Jurassic Coast

The Isle of Portland lies near the middle of the Dorset and East Devon coast World heritage Site. The coast from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland in Dorset contains 185 million years of geological time in just 95 miles of coast, through Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods of geological time, a feature that is unique. Portland contains a fascinating story of geology, quarrying and stone heritage. The rocks are from the very latest Jurassic period and include the famous Portland Limestone, a fossil forest and just recently, the first dinosaur trackway discovered on the island. to discover more about the coast and Portland's place within it, visit the Jurassic Coast web site (Click on logo below)

This excellent site provides in-depth information on Portland geology, and stone under the headings:
'World Heritage Nomination' 'Explore the Coast'

Details on the formation of Chesil Bank can be found under:

n	'World heritage Nomination' Coastal Processes.

Under 'Visit the coast' we have

n	'Portland, an Island of Stone' and

n	'Geology, Quarrying and Wildlife'

'Photographs: West Cliff Miles Eddowes
Chesil Bank Colin McFarlane