Aldeburgh Brick Pit

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.1589, 1.5838

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Declining (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TM452572 Unfavourable Declining 0.87 2023-06-28

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Quaternary

Description

Area, 0.84 ha. 2.08 ac. Description The brick pit is a Quaternary geological locality. It is an important stratigraphic site with a sequence from the top, of Kesgrave Sand and Gravel, Chillesford Clay and Chillesford Crag overlying Coralline Crag. The Chillesford Crag is now recognised to be of Bramertonian age and this is one of the few sites to reveal deposits of this age. Each element of the stratigraphy is of importance. The site has been fundamental in two recent studies on the early Pleistocene Crag; a current re evaluation of the Chillesford Clay has included a study of this pit, as will further studies of the Kesgrave Sand and Gravel. This site is particularly significant, when considered in conjunction with other Red Crag sites, for showing transgression of the Red Crag sea. At Aldeburgh youngest Red Crag deposits lie directly on Coralline Crag, overlapping the older horizons of the Red Crag.