## Dorset’s Fossil Forest: A 145-Million-Year-Old Jurassic Relic
Journey back in time to the late Jurassic period, approximately 145 million years ago, with a visit to the extraordinary Fossil Forest nestled in West Lulworth, Dorset, England. Located on the breathtaking Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile stretch of southern England’s coastline teeming with Jurassic-era fossils (201 to 145 million years old), this site offers a unique window into a prehistoric world.
What makes the Fossil Forest so incredible? It’s not just the age; it’s the *how* it’s preserved. Unlike many fossil sites, this forest’s preservation is due to the actions of tiny, algae-like microbes. These microorganisms colonized the trees shortly after they died, trapping and encrusting particles of calcium carbonate. Over millions of years, this process built up layers of limestone, forming structures known as thrombolites, which are still visible today as intriguing, rounded mounds.
A Glimpse into a Changing World:
The Fossil Forest thrived during a period of significant environmental change – the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. This era saw a drop in temperatures and sea levels, exposing new land and creating coastal plains ideal for the flourishing of new plant life. Conifers, tree-ferns, and cycads sprouted along what is now the southern coast of England, creating a lush landscape.
While flowering plants hadn’t yet evolved, evidence suggests dinosaurs roamed this prehistoric forest, as detailed by geologist Ian West on the Geology of the Wessex Coast website. The forest’s existence was relatively short-lived, however. A subsequent rise in sea levels submerged the trees in salty water. Instead of decaying, the roots and trunks were remarkably preserved by the same microbes that initially played a role in their fossilization.
Algal Burrs and Ancient Cypress:
Over time, the trees’ trunks broke away, leaving behind the distinctive algal burrs that define the Fossil Forest today. These burrs, located halfway up a cliff overlooking the English Channel, hold the secret to this ancient ecosystem. Analysis reveals that most of the woody remains within belong to *Protocupressinoxylon*, an ancient type of cypress, still rooted in prehistoric soil. This remarkable preservation allows scientists to reconstruct a detailed picture of the late Jurassic environment and the life forms that inhabited it, providing valuable information on the ecosystems in which late Jurassic dinosaurs lived.
A Legacy of Discovery (and Victorian-era ‘Souvenirs’):
While few tree trunks remain at the Fossil Forest site today – likely due to removal by visitors during the Victorian era, according to the Jurassic Coast Trust – the surviving algal burrs offer an unparalleled insight into a lost world. The Fossil Forest is a testament to the power of natural preservation and a key location for understanding the fascinating geological and biological history of the Jurassic Coast.
The Fossil Forest stands as a captivating reminder of Earth’s dynamic past and the remarkable ways nature preserves its history within the stones of the coastline. It’s a site worthy of exploration for any enthusiast of paleontology, geology, and natural history.
