Top 10 Astonishing facts about Jurassic Coast, England

Jurassic Coast. Photo outsourced from Pixabay

Top 10 Astonishing facts about Jurassic Coast, England

The Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Site on the English Channel coast of southern England. The coast is 154 kilometers stretching from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. The Jurassic name comes from the geological period found with it.

The coast rocks and fossils are from the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Triassic periods. The coast is one of the exciting places to visit and explore the geological features of its coastline.

UNESCO accorded Jurassic Coast status for its magnificent geology. The fossils found along the coast are believed to be from the period Jurassic and Cretaceous, with an aging period of 65-200 million years.

The Jurassic Coast offers many adventurous activities one can engage in, including canoeing adventure trips, kayaking, wild swimming, boat trip, and coasteering and climbing.

Here are astonishing facts about the Jurassic Coast you need to know.

1. The Jurassic used to be a desert

Photo by Tijs Van Leur on Unsplash

This Dorset coast used to be an unbelievable dessert throughout the Triassic period, right? In history, the Jurassic Coast had many diverse landscapes.

Over time the desert became a tropical sea during the Jurassic age and swampland in later years.
As the land changed, it left prehistoric features like dinosaur bones, red rocks exposed on the East Devon cliffs, yellow sandstones, grey clay, and limestone.

The changes made it a historic place, a better place to explore history, and a fantastic place for relaxing holidays. Jurassic coast has many spectacular sites and locations to visit and enjoy a wonderful experience.

2. It holds 185 million years of visible history

Photo by Lawrie Cate- Wikimedia Commons

The Jurassic coastline is an exciting place in the world to explore the ancient era. As you near the coastal edge, you get to see many spectacular and magnificent fossils as the tide goes out.

For over 185 million years of coastal erosion and climatic and surrounding changes, you can easily spot magnificent fossils without much strain or any special tools. Landslides are most come, the expose diverse rock with their unique fauna and flora.

Also, fossil remains of various animals that lived on the coast have been conserved in the rocks, and one can see the rare remains of a dinosaur.

3. World heritage site

The coast of Jurassic is a natural UNESCO world heritage site on the English Channel coast of southern England.

It originates from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, covering 154 kilometers. The coastline has over 185 million years of history, providing a unique and significate understanding of the prehistoric United Kingdom era.

Its cultural uniqueness made get inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in December 2001.

4. Home to the largest natural harbor in the UK

Poole is a large coastal town with a spectacular natural harbor in the world. It has been used back for thousands of years. In 1964, a boat with over 200years was found near Brownsea Island.

The natural harbor is a tourist attraction site, attracting thousands of tourists. It also has beautiful Blue Flag beaches.

The headquarters of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Royal Marines are based here. Today the natural harbor is still active and busy with cross-channel freight and passenger ferry services.

5. Awarded World Heritage Site Status

December 2001, the Jurassic coast was awarded world heritage site status by United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) because of its outstanding earth science.

Jurassic is outstanding because of its prehistoric fossils. It remains found in the area, and this attracts many lovers of history who love exploring, together with tourists who want to have an outstanding experience of the place.

6. Jurassic Coast has one of the world’s hottest chilies

Ripe Dorset Naga chile. Photo by Luciano Roth Coelho- Wikimedia Commons

Dorset Naga is one of the hottest chilies in the world and originates from Jurassic Coast. These chilies come under the same bracket as the Carolina Reaper and Ghost pepper.

They give food a deep flavor and aroma. When cooking, one is advised to be careful, remove the seed and wear gloves while chopping them.

When you visit Jurassic Coast, you can pick some seeds and plant, treat yourself, friends and family with your food with added aroma and flavor of Dorest Naga.

7. Hometown for Mary Anning, a most renowned Fossil hunter

Mary Anning painting. Photo by Mr. Grey- Wikimedia Commons

She was born in Lyme Regis in 1799. She used to walk with her dog down to the beach, collect fossils and sell them to visitors at the Jurassic Coast. Mary helped in the discovery of ancient dinosaurs.

In 1823 she made a remarkable discovery of a giant Plesiosaurus, which was later recognized as a huge scientific discovery. She left a lasting impression on the discoveries she made.

Some of the discoveries she found were; the first ichthyosaur skeleton, the first plesiosaur, and the first pterosaur. After she died, her house was made a museum dedicated to her findings.

Many authors and scientists have rewarded her respect for her life, including Terry Sullivan and Charles Darwin.

8. It is 95 miles long.

The Jurassic coast is 95 miles long, exposing significant and magnificent world history.

Great fossils are found on the coastline, and it is accompanied by many fun activities one can engage in, like kayaking, boat trips, discovering dinosaurs, wild swimming, or taking walks.

9. Emergence of paleontology

The birth of paleontology happened here. Paleontology is the study of life that existed prior based on fossils. Marry Anning discovered fossils of dinosaurs that are extinct.

These fossils are well preserved in a museum. Visitors get a chance to learn about the dinosaur with a well-guided tour.

10. Most famous tourist attraction in the UK

Jurassic Coast, a world heritage site, has become very popular with many people visiting the place. The place offers many fun activities to do; swimming, boat rides, and walks.
Some museums house the prehistoric fossils, and one can explore their history. Also, their luxurious hotels, bars, and restaurants offer exceptional experiences.
Nature lovers, get to walk on the coastline and experience the beauty and history of nature on the coast.