Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast

Part of the Jurassic Coast near Charmouth showing
the grey rock where you find the fossils.

A Large Ammonite on the Beach

Dapedum Fish found in the Lyme area.

Ammonite Pavement on Mounmoth Beach

Well arriving in London the other day, our first port of call was Lyme Regis / Charmouth and the Jurassic Coast. Lyme Regis is a typical English town with stone cobble pathways, and four fossil shops!!
The Cliffs along the beach front in this area are about 200 Million Years Old and originate from the Jurassic Period, I guess hence the name "Jurassic Coast".

On Monumoth Beach there is a large Ammonite grave yard with ten of thasond Ammonites. In the other direction toward Charmouth you can find pyritied Ammonites.

Over all, we really wanted to find a Ichthyosaur, but we only found 2 vertebrae, I guess better luck next time.

As the Jurassic Coast is a World Heritage Area, NO hamering of the cliffs is permitted. Because the cliffs are unstable visitors are advisted to keep at least 8 metres away from the cliffs.

What is it??

It is a Cox Comb Oyster. These funny looking animals are commonly sickle shape but this can vary depending on the size and space the animal has to grow. They existed from the Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous in a similar niche to modern day oysters. This one pictured is from Madagascar, but can also be found in Asia and Europe.

The Australian Opal Centre

An opalised yabby button preserved in gem grade opal.

The Australian Opal Centre in outback New South Wales is a must see attraction. What better than opal and fossils made of opal. These fossils have been found in the process of opal mining. If you are ever in the area, it is certainly well worth the visit.
Check out http://www.australianopalcentre.com/

SVP 2009

Hope to see you all at the 69th SVP Annual Meeting and the 57th Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy (SVPCA) held in Bristol the UK. September 23 -26, 2009.