Stone SSSI, Buckinghamshire facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Buckinghamshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 0.1 hectares |
| Notification | 1995 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Stone SSSI is a special place in Stone, Buckinghamshire. It is a very small area, only about 0.12 hectares, which is roughly the size of a small football field. This site is important because of its unique geology.
The letters SSSI stand for Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means the area has something very important for science, like rare plants, animals, or, in this case, interesting rocks and landforms. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee has also listed it as a Geological Conservation Review site, which highlights its importance for studying Earth's history.
Contents
What Makes Stone SSSI Special?
This site contains very old sand deposits. These sands are from a time called the Lower Cretaceous period. This period was part of the Mesozoic Era, which is often called the "Age of Dinosaurs." The sands are part of what scientists call the Wealden deposits.
Where Did the Sand Come From?
Scientists believe these sands originally came from the north. They might have been moved around and reused from even older rock layers, like the Portland Beds. Inside these sands, you can find pieces of Carboniferous chert. Chert is a type of hard rock made of tiny quartz crystals. The Carboniferous period was even older than the Cretaceous period.
Why Are These Sands Important?
The sands at Stone SSSI help us understand the ancient geography of the Earth. This study is called palaeogeography. By looking at these deposits, scientists can learn how the land and seas looked millions of years ago during the Wealden and the earlier Purbeck periods. It helps them piece together the puzzle of Earth's past landscapes.
Can You Visit Stone SSSI?
Unfortunately, the pit where these special sands were found has been filled in. The land is also privately owned, which means it belongs to someone and is not open to the public. So, you cannot visit this specific site. However, learning about it helps us appreciate the amazing geological history hidden beneath our feet!
