Snowdon Hill Quarry facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°52′32″N 2°58′45″W / 50.87548°N 2.97922°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.6 hectares (0.0060 km2; 0.0023 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1963 |
Snowdon Hill Quarry is a special place in Somerset, England. It's a small area, about the size of a football field (0.6 hectares), near the town of Chard. This site is protected because of its amazing rocks and the ancient clues they hold. It was officially made a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1963.
What Makes Snowdon Hill Quarry Special?
Snowdon Hill Quarry is important for understanding Earth's history. It has special rock layers that show us what the world was like millions of years ago. These layers are called the Upper Greensand and Chalk.
Ancient Fossils Found Here
Inside these rocks, scientists have found incredible fossils. These fossils are of tiny sea creatures called crustaceans. Crustaceans are a group of animals that include crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. The fossils found at Snowdon Hill Quarry are very rare and perfectly preserved.
- These fossils help experts learn about palaeontology. Palaeontology is the study of ancient life through fossils.
- The fossils at this site are unique to Britain. They give us clues about the types of animals that lived in the seas long ago.
The Chalk Layers
The Chalk layers at Snowdon Hill Quarry are from a specific time period. Scientists call this period the Turrilites acutus Zone. This name comes from a type of fossil called Turrilites acutus, which is often found in these rocks. It's like a special marker that helps scientists know the age of the rock.
