Geology Site Account
A-Z Geological Site Index
Maggots End (Pinchpools) Puddingstone, MANUDEN, Uttlesford District, TL490276, General geological site
Site category: Boulders - puddingstone Site name: Maggots End (Pinchpools) Puddingstone Grid reference: TL 490276 Brief description of site: One kilometre north of the village of Manuden, at the junction of the road to Pinchpools, originally stood a one metre square boulder of Hertfordshire puddingstone in a publicly-accessible position by the roadside. The boulder has unfortunately now been moved by the farmer to the yard of Pinchpools Farm. ---------------------------------------- Details 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.
|
if you have an image please upload it
|
Reference: Lucy 2003a
Geology Site Map
A-Z Geological Site Index