Seavington St. Mary SSSI, Somerset facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°55′33″N 2°51′18″W / 50.92592°N 2.85507°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.3 hectares (0.0030 km2; 0.0012 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1971 |
Seavington St. Mary is a special place in Somerset, England. It's a small area, about 0.3 hectares, which is roughly the size of half a football field. This site is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was given this important title in 1971 because of its unique geology.
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What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, is a protected area in the United Kingdom. These sites are chosen because they have very important wildlife, plants, or geological features. Protecting them helps make sure these special parts of nature are kept safe for the future. Seavington St. Mary is special because of its rocks and what they tell us about Earth's past.
Discovering Ancient Rocks
At Seavington St. Mary, you can find many exposed rocks. These are like open pages in a giant history book! They show a lot of the rock formation called the Inferior Oolite. This rock layer is very old. It formed during a time known as the Middle Jurassic period. This was about 174 to 163 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
Why is Inferior Oolite Important Here?
This particular area is special because it's the most western place in England where the Inferior Oolite rocks appear on the surface. When rocks are visible like this, it's called an outcrop. Because it's the furthest west, it helps scientists understand how these rocks formed across a wider area.
Reading Earth's History in Rocks
The rocks at Seavington St. Mary are incredibly useful for scientists. They help us understand:
- Stratigraphy: This is the study of rock layers. Like pages in a book, each layer tells a different part of the Earth's story.
- Sedimentology: This looks at how rocks are formed from sediments, like sand, mud, or shells, that settled long ago.
- Palaeogeography: This is about the ancient geography of the Earth. By studying these rocks, scientists can figure out what south-west England looked like millions of years ago, including where the seas and land were.
A Window into the Middle Jurassic
The rocks here specifically represent two stages within the Middle Jurassic period: the Aalenian and Bajocian stages. These stages are like chapters in the Earth's history book. Studying them at Seavington St. Mary provides a fantastic opportunity for both students and researchers to learn about this ancient time. It's like a natural classroom where you can see millions of years of history right in front of you!
