10.57647/j.gcr.2025.0801.09

Re-excavation and Interpretation of Key Sections in the Purbeck Group (Tithonian-Berriasian): Teffont Evias, Vale of Wardour, Wiltshire, England

  1. School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
  2. School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK
  3. Natural England, Ghyll Mount, Penrith Business Park, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 9BP, UK
  4. Natural England, Parsonage Down NNR office, Cherry Lodge Farm, Shrewton, Wiltshire SP3 4ET, UK
Re-excavation and Interpretation of Key Sections in the Purbeck Group (Tithonian-Berriasian): Teffont Evias, Vale of Wardour, Wiltshire, England
Categories

Received: 2025-06-13

Revised: 2025-08-06

Accepted: 2025-08-11

Published in Issue 2025-08-24

How to Cite

Radley, J. D., Coram, R. A., Hall, J. R., & Feneley, M. (2025). Re-excavation and Interpretation of Key Sections in the Purbeck Group (Tithonian-Berriasian): Teffont Evias, Vale of Wardour, Wiltshire, England. Geoconservation Research, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.57647/j.gcr.2025.0801.09

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Abstract

The largely non-marine Tithonian-Berriasian (terminal Jurassic–basal Cretaceous) Purbeck Group of the Vale of Wardour, Wiltshire, western England, was well exposed during the nineteenth century and yielded numerous fossils, notably a rich insect fauna from fine-grained micrites of lagoonal origin. In early 2025, re-excavation of the Teffont Evias Lane Cutting and Quarry Site of Special Scientific Interest (around the boundary of the Lulworth and Durlston formations) allowed re-examination of a key part of the succession for its stratigraphy, paleontology and paleoenvironmental interpretation. Current interpretation of the Teffont Evias sections is summarized, with thoughts on future research potential and direction.

Keywords

  • Purbeck Group,
  • England,
  • Paleoentomology,
  • Geoconservation

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