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Coordinates: 50°42′20″N 2°59′23.6″W / 50.70556°N 2.989889°W / 50.70556; -2.989889
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[[File:Gad cliff dorset.jpg|230px|thumb|right|Gad Cliff to St Alban's Head]]
[[File:Gad cliff dorset.jpg|230px|thumb|right|Gay Cliff to St Alban's Head]]
[[File:Gbdot Jurassic Coast.png|thumb|right|120px|Location in the United Kingdom]]
[[File:Gbdot Jurassic Coast.png|thumb|right|120px|Location in the United Kingdom]]


The '''Jurassic Coast''' is a stretch of [[coast]] in south-west [[England]]. It is between Orcombe Point near [[Exmouth]] in East [[Devon]] and Old Harry Rocks near [[Swanage]] in East [[Dorset]]. This is 95 miles long (153 km).
The '''Jurassic Coast''' is a stretch of [[coast]] in south-west [[England]]. It is between Orcombe Point near [[Exmouth]] in East [[Devon]] and Old Harry Rocks near [[Swanage]] in East [[Dorset]]. This is 96 miles long (154 km).


It is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>UNESCO, [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1029 "Dorset and East Devon Coast"]; retrieved 2012-4-19.</ref>
It is a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].<ref>UNESCO, [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1029 "Dorset and East Devon Coast"]; retrieved 2012-4-19.</ref>


Its entire length can be walked on the South West Coast Path.<ref name="SWCP">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2004 | url = http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/ | title = The Official Guide to the SWCP | format = | work = | publisher = SWCP Team | accessdate = 2007-01-14}}</ref>
Its entire length can be walked on the South West Coast Path.<ref name="SWCP">{{cite web | year = 2004 | url = http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/ | title = The Official Guide to the SWCP | publisher = SWCP Team | access-date = 2007-01-14}}</ref>


== Major fossil finds ==
== Major fossil finds ==
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*The first [[plesiosaur]]
*The first [[plesiosaur]]
*The first [[pterosaur]] outside Germany
*The first [[pterosaur]] outside Germany
These finds were by [[Mary Anning]] in the first part of the 19th century. This area was home to Mary, a collector who searched for fossils of the coastline around [[Lyme Regis]] and discovered several complete [[Ichthyosaur]] [[fossil]]s.
These finds were by [[Mary Anning]] in the first part of the 19th century. This area was home to Mary, a collector who searched for fossils of the coastline around [[Lyme Regis]] and discovered several complete [[Ichthyosaur]] [[fossil]]s.


== Geology ==
== Geology ==
[[File:PortlandBillAndChesilBeach(Landsat).jpg|thumb|right|220px||Satellite view of Chesil Beach (linear feature in blue running diagonally NW-SE) from Abbotsbury to the Isle of Portland]]
[[File:PortlandBillAndChesilBeach(Landsat).jpg|thumb|right|220px|Satellite view of Chesil Beach (linear feature in blue running diagonally NW-SE) from Abbotsbury to the Isle of Portland]]
The Jurassic Coast is made of [[Triassic]], [[Jurassic]] and [[Cretaceous]] cliffs, spanning 185 million years of [[Geology|geological]] history.
The Jurassic Coast is made of [[Triassic]], [[Jurassic]] and [[Cretaceous]] cliffs, spanning 185 million years of [[Geology|geological]] history.


The site contains a number of special features and shows different landforms, including the natural [[arch]] at [[Durdle Door]], the [[cove]] and [[Fold (geology)|limestone folding]] at [[Lulworth Cove]] and an island, the [[Isle of Portland]].
The site contains a number of special features and shows different landforms, including the natural [[arch]] at [[Durdle Door]], the [[cove]] and [[Fold (geology)|limestone folding]] at [[Lulworth Cove]] and an island, the [[Isle of Portland]].


[[Chesil Beach]] (or Chesil Bank) is one of England's three [[shingle]] ([[gravel]]) beaches. It is a barrier beach which runs parallel to the [[coastline]] and connects to [[Portland Bill]] (see photo). Between the barrier and the regular coastline is a [[lagoon]].
[[Chesil Beach]] (or Chesil Bank) is one of England's three [[shingle]] ([[gravel]]) beaches. It is a barrier beach which runs parallel to the [[coastline]] and connects to [[Portland Bill]] (see photo). Between the barrier and the regular coastline is a [[lagoon]].
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==== Blue Lias ====
==== Blue Lias ====
[[Image:Blue lias cliffs at Lyme Regis.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Blue Lias cliffs at Lyme Regis, Dorset]]
[[Image:Blue lias cliffs at Lyme Regis.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Blue Lias cliffs at Lyme Regis, Dorset]]
The '''Blue Lias''' is a geologic formation in the Jurassic Coast and parts of south [[Wales]]. It is part of the [[Lias Group]].
The '''Blue Lias''' is a geologic formation in the Jurassic Coast and parts of south [[Wales]]. It is part of the [[Lias Group]].


The [[Blue Lias]] consists of a sequence of [[limestone]] and [[shale]] layers. It was laid down in late [[Triassic]] and early [[Jurassic]] times, between 195 and 200 million years ago. The Blue Lias is famous for its [[fossil]]s, especially [[ammonite]]s. Also found were remains of a number of [[dinosaur]]s, and the pterosaur ''[[Dimorphodon]]''.
The [[Blue Lias]] consists of a sequence of [[limestone]] and [[shale]] layers. It was laid down in late [[Triassic]] and early [[Jurassic]] times, between 195 and 200 million years ago. The Blue Lias is famous for its [[fossil]]s, especially [[ammonite]]s. Also found were remains of a number of [[dinosaur]]s, and the pterosaur ''[[Dimorphodon]]''.
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* [[Sidmouth]]
* [[Sidmouth]]
* [[Swanage]]
* [[Swanage]]

Pretty much the same rocks can be seen near the Yorkshire coast near Hull (Kingston upon Hull) in Yorkshire near the [[Humber Estuary]]. Also the Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks can be followed into northern France.<ref>For example, see maps of France with colours showing where the rocks are.</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="170px" perrow="2">
<gallery widths="200" heights="170">
Image:Durdle_Door_Dorsit_England.jpg|[[Durdle Door]]
Image:Durdle Door, Dorset (2004).jpg|[[Durdle Door]]
Image:PortlandCoast.JPG|The Jurassic limestones on the Isle of Portland.
Image:PortlandCoast.JPG|The Jurassic limestones on the Isle of Portland.
Image:070329jad ukdor 01.jpg|[[Lyme Bay]]
Image:070329jad ukdor 01.jpg|[[Lyme Bay]]
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== Other websites ==
== Other websites ==
{{Commons category|Jurassic Coast}}
{{Commons category|Jurassic Coast}}
* [http://www.jurassiccoast.com/ Jurassic Coast official website]
* [http://www.jurassiccoast.com/ Jurassic Coast official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509085827/http://www.jurassiccoast.com/ |date=2008-05-09 }}
* [http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/ The South West Coast Path National Trail]
* [http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/ The South West Coast Path National Trail]
* [http://whc.unesco.org/sites/1029.htm Jurassic Coast] UNESCO World Heritage site datasheet
* [http://whc.unesco.org/sites/1029.htm Jurassic Coast] UNESCO World Heritage site datasheet


{{World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom|state=collapsed}}
⚫
{{coord|50|42|20|N|2|59|23.6|W|display=title}}


⚫
{{coord|50|42|20|N|2|59|23.6|W|display=title}}
{{WHSite}}
{{WHSite}}


[[Category:Geography of England]]
[[Category:Geography of Devon]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Great Britain]]
[[Category:Geography of Dorset]]
[[Category:South West England]]

[[Category:World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom]]
[[be:Юрскае ўзбярэжжа]]
[[Category:Lagerstätten]]
[[ca:Costa Juràssica]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in England]]
[[cy:Arfordir Jwrasig]]
[[Category:Landforms of the United Kingdom]]
[[da:Jurassic Coast]]
[[de:Jurassic Coast]]
[[en:Jurassic Coast]]
[[es:Costa Jurásica]]
[[fr:Littoral du Dorset et de l'est du Devon]]
[[hr:Jurska obala]]
[[it:Jurassic Coast]]
[[he:חוף היורה]]
[[ka:იურული სანაპირო]]
[[lt:Juros periodo krantas]]
[[nl:Jurassic Coast]]
[[ja:ジュラシック・コースト]]
[[no:Jurassic Coast]]
[[nn:Jurassic Coast]]
[[pnb:جوراسک کوسٹ]]
[[pl:Jurassic Coast]]
[[pt:Costa Jurássica]]
[[ru:Юрское побережье]]
[[fi:Dorsetin ja Itä-Devonin rannikko]]
[[sv:Jurassic Coast]]
[[vi:Jurassic Coast]]
[[zh:侏罗纪海岸]]

Latest revision as of 17:56, 8 September 2024

Gay Cliff to St Alban's Head
Location in the United Kingdom

The Jurassic Coast is a stretch of coast in south-west England. It is between Orcombe Point near Exmouth in East Devon and Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in East Dorset. This is 96 miles long (154 km).

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[1]

Its entire length can be walked on the South West Coast Path.[2]

Major fossil finds

[change | change source]

Some of the greatest fossil discoveries were made in this area.

These finds were by Mary Anning in the first part of the 19th century. This area was home to Mary, a collector who searched for fossils of the coastline around Lyme Regis and discovered several complete Ichthyosaur fossils.

Geology

[change | change source]
Satellite view of Chesil Beach (linear feature in blue running diagonally NW-SE) from Abbotsbury to the Isle of Portland

The Jurassic Coast is made of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous cliffs, spanning 185 million years of geological history.

The site contains a number of special features and shows different landforms, including the natural arch at Durdle Door, the cove and limestone folding at Lulworth Cove and an island, the Isle of Portland.

Chesil Beach (or Chesil Bank) is one of England's three shingle (gravel) beaches. It is a barrier beach which runs parallel to the coastline and connects to Portland Bill (see photo). Between the barrier and the regular coastline is a lagoon.

Golden Cap is the highest place on the south coast of England. It is 191 metres (627 ft) high.

Sequence of rocks

[change | change source]

This section notes the main rocks found on the coast, starting with the lowest (earliest).

Blue Lias

[change | change source]
Blue Lias cliffs at Lyme Regis, Dorset

The Blue Lias is a geologic formation in the Jurassic Coast and parts of south Wales. It is part of the Lias Group.

The Blue Lias consists of a sequence of limestone and shale layers. It was laid down in late Triassic and early Jurassic times, between 195 and 200 million years ago. The Blue Lias is famous for its fossils, especially ammonites. Also found were remains of a number of dinosaurs, and the pterosaur Dimorphodon.

The Blue Lias alternates between limestone, (with some clay), and mudstone.

Gateway towns

[change | change source]

These are special towns that are related to the Jurassic Coast:

Pretty much the same rocks can be seen near the Yorkshire coast near Hull (Kingston upon Hull) in Yorkshire near the Humber Estuary. Also the Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks can be followed into northern France.[3]

[change | change source]
  • Durdle Door
    Durdle Door
  • The Jurassic limestones on the Isle of Portland.
    The Jurassic limestones on the Isle of Portland.
  • Lyme Bay
    Lyme Bay
  • Landslip near Lyme Regis
    Landslip near Lyme Regis
  • Man O War Cove
    Man O War Cove
  • Old harry rocks
    Old harry rocks
  • Lyme Regis, England
    Lyme Regis, England
  • Ammonite from the Jurassic Coast, Dorset.
    Ammonite from the Jurassic Coast, Dorset.
[change | change source]

References

[change | change source]
  1. ↑ UNESCO, "Dorset and East Devon Coast"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
  2. ↑ "The Official Guide to the SWCP". SWCP Team. 2004. Retrieved 2007-01-14.
  3. ↑ For example, see maps of France with colours showing where the rocks are.

Other websites

[change | change source]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jurassic Coast.

50°42′20″N 2°59′23.6″W / 50.70556°N 2.989889°W / 50.70556; -2.989889

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