Sunday 29 December 2013

FOSSIL HUNTING AT BRACKLESHAM BAY



Click here for the 'Seeds of Eaden' seed shop

Today we went fossil hunting at Bracklesham Bay SSSI, West Sussex.  I was so excited as I have loved fossils and dinosaurs since an very young age, and we were taking our young family with us.  We even made a cake to take with us.


Venericor bivalve shells
It is an amazing place to visit, and very family friendly with car park, toilets and cafe nearby. Make sure you visit at low tide as when the tide retreats it reveals a variety of fossils lying on the sand.  No need for picks or hammers; they are just present on the surface of the sand which have been washed away from the clay deposits. 

These fossils were formed 46 million years ago in the Eocene epoch when the area was a sub-tropical environment rich in biodivesrity.  Fossil finds have included seeds and fruits,  crocodile teeth and bones and turtle carapace.

Turritella shells
Bracklesham bay is home to many marine fossils including bivalve and gastropod shells, shark and ray teeth and corals. The fossils we found in abundance were giant cockleshells Venericardia sp. and gastropod Turritella.

The fossils are easily distinguished from modern shells as they become heavy in the process and take on a pale brown hue. We collected lots but most importantly we had a great family day out, and we all felt like explorers for a little while.  We can't wait to plan our next trip.

For related articles click onto:
Acid rain and its effect on wildlife
Archaeopteryx
Can starfish grow back their arms?
Caring for the coral reefs
Causes of acid rain

Coral reefs and the greenhouse effect
Conserving fossil fuels
Energy saving light bulbs
Fossil plants
Famous fossils
Fossils: Venericardia
Fossils: Turritella
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels: Alternative sources of energy

Fossil hunting at Bracklesham Bay
How many seas are there in the world?
Keystone species
Star Starfish
What is a cuttlefish?
What is a fossil?
What is a sea anemone?
What is a starfish?
What is a loofah?
What is the greenhouse effect?
What is a sea sponge?
What is a sea cucumber?
What is the difference between a rock and a stone?
What is the difference between an asteroid and a comet?
What is the difference between hibernation and sleep?
What is the difference between a fog and a mist?
What is acid rain?
What is fracking?
What is global warming?
What is the greenhouse effect?
What is the Gulf Stream?
Where are fossils found?



No comments:

Post a Comment