Corallian Limestone
The ridge itself is made from Corallian Limestone. Corallian Limestone is a coral-rich sedimentary rock which was formed during the Jurassic period when Oxfordshire was submerged under a shallow, tropical sea. It is packed full of fossils which are the remains of Jurassic creatures that once lived in the sea. Among these creatures can be found the fossilised remains of corals, sea-urchins and shellfish. Corrallian Limestone can be found in many English counties including Dorset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire however here in Faringdon the limestone contains softer sandy deposits. The Corallian Limestone has been used as an important source of building material in the local area with many buildings having been constructed from it. One such example is Faringdon’s All Saints Church.
Oxford Clay
The Golden Ridge rises above a flat plain of Oxford Clay. Oxford Clay is a marine sedimentary rock which also formed during the Jurassic period. It is slightly older than the Corallian Limestone and formed on the floor of a deep sea that covered the area. The clay is more susceptible to erosion than the Limestone which is why the ridge and clay form a vale. Oxford Clay can be found underlying much of southeast England, from Dorset in the west to Yorkshire in the north.
In order to complete this cache please email us through our profile with the following answers, all of which can be found at the given co-ordinates. EACH INDIVIDUAL GEOCACHER LOGGER MUST SEND THEIR OWN ANSWERS. NO ONE ANSWER FOR MULTIPLE GROUPS ALLOWED.
- At the site there used to be two information signs. Unfortunately they are no longer there. The right hand rock has examples of fossilised corals. They are small and towards the bottom of the stone. Describe the shape, colour and size of the fossils?
- The Golden ridge was once under a shallow, tropical sea. Using your GPS work out how high the Golden Ridge is above the current sea level?
- The Limestone and Clay each produce different soils and therefore different farming properties. This can be seen at the co-ordinates. Describe how the land directly above (a) the Corallian Limestone and (b) the Oxford Clay is being farmed. Explain why you think Oxford Clay is better for this type of land use?
- Why might the ridge have been given it’s name?
- Photos of Geocachers at the location are not compulsory but are encouraged!
Once you have sent your email you are free to log this cache. We will attempt to reply as soon as possible. Please do not include any answers in your logs or photos. Any logs without an email or that contain answers in any form will be deleted.