The rocks at Fall Bay are arrayed like the riffled pages of a book. Layer after layer of Carboniferous Limestone is sequentially spread out across the west side of the bay. Each layer has an observably different texture; some are bioturbated with bioclasts and fossils such as fragmentary crinoids and corals. The bedding planes of some strata have deeply sculptured surfaces from weathering and bioerosion. Lichens, barnacles and limpets colonise the rocks and take advantage of the meagre shelter offered by cracks, crevices, and solution hollows.
How endlessly fascinating! Love the fossils, and the pitted texture, and especially the way the reddish rock has intruded into the limestone. 🙂
The red rock intrusions are interesting. They are remnants of Triassic sediments from a later geological period, that have percolated downwards into cracks of the earlier Carboniferous period strata. The Triassic strata have almost totally disappeared in Gower – just a small bit near Port Eynon. The red sediments are more spectacularly displayed on the other side of Fall Bay and I described them in more detail in an earlier post.
Fascinating place Jessica and beautiful photos. They must have had to drag you away from there!
It is a fascinating place at Fall Bay – but that is the way with the Gower Peninsula! Always something new and amazing. I didn’t have to be dragged away but I am constantly drawn back as if by some sort of emotional magnet.