Aust Cliff, Protected geological area at Severn Estuary, England
Aust Cliff is a protected geological site at Severn Estuary showing red mudstone, green sediments, and black shale layers stacked vertically. These rock formations record millions of years of Earth's history in their natural sequence.
The site preserves fossils from the Triassic period around 200 million years ago, including teeth from early sharks and ichthyosaur remains. These finds show that a shallow sea basin once covered this location.
Bristol City Museum maintains a collection of rock and fossil specimens from Aust Cliff, allowing researchers to study the geological formations year-round.
The site is reached via a concrete path from the B4461 Aust Wharf parking area, though access becomes limited during high tides. Wear sturdy footwear as surfaces can be slippery.
The Rhaetic bone bed holds Britain's largest collection of Triassic insect fossils found in a single location. These tiny remains offer rare insights into ancient insect life.
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