Haresfield Beacon
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO819088 | — | Favourable | 0.8 | 2021-11-20 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Jurassic
Description
Description This is a classic site of considerable geological importance for its exposures of Jurassic rocks including the Cotswold Cephalopod Bed of the Upper Lias and the overlying scissum Beds of the Inferior Oolite. The site shows one of the most extensive and well exposed sections available in the latter unit. Its prime significance, however, lies in the underlying Cephalopod Bed and the rich fossil fauna it contains. Ammonites and brachiopods from Haresfield have been subjects of particularly detailed studies and Haresfield faunas are likely to be of paramount importance in future systematic research. Ammonites are of particular importance in the Jurassic since they are used to finely subdivide this period of geological time. Those from Haresfield are highly significant in dating the succession here and clearly demonstrate that it spans the junction between the Lower and Middle Jurassic.