Ardleigh Gravel Pit
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationEssex
Grid referenceTM 055281
TM 052281
InterestGeological
Area1.2 hectares
Notification1992
Location mapMagic Map

Ardleigh Gravel Pit is a 1.2-hectare (3.0-acre) geological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Ardleigh in Essex.[1][2] It is a Geological Conservation Review site.[3]

The site exposes a succession of Pleistocene levels, with an interglacial between two glacial periods. The interglacial may date back 700,000 years. The site has plant microfossils rare or unique in Britain, and according to Natural England's description in 1992, it may become the type site for a previously unrecognised British early middle Pleistocene interglacial.[1][4]

The site is divided into two areas. The main one is L-shaped, forming the sloping south-east and north-east borders of a water filled pit. A footpath between Slough Lane and Park Farm runs along its north-east boundary. East of the main site is a small linear feature which has been filled in. It is on private land with no public access.

References

  1. ^ a b "Ardleigh Gravel Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Map of Ardleigh Gravel Pit". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Ardleigh Gravel Pit (Martells Quarry) (Quaternary of the Thames)". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Ardleigh Gravel Pit SSSI (Martells Quarry)". The Essex Field Club. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
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51°54′50″N 0°59′10″E / 51.914°N 0.986°E / 51.914; 0.986

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