Philpot's and Hook Quarries facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Entrance to Philpot's Quarry
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| Area of Search | West Sussex |
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| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 2.6 hectares (6.4 acres) |
| Notification | 1992 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Philpot's and Hook Quarries are two special places in West Sussex, England. They cover about 2.6 hectares (that's like 6.4 football fields!). These quarries are known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of their amazing geology. This means they are protected areas where scientists can study important rocks and fossils.
Contents
Exploring Ancient Earth: Philpot's and Hook Quarries
These quarries are super important for understanding Earth's past. They show us rocks from a time called the Lower Cretaceous period. This was a long, long time ago, between 140 and 100 million years ago!
What Rocks Tell Us: The Ardingly Sandstone
The rocks you can see at Philpot's and Hook Quarries are part of something called the Ardingly Sandstone Member. This sandstone is a type of rock that formed from sand over millions of years. It's part of a bigger group of rocks known as the Wealden Group. Scientists study these layers of rock to learn about ancient environments, like what the land and climate were like millions of years ago.
Dinosaur Discoveries!
One of the most exciting things about Philpot's Quarry is the dinosaur fossils found there! Imagine finding bones or teeth from creatures that roamed the Earth so long ago. These fossils help scientists understand what dinosaurs lived in this area during the Cretaceous period.
Clues from Even Older Times: Precambrian Debris
Even though the main rocks are from the Cretaceous period, both quarries also have tiny pieces of rock called "debris" that are much, much older. These pieces date back to the Precambrian era. This era was over 540 million years ago, even before dinosaurs! Finding these ancient bits helps scientists learn about the very early history of our planet.
Visiting the Quarries (Important Info!)
It's important to know that Philpot's and Hook Quarries are on private land. This means there is no public access, so you can't visit them. They are protected for scientific study.
