Cornbrook Dingle
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO602756 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.48 | 2017-10-17 |
| SO603755 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.48 | 2017-10-17 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous, Devonian · Rock Type: Sandstone
Description
Area, 1.7 ha. 4.2 ac. Description This is the type and best available exposure of the Cornbrook Sandstone Formation. This is the lowest deposit of Pennsylvanian age, part of the Upper Carboniferous, in the Clee Hills Coalfield and is of interest since it shows how, at this point, sediments were-deposited on the St. George’s Land island for just a short time during the Pennsylvanian. The age of these strata has been the subject of some considerable debate, having been regarded at different times as late Devonian, Visean or Namurian. However, a good fossil flora found at Cornbrook clearly proves that it is middle Westphalian in age, probably middle or upper Westphalian B. This is a highly significant site for understanding Westphalian geology in Britain.