Geology Site Account

Site name: Jubilee Recreation Ground

Grid reference: TL 857 116

Brief description of site:

A former gravel pit adjacent to the Maldon to Tiptree Road in Great Totham South, now in use as a recreation ground. Surrounding the ground are steeply wooded banks of Kesgrave Sands and Gravels (pre-diversion Thames gravel). It is a site of great educational value because of its accessibility. Pebbles from the gravel can still be collected at the base of the slopes. The site includes the adjacent pit west of Maldon Road which is in use for cycle scrambling.

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Details

The Kesgrave Sands and Gravels (Kesgrave Formation) were laid down during the early Ice Age by the River Thames when it flowed through Essex and Suffolk and out across what is now the southern North Sea to become a tributary of the Rhine. The gravel is mostly of flint but also contains exotic pebbles of rocks from far upstream, some of which are ignimbrite (a volcanic rock) from North Wales.

An important site for learning about the ice Age history of the area. Vegetation clearance could provide a small section through the gravels.