Eaton Track

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.5057, -2.7358

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SO501900 Favourable 1.33 2015-08-25

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Silurian

Description

Area, 2.1 ha. 5.19 ac. Description The banks of this sunken track provide important exposures of a sequence of mudstones and limestones, part of the Wenlock Series of rocks, of the Silurian System. This is an internationally important locality for geological study as it is now designated a standard or reference section for one of the 'Stages' the Homerian of the Silurian Period of geological history. The section also spans an important junction between two 'zones' finer subdivisions of the Silurian, which are defined by the changing make up of diagnostic fossils known as graptolites. This zonal junction, used for accurate dating of the strata, is discernible world wide and of key importance in comparing rock sequences internationally.