Geodiversity

Geodiversity is the variety of rocks, minerals and landforms beneath our feet. In Breckland the underlying hard rock is chalk but repeated glacial and interglacial periods in the geologically recent past have left a variety of superficial coverings. The thin wind blown sands of the Brecks heaths, clay tills and outwash gravels on the plateaux between the rivers, extensive sands, gravels and thin fen peat in the river valleys all contribute to the particular character of the district. Individual features such as pingos, patterned ground and fluctuating meres are specialities in the geodiversity of Breckland.

To a large extent geodiversity determines soil types and what the land is used for, which in turn influences settlement patterns and the human character of the countryside. By the same token it has a major influence on the distribution of eco-types - which plants grow where and which animals are thereby supported.

Further information can be found at theNorfolk Geodiversity Partnership (opens new window).

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