Chinnor Chalk Pit

Chinnor Chalk Pit
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationOxfordshire
Grid referenceSU 757 997[1]
InterestGeological
Area20.4 hectares (50 acres)[1]
Notification1986[1]
Location mapMagic Map

Chinnor Chalk Pit is a 20.4-hectare (50-acre) geological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Chinnor in Oxfordshire.[1][2] It is a Geological Conservation Review site.[3]

This site is described by Natural England as "important for its excellent exposures of Totternhoe Stone", dating to the mid-Cenomanian stage of the Cretaceous period, around 100 million years ago. It has yielded many fossils of ammonites from the Lower and Middle Chalk.[4]

Old Kiln Lakes

The site is private land with no public access. Much of the former chalk pit is flooded and now known as Old Kiln Lakes. The lakes are freshwater but highly alkaline. In the summer of 2012 the public was warned to stay away and not swim in the lakes.[5]

However, fish including carp and tench have lived in the lake, and since the late 20th century a Chinnor Works Angling Society has had permission to fish the lakes.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Chinnor Chalk Pit". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Map of Chinnor Chalk Pit". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Chinnor Chalk Pit (Cenomanian, Turonian, Senonian, Maastrichtian)". Geological Conservation Review. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 26 February 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Chinnor Chalk Pit citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Visitors to former quarry in Chinnor told to stay away". BBC News. 1 June 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Chinnor cement works lake fish 'will not survive' move". BBC News. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

51°41′28″N 0°54′22″W / 51.691°N 0.906°W / 51.691; -0.906