Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST483601 | — | Favourable | 8.72 | 2012-12-06 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Quaternary
Landscape processes: Fluvial, Glacial, Periglacial
Description
Area,8.47 hectares 20.93 ac Description Temporary sections at this site have provided detailed information upon the composition of a north Mendip Pleistocene alluvial fan. These temporary sections have shown highly weathered gravels overlain by sandy silts and clay loams, the highest levels in the sequence showing evidence of cryoturbation. Two phases of fan sediment deposition thought to have taken place during Pleistocene cold/glacial stages were separated by a long period of subaerial weathering, which may represent an interglacial period. A considerable period of Pleistocene time is thus represented by the sequence at Bourne. This is the only site where such a sequence can be demonstrated in fan gravel facies and such is of considerable importance.