Why are there sharks teeth at Walton-on-the-Naze?

Why are there sharks teeth at Walton-on-the-Naze?

FIND FREQUENCY: ♦♦♦♦♦ – The section at Walton-on-the-Naze yields many fossils from the London Clay and Red Crag. The London Clay produces a large quantity of pyritised fossil wood, in amongst which you can find beautiful sharks’ teeth, often with an attractive blue lustre.

How old are the shark teeth at Walton on Naze?

50 million years
Coastal erosion crumbles away the land, but as it does so it uncovers many treasures from the past. In fact, the Naze beach is littered with fossilised shark’s teeth dating back some 50 million years, and if you know what you are looking for, you can be pretty much guaranteed an historic find.

What is the geology of Walton-on-the-Naze?

London Clay Formation
The London Clay Formation is a marine geological formation from the Lower Eocene epoch (Ypresian Stage of around 54 million years ago) and which is found extensively in the slumped cliffs and foreshore at Walton-on-the-Naze. The bluish-grey clay was laid down in the delta of a large river, in a subtropical climate.

Why does Walton-on-the-Naze need protecting?

The 110m (361ft) Crag Walk has been built along The Naze in Walton to help protect the Site of Special Scientific Interest and Naze Tower from the sea. It is expected the Crag Walk will slow the erosion to 20m (65.6ft) over the next 70 to 100 years, as opposed to the previous one to two metres each year.

Are there cliffs in Essex?

Over 50 million years ago Essex was beneath a warm sea. The cliff faces are popular with fossil hunters who come to search for the fossils of the marine life like gastropods, nautiloids, turtles and many species of fish including sharks which would have swum in the sea millions of years ago. …

Where can I find fossil shark teeth in the UK?

Shark teeth, mostly belonging to the Stratiolamia macrota, are the most prevalent type of fossil found. For the best chance of finding natural treasures amongst the sediment, head to the beach at Beltinge just east of Herne Bay, and walk further east towards Reculver.

How Old Is Red Crag?

According to the British Geological Survey, the Red Crag sits within a segment of time from about 3.3 to 2.5 mya. It is considered that the Red Crag at Walton-on-the–Naze is the oldest and that it was deposited in only a few decades at some time between 2.9 and 2.6 mya.

Which factors are most important in causing the coastline at Walton to erode?

The key factors which affect coastlines are:

• The rock type/geology (see map below).
• The fetch of the wave and the strength of the wind.
• The angle of the slope – steep slopes erode more violently and frequently.
• Weather conditions – freezing temperatures and heavy rain increase weathering and the rate of erosion.

What coastal Defences are there at Walton on the Naze?

The government has erected a number of different sea defence mechanisms including groynes, rip rap and wooden revetments. These are erected to protect the cliffs from substantial erosion and the eventual disappearance of Walton-on-the-Naze.

Why is Westcliff called Westcliff?

History. The southern area of what is now known as Westcliff, south of the London Road, was known as Milton or Milton Hamlet until the period 1860-1880 when the Milton Estate and surrounding land was sold to speculators who preferred the name Westcliff-on-Sea.

When was Westcliff built?

1891
Built in 1891, the imposing Westcliff Hotel is positioned high on the cliffs, overlooking the picturesque Cliff Gardens and benefiting from spectacular views over the Thames Estuary.

Is it illegal to take fossils UK?

Be aware that it is never legal to take minerals or fossils from national parks or heritage sites, without express permission to do so. And you should never collect specimens from scientifically important sites, such as ASSIs – Areas of Special Scientific Interest – in the UK.