Geology Site Account

Site name: Magdalen Laver Hall Puddingstone

Grid reference: TL 511083

Brief description of site:

In the grounds of Magdalen Laver Hall is a very large boulder of Hertfordshire puddingstone (200cm x 150cm x 40cm in size) and an adjacent sarsen (90cm x 60cm) (Rudge 1952). The lower half of the puddingstone contains no pebbles and is therefore similar to a sarsen stone.

The stone is on private land and no access has recently been possible.

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Hertfordshire puddingstone

Hertfordshire Puddingstone was formed around 55 million years ago when the climate of Britain was hot and a layer of pebbles beneath the surface of the ground became cemented with quartz. They are thus very resistant to erosion and have survived the rigours of the Ice Age. They originated in Hertfordshire, hence the name, and were probably carried to Essex by the River Thames when it flowed north of its present course. However, the distribution and abundance of Hertfordshire puddingstone in parts of Essex suggests that some occurrences may have a local Essex source.

The formation of silcretes (which includes sarsens and puddingstones) has been the subject of recent scientific debate. Research has compared the conditions under which sarsens and puddingstones may have been formed with the present day climate in the Kalahari Desert and parts of Australia.