The Fossil Forest, Lulworth Cove, Dorset. The ring shapes are the fossil remains of algae which surrounded the ancient trees. Jurassic Coast, England.
To the east of Lulworth Cove on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, are the fossilized remains of an ancient Jurassic forest. In prehistoric times a sea covered much of what is now Southern England. However, near the end of the Jurassic period (about 144 million years ago) the sea levels dropped and a number of islands emerged surrounded by saline lagoons and channels. For a short period, soil formed and a tropical forest grew up. It was then flooded under a shallow saline lagoon. The remains are now preserved as the Fossil Forest, which provides the most complete fossilised record of a Jurassic forest in the world. They are to be found on a wide ledge in the seaside cliff, the domes and doughnut shaped formations are the fossilized remains of collars of algae which once surrounded the base of each tree. This entire stretch of the Dorset coast is exceptionally rich in sites of interest to geologists and fossil hunters, and is known as The Jurassic Coast.
Size: 4287px × 2848px
Location: The Fossil Forest, Lulworth Cove, Dorset, England, United Kingdom, UK, Great Britain, GB.
Photo credit: © Andrew Wood / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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