Church Stretton Geology

The Church Stretton fault which runs along the east side of the valley floor was formed in the Precambrian period about 600 million years by tectonic forces causing the earth’s crust to arch upwards. The fault was the site of huge earthquakes which were active for over 540 million years.  You can find the remains of ancient volcanic activity on the east side of the valley, in particular Caer Caradoc, Ragleth Hill and the Lawley.These hills are made of lava and ash erupted from volcanoes around 570 million years ago

Material eroded from the volcanic landscapes was deposited in a nearby shallow basin between 570 and 560 million years ago as layers of sediment which hardened to form the sedimentary rocks of the Long Mynd, which are over 7,000 metres thick. These sedimentary rocks can be observed in Carding Mill Valley and Lightspout Hollow. At the end of the late Precambrian period, earth movements caused these rocks to be squeezed and folded into a giant U shaped fold. The tight folding has resulted in what were horizontal layers now being almost vertical. The steeply inclined layers of rock can be seen in the sides of all the Longmynd valleys.

During the Ice Age (which started a mere 2 millions years ago) ice sheets around 20000 years ago reached up to 340 metres above present sea level leaving the highest ground of the Long Mynd and Caer Caradoc above ice. Meltwaters underneath the ice spread south through Stretton valley deepening the Church Stretton valley. When the ice retreated it left behind great thicknesses of clay, sand and gravel which filled up the floor of the Stretton valley. It also left boulders of granite which the ice sheets brought from Scotland and the Lake District.

A 6 page leaflet describing the geology of the Church Stretton Area with details of localities to visit can be purchased for £2.00 from the Visitor Information Centre in the library and the local book shop,  Geology Of The Church Stretton Area by Peter Toghill.