are layers of shale. Shale is a type of rock made from mud that hardened over millions of years. Between these shale layers, you might find thin layers of sandstone (made from sand) or even coal.
These rock layers are part of something geologists call the Supra Pennant Group. This group is a smaller part of the larger "Coal Measures." The Coal Measures are rock formations known for containing lots of coal.
Why is This Site Important?
Oakenhill Railway Cutting is the only place in the entire Forest of Dean where you can see these specific rock layers so clearly. This makes it a very important spot for scientists.
Scientists study the rocks and the fossils found within them. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient plants and animals. By studying these fossils, scientists can learn how the area developed geologically over millions of years. This site helps us understand the history of the Earth's crust in southern Britain.
