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Geology in Devon

Devon's geology can be traced back over an amazing 400 million years, giving its landscape the rich diversity that you will discover as you explore its landscape today. The county even gives its name to a geological period - Devonian, a term of global significance.

Devon is home to England's first natural World Heritage Site - the Jurassic Coast. This outstanding site extends for 95 miles, into Dorset, and displays 185 million years of Earth history.

Another World Heritage Site - The Tamar Valley - was rich in minerals such as copper, silver and tin, so the area's social history has been shaped by its geology. A massive fault, the Sticklepath Fault, running by Bovey Tracey, left deposits of clays and brown coal, which provided the wherewithal for an earthenware industry, and one of the earliest lead mines was located at Weir Quay, Bere Alston.

Dartmoor's landscape is characterised by its granite tors, craggy outcrops which have been formed by erosion over 280 million years. Here too are the remains of ancient lava eruptions, such as Brent Tor.

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Use the following link to view Geological Sites in Devon.

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