Portrush West Strand ASSI

Portrush West Strand is of Special Scientific Interest because of the underlying geology. The area is underlain by layers of peat and dune sand which reflects the complex pattern of coastal changes that have occurred over the past 7000 years. This site allows us to understand the sea level changes on the north coast of Ireland since the last ice age. The lowest of the buried peats are amongst the earliest of the post glacial dunes in the British Isles.

The site suggests the following environmental history;

More than 7300 years ago low sand dunes developed on this site. As the sea level began to rise waterlogging occurred in the dune slacks encouraging peat formation. The peat was mainly formed from common reed, but also contains abundant fossil wood, especially alder and birch. Some 5900 years ago the sea-level rose above the peat and deposited the beach sand. Following the subsequent fall in relative sea-level, wind blown sands were deposited inland, forming part of the old dune series east of the site.

A bore put through the beach has shown that an even older peat is presently some 4.5m below the beach, confirming that this site can contribute further to our knowledge of environmental change since the last ice age, hence the importance of conserving it.