You can find reptile remains on the foreshore, along with many ammonites and shells. One of the problems is that the foreshore is extremely slippery and there are very few rocks to search through. It can also be covered with algae.
DIRECTIONS
♦ Sandsend is just north of Whitby, off the A147. Head towards the foreshore and you will find a car park. It is quite a long walk.
♦ Ref: 54.50464°N, 0.67283°W
PROFILE INFO
FIND FREQUENCY: ♦ – Although some superb reptile remains have been found at Sandsend, the foreshore is dangerous, often covered in algae and there is little in the way of boulders.
CHILDREN: ♦ – Due to dangerous conditions, this location is not recommended for families.
ACCESS: ♦♦ – The location is easy to access, but dangerous to collect from, as the foreshore is extremely slippery.
TYPE: – Most of the fossils are found on the foreshore, often after cliff falls.
FOSSIL HUNTING
Most fossils are found after cliff falls at Sandsend. This is normally after storms during the winter months. However, fossils can also be found in the rocks and boulders on the foreshore. There are not many of these along the foreshore, as the sea comes in so high that any boulders tend to get moved out to sea. At Sandsend, the Upper Lias, especially the shales on the foreshore, yield the odd ammonite, along with ichthyosaur bones and other reptiles. In fact, Sandsend is quite famous for reptiles, especially after cliff falls.
GEOLOGY
During Toarcian times, a global rise in sea-level led to the deposition of finer grained mudstones, collectively known as the Whitby Mudstone Formation, in the Cleveland Basin in contrast to the shallower water sediments of the Staithes and Cleveland Formations.
The Mulgrave Shale Member of the Lias Group was deposited in oxygen depleted bottom waters. It consists of the Jet Rock, the overlying Top Jet Dogger, a tough calcareous mudstone, and the Bituminous Shales. Jet was mined from the Jet Rock; the Top Jet Dogger often being used as a natural roof. The Mulgrave Shale Member tends to be finely laminated not having been disturbed by bottom living fauna as opposed to the succeeding Alum Shale Member.
A regional phase of uplift & erosion resulted in a non-sequence with the overlying shallow marine Dogger Formation resting, with a strong erosional base, on the Alum Shale Member.
Marine conditions ended with the deposition of the Saltwick Formation consisting of sediments from an advancing delta or coastal plain. The Saltwick Formation in the area of Sandsend consists of massive channel sandstones.
SAFETY
Common sense when collecting at all locations should be used and knowledge of tide times is essential. The cliffs here are extremely dangerous, not only because of the extremely high tides reaching in many places one metre up the cliff face, but also because of falling debris. It is far too dangerous and not necessary to dig in the cliffs, as the foreshore is the best to collect from. However, the foreshore is very slippery with seaweed, so care must be taken at all times.
EQUIPMENT
A Pick is the most important tool. A Hammer and splitting chisel are recommended too but a good eye is often all you need. A knife will also come in handy. Suitable footwear should also be worn. Any fossils should be wrapped well and placed carefully into containers.
ACCESS RIGHTS
There are no restrictions at this site.
It is important to follow our ‘Code of Conduct’ when collecting fossils or visiting any site. Please also read our ‘Terms and Conditions‘
LINKS
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