Geology Site Account

Site name: Steeple Bay Foreshore

Grid reference: TL 916 043 “ 924 047

Brief description of site:

At Steeple Bay an impressive platform of London Clay is revealed at low tide with a number of species of fossils of fish, crustaceans, crinoids, molluscs and pyritised fossil wood (George & Vincent 1977).

The site is also of historical interest as a document exists in the Essex Record Office recording the sale, in 1828, of London Clay nodules (cement stones) from the shore for the purpose of manufacturing cement at Sheerness.

Here is an extensive exposure of London Clay, revealing the deeper water Division B deposits laid down during the Eocene period, around 53 million years ago. Although prone to silting, gradual erosion of the foreshore has allowed numerous fossils to be recovered, especially lobsters and crabs. Neolithic and Bronze Age flint tools also occasionally weather out of the marsh clay at the western end of the site.

The foreshore at Steeple Bay. Photo: G. Lucy