(Bridport sands) - 1993

The Bridport Sands Formation are of Upper Lias age. The cliff exposure here shows a splendid example of Jurassic marine shoal sands. This sandstone, 43m thick, represents a relatively shallow faces of a major rhythm of Jurassic sedimentation. The formation is an important oil reservoir rock underground at the Wytch Farm Oilfield and this is the best exposure at the surface.

This sandstone formation is a classic diachronous sequence that becomes younger southward. The main sequence is Upper Toarcian (Dumortieria levesquei ) zone. It is interesting, containing heavy minerals of metamorphic type (e.g. garnet), probably ultimately derived, via the Permo-Trias, from Brittany.

(East Cliff) - 1993