Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
FIG
246.
Main valley pathways and coastal flooding zone in Area 14.
Apart from the erosion pattern of the drainage valleys, the other major factor in
determining the local scenery is the distribution of the underlying bedrock. This re-
flects movements of the Earth's surface which, although very minor, have still caused
some areas to rise and others to subside, exposing bedrock of different ages near the
surface across the Area (Fig. 247).
I have divided Area 14 into four Landscapes, labelled
A
to
D
(Fig. 247). This di-
vision is based largely on the bedrock that underlies the surface blanket, and it may
be helpful that these four Landscapes are similar to the 'character areas' used by the
Countryside Agency.
Landscape A: The Fen-edge Claylands (Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous)
This Landscape in the northwest corner of Area 14 is defined by its bedrock of Late
Jurassic age (Kimmeridge Clay) and Early Cretaceous age (Lower Greensand and
Gault). The scenery carved into this bedrock has been formed by the Fenland rivers
more fully described under Areas 13 and 15, where this landscape is more extensive.
