Seale Chalk Pit

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.2258, -0.7137

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SU899481 Favourable 1.22 2017-10-31

Geology & landscape

Mining / Industrial: Quarry · Rock Type: Chalk

Description

Area, 0.9 ha. 2.22 ac. Description This disused quarry exposes beds of Lower and Middle Chalk, dipping at 50¼ to the north within the middle limb of the Hog's Back Monocline. This is a major geological structure involving folding of Mesozoic rocks and associated northward directed over thrusting. The folds are thought to be accommodation structures above deep seated faults, which moved during the Tertiary. The Hog's Back structure is regionally important in separating the Mesozoic formations of the Weald from the Tertiary sediments of the London Basin; recent studies suggest it may also correspond with an important discontinuity in the basement.