Doulton's Claypit
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO936870 | — | Favourable | 3.21 | 2023-06-28 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Carboniferous
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Description Doulton’s Claypit demonstrates a series of strata through the Middle Coal Measures laid down in the Upper Carboniferous period c. 310 million years ago. This is the best exposure of the Productive Coal Formation in the Midlands coalfield. It shows a sequence from near the base of the formation and includes over 30 metres of flood plain and lacustrine shales and fluvial sandstones. There are also several coals, including the Thick Seam, which has been extensively worked in this coalfield and the lower Heathen Seam. Of further interest is the presence of an important fossil flora, which indicates a Westphalian B age. The site may be regarded as a standard for the Productive Coal Formation in the English Midlands and is thus of considerable importance for understanding the development of Westphalian sedimentation in Britain.