Tilton Cutting

Also within

Leicestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Ironstone, Sandstone

Description

Area,4.7 ha Description A Key geological site. Geology The interest of this site, in technical terms, may be defined as follows, The section here, showing the Marlstone Rock Bed Pliensbachian Toarcian and Transition Bed, may be regarded as the standard for this portion of the east Midlands Lias. Outstanding ammonite, brachiopod and gastropod faunas distinguish this succession and include the zonal ammonite index Tiltoniceras a cutum. In layman's terms, the interest of this site may be expressed more simply and such a statement is provided below. This should not be taken as definitive and further information as to details of the interest can be obtained from the Natural England. The section exposed along the sides of this cutting is the best in the east Midlands for demonstrating the sequence of rocks laid down about 180 million years ago and known as the Marlstone Rock Bed and the Transition Bed. The Marlstone Rock Bed consists of a workable ironstone overlying a hard lime rich sandstone and basal pebble bed, while the Transition Bed is considered to represent the weathered upper portion of this sequence. A rich assemblage of fossils has been found here, including the age diagnostic ammonite Tiltoniceras acutum.