Ammonoid fossil (about 30 cm across) on the Jurassic Coast in England. Photo by: Bareknuckleyellow- Wikimedia.

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about the Jurassic Coast, England


 

England’s only natural World Heritage Site is the Jurassic Coast. It extends 95 miles from Exmouth’s Orcombe Point to Swanage’s Old Harry Rocks. The Jurassic Coast is a fantastic site to explore, and it’s much more than just rocks!

Those rocks, on the other hand, enable us to learn about and explore ‘deep time,’ as well as the age of huge marine reptiles and dinosaurs.

1. There is fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast

Along the Jurassic Coast, fossil hunting has been practiced for over 200 years and you can be apart of it!  Finding your own fossil and knowing that you are the only person alive who has ever touched it is a once-in-a-lifetime event that attracts to people of all ages.

Fossil collectors have made incredible finds throughout history that have altered our understanding of the Earth and prehistoric life. Mary Anning, perhaps the most famous fossil collector of all time, was born in Lyme Regis.

Her discoveries in the early 1800s revolutionized science and aided Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Of course, the Jurassic Coast’s geology continues inland and underpinning our AONB. It gives rise to the inland landscape’s natural beauty and diversity, including the flora and fauna, the local building stone and food and drinks are found in this area too.   

Mary Anning understood the need of fossil hunting ethically, and you should as well:

  • Collect only loose fossils. In the cliffs, never hammer or dig.
  • The best spot to look for fossils is on the beach, where erosion, rain, and waves have done the heavy lifting and swept the fossils from the cliffs.
  • All you need are keen eyes; children are typically better at spotting fossils than adults! Charmouth and Lyme Regis are the best spots to look for fossils along the Jurassic Coast. In most other places, either there aren’t any fossils or collecting them is dangerous.
  • Please pay attention to warning flags and remember that they are designed to protect you.

2. Why is it called Jurassic Coast?

Jurassic Coast in England. Photo by: Bareknuckleyellow- Wikimedia.

The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Site is more popularly known as the 鈥楯urassic Coast鈥.  This name comes from the best known geological history found within it, although the site includes rocks from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous times. 

The variant rocks tell an interesting story from historical deserts to tropical seas throughout the Mesozoic era, between 250 million and 65 million years ago.  Focusing on the Earth’s history, the name 鈥楯urassic Coast鈥 is quickly becoming as common as other UK nature sights such as Lake District and Giant鈥檚 Causeway.

3. England鈥檚 only natural UNESCO World heritage site

UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found all throughout England. The Jurassic Coast, on the other hand, is England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The amazing shoreline dates back over 185 million years and offers a rare glimpse into the UK’s ancient background. The Jurassic Coast was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its social importance.

The Jurassic Coast, which stretches over 95 miles, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001. With so many beautiful places to visit along the shore, it’s preferable to stay in a Jurassic Coast cottage close enough to fully appreciate the visit.

4. Has 185 million years of visible history

Ammonoid fossil on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England. Photo by: Lawrie Cate- Wikimedia.

The fourth Jurassic Coast fact is that t he shoreline is one of the best areas on the planet to learn about prehistoric times. The Dorset coastline is one of the best areas to find fossils without using any special techniques, thanks to over 185 million years of climatic changes. 

As the tide goes out, you can head down to the water’s edge to see if you can spot any amazing fossils. Even large woolly mammoth bones have been discovered along the Dorset coast.

While you are unlikely to find your own mammoth bone, you are more likely to come across mollusk and sea creature fossils.

5.Did you know the Jurassic Coast used to be a desert?

The Jurassic Coast has had many different landscapes over its long history. This Dorset coast was once a desert during the Triassic era. Throughout the Jurassic era, this became a tropical sea, and later, swampland.

The abundance of fossils found on the coastline is due to changes in the landscape. As the land changed, the layers accumulated to form what we see today. Dinosaur bones and prehistoric forests can be found among these layers.

6. Home to one of the hottest’s chillies

Dorset Naga, which was developed in 2001, is one of the world’s hottest chillies. The chilli pepper, which consistently measures more than 650,000 Scoville units, is in the same category as the Carolina Reaper and the Ghost Pepper.

If you can get past the Dorset Naga’s heat, the chilli has a fruity aroma that can alter the depth of flavor. Therefore, if you intend to cook with this fiery chilli, use caution, deseed it and wear gloves while chopping.

You don’t want to rub your eyes with the Dorset Naga on your hands.

You can try growing your own Dorset Naga chillies and serving your famous hot sauces to your friends. You are allowed to choose growing seeds from their online store. 

7. Tongue twisters were started here

Jurassic Coast in England. Photo by: Bareknuckleyellow- Wikimedia.

In 1799, Mary Anning was born in Lyme Regis. She’d walk her dog Tray down to the beach and sell fossils to upper and middle-class visitors.

Some of Mary’s fossils aided in the discovery of prehistoric dinosaurs. In 1823, she discovered a giant Plesiosaurus.  After  some criticism, the discovery was commonly recognised, resulting in a massive scientific breakthrough.

She continued to make revolutionary discoveries for the rest of her life, leaving an indelible mark on the renowned scientist Charles Darwin. Some of these magnificent specimens are still on display at London’s Museum of Natural History.

Many authors and scientists have paid homage to Mary Anning’s life over the years. Specifically, Terry Sullivan who wrote: 

鈥淪he sells seashells on the seashore,
The shells she sells are seashells, I鈥檓 sure,
So if she sells seashells on the seashore,
Then I鈥檓 sure she sells seashore shells.鈥

8. Home to the UK鈥檚 largest natural harbor

The harbor in Poole is one of the most impressive natural harbors in the world. Indeed, many consider it to be the world’s second largest.

The natural harbor has been used for thousands of years, and the remains of a 200-year-old boat were discovered near Brownsea Island in 1964.

Theses days, the harbor is used for water sports and personal watercraft like jet skis. The area is also suitable for exploring some of the area’s stunning scenery.

9. Emergence of paleontology, very first discoveries

Cast of the Sahelanthropus tchadensis unreconstructed holotype cranium. Photo by: Didier Descouens- Wikimedia.

Paleontology was founded here when collectors explored that some of the fossils they had obtained belonged to extinct animals. Prior to the discovery of Paleontology, collecting fossils was simply a hobby.

10. Three periods and the evolution of species 

The Jurassic Coast reveals three significant periods in human history: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The region has changed several times during these eras, including being a shallow tropical sea, marsh, and desert. It also offers in – depth scientific proof of how animals evolved over millions of years.

 

 

 

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