Can you find fossils at Kimmeridge Bay?

Fossils occur commonly throughout the Kimmeridge Clay, in particular the shells of ammonites and bivalves. Less common finds include the skeletal remains of marine reptiles and in extremely rare instances the bones of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Left: Cliff-top parking is available at Kimmeridge Bay.

Where are the fossils in Swanage?

Ballard Cliff and Ballard Point, above the Wealden cliffs at the northern end of New Swanage offer fossils from the Grey Chalk Subgroup and lower beds of the White Chalk Subgroup. The Cenomanian basement bed, which is just above the Upper Greensand yields ammonites (Schloenbachia and Sciponoceras).

Where can I find fossils in Dorset beach?

The coast and the cliffs around Charmouth and Lyme Regis are famous for their fossils across the world. The Charmouth and Lyme Regis fossils can be found washed out of the cliffs loose on the beach in the gravel and shingle. The best place to look for fossils is in the loose material on the Beach and NOT in the cliffs.

Where is the best place to find fossils on the Jurassic Coast?

Fossils can come from almost anywhere along the Jurassic Coast, but they are mostly quite hard to find and in some places fossil collecting is not allowed without permission. For any beginner, the beaches between Charmouth and Lyme Regis are the best and safest place to try fossil hunting.

Is Kimmeridge good for fossils?

The Kimmeridge Clay contains a remarkable range of fossils including occasional bones of dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and pterosaurs and many invertebrate fossils. It is an important formation from a palaeontological point of view and the cliffs here have been yielding remarkable finds for almost two centuries.

Which beach in Dorset is best for fossil hunting?

Best fossil hunting beaches in Dorset

• Charmouth Beach. The beach at Charmouth is renowned for its bountiful fossil hunting opportunities.
• Lyme Regis. The beach at Lyme Regis is also one of the top fossil hunting locations in Dorset.
• Chapman’s Pool.
• Lulworth Cove.
• Ringstead Bay.

Does Durdle Door have fossils?

Fossils of the Cretaceous period are found at Lulworth Cove, but they are less frequently found than in some other locations. For a break from fossil hunting, walking around the cove itself and exploring nearby Durdle Door is a wonderful way to see how coastal erosion has shaped the landscape.

What to look for when looking for fossils?

Have an eye for detail Look for regular lines, marks or patterns on pebbles, like the ridges or growth lines of a shell. Look for tiny pieces among the beach pebbles, not just big stones. Often crinoid stems or belemnites can be as small as your little fingernail.

Can you still see fossils at Kimmeridge Bay?

There are still some lovely fossils to be seen within the bay, but hammering and collecting are not usually allowed. CHILDREN: ♦ – Because locations accessible from Kimmeridge Bay can be very dangerous for collecting fossils due to tides and regular cliff falls, it is not recommended for children.

How old are the rocks at Kimmeridge Bay?

Laid down 155 million years ago, the rocks at Kimmeridge Bay were once the floor of a deep, tropical sea rich in pre-historic life. Today they form just part of the 95 miles of Dorset and East Devon Coast designated as a geological World Heritage Site, known as the Jurassic Coast, and containing a unique record…

Can I Hunt with a hammer at Kimmeridge Bay?

Although fossil hunting is permitted at Kimmeridge Bay, the use of hammers is not. These restrictions apply to Kimmeridge Bay specifically and normal fossil hunting can be undertaken outside the bay in either direction. See ‘Where to look for fossils?’ further down the page for more information.

What type of rock is Kimmeridge Clay?

The Kimmeridge Clay (Formation) is composed of fossil-rich mudstones and oil shales which originally accumulated as soft sediment at the bottom of the sea approximately 156-148 million years ago. This interval of 8 million years spans both the Kimmeridgian Stage and part of the subsequent Tithonian Stage of the Late Jurassic Epoch.