h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Triassic/Jurassic coast of North-West Somerset - A689691
Author: Frogbit - U175610

The precise location of this stretch is deliberatly kept obscure for reasons that will become apparent.

And, of course, as soon as it's posted, I remember a load of other stuff I meant to put in.

Hi,
Nicely written and interesting article. However, I can't help thinking that it's a pity that we're not allowed to know where this stretch of coast is.

FM

Thank Felonius. It's petty I can't be more precise, but even the small ammonites are worth money, and if you really really tried, there are probably enough clues already. Fossiking on beaches is admirable, because if you don't, the tide will turn them into pebbles and eventually sand. going down armed with kanga drills and sledge hammers tends ruin the site in geological terms.

Nice bit of writing as always Frogbit

I'm wondering if there should be some kind of link other of your articles though as it feels a little exposed as it is - a prelude to something more about fossils and fossil-hunting. Maybe that's my problem, on first reading it's a nice bit of writing about a piece of coastline with links to prehistory but I'm not sure what the aim is. Read with a nod to your areas of interest it's clear but I'm not sure what the casual newbie reader would think. Probably it stands alone perfectly well. Perhaps I should come back and reread tomorrow when the effects of the weekend and tiredness have worn off...

Oh, I did spot a typo though don't you spell deleterious like this rather than with another "i" in the middle as you have it?

Hi MC - I know what you mean. It's changed a little now, with your comments and suggestions taken on board (+ 1 typo). You were definately right - it was more an account of a day out before...

Nice work, Frogbit

It is very easy with geological subjects to go diving off into obscure details and terminologies and you have avoided that most impressively. One or two bits of related trivia occur :

The liassic of Somerset was the first geological sequence in the world to be analysed and mapped (by William Smith, the 'Father of Stratigraphy') using modern methods, leading eventually his Geological Map of Britain. It is therefore of unique significance to the history of the science.

The sequence runs diagonally across England yielding similar fossil beds most notably in the cliffs around Whitby, North Yorks.

It continues under the North Sea where it forms both source and cap rock for the vast majority of the oil & gas reserves. This is due to the richness of the Jurassic Seas.

Perhaps, some pop-science references to the 'golden age' of dinosaurs and ichthyosaurs plus some dates might help a lot of readers with finding a context.

I'm intrigued by these Alabaster cliffs, a mental note has been made to visit the next chance I get (Promise I won't take my windy pick )

Cheers Seth.

Poor old William. Now there's a man who deserves an entry of his own. I know he worked around here, but didn't realise his map had its origins in these parts. I live not far from his ill fated mining efforts in the Mendips. I will get a copy of 'The Map that changed the World' when it comes out in paper-back.

"The sequence runs diagonally across England yielding similar fossil beds most notably in the cliffs around Whitby, North Yorks."

How close to the alum shale beds?

"Perhaps, some pop-science references to the 'golden age' of dinosaurs and ichthyosaurs plus some dates might help a lot of readers with finding a context."

Done. I've put in a number of other entries on the geology/fossils of Somerset.

"I'm intrigued by these Alabaster cliffs, a mental note has been made to visit the next chance I get (Promise I won't take my windy pick )"

Promise you'll take your hat, though.

Cheers all,
Frogbit

I got 'The Map that Changed the World' as a birthday last autumn (yes indeed - from my Mummy)

Hence the little spark going off among the otherwise somnolent grey cells. Good yarn.

Also struck a note as one's forebears (male side anyway) appear to have come from Ditcheat/Bruton area albeit 2 or 3 centuries back.

Most of the North York Moors are liassic but along the coast, from the Kimmeridge Clay around Filey heading North you run down the sequence to the fossiliferous mudstones and shales North of Whitby. Blink of an eye though and your into Carboniferous Limestone and I never really scoured the early stuff. Very good Youth Hostel up there called Boggle Hole. Well worth a visit if it's still there. But don't go baht 'at - especially this time of year

*Breezes back in waving cloth cap

I think this reads much better now, should inspire a few people to go and read on, maybe follow a couple of your links even.
Only one complaint now (and it's only a mild one really). I like short paragraphs and would prefer it if some of your long ones were broken up into 2 if possible. Maybe this is just me...

RE: Alum shale

By some strange coincidence (happens a lot in Lagos) I got talking to a bloke in a bar last night and it turned out that he was brought up in Loftus, a bit further up the coast than Whitby AND had more than a passing knowledge of the local geology.

He tells me that the alum shale outcrops a little north of the small fishing village of Staithes (pronounced 'steers') where there are old surface workings associated with its former use in the dyeing industry.

OK MC, anything for you. I'' do it over the next couple of days and give you a shout. Cheers!

SETH So you're actually *in* Lagos. In another coincidence I have family out there. Pop by my place and we'll start another thread.

Ok, with all new added paragraphs. Let me know what you think.

Hi, Frogbit!

I see this has now passed the magic milestone of one week in PR, so I'd better get my comments in soon!

In its present form, I think it works really well - you give a good feel for the specialties of the coastline. The 'somewhere else to go' section is a good idea when you can't give the exact location of the beaches concerned. I don't see the need for any further changes, just let it sit there and wait.....

Azara

Excellent reading. Iridescent ammonites and alabaster pillars, I love it .I wish I knew how to read the landscape like this. I know more now than I did before.

On the issue of not saying where exactly this is I think you made the right decision. I had a similar issue a while back where I decided not to name a fairly rare breeding bird at a particular location.

There are a couple of typos if you're bothered;
'to' in last para in the Alabaster pillar section should be 'the' I think, and there's a 'y' missing from 'When a fossil is particular common worldwide'.
Waz

New paragraphs work for me
Can't think of anything else to criticise so I'll just sit back and wait for the scouts to come a-picking.

It is another good entry.

<BB<

for Frogbit!

As I expected, this didn't stay long past the mandatory week in Peer Review. Congratulations!

Azara

The research of the subject was extensive. Sounds Like it would be breath taking from the lower part. Exceptional. You have my support and vote.
The KID

congratulations on another successful foray into Peer Review.