Geology Site Account

Summary

Historical site only. Temporary exposures revealed by the railway cutting passing through Ray Hill in the 19th century. The cutting was from TM 233 316 to TM 228 317. Ray Hill no longer exists, having been dug away to provide fill for the construction of Parkeston Quay.

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Further information

Before the building of Parkeston Quay, the old railway line used to run in a cutting through Ray Hill. In 1879, nine faults were exposed in the London Clay on the north side of the line, with displacements up to 4 metres (12 feet). The faults were apparently plainly visible to the railway passenger and said to be as sharply defined as if the strata had been diagonally cut through with a knife. The London Clay was apparently displayed in 'splendid banded sections and in places was said to be thrown into a series of gentle folds. The banded character of the London Clay at Harwich is now known to be caused by bands of volcanic ash (see site entry for Wrabness) and this must have made the faults clearly visible and spectacular. All the faults had an inclination of about 50 degrees except for one, which was vertical.

It is possible that some of these faults could have been caused by landslipping but they may have been from ancient earthquakes. Ray Hill no longer exists, having been dug away to provide fill for the construction of Parkeston Quay.

Information from Hutchinson (1965)