Geology Site Account

Site name: St. Peters Well

Grid reference: TM 006 124

Brief description of site:

St. Peter's Well is an ancient source of water on what is now called St. Peter's well Meadow. The area was affected by the Essex earthquake of 1884.

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Details

The meadow is a public open space. The well is an ancient source of water but fell into disuse in the early 20th century. In 2000 the well was refurbished and a new well head installed with a bronze plaque.

The Essex earthquake of 1884 caused a crack to open up which ran for over 200 yards from the mouth of the well. An 1884 photo exists of the crack and the well. The crack is associated with an existing London Clay landslip here. This is perhaps the best documented of the rare British case records of slope instability arising from earthquake shock.