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Jurassic Coast
Sidmouth - Desert dweller in the Otter Sandstone
Location: Sidmouth
Rock Type: Red sandstone and mudstone
Age: Triassic, 245 - 204 million years old
Look out for: Rhynchosaur remains
The geology in detail
Sidmouth lies within a wedge of the Otter Sandstone (245 - 235 million years old) exposed due to faulting to the west of the town that interrupts the general eastward dip of the rock layers. Westward the Otter Sandstones disappear from the cliffs under Peak Hill replaced at beach level by the Mercia Mudstone group (235 - 204 million years old). Approaching Sidmouth from the west there is a fault that exposes the Otter Sandstones again and results with them suddenly appearing in the cliff face adjacent to the younger Mercia Mudstones. East of the town the eastward dip causes the Otter Sandstones to disappear again below beach level, replaced y the Mercia Mudstones. Both sequences are red indicating they formed in an arid environment.
The Otter Sandstone at Sidmouth is particularly well known a source of Rhynchosaur fossils. These strange creatures grew to about 2m, walked on four legs and fed on plants that grew in the sandy river plains. They are described as mammal-like reptiles and have no close relative today. Although the fossils of Rhynchosaurs are very rare important specimens have been collected form the Otter Sandstone at Sidmouth and Ladram Bay. The Otter Sandstone is regarded as a globally important site for Triassic fossils.
The ancient environment
The Otter Sandstones formed after a brief very dry period and were 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 and animals 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.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