Weston-in-Gordano

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.4667, -2.7924

Also within

Somerset County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (3)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
ST450744 Favourable 12.63 2009-02-26
ST451743 Favourable 12.63 2009-02-26
ST452745 Favourable 12.63 2009-02-26

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Quaternary

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Area, 12.55 ha. 31.01 ac. Description Temporary exposures here have shown Pleistocene sediments, including interglacial fluvial sands and marine gravels and cold stage fluvial gravels. Rich molluscan faunas have been reported from the section. Correlations with the Ipswichian Interglacial have tentatively been suggested. The presence of freshwater and marine interglacial deposits gives it great potential importance for the understanding of the Quaternary sequence of the Vale of Gordano and Avonmouth lowlands. In summary the site forms an important piece of evidence in reconstructing the magnitude and pattern of sea level change during the middle to late Pleistocene.