Continuing the theme of patterns that decorate the rocks at Kimmeridge Bay, the circular and ovoid fractures seen here in large detached boulders on the shore made me think of noughts and crosses. They obviously result from some entirely different processes to those that produce the large and small polygons in the rock ledges.
There are fossil ammonites in these boulders as well as the fracture patterns.
Cross or star shape at the junction of several fissures in the rock layer above. And below some slightly different sub-circular fracture patterns within a layer that additionally has polygonal cracks and fissures.
For more information about Kimmeridge Bay see the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve Web Site.
For detailed information about the geology of Kimmeridge Bay see the most excellent academic guide written by Ian West of the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton University.
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Jessica's Nature Blog 
What amazing patterns – and fossils too. I wonder if the tide covers this area or if the rocks are normally exposed?
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The rocks with these patterns and fossils are all in the intertidal zone and exposed during most outgoing tides.
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