Another new forthcoming edition on UK Fossils to expand our 'Avon' section. Today we examine the Lower Carboniferous Volcanic Rocks around Middle Hope. This site is actually an SSSI and the restrictions mean that we could not take any hammers or any other geological tools since both hammers and hammering are banned. Restrictions are also in place banning the collection of fossils or rocks off the beach. Our reason for this visit was to photograph the fossils in situ and examine the fascinating geology around this area. All fossils shown in the photos have been left undeserved for others to enjoy.
The Pillow Lavas (from an underwater volcano) are exposed on the foreshore at Swallow Cliff. The Volcanic Ash preserved the fossils in these rocks and covered all life forms, these thick and dense beds can be seen around Swallow Cliff and Middle Hope.
There are plenty of fossils to be seen, many species of corals, brachiopods, crinoid stems, worms and algae. Some examples of these can be found below. Some of the corals at Weston-Super-Mare can be very large in size. The rocks here are extremely hard which is why hammering at this site has been banned, this would simply damage the fossils and destroy them for others to see and admire.
