WGCG Spring 2021 Newsletter - Flipbook - Page 20
WGCG
Spring 2021 Newsletter
The site is of considerable value in any palaeogeographical and palaeoecological reconstruction for this
part of the Middle Jurassic and is a key research and teaching locality.
Cross Hands
quarry: the two
beds described
are clearly
distinguished.
Photo credit:
Brian Ellis
4
Wolston Gravel Pit SSSIID 1003027
Grid reference SP411747
The pit, subsequently infilled, exposed the sediments deposited during the penultimate glaciation in the
British Isles. They consisted of the sequence Baginton Sands, Thrussington Till and Wolston Clay. The deposits
were investigated by the local geologist, Professor Fred Shotton and the SSSI is the type location for the ice
advance he termed the Wolstonian. The feature of interest in the SSSI is the conserved south face of the
quarry. As a conservation measure, because the soft sediments are unstable, the face of the quarry is
protected by an earthen ramp which obscures most of the sequence.
Wolston Gravel Pit:
the conserved face is
on the right; the
landfill, now pasture,
is on the left.
Photo credit:
Larry Wooding)
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