St. Erth Sand Pits

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.1654, -5.4235

Also within

Cornwall County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Declining (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SW556350 Unfavourable Declining 3.85 2010-01-29

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Neogene

Description

St. Erth Sand Pits SSSI Description St Erth is a famous and classic site for its sequence of Late Pliocene marine sediments, which contain an exceptionally diverse fossil faunal assemblage, particularly macrofossils. It provides a unique source of evidence relating to the geomorphological evolution of southwest England, former sea-levels and past environments. St Erth has attracted considerable scientific interest and controversy for over a century and will continue to be a focus of research at the highest level.