Humberside Geologist no 1

published 1975

Report on the Field Excursion to Robin Hood's Bay on 27th April 1974

Leader Mr. K. Fenton

The party left Bay Town, as soon as the failing tide permitted, to examine the predominantly argillaceous upper beds of the Lower Lias on the north side of the bay, continued along the Sandy Series of the Lower Middle Lias and then the Ironstone Series above them. The latter have only a few thin bands of ironstone present in the sequence and contrast sharply with the exposures in the Cleveland Hills examined on a later excursion (13th July). Some members managed to go as far as the beginning of the Upper Lias although a speedy return is then necessary as soon as the tide turns to leave ample safety margin.

Although large shell-covered slabs are still frequent along the beach the search for zonal ammonites did not produce any good specimens and none of the well-known brittle-stars could be found. It appears that here, as in so many other places, the activities of individual collectors and student parties have made the heavy collecting bag nothing more than an historical reminiscence.