Ketley Claypit
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO899891 | — | Favourable | 1.57 | 2024-08-21 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Sandstone
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Area, 13.7 ha. 33.9 ac. Description An outstanding section through the upper part of the Etruria Formation of the Carboniferous Period, showing the junction with the overlying Halesowen Formation. The former part of the section has excellent examples of sheet and channel sandstone bodies, separated by purple grey flood plain mudstones and may be regarded as typical of the fluvial influenced facies of the Etruria Formation. Only in the English Midlands is this distinctive red bed facies found in the Westphalian C of northern Europe and it probably resulted from mountain building processes in action at that time. As an aid to interpreting this highly unusual type of Westphalian strata, this site is of considerable significance.