Stony Furlong Railway Cutting facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°47′40″N 1°54′34″W / 51.794466°N 1.909329°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 2.7 hectare |
| Notification | 1987 |
Stony Furlong Railway Cutting is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing geology. This means it's protected for its important rocks and landforms. The site covers about 2.7 hectares, which is like four football fields! It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1987.
This cutting is also listed as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS) and a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). These titles show how important it is for both nature and understanding Earth's history.
Contents
What is Stony Furlong Railway Cutting?
Stony Furlong Railway Cutting is a deep ditch that was dug for a railway line. When the railway was built, it cut through layers of rock. This created a perfect view of the rocks underground. It's like looking at a giant slice of Earth's history!
Where is Stony Furlong Railway Cutting Located?
This interesting site is found in the eastern part of Gloucestershire. It is close to a village called Chedworth. Its location makes it a key spot for studying the geology of the Cotswolds area.
Why is This Site Important for Geology?
The railway cutting is very important because it shows a clear section of rock called the White Limestone. This limestone formed during the Middle Jurassic period. The Jurassic period was a long time ago, from about 201 to 145 million years ago. It was the time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
The rocks here help scientists understand how the land changed over millions of years. They can see different layers, almost like pages in a book.
What is the White Limestone?
The White Limestone is a type of rock that formed from the shells and skeletons of tiny sea creatures. It was laid down when this area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Over time, these remains were pressed together and turned into rock.
What are the Shipton Member and Hampen Marly Beds?
Stony Furlong Railway Cutting is special because it shows something called the Shipton Member. This is a unique layer of rock that isn't often seen in this area. It also shows the Hampen Marly Beds. These are layers of rock that contain a mix of limestone and clay.
Scientists can trace these rock layers from Stony Furlong all the way to other places. They connect to similar rock exposures in Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and other parts of eastern Gloucestershire. This helps geologists map out how these rock formations spread across the region.
What Fossils Are Found Here?
The site has been a great place for finding fossils. Scientists have discovered many ammonites here. Ammonites were ancient sea creatures with spiral shells, similar to modern-day nautiluses. They lived in the seas during the Jurassic period.
Finding ammonites helps scientists figure out the age of the rocks. The site is also special because it has a rare type of ammonite from something called the morruisi Zone. This makes it even more valuable for research.
Why is Stony Furlong a Research Resource?
Because of its clear rock layers and rare fossils, Stony Furlong Railway Cutting is a very important place for research. Geologists and paleontologists (scientists who study fossils) come here to learn more about Earth's past. They study the rocks to understand ancient environments, climates, and the history of life on our planet.
This site helps us piece together the puzzle of what the world was like millions of years ago.
