Hughley Brook

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.5946, -2.6114

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (3)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SO567984 Favourable 0.72 2016-11-09
SO568983 Favourable 0.72 2016-11-09
SO586997 Favourable 5.44 2016-11-09

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Silurian · Rock Type: Shale

Description

Description This is one of Britain’s most important geological localities designated by international agreement as the world standard for the base of the mid Silurian Wenlock Series. Hughley Brook provides repeated exposures of the base of the Buildwas Formation Wenlock Shale and its contact with the underlying purple shales of the Llandovery Series. Good sections through this transitional contact and a rich fossil fauna including characteristic graptolites and shelly fossils make this the best site in this classic geological area where the Wenlock Series was first defined.