Geology Site Account

Site name: Stansgate Foreshore

Grid reference: TL 929 054 to 929 057

Brief description of site:

The foreshore in front of Stansgate Abbey Farm exposes a platform of London Clay, revealed at low tide, containing fossils of various species of crustacea, crinoids, molluscs and occasional fish and marine vertebrates (George & Vincent 1977).

This exposure of London Cla is a continuation of the exposure at nearby Steeple Bay, 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, crabs, shark teeth and crinoid stem fragments.