The importance of the Jurassic Coast is underpinned by outstanding geology of International significance, spanning the 185 million years of Mesozoic Earth History and beyond.
The almost continuous rock record sequence, active coastal erosion and textbook examples of geological structures and features such as stacks and arches remain of global importance.
A pebble's journey through time on the Jurassic Coast.
The almost continuous Mesozoic geology of the Dorset and East Devon coast spans 185 million years from the Triassic (252 - 200 million years ago), through the Jurassic (200-145 million years ago) and through the Cretaceous (145-65 million years ago).
The rocks here preserve a vast array of environmental conditions experienced by a range of species throughout the changes that occurred during this time period. Many of these species living in these different environments left their fossilised remains contained within the rocks, ready to reveal their life stories when they emerged from their burial places.
Yet others may be lost in time, at least for now. These variable environmental conditions were largely a result of the impact break-up of supercontinents and continental drift of the area away from the equator to eventually reside where it currently lies on what is now the South Coast of England. The appearance of the rocks and coastline as a whole are the result of considerable geological processes and continued coastal erosion.
This unique geology of the Jurassic Coast, and the fossils contained within, make it one of the most significant teaching and research sites for understanding our Earth history in the World.
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The cliffs between Eype and West Bay
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