Hill House Nab

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.3860, -0.9859

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SE659994 Favourable 4.04 2021-11-22

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Jurassic

Description

Area, 4.0 hectares 9.9 ac Description Hill House Nab is a Middle Jurassic fossil plant locality where an horizon in the Saltwick Formation is exposed. This lens is remarkable in that a high percentage of its contained flora is made up of conifers, including Cyparissidium rudlandicum and Brachyphyllum spp. The preponderance of coniferous material is unusual and indicates derivation from a drier, less waterlogged environment than that suggested by the Equisetum rich flora seen at other prime localities such as Roseberry Topping. The site is a key locality for Jurassic botany and for an understanding of plant palaeoecology and systematics.