Doe Lea Stream Section
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK459692 | — | Unfavourable Recovering | 0.14 | 2012-09-28 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous
Description
Area, 0.1 ha. 0.3 ac. Description This site shows an internationally significant section through the Upper Coal Measures of the Carboniferous. This section includes the Aegiranum Marine Band, a critical marker horizon which can be traced across Europe. This Band and its marine fauna are evidence of a comparatively shortlived but very widespread marine flooding of Late Carboniferous land masses. The site has been proposed as the standard section boundary stratotype for the base of the Westphalian C stage as a replacement for Stairfoot Brickworks. The site’s correlatable shelly fauna is unrivalled in other rare surface outcrops of such Westphalian rocks. This and its uses as a reference section make Doe Lea one of Britain’s most important geological sites.