Veizey's Quarry facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°38′55″N 2°10′22″W / 51.648717°N 2.172668°W |
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 1.4 hectare |
| Notification | 1974 |
Veizey's Quarry is a special place near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, England. It's a 1.4 hectare site, which is about the size of two football fields. This quarry is protected as a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' (SSSI). This means it has important natural features that need to be looked after.
Veizey's Quarry is special because of its geology. Geology is the study of rocks and how the Earth was formed over millions of years. This site became protected in 1974. It's also found within the beautiful Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This area is known for its stunning landscapes. The quarry is also recognized 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.
Rocks from the Past
Veizey's Quarry is like a window into Earth's past. It shows us rocks from the Jurassic Period. This was a very long time ago, about 160 million years ago! Dinosaurs roamed the Earth during the Jurassic Period.
At the quarry, you can see two main types of limestone rock. These are called the Upper Bathonian Athelstan Oolite and the Forest Marble. These rocks were formed from sediments that settled at the bottom of ancient seas. Over millions of years, these sediments hardened into the rock we see today.
The Athelstan Oolite is particularly interesting here. Experts believe this is the best place in the Tetbury area to study how this specific rock formed. By looking at these rocks, scientists can learn a lot about what the environment was like 160 million years ago. They can understand how these rocks were laid down and what kind of creatures might have lived in the seas at that time. It helps them piece together Earth's ancient history.
