Church Bay ASSI

Protected area type: Areas of Special Scientific Interest
Feature type: 
  • Earth Science
County: 
  • Antrim
Council: Causeway Coast and Glens
Guidance and literature: Church Bay ASSI

The landforms are a series of ridges found on the east side of Church Bay that are composed of sand and gravel deposits. The ridges were formed at a time when sea level was higher than today.

Church Bay is a special place because of its earth science interest. The area contains landforms that are unique in Ireland.

Fossils of the common periwinkle have been found at the site, allowing an age of approximately 12,335 years before the present to be determined. This puts formation during a warm period between two colder periods during the last Ice Age.

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