West Runton Cliffs facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Norfolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Geological |
| Area | 17.8 hectares (44 acres) |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
West Runton Cliffs is a special place in Norfolk, England. It's known for its amazing cliffs and beach. This area is so important that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Being an SSSI means the cliffs are protected. They are important because of their unique geology. The site covers about 17.8 hectares (that's about 44 acres).
What Makes West Runton Cliffs Special?
West Runton Cliffs is like a giant history book made of rock! Scientists can learn a lot here. The cliffs show how the Earth's climate changed over a very long time. This period was between about 2 million and 400,000 years ago. It's called the middle Pleistocene epoch.
You can see layers of rock that show warm periods and cold periods. These cold periods were like ancient ice ages! One of the most exciting parts is the Cromer Forest Bed. This special layer is full of fossils. These fossils tell us about plants and animals that lived here long ago.
The cliffs also show how the sea moved in and out over time. It's the official "type site" for a period called the "Cromerian Stage." This means West Runton Cliffs is the best example of rocks from that specific time in Earth's history.
Visiting West Runton Beach
Good news! The beach at West Runton is open for everyone to visit. It's a great place to explore. You can look at the cliffs and enjoy the seaside. Many people enjoy searching for fossils on the beach.
