Ludlow | Archive | 2001 | May | 09
From the archive, first published Wednesday 9th May 2001.
SOUTH Shropshire is one of the classic areas of importance for geologists and the area west of Ludlow is one of particular significance.
So much so that, the famous 19th century geologist, Sir Roderick Murchison, gave the town's name to a major division of the Silurian System - a period of around 440 million to 410 million years ago, named after the Celtic tribe that lived in the area in Roman times.
Now rocks of this age, anywhere in the world, are known as Ludlovian. Wenlock Edge has a similar distinction.
Fossil shells from this period, when marine mammals were the inhabitants, can be found on the Mortimer Forest geology trail.
A series of labelled sites, designed with the layman in mind, guides you through 15 million years of the earth's history and reveals how the past has shaped the landscape. Ludlow is situated to the east of two converging ridges, an arched fold in the beds of Ludlow rock.
Layers of silt, volcanic ash, and sediments were laid down on what was once a sea bed where they slowly turned to rock.
Soft shales have eroded away to reveal the harder limestones which can now be seen as ridges at Bringewood Chase and High Vinnalls.
Shropshire is renowned for the variety of its geology.
It has rocks from all geological periods, including some of the most ancient in Britain, from the Pre-Cambrian to the Jurassic, 700 to 200 million years ago.
According to Shropshire Geological Society, the county has more rocks of differing ages than any other area of similar size in the UK, possibly even the world!
This is in addition to substantial sands, gravels, and clays, from the last Ice Age, the last major geological event in Shropshire which took place about 18,000 years ago.
It was the freeze, and subsequent thawing process, which produced the rugged landscape of the Stiperstones and the scree on the slopes of Titterstone Clee.
The U-shaped valleys around Church Stretton are another familiar characteristic of glacial deposits.
The hard rocks of the Long Mynd are the foundations of what would once have been a much higher feature covered in layers of softer rock which have been eroded from its slopes.
Shropshire Geological Society was formed in 1979 and has around 100 members throughout the county.
Affiliated to the Geological Association of London, it exists to promote and nurture an interest in and understanding of geology.
It is open to all and offers a variety of activities both for members and for the general public.
During the winter, monthly meetings take the form of illustrated talks by expert speakers.
They are held in the Shire Hall, Shrewsbury, and the talks are usually on various aspects of the science.
Additional interactive meetings, including sessions for newcomers, are organised by members.
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