Website Feedback | Publication Request | Contact Us | 
| 
| 
| 
Jurassic Coast
Ladram Bay - Sea stacks and the E.Devon AONB
Location: Ladram Bay
Rock Type: Red sandstone
Age: Triassic, 245 - 235 million years old
Look out for: Sea stacks, cross bedding, rare fossils.
The geology in detail
The cliffs and stacks at Ladram Bay are made up of a sequence known as the Otter Sandstones; a red coloured soft sandstone. The colour indicates it formed in a desert. This is a good place to see cross bedding in the Otter Sandstone formed by the migration of river channels. Occasionally the rare remains of a strange mammal-like reptile called the Rhynchosaur are eroded from the Otter Sandstone. There are also the remains of plant roots (rhizocretions) here.
The ancient environment
The Otter Sandstones formed after a brief very dry period and was deposited by large braided rivers. The red colour of the rock indicates the landscape must have been arid but, with the rivers offering a source of water, plants could colonise the area. There were also a variety of animals inhabiting this environment including Rhyncosaurs and other early reptiles. The harsh arid conditions and fast flowing rivers at this time meant that remains of these creatures were rarely fossilised.
The AONB
The East Devon AONB includes the entire coast between Orcombe Point and Lyme Regis, excluding only built-up areas around Sidmouth, Beer and Seaton. This means that the East Devon part of the WHS lies entirely within the protection of the AONB and benefits from the beautiful associated landscape inland.Loading...
Orcombe Point - The beginning of the story
The western end of the World Heritage Site and the oldest rocks on the Jurassic Coast. Striking Red sandstones and mudstones can be seen in the cliff and the ‘geoneedle' on top of Orcombe point marks the start of the ‘walk through time'.
Budleigh Pebble Beds - Mountains and rivers
An incredible river deposit of pebbles from
across the channel and sandstones with ancient plant roots.
Ladram Bay - Sea stacks and the E.Devon AONB
Ladram Bay is a picturesque beach characterised by several
high sea stacks. It is one of the highlights of the East Devon Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Sidmouth - Desert dweller in the Otter Sandstone
Sidmouth is a traditional British seaside town bounded
within a wedge of red sandstone.
Beer - A story of stone Part 1
Beer is a picturesque fishing village and a source for
the famous Beer Stone.
Lyme Regis - World famous fossil site
Lyme Regis is famous worldwide for the abundant and
well preserved fossils that are found there eroded from the local cliffs.
Charmouth - World famous fossil site
Charmouth is famous worldwide for the abundant and
well preserved fossils that are found there eroded from the local cliffs.
Golden Cap - The highest view on the south coast
Golden Cap is the highest point on the south
coast and gives a fantastic viewpoint of this western part of the World
Heritage Site.
Chesil Beach - Finest barrier beach in Europe
Chesil Bank is one of the finest examples of a barrier
beach in Europe. Its formation is a direct
result of impact of the Ice ages on the geology and coastal processes of West Dorset.
Osmington Mills - Traces of life
Fantastic trace fossils can be seen on the beach at
Osmington Mills. Some of the best along the whole of the Jurassic Coast.
Durdle Door - The natural arch
Durdle Door, a huge natural rock arc, is an internationally
famous landmark and one of the most characteristic and spectacular features
along the Jurassic
Coast.
Lulworth Cove & Crumple - a geography pilgrimage
Lulworth Cove is a quintessential location for
the study of different rates of erosion in the formation of bays and headlands.
It is also a beautiful and popular tourist destination.
Old Harry Rocks - The end of the story
This is the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast
and where the youngest rocks on the world Heritage Site are exposed. Brilliant
white chalk has been eroded into steep cliffs and the famous collection of sea
stacks known as ‘Old Harry Rocks'.
Copyright 2011 Jurassic Coast
Copyright 2011 Jurassic Coast