Clevedon Shore
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST401718 | — | Favourable | 0.39 | 2010-05-19 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Geological Fault · Rock Type: Conglomerate
Landscape processes: Coastal
Description
Description A mineralised fault, trending east west adjacent to the pier, forms a small cliff feature in Dolomitic Conglomerate bounding the north side of Clevedon Beach. The mineralization of the Dolomitic Conglomerate is patchy but widespread over several metres and consists of cream to pink baryte together with sulphides. The sulphides are best seen in large boulders on the beach derived from the mineralized fault. Small rounded baryte pebbles enclosing fresh sulphides can also be found. A detailed paragenetic sequence of ore minerals has been established haematite, chalcopyrite, tennantite, galena, tetrahedrite, bornite, pyrite, marcasite, enargite and sphalerite. Secondary alteration of this assemblage has produced idaite, covelline, other copper sulphides, native copper, arsenic and silver. The non opaque secondary minerals are varied and include beaudantite, anglesite, phosgenite and brochantite. Several of the minerals found here are rare, in particular the beaudantite. The presence of copper and arsenic is unusual for the Mendip Avon district and further study is warranted.