Harwich - Geological Guide for the Geology and Stratification

(Harwich beach) - 2000

The geology of Harwich is very interesting, South of the lighthouse is the Harwich Stone Band, well exposed at the base of the sea and upper parts of the foreshore. Odd patch areas of silty clay and clayey silt can be seen in places. Blocks of sandstone, areas of black pebbles can also be seen during low tides.

The big question that many people ask, directly linked with the geology is where do the fossils come from. Unfortunately this question is not known, A question that dredged material may have been dumped on the beach could be asked, however no dredging has been done for 20-30 years.

The answer seems likely to be, it has been washed up, many of the teeth are in mint condition, unrolled so this doesn't answer either. Some peoples believe that they are coming from the London Clay, but it seems more likely today after extensive research that there is a fault with a small down throw to the south, this runs along the beach and foreshore. Sandstone blocks and pebbles on the foreshore at extreme low tide may support this idea. The London Clay fault here is from Division A1 of the London Clay.

The Harwich Stone Band from the Harwich Formation contains attractive veins of calcite and also volcanic ash from explosive volcanic eruptions in Scotland and Scandinavia during Eocene times.

Palaeogene	Oligocene	Chattian	23.8 to 28.5
	Oligocene	Rupelian	28.5 to 33.7
	Eocene	Priabonian	33.7 to 35.5
		Bartonian	35.5 to 40.5
		Lutetian	40.5 to 49.5
		Ypresian	49.5 to 54.8
	Paleocene	Thanetian	54.8 to 57.0
		Selandian	57.0 to 60.5
		Danian	60.5 to 65.0

Ypresian 49.5 - 54.8 MYA
FORMATIONS AND DEPOSITS		LOCATIONS
Poole Formation
London Clay	London Clay Basement Bed	Ramsholt Bawdsey Whitecliff Bay
	Division A	Isle of Sheppey Walton-on-the-Naze Ramsholt Maylandsea Nacton Levington Bawdsey Bognor Regis Herne Bay Whitecliff Bay Harwich Wrabness
	Division B
	Division C
	Division D
Harwich Formation		Harwich Wrabness
Blackheath Beds		Abbey Wood
Claygate Beds
Oldhaven Beds		Herne Bay
Reading Formation		Herne Bay Whitecliff Bay

1:250 000 Geological Map of Harwich
Geological Maps are sold either Flat or Folded for Solid, or Seabed geology. Special editions may be available for certain locations. For a complete list click the link below.
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1: 50 000 Geological Map of the Isle fo Harwich
Geological Maps are sold either Flat or Folded for Solid, Drift or combined geology. Special editions may be available for certain locations. For a complete list of
1: 50 000 maps, click the link below.
Click here to BUY ONLINE from our store