Raised Beach
The Raised Beach, also known as the West Pleistocene Raised Beach, is a raised beach at White Hole, on the western side of Portland Bill, and is partially incorporated within the perimeter fencing of MOD Portland Bill. It is one of two beaches of its kind to be found in the area; the other is on the eastern side of Portland Bill, giving it the name the East Pleistocene Raised Beach.
Both beaches were formed during an inter-glacial period of the Pleistocene Epoch, and are made up of deposits of shell, sand and pebble. A number of fossilised animal remains have been discovered at both sites.
Background
The West Pleistocene Raised Beach is considered to have been formed around 200,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. At the time, the sea level would have been almost 50 feet higher than the present level. Much of the sandy slit seen above the beach was deposited by the wind, while the head of the beach, known as the solifluction deposit, was formed during the Devensian, the last glacial period known as the Ice Age.
In the mid-19th century, quarrying commenced at Portland Bill and the Bill Quarries were mainly concentrated around White Hole area, including the raised beach. Despite the close quarrying, the beach was left largely unharmed. Later in the 1950s, the Admiralty selected the site for a new research establishment. The establishment still operates today as MOD Portland Bill and encloses part of the raised beach within its fencing.
East Pleistocene Raised Beach
The East Pleistocene Raised Beach is located along the eastern side of Portland Bill, beginning from near Portland Bill Lighthouse and continuing north-east past Red Crane and Cave Hole. It is believed to date back 125,000 years. Most of the deposits are found sloping towards the sea and include the mollusc shell species Patella and Littorina.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) Discover Dorset: Geology - Paul Ensom - Dovecote Press - 1998 - ISBN: 978-1874336525 - page 78 - book
2) Exploring Portland - Portland Bill - Geoff Kirby - website page
3) Jurassic Coastline - Bill of Portland - Quick Facts Area - website page
4) Portland Bill - Geological Field Guide - Dr. Ian West - website page
5) UK Fossils Network - Geological Guide to Portland Bill - website page
6) Wikipedia Commons - Photograph of raised beach information sign at Portland Bill - website page
Both beaches were formed during an inter-glacial period of the Pleistocene Epoch, and are made up of deposits of shell, sand and pebble. A number of fossilised animal remains have been discovered at both sites.
Background
The West Pleistocene Raised Beach is considered to have been formed around 200,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. At the time, the sea level would have been almost 50 feet higher than the present level. Much of the sandy slit seen above the beach was deposited by the wind, while the head of the beach, known as the solifluction deposit, was formed during the Devensian, the last glacial period known as the Ice Age.
In the mid-19th century, quarrying commenced at Portland Bill and the Bill Quarries were mainly concentrated around White Hole area, including the raised beach. Despite the close quarrying, the beach was left largely unharmed. Later in the 1950s, the Admiralty selected the site for a new research establishment. The establishment still operates today as MOD Portland Bill and encloses part of the raised beach within its fencing.
East Pleistocene Raised Beach
The East Pleistocene Raised Beach is located along the eastern side of Portland Bill, beginning from near Portland Bill Lighthouse and continuing north-east past Red Crane and Cave Hole. It is believed to date back 125,000 years. Most of the deposits are found sloping towards the sea and include the mollusc shell species Patella and Littorina.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) Discover Dorset: Geology - Paul Ensom - Dovecote Press - 1998 - ISBN: 978-1874336525 - page 78 - book
2) Exploring Portland - Portland Bill - Geoff Kirby - website page
3) Jurassic Coastline - Bill of Portland - Quick Facts Area - website page
4) Portland Bill - Geological Field Guide - Dr. Ian West - website page
5) UK Fossils Network - Geological Guide to Portland Bill - website page
6) Wikipedia Commons - Photograph of raised beach information sign at Portland Bill - website page
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