Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Monitoring
GCR Site: 1264 Pinhay Bay and 1263 Culverhole Point
Interest: Late Triassic stratigraphy
GCR Block: Rhaetian
SSSI: SSSI(s) Axmouth to Lyme Regis
Site Boundaries: Grid Reference, Pinhay: 332000, 90800. Culverhole: 327500, 89300
Date of Assessment: December 03 (Pinhay). Culverwell, not undertaken
Date of last assessment: unknown
Surveyor(s): Richard Edmonds
Statement of Significance:

Pinhay Bay: An important site for studying Rhaetian sediments, showing a thick development of the White Lias, and their transition into the Jurassic strata above. The White Lias section, eight metres in thickness, included the 'Sun Bed' at its top. Above, these beds grade into the Pre - planorbis Beds and overlying Hettangian Blue Lias. An important site for the study of Rhaetian sediments affording unrivalled exposures for this rock interval.
Culverhole Point: An outstanding section of Rhaetian strata, overlain by the Albian. A section from the Tea Green Marls to the White Lias is exposed here. At the base of the section highly fossiliferous bone bed is seen to penetrate the Tea Green Marls, this has yielded archosaur bones. Landscape marble occurs in the two metre Cotham section, beneath the White Lias. The most extensive exposure of the most southerly British 'Rhaetic' outcrops is seen at Culverhole.
Physical description:
Pinhay Bay lies 1.5 miles west of the Cobb, Lyme Regis and the Rhaetian 'White Lias are exposed in the foreshore and lower cliffs on the east side of the Bay. Culverhole Point lies 1.5 miles east of Axmouth and consists of a foreshore and low landslide prone cliff exposure. The Mercia Mudstone sequence (Tea Green Marls) is exposed from Axmouth to Culverhole Point and within Charlton Bay.
Health and Safety:
The only access through the undercliff is by the coast path. Or along the beach. The path is often slippery, wet and rough going. A number of informal paths run to various locations. Not surprisingly, away from the paths the ground is difficult, broken and may contain hidden fissures. Some areas, particularly near the seaward cliff sections, contain deep and treacherous mudflows. Local knowledge is essential if survey work away from the path is required.
The beaches are rough and boulder strewn with obvious associated hazards. The cliffs are prone to rockfalls and landslides. At low tide the rocks are coated with slippery sawed. Spring tides will reach the base of the cliffs. The beach at Pinhay Bay (GR SY 318908) is cut by the rising tide.
A potentially dangerous site. Mobile phone communications cannot be relied upon. Survey work should be undertaken in pairs.
Access:
Both Pinhay Bay and Culverhole are best accessed along the beach at low tide.
Conservation Objectives, on site:
Maintain a full exposure through the strata, subject to natural processes
Conservation Objectives, off site:
None
Success indicators:
The sequence is exposed
Fixed Point photography:
The Site Management brief for the Axmouth to Lyme Regis SSSI contains a number of fixed views that require duplicating
Pinhay Bay and Monmouth Beach
Culverwell to be undertaken
Scientific publications and ongoing research:
Unknown
Natural Change:
None
Man made change:
Palaeomagnetic core sample holes remain visible in the White Lias of Pnhay Bay
ENSIS unit summary:

UNIT 11 Favourable
UNIT 12 Favourable
UNIT 13 Favourable
UINT 14 Favourable
UNIT 15 Favourable
UNIT 16 Favourable
UNIT 17 Favourable
UNIT 18 Favourable
UNIT 19 Favourable
UNIT 20 Favourable

Comments:
A robust site.
English Nature Devon Office, have a very clear Site Management brief for the Undercliff
Other comments:
Sensitivity:
Low
Recommended survey period:
Once every 5 years
Overall Assessment:
favourable
Actions:
Promote communication between landowners, researchers and collectors
Related GCR Blocks:

87 Pinhay Bay Fault Corner (West Bay) GCR Block: Hettangian - Pliensbachian

GCR 800 Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliff

CGR 916 Lyme Regis Jurassic Reptilia

GCR 2952 Lyme Regis Fish
 
 
Comments and discussion