Our Work

Frequently Asked Questions

What is so special about the Jurassic Coast? 

    I’m glad you asked! The cliff exposures along the Dorset and East Devon coast provide an almost continuous sequence of rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era (which lasted for 185 million years of the earth's history from c. 250 million years ago - c. 65 million years ago). The internationally important fossil sites and outstanding coastal geomorphological features, landforms and processes have contributed to the study of earth sciences for over 300 years.

The Dorset and East Devon Coast has an outstanding combination of globally significant geological and geomorphological features. It is renowned for its contribution to earth science investigations, helping to foster major contributions to many aspects of geology, palaeontology and geomorphology. This coast is considered by geologists and geomorphologists to be one of the most significant teaching and research sites in the world.

There are 10 criteria sites can be inscribed under. The Jurassic Coast is inscribed under criterion viii.

This states that “The coastal exposures along the Dorset and East Devon coast provide an almost continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock formations spanning the Mesozoic Era and document approximately 185 million years of Earth's history. The property includes a range of globally significant fossil localities - both vertebrate and invertebrate, marine and terrestrial - which have produced well preserved and diverse evidence of life during Mesozoic times. It also contains textbook exemplars of coastal geomorphological features, landforms and processes. Renowned for its contribution to Earth science investigations for over 300 years, the Dorset and East Devon coast has helped foster major contributions to many aspects of geology, palaeontology and geomorphology and has continuing significance as a high quality teaching, training and research resource for the Earth sciences” (UNESCO). 

Integrity

The World Heritage site contains all the key, interdependent elements of geological succession exposed on the coastline. It includes a series of coastal landforms whose processes and evolutionary conditions are little impacted by human activity, and the high rate of erosion and mass movement in the area creates a very dynamic coastline which maintains both rock exposures and geomorphological features, and also the productivity of the coastline for fossil discoveries. More information on the attributes of the Jurassic Coast can be found by clicking on the following link - here. 

But there are other Jurassic Coasts, why is this one so important? Why is it called the ‘Jurassic Coast’? 

    It is actually the ‘Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site’ but Jurassic just seems to capture people’s imagination more readily and it aligns with at least one of the time periods covered on the World Heritage site. Jurassic Park should really be Cretaceous Park….

Whilst there are other areas rich in Jurassic-age material, the Dorset and East Devon Jurassic Coast is the only place on Earth with an almost complete Mesozoic record. 

What do the Jurassic Coast Trust do? 

    The Jurassic Coast Trust is the independent charity responsible for coordinating the protection and management of the World Heritage Site. Working in partnership with the local museums, visitor centres, landowners and other stakeholders, we guide and facilitate the work that focuses on the World Heritage Site and the protection of its OUV (outstanding universal value). Our partnership plan states our mission and aims in detail. We are a small team, working closely together and each working on a different aspect of World Heritage Site management. 

Watch the video below to learn more. 

 

Does the Jurassic Coast Trust own the World Heritage Site land?

    We as a Trust do not own any of the land but we do work with landowners to help conserve and protect the site. 

Where is the World Heritage site boundary? 

The World Heritage site comprises eight sections in a near-continuous 155 km / 96 miles of coastline with its boundaries defined by natural phenomena: on the seaward side the site extends to the mean low water mark; and on the landward side to the cliff top or back of the beach. See here for a visual representation of this. 

Due to the high rate of erosion and mass movement, it is important to periodically monitor the boundaries of the World Heritage site to ensure that significant changes to the shoreline are registered.  

Why do you let erosion happen? 

    The coastline we know today was created by the natural process of erosion and allowing it to continue is the most effective way to maintain the Outstanding Universal Value of the Jurassic Coast and safeguard its World Heritage Status. Over time erosion has exposed world-class geology and palaeontology and created iconic and much-loved landforms, such as Chesil Beach, Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Ladram Bay. Where there is a need to protect coastal communities from flooding and coastal retreat, we work in partnership with others and aim to support pragmatic and sustainable ways to balance between the needs of people and the needs of the natural environment.

Do you offer guided walks/fossil walks? 

    All of our walks and other activities can be found on our events page here. Events happening on the Jurassic Coast led by others can be found here. 

I found a fossil, what is it?

    Excellent! That depends on where you found it and where you are now. If you are able to go to local museums or visitor centres along the coast, they may be able to identify it for you. Otherwise, you are welcome to send us a photograph of it, with a scale bar/coin or similar item for scale and we will try to help you identify it. 

Why do you allow or encourage fossil collection? 

    In general, we promote responsible fossil collecting along the entire Jurassic Coast, but restrictions apply in certain areas. Please check for specific area restrictions before collecting fossils. For the majority of the coast, it is advantageous to allow fossil collecting as otherwise, the fossils would be lost to the sea. Some of these fossils are new to science and help our understanding of evolutionary pathways as well as enhancing knowledge on things such as environmental change impacts. 

As a beginner, we would recommend going on a guided fossil walk, a few places offer these walks. A great place to start is at Charmouth, with a guided fossil walk by Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. 

Fossil hunting can be a lot of fun, but remember to stay safe - our safety advice can be found on the following webpage - here.