Upware South Pit
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL539708 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 0.66 | 2022-03-30 |
| TL539709 | — | Unfavourable Declining | 0.43 | 2022-03-30 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 1.1 hectares 2.7 ac Description This well known geological locality shows a section through the Oxfordian ‘Upware reef’. Its coral rich facies contrast markedly with the predominant clay rich facies of east central England, the nearest comparable limestone area with prominent reefs being in the Oxford district. The fauna of the reef, as well as corals, includes more than sixty largely reef dwelling bivalves and ammonites including the Middle Oxfordian subzonal index Perisphinetes parianderi widespread in Europe. The site is important because it shows its atypical facies thinned against the East Anglian landmass and close faunal connections with Tethys via the London Platform Shoal. These features make this a keysite in studies of fauna and palaeogeography in the Oxfordian.