Carboniferous shale layers. Layers (strata) of shale have been exposed by erosion on this cliff. Each layer of the shale represents a different stage

---

Carboniferous shale layers. Layers (strata) of shale have been exposed by erosion on this cliff. Each layer of the shale represents a different stage in the geological story of the Carboniferous waters (299 to 359 million years ago) where these rocks were formed. Photographed on a beach in northern Cornwall, England.

---

Size: 5157px × 3425px
Photo credit: © JEREMY BISHOP/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: beach, britain, british, carboniferous, cliff, coast, coastal, cornwall, england, english, europe, european, geography, geological, geology, kingdom, layer, layers, physical, rock, rocks, rocky, sedimentary, shale, stone, stones, strata, stratum, uk, united