Field Trip Worbarrow Bay

Dorset Geologist’s Association Group (DGAG) will host a field event on the Saturday 20 May 2023
Title: Field Trip Worbarrow Bay: Evidence of Climate and Environmental Changes in the Cretaceous, Worbarrow Bay, Dorset
Leader: Jeremy Cranmer is an amateur geologist who lives in West Dorset very near to the Jurassic Coast
Time/Location: Meeting time, location and further information will be forwarded upon registration but a start at about 10:30am and finish approximately 4pm
Cost: £2 collected on the day
Registration: Contact jeremydorset1@hotmail.co.uk: Open to the public as well – but with a number limit so on a first registered basis
Event Description: Exploration of the rock outcrop geology in Worbarrow Bay as a re-run of the trip Jeremy Cranmer led in 2017. Lulworth Ranges are open. Low tide (Mupe Bay) is at 12:55 hrs.
By starting at the summit of the Purbeck Hills we shall gain an overview of the geology of the valley we are about to visit so that we can understand how the landscape has been developed by the underlying geology.
We shall then visit the coast at Worbarrow Bay which cross-cuts this valley to follow the Cretaceous succession through its various climate and sea level changes between the Portland Stone and the Chalk.
Jeremy says “I have never visited this location without noticing something new.”
• At the starting point, Whiteways Viewpoint, Povington Hill SY 888811, we shall look at the overall geology of the Purbeck Hills, especially how they underlie and control the hills and the Tyneham valley.
• We shall then travel by car to the NT Car Park at Tyneham (SY 882802) – payment at the “honesty box” (£2) and walk along the made-up track to Worbarrow Bay. There are toilets at the car park. However, there are no amenities at the bay
• Examine the upper Jurassic succession exposed on the west side of Worbarrow Tout, in terms of rock types and fossil content. Lunch. Study the sands and clays of the Wealden exposed in the bay itself, noting bedforms.
• Examine successive strata from fallen blocks and slumps on the beach at Cow Corner
Fairly level walking on surfaces varying from made-up paths and tracks, boulders to shingle and soft sands. 6km. Walking on pebbles can be strenuous. Some boulders may be encountered in Punfield Cove.
This expedition should be of particular interest to anyone studying environmental science as well as geologists.

Photo:
Further Reading: Ian West excellent website summary; Worbarrow Bay and Worbarrow Tout: Geology of the Wessex Coast of Southern England
https://wessexcoastgeology.soton.ac.uk/worbar.htm#:~:text=Worbarrow%20Bay%20(also%20spelt%20%22Worthbarrow,shales%20of%20the%20Purbeck%20Formation