The Cliff, Burnham-on-Crouch
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationEssex
Grid referenceTQ 922976
InterestGeological
Area4.0 hectares
Notification1986
Location mapMagic Map

The Cliff, Burnham-on-Crouch is a 4 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the bank of the River Crouch between Burnham-on-Crouch and North Fambridge in Essex. It is also part of the biological SSSI, Crouch and Roach Estuaries.[1][2] It is a Geological Conservation Review site both for its fossil birds and for its fishes and amphibians.[3][4]

Fossils birds dating to the Lower Eocene, around 55 to 48 million years ago, have been found at this site, and it has yielded the type material of two species, Coturnipes cooperi and Parvicuculus minor. Considerable quantities of fossil fishes have also been found, mainly sharks, and it is the type locality for several species.[1]

The site can be viewed from the riverside path between Burnham-on-Crouch and North Fambridge. No geology is visible.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Cliff, Burnham-on-Crouch citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  2. ↑ "Map of The Cliff, Burnham-on-Crouch". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Burnham-on-Crouch (Aves)". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "Burnham-on-Crouch (Mesozoic - Tertiary Fish/Amphibia)". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
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51°38′10″N 0°46′30″E / 51.636°N 0.775°E / 51.636; 0.775

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