Mill Rock

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.1664, -4.2109

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Also within

Devon County North Devon Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SS455431 — Favourable 0.12 2012-03-23

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Devonian

Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous

Description

Mill Rock SSSI Description Scattered well-preserved fragments of Upper Devonian fish occur here in a tuff (a volcanic ash band) and in associated shales within the Pickwell Down Sandstones. Bothriolepis, Holoptychius, Polyplocodus and cf Holomena have been recorded from the site. The occurrence of fish remains within a tuff band is geologically unusual, and the palaeoenvironmental and ecological relationships deduced from study of this site make it a locality of considerable importance for understanding the ecological preferences of fossil fish.