London Basin, Sedimentary basin in Southeast England, United Kingdom
London Basin is a sedimentary basin in southeast England that forms a triangular depression surrounded by chalk cliffs of the North Downs and Chiltern Hills. Its layered rock formations of chalk, clay, and gravel sit on top of each other, telling the geological story of the region.
The basin formed roughly 40 to 60 million years ago during the Paleogene period, shaped by the same geological forces that created the Alps. Water and weather have continuously molded and reshaped the landscape ever since.
The London Basin's geological features influenced the development of numerous water storage facilities and recreational areas through the conversion of former gravel extraction sites.
The ground beneath supports the extraction of construction materials and water storage, shaping the landscape and resources for the wider region. Many former gravel pits have been converted into lakes and parks that visitors can explore today.
The gray-brown London Clay layer preserves the remains of marine creatures from ancient times and extends more than 150 meters deep beneath the city. This layer tells the story of when the sea once covered London.
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