Ham Green

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.4795, -2.6653

Also within

Somerset County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
ST538758 Unfavourable No Change 0.91 2010-11-12

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Quaternary · Rock Type: Chert, Greensand

Landscape processes: Fluvial, Glacial

Description

Area, 1.1 ha. 2.72 ac. Description The cutting shows a section through Pleistocene sediments, which include two to three metres of red brown, gritty, stony silts, with abundant Greensand chert and other far travelled rock types. These deposits appear to be heavily cryoturbated terrace gravels or presumed fluvial origin, although a fluvio glacial origin has also been suggested. Such deposits cap a number of flat topped hills at around 30 metres OD A number of Acheulian hand axes have been found in the area, mostly in the early part of this century. This site is one of the last good exposures of 'high' terrace deposits along the Bristol Avon. This site's great research potential and its fine exposures make it one of considerable importance.