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Alphamstone Gravel Pits, ALPHAMSTONE , Braintree District, TL872355, General geological site
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Site category: Thames (pre-diversion) Site name: Alphamstone Gravel Pits Grid reference: TL 872 355 Brief description of site: Disused pits west of the village formerly showed 6 metres of Thames gravel (Bures Gravel) and 6 metres of chalky boulder clay. The gravel has an abundance of far-travelled exotic pebbles. ---------------------------------------- Details These pits are important because it was here that identification of pebbles possibly originating in North Wales helped geologists piece together the evidence that the Kesgrave Sands and Gravels was laid down by the River Thames and that this river at that time had its headwaters in Snowdonia. The gravel also has an abundance of quartzite (bunter) cobbles from the West Midlands.
In 1975 a fine section of Kesgrave Gravel with overlying boulder clay (with a sharp planar base) was seen at TL 8700 3588.
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Gravelly soil near entrance to wooded old pit area  At entrance to wooded old pit area looking south  In wooded old pit area looking south-west  Looking north towards site of pits  upload a new image |
Reference: Whiteman 1992 (page 46); Hey & Brenchley 1977 (page 221); Rose & Turner 1973
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