Welcome to SeaScapes, where we’ll be exploring the fascinating world of rocks and geological history. Today, we’ll be diving into Blackhall Rocks, a geologically famous site.
Our first theme is the Permian period, which occurred around 250 to 290 million years ago. Back then, the Durham coast resembled the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, with tropical reefs stretching along it. The rocks at Blackhall are famous for their Permian Magnesian limestone outcrops, revealing the story of this ancient time. We’ll be focusing on three formations: the Ford Formation, the Roker Formation, and the Seaham Formation. Together, they provide insights into how the reef evolved during the Permian.
Moving on to our second theme, we’ll be exploring the Quaternary period, which covers the last two and a half million years of Earth’s history. This period saw the rise and fall of Great Ice Ages, resulting in periods of intense cold and ice sheet growth. We’ll particularly examine the Durham Denes, distinctive valleys that formed during this time. These valleys, around 30 to 50 meters deep, run from onshore to offshore. Over the last 10,000yrs the denes have formed protected environments with distinctive microclimates where unique flora and fauna have flourished.
Join us as we uncover the geological wonders of Blackhall and the Durham coast, providing valuable insights into our planet’s past.
360 Degree Interactive Panorama
Further information
Perri et al
Journal of Sedimentary Research
(PDF)
Biotic and Abiotic Processes In the Formation and Diagenesis of Permian Dolomitic Stromatolites (Zechstein Group, NE England)
