Chinnor Chalk Pit Explained

Chinnor Chalk Pit
Aos:	Oxfordshire
Interest:	Geological
Area:	20.4ha
Notifydate:	1986
Map:	Magic Map

Chinnor Chalk Pit is a 20.4abbr=offNaNabbr=off geological Site of Special Scientific Interest south of Chinnor in Oxfordshire.^{[1] [2]} It is a Geological Conservation Review site.^[3]

This site is described by Natural England as "important for its excellent exposures of Totternhoe Stone", dating to the mid-Cenomanian stage of the Cretaceous period, around 100 million years ago. It has yielded many fossils of ammonites from the Lower and Middle Chalk.^[4]

Old Kiln Lakes

The site is private land with no public access. Much of the former chalk pit is flooded and now known as Old Kiln Lakes. The lakes are freshwater but highly alkaline. In the summer of 2012 the public was warned to stay away and not swim in the lakes.^[5]

However, fish including carp and tench have lived in the lake, and since the late 20th century a Chinnor Works Angling Society has had permission to fish the lakes.^[6]

References

51.691°N -0.906°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Designated Sites View: Chinnor Chalk Pit . Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. 22 March 2020.
2. Web site: Map of Chinnor Chalk Pit. Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. 22 March 2020.
3. Web site: Chinnor Chalk Pit (Cenomanian, Turonian, Senonian, Maastrichtian) . Geological Conservation Review . Joint Nature Conservation Committee . 26 February 2020 .
4. Web site: Chinnor Chalk Pit citation . Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England . 22 March 2020.
5. News: Visitors to former quarry in Chinnor told to stay away . BBC News . 1 June 2012 . 27 September 2020.
6. News: Chinnor cement works lake fish 'will not survive' move . BBC News . 9 June 2012 . 27 September 2020.