Boxford Chalk Pit
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SU430719 | — | Favourable | 0.25 | 2017-02-13 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Cretaceous · Rock Type: Chalk
Description
Area, 0.43 hectares 1.06 ac Description Boxford Chalk Pit shows a unique late Coniacian to Santonian succession of tilted beds overlain by a chalk mélange. The tilted unit contains and is capped by hardgrounds, unusual in chalk of this age, whilst the mélange contains fractured and folded pieces of hardground set in a matrix of coarse grained chalk. This is interpreted as evidence of localised, but important intra Upper Cretaceous tectonism probably severe basement faulting, unknown from elsewhere in Britain. Consequently, study of this site is essential in the understanding of late Cretaceous sedimentation and related tectonic controls. In addition, thin horizons above phosphatic hardgrounds contain coprolites and many tiny fish teeth. These yield a very diverse micro fauna of sharks, many of a species of dog fish, all as yet undescribed.