{"id":3513,"date":"2015-06-26T14:31:11","date_gmt":"2015-06-26T14:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/geopark.org.uk\/pub\/?p=3513"},"modified":"2015-12-19T07:11:52","modified_gmt":"2015-12-19T07:11:52","slug":"geology-and-landscape-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/geopark.org.uk\/pub\/2015\/06\/geology-and-landscape-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Geology and landscape"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The Holding Pens<\/p><\/div>\n

The rocks seen around Bewdley formed between 316 and 250 million years ago. These times equate to the older Carboniferous and younger Permo-Triassic Periods.<\/p>\n

During Carboniferous times (359 \u2013 299 million years ago) Britain was located close to the equator. Throughout this period the world\u2019s continents were drifting together, forming an ever-increasing landmass. The earliest rocks from this period formed within an ancient ocean. As the continents continued to move closer together, this ocean disappeared and was replaced by tropical rainforests and giant swamps. Rivers brought material down from surrounding mountains and giant insects and ferns thrived. As these organisms died, their remains fell into the swamps, forming layer upon layer of organic material. Over time, these layers were squashed together, eventually forming coal seams. In between these seams, layers of mudstone and sandstone formed from sediment laid down by rivers. It is rocks from the latter terrestrial environment that can be seen and underlay parts of Bewdley Town.<\/p>\n

\"Blackstone

Blackstone Rock, Bewdley<\/p><\/div>\n

During the 100 million years of Permo-Triassic times (299 to 199 million years ago),most of the world\u2019s continents had joined together, forming a \u2019supercontinent\u2018 called Pangaea. Britain was located some 20\u00b0 north of the equator, in the middle of this huge continent. Changing environmental conditions prevailed throughout these times; from ancient deserts to flat, arid landscapes covered in seasonal rivers and lakes. The presence of iron oxide in the rocks that formed during this time has resulted in them being predominantly red in colour and has led to the informal name \u2018New Red Sandstone\u2019. The distinctive colour of these New Red Sandstones can be seen in the River Cliffs around Bewdley and numerous road cuttings.<\/p>\n

Along with the Bewdley \u2018bedrock\u2019, the \u2018Building Stones\u2019 of Bewdley\u2019s buildings and structures tell a compelling story, one which is intrinsically linked to the history and transport history of the Town.<\/p>\n

Explore the Geology and Landscape in and around Bewdley Museum
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