Seale Chalk Pit facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Surrey |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres) |
| Notification | 1989 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Seale Chalk Pit is a special place in Surrey, west of Guildford. It is known for its amazing geology. This area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it's protected because of its unique natural features. It covers about 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres).
This site is also part of a larger area called Seale Chalk Pit and Meadow. This bigger area is a private nature reserve. It spans about 3 hectares (7.4 acres) and is looked after by the Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Contents
What is Seale Chalk Pit?
Seale Chalk Pit used to be a quarry. A quarry is a place where people dig out rocks or minerals from the ground. Now, it is no longer used for digging. Instead, it is a valuable place for scientists. They can study the Earth's history here.
Why is it Special?
Seale Chalk Pit is very important for understanding geology. Geology is the study of the Earth, its rocks, and how it has changed over time. This pit shows us some incredible things about how our planet was formed.
Rocks and Layers
The pit exposes rocks from a natural ridge called the Hog's Back. These rocks are very old. They come from the Mesozoic era. This was a time when dinosaurs lived, millions of years ago!
What makes this pit truly special is how it shows the Earth's movements. It clearly displays how the folded rocks of the Weald are separated from the younger rocks of the London Basin. Imagine pushing a rug together; it creates folds. The Earth's crust can do something similar, causing rocks to bend and fold. Here, you can see how these ancient folded rocks meet newer layers.
Who Looks After It?
The Seale Chalk Pit and Meadow is a private nature reserve. It is managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust. This trust works to protect wildlife and special places in Surrey. They make sure this important geological site is kept safe for future study.
Visiting Seale Chalk Pit
Because of its scientific importance and delicate nature, there is no public access to Seale Chalk Pit. This helps to protect the unique geological features and the natural environment.
