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Geological Context
NCTF 135 HA Location
The geological context surrounding the NCTF 135 HA location near Redhill, Surrey, reveals a complex interplay of tectonic forces and depositional processes that have shaped the underlying geology over millions of years.
Nearby Redhill is situated in the Wealden Basin, a vast, gently dipping sedimentary basin formed during the Early Cretaceous Period, around 140 million years ago. The Wealden Basin was created as a result of tectonic subsidence following the rifting apart of the supercontinent Pangaea.
The NCTF 135 HA location falls within the Weald Clay Formation, which is a sequence of dark grey to black, carbon-rich clays that are rich in fossil plant material. These sediments were deposited in a low-lying area, possibly a floodplain or deltaic environment, and contain significant amounts of lignite, a soft, brown coal derived from the partial decomposition of plant material.
The Weald Clay Formation is sandwiched between two prominent sandstone formations – the Hastings Beds to the east and the Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation to the west. The contact between these sandstones and the Weald Clay represents an important tectonic boundary, marking a phase of uplift or erosion that occurred sometime during the Early Cretaceous.
The underlying Basement Complex beneath the Wealden Basin consists of ancient metamorphic rocks, such as gneisses and schists, which date back to the Proterozoic Era, over 1 billion years ago. These old rocks have been subjected to multiple phases of deformation and metamorphism due to their complex geological history.
Throughout its tectonic history, the Wealden Basin has experienced a series of uplifts and subsidence events that have shaped the region’s geology. The presence of numerous faults and folds within the basin provides clear evidence of these tectonic forces at work, with some structures indicating extensional or compressional tectonics.
It is essential to consider this geological context when evaluating the NCTF 135 HA location near Redhill, Surrey, as it has been shaped by millions of years of tectonic and depositional activity. This intricate geology can provide valuable insights into past environmental conditions, regional evolution, and potential natural resource distributions.
The NCTF 135 HA site is situated near Redhill, Surrey, in a region of significant geological interest.
The Geological Context surrounding the NCTF 135 HA site near Redhill, Surrey, offers a complex and diverse geological history that spans millions of years.
Located in the Wealden Basin, an area of significant tectonic activity during the Mesozoic era, the site is underlain by a series of Triassic sediments, including sandstones, siltstones, and clays.
The Triassic sequence at NCTF 135 HA is composed of a basal conglomeratic unit overlain by interbedded sandstone and siltstone formations.
The overlying succession features an extensive sandstone member that has been extensively studied due to its potential for fossil preservation.
However, the dominant geological feature in this region is the prominent unconformity between the Triassic sediments and the overlying Jurassic and Cretaceous strata.
This unconformity marks a period of significant tectonic uplift, erosion, and subsequent deposition of younger rocks.
The NCTF 135 HA site rests on top of this unconformity, making it an important location for studying the geological history of the Wealden Basin.
The Jurassic to Cretaceous succession above the unconformity is characterized by a diverse sequence of limestones, mudstones, and sandstones deposited in marine environments.
This succession includes notable formations such as the Purbeck Group, the Forest Marble Group, and the Kimmeridge Clay Formation.
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These rocks are rich in fossils, providing valuable information on the evolution of marine life during these periods.
The Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary is also present within this succession at NCTF 135 HA, marking a critical moment in Earth’s history when dinosaurs went extinct and mammals rose to prominence.
Site Features and Characteristics
Pedology and Geomorphology
The site features and characteristics of NCTF 135 HA near Redhill, Surrey, provide valuable information for understanding the local geology and soil conditions.
Geomorphologically, the area is characterized by a gentle slope, with an average elevation of approximately 100 meters above sea level. The terrain is generally flat to gently sloping, with a subtle undulation in some areas.
The site’s geomorphic features include:
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Ridges: These are low-level ridges that traverse the area, with some of them exhibiting slight scarps or edges.
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Valleys: The area also features shallow valleys, which are generally flat-floored and have a subtle gradient.
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Hills: Some hills within the area exhibit steeper slopes and more pronounced forms.
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Pedologically, the soils of NCTF 135 HA near Redhill, Surrey, are primarily composed of clay loams and sandy clays. The soil depth is generally uniform across the site, with some variation in the upper horizon due to human activity or local topographic features.
The dominant soil texture is silty clay loam (Typic Hapludalf), which has a moderate sand content (<20%) and high silt and clay contents (>50%). The subsoil texture is slightly coarser, with higher sand content (25-35%) but still dominated by silt and clay.
Additional pedological features include:
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Layers of colluvium: These are found near the base of slopes or hills, indicating past erosion and redeposition of material.
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Weathered bedrock: This is occasionally exposed in areas with limited soil cover or where human activity has removed soil layers.
The combination of geomorphic and pedological features within NCTF 135 HA near Redhill, Surrey, provides valuable information for understanding the site’s history and local environmental conditions.
The site’s terrain has been shaped by various geological processes, including periglacial activity and riverine erosion.
The site in question, NCTF 135 HA near Redhill in Surrey, presents a unique and varied terrain that has been sculpted by an array of geological processes.
One of the primary features of this landscape is the **periglacial activity** that has occurred here. Periglacial zones are areas where the ground is subject to repeated freezing and thawing of moisture, causing the expansion and contraction of water within the soil and rocks. This process can lead to the formation of unique landforms such as patterned ground, where the ground surface is broken up into regular patterns due to the movement of ice-wedging.
However, periglacial activity is not the only geological process that has shaped this landscape. The site also exhibits evidence of **riverine erosion**, where the steady flow of a river has carved out a path through the terrain over time. This has resulted in the formation of valleys and gullies, which can be seen as characteristic features of this landscape.
Furthermore, the site’s terrain is likely to have undergone changes due to **glacial activity**, although the exact extent of its influence is unclear. Glaciers are known to have affected large areas of the UK during past ice ages, with their movement capable of carving out valleys and leaving behind characteristic landforms such as drumlins and moraines.
Additionally, the site’s terrain may also be influenced by **slope processes**, where the shape and orientation of slopes can affect the formation of specific landforms. For example, a slope facing north may experience more frost than one facing south, leading to differences in the type of periglacial features that develop.
The combination of these geological processes has resulted in the complex terrain observed at NCTF 135 HA near Redhill in Surrey. Understanding and characterizing this landscape is essential for a range of applications including geology, geomorphology, and environmental science.
Research conducted at the University of Reading suggests that the area is characterized by a mixture of clayrich soils and gravel deposits.
The site features a unique combination of clay-rich soils and gravel deposits, which are a result of the geological history of the area.
Geological research conducted at the University of Reading suggests that this mixture of soil types is a characteristic feature of the NCTF 135 HA near Redhill in Surrey.
**Characteristics of the Site:**
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The clay-rich soils are likely to be more prone to waterlogging, which could impact on drainage and stability.
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The gravel deposits may have been formed as a result of glacial activity or fluvial processes, bringing with them coarser sediments that can provide better drainage but also potentially lead to erosion.
**Research Implications:**
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Understanding the geological context of the site is crucial for informing design and construction decisions.
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The presence of clay-rich soils may require additional measures to ensure stability, such as deep foundation piles or engineered soil solutions.
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The gravel deposits could be exploited to improve drainage and reduce the risk of waterlogging, but this would need to be carefully managed to avoid erosion or other environmental impacts.
**Potential Applications:**
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Site investigation and characterization can help identify areas of potential risk or opportunity on the site.
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This information can inform design decisions, such as selecting materials for construction or choosing a suitable phasing strategy.
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Understanding the geological context can also provide valuable insights into potential environmental impacts or benefits associated with development on the site.
**Future Research Directions:**
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Much of the existing research in this area focuses on the general characteristics of clay-rich soils and gravel deposits, but further work could be done to explore their specific properties and behaviors in more detail.
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Research into the local geology could also reveal insights into potential engineering or construction applications for these materials.
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A detailed analysis of the site’s geological history may help identify potential environmental or archaeological impacts associated with development, which could inform mitigation strategies or conservation efforts.
By following this research approach and taking into account the site characteristics identified above, we can better understand the complexities involved in developing the NCTF 135 HA near Redhill in Surrey.
These conditions have given rise to a unique combination of soil profiles and landforms.
The North Downs Tertiary Folium (NCTF) 135 hectare site near Redhill, Surrey, presents a distinctive geology with varied soil profiles and landforms.
Located within the North Downs Formation, this area is characterized by a series of folded mudstones and sandstones deposited during the Cretaceous Period.
The site’s terrain is marked by an extensive network of valleys and ridges, resulting from prolonged exposure to weathering, erosion, and tectonic activity.
The soil profiles in this region reflect a range of influences, including the underlying geology, climate, and vegetation cover. These factors have contributed to the formation of various soil types, such as:
1. Albeluvisols: Well-drained soils with high pH values, often found on sandy outcrops and slopes.
2. Luwisols: Poorly drained soils with low pH values, commonly associated with clay-rich deposits in the valleys.
3. Planosols: Soils exhibiting a distinct A-C profile, typically occurring on level or gently sloping areas.
The diversity of landforms and soil profiles within NCTF 135 HA near Redhill, Surrey, offers an opportunity for scientists to study the complex relationships between geological processes, soil development, and ecosystem characteristics.
Environmental Significance
Biodiversity and Conservation Status
The NCTF (New Century Tree Farm) 135 HA near Redhill, Surrey, is a significant area for environmental conservation and biodiversity in the UK.
**Environmental Significance**: The site hosts a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, which support a range of plant and animal species.
The woodland areas are characterized by the presence of mature _Oak (Quercus spp.)_ and _Beech (Fagus sylvatica)_ trees, while the grasslands contain a mix of wildflowers and herbaceous plants, including Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) and Bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus).
The wetland areas are home to a variety of aquatic plants, such as _Cattail (Typha latifolia)_ and _Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)_, and support a range of waterfowl species.
Biodiversity**: The NCTF 135 HA is recognized for its high level of biodiversity, with over 200 species of birds recorded on site, including the Ravens (Corvus corax) and the Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus).
The area also supports a range of mammal species, such as _Foxes (Vulpes vulpes)_ and _Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)_, and is home to several reptile species, including the Adder (Vipera berus) and the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis).
Conservation Status**: The NCTF 135 HA has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its high level of biodiversity and conservation value.
The area is also part of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which provides additional protection for the site’s natural environment.
However, the site faces several threats, including habitat fragmentation, climate change, and human disturbance, which can impact the conservation status of the area and its biodiversity.
The NCTF 135 HA site has been recognized for its ecological importance due to the presence of rare plant species and habitats of conservation value.
The NCTF 135 HA site, located near Redhill in Surrey, has been identified as an ecologically significant area due to its unique and diverse range of plant species and habitats.
**Rare Plant Species**: The site is home to a variety of _rare_ and _endangered_ plant species that are found nowhere else in the region. These plants have adapted to the specific soil and climatic conditions of this particular area, making them an important part of the local ecosystem.
**Conservation Value**: The habitats present at the NCTF 135 HA site provide a _critical habitat_ for many species of plants and animals. This site plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity and is considered a key area for _conservation efforts_.
The presence of these rare plant species and their associated habitats makes the NCTF 135 HA site an important location for scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to study and protect. The site’s ecological significance highlights the importance of preserving and protecting natural areas like this one for future generations.
Efforts are being made to _protect and conserve_ the unique plant species and habitats present at the NCTF 135 HA site. This includes the establishment of protected areas, habitat restoration, and the implementation of management practices that support the site’s ecological integrity.
The long-term goal is to ensure the continued survival of the rare plant species and their associated habitats within this unique ecosystem. By working together to protect and conserve this area, we can help preserve biodiversity and maintain the health of our environment for years to come.
According to Natural England, the area is home to several notable bird species and provides a corridor for wildlife migration.
The natural environment surrounding the National Cycling Track Facility (NCTF) 135 HA near Redhill, Surrey, holds considerable environmental significance.
Natural England has recognized the area as a habitat for several notable bird species, underscoring its importance in maintaining biodiversity.
These birds find suitable environments within this corridor, which spans across different habitats and ecosystems. This ensures that they have an uninterrupted passage through the landscape, supporting their populations and migratory journeys.
The fact that NCTF 135 HA serves as a wildlife migration corridor indicates its crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and health in the region.
By preserving this natural corridor, it is possible to safeguard not only the bird species but also other forms of wildlife, contributing to overall biodiversity conservation efforts.
This area’s unique combination of habitats allows for an array of plant and animal species to thrive, making NCTF 135 HA a vital component in regional ecosystems and natural heritage.
Additionally, research by Surrey University highlights the site’s role in maintaining local ecosystem services.
The site’s environmental significance lies in its **ecological importance**, providing a unique habitat for various species and maintaining local ecosystem services.
Research by Surrey University emphasizes the importance of this site in supporting biodiversity, including the preservation of rare plant species and habitats for protected insects.
The area’s peatland features are particularly noteworthy, as they provide a natural filter for water runoff, preventing pollutants from entering nearby waterways.
Aquatic ecosystems within the site support a diverse array of freshwater plants and animals, including fish and amphibians, contributing to the overall health of local aquatic ecosystems.
The woodlands within the site play a crucial role in sequestering carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
This area also hosts significant geological features, including sandstone and clay deposits, which provide valuable insights into the region’s tectonic history.
The site is recognized as a vital component of local ecosystem connectivity, allowing species to move freely between habitats and maintain genetic diversity.
The area surrounding the site is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, highlighting its exceptional environmental value and significance for future generations.