ACCESS TO THE SITE IS NOT POSSIBLE AT HIGH TIDE.
At the coordinates you will be at the start of a cliff of conglomerate running northwards along the shore.
What is Conglomerate?
Conglomerate is a sedimentary rock made up of rounded clasts* that are bigger than 2 mm in diameter. The spaces between the clasts are filled with sand and clay particles. This is often deposited later on top of the large clasts then sifts down to fill in the spaces. After compaction, the rock is bound together by a cement that is usually composed of calcite or quartz. *(A clast is a fancy word for a fragment, chunk and small grains of rock broken off larger rocks by weathering).
Conglomerate forms where sediments of rounded clasts accumulate. This needs a strong water current to transport and produce a rounded shape on particles this large. Wind transport is unlikely to produce a conglomerate. The deposition might be along a swiftly flowing stream or like here on a beach with strong waves.
What is Breccia?
Conglomerate and Breccia are very similar. They are both made of clasts of the same size but the shape of the clasts differ. As previously explained, Conglomerate is made up of mainly rounded clasts. However, breccia is made up mainly of angular clasts. This shape is the only difference.
What is Puddingstone?
Puddingstone is a non-scientific term for a conglomerate made up of clasts that contrast sharply with the colour of the rock's matrix. The colour is the only difference.
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- Look at the clasts in the rock’s matrix. Would you describe them as Conglomerate, Breccia or Puddingstone? Explain your reason why you have chosen your answer.
- At the coords you will see a large section of conglomerate that has a horizontal wedge gouged out. Look closely at this wedge and explain why this section has been eroded and the rest hasn’t.
- At the second waypoint you will find a small cave that is big enough to walk into. How do you think this has been formed? Was it by sea erosion, rockfall or a bit of both? Please explain your answer.
- Please provide a photo as proof of visit, please do not post spoiler photos.
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