Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark

Geology of the Geopark

astinton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:07:00 +0100

The geology of the Geopark varies considerably. Within the Geopark, there are several areas that are notable for their geology and landscape. The articles below reveal more about these features in a number of different areas, starting with the Abberely Hills.

The Abberley Hills

astinton — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:18:00 +0100

The Abberley Hills are comprised of eight hills. These are Walsgrove hill, Cockshot Hill, Rodge Hill, Pudford Hill, Penny Hill, Berrow Hill and Ankerdine Hill. Along with the Malvern Hills, there are the most importnat landscape features of the geopark.

The Malvern Hills

astinton — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:12:00 +0100

The Malvern Hills form a north-south range about 14km (9 miles) long. They are probably the most recognisable landscape feature in the geopark. Click more to read about their geological history.

The Bridgnorth Area

astinton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:07:00 +0100

The Bridgnorth area is underlain by Permian Bridgnorth Sandstone. These rocks represent fossilised sand dunes and were part of a vast desert that existed around 299 million years ago.

The Teme Valley

astinton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:02:00 +0100

The River Teme is one of the larger tributaries of the River Severn in the Geopark. The area is generally underlain by Old Red Sandstone mudstones, but also contains some unique recent tufa deposits.

The Severn Vale

astinton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:46:00 +0100

The River Severn marks the eastern boundary of the Geopark and dominated the geology and landscape of Worcestershire. The majority of the vale is underlain by mudstones from the Permian. Click more to find out more.

The Frome Valley

astinton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:30:00 +0100

The geology of the Frome Valley, between bromyard and Castle Frome, is dominated by the Old Red Sandstone. Click more to read on.

May Hill

astinton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:17:00 +0100

May Hill is the southern most expression of the Malvern Hills complex and occupies an area of around seven square miles on the border of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

Huntley Quarry, Gloucestershire

astinton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:07:00 +0100

The Huntley Quarry Geology Reserve was officially opened in 2007, and is the first geology reserve in Gloucestershire. The reserve, and its surrounding woodland, cover an area of 0.87 hectares and is owned and managed by Gloucestershire Geology Trust. Three quarries, as well as the bluebell and daffodil woodland can be visited at the reserve.

The Quaternary

astinton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:23:00 +0100

The Quaternary contains the youngest rocks in the Geopark and was a time of fluctuating climate, varying from cold glacial periods to warm, integlacial periods.

Hydrology and Fluvial Geomorphology

astinton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:19:00 +0100

Water plays a key role in developing and shaping the physical landscape. The effects of surface erosion, water emerging from sub surface sources (i.e springs and seeps) and the development and movement of steams and river channels can create a rich and complex array of geomorphic features.