Why are there sharks teeth at Walton-on-the-Naze?

They became extinct 5 million years ago, just as modern humans were starting to evolve. Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll realise just how common a sight their teeth are in sediments and the beach at Walton on the Naze is covered with them. These sharks could grow up to 3.5m (11ft 4in) long.

What is Walton-on-the-Naze known for?

Walton-on-the-Naze is a family seaside resort with sandy beaches, seafront gardens, quaint narrow streets and fossil hunting. The pier is the second longest in England, offering fairground rides, ten pin bowling and sea angling.

Where can I find shark teeth in Essex?

The most popular location is Walton-on-the-Naze, which features the best exposures of Red Crag (Pliocene) in the UK and Eocene London Clay. Sharks’ teeth are commonly found here, but can also be found at other locations in Essex.

What is the geology of Walton-on-the-Naze?

The London Clay Formation is a marine geological formation from the Lower Eocene epoch (Ypresian Stage of around 54 million years ago) and which is found extensively in the slumped cliffs and foreshore at Walton-on-the-Naze. The bluish-grey clay was laid down in the delta of a large river, in a subtropical climate.

Where are the fossils found on the Naze?

The fossils you can find are found between 53.7 million years of Earth’s history, and the fossils are found in several formations. There is the London Clay, Red Crag Basement and the Red Crag proper. Sitting on top of the London clay at Walton on the Naze is late Pliocene early Pleistocene material, the Red Crag.

Where to find bird bones in Walton on the Naze?

Bird bones can be found by taking home samples of London Clay to sieve. Look out for pockets of fossil pyritised wood, as fish remains and small mammal remains can often be found trapped in amongst the pyritised fossil wood. This is also where most of the sharks’ teeth are found.

Where to find Megalodon teeth on the Naze?

I visited Walton on the Naze yesterday, one of the only locations in England where you can find megalodon teeth. The fossils you can find are found between 53.7 million years of Earth’s history, and the fossils are found in several formations. There is the London Clay, Red Crag Basement and the Red Crag proper.

When was Walton on the Naze laid down?

Figure 1: A geological summary of The Naze cliffs and foreshore as seen in 2010. The extensively slipped cliffs obscure much of the in situ material. The London Clay Formation exposed at Walton-on-the-Naze was laid down beneath a warm, shallow sea during the early Eocene Epoch of the Palaeogene Period, approximately 54 mya, see geologic timescale.