Geology

For anyone interested in Geology the Arnside/Silverdale AONB provides lots to explore.

The area is primarily made up of Carboniferous Limestone formed when dead sea creatures settled in shallow tropical seas. At that time were were between 5 to 10 degrees south of the Equator.
We have three types of this limestone formed between 343 and 331 million years ago.

My photo shows an outcrop of some of the oldest type, known as Dalton Limestone.

At a later stage powerful geological forces tilted and folded the beds which were originally horizontal. In this case they are sloping at about 20 degrees as they go beneath the beach.

An excellent richly illustrated 32 page booklet called the Arnside Geotrail. sets out a fascinating walk from the village. It can be bought online at the website of the Arnside and Silverdale Landscape Trust.