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Observations on the strata at Hastings, in Sussex, by Thomas Webster, published 1826 in Transactions of the Geological Society of London (vol. S2-2, issue 1, article, pp.31-36) View Online
Abstract:The sea-cliffs on each side of the town of Hastings exhibit a section of the beds which lie below the clay of the wealds of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and furnish a key to understanding the structure of the high country which is surrounded by this clay and has hitherto been but imperfectly explored. In the present communication, I propose to give some account of the line of coast extending from the White Rock on the west of Hastings to Cliff End near to Winchelsea on the east.
Along this extent (Pl. V.) several valleys of denudation occur, which have separated the cliff into different portions. One of these valleys divides the White Rock from the West Cliff on which are the ruins of the ancient castle; in another, which divides the East from the West Cliff, the town of Hastings is built. In the middle of East Cliff is the romantic valley where the stream called Eaglesbourne forms the well-known fish-ponds; and to the east of East Cliff, and between it and Fairlee Cliff, is the place called the Govers. At Cliff End the cliff terminates, and gives place to the valley that goes up to Winchelsea.
When we view this coast from the sea, we may perceive that the beds of rock form a vast, but irregular, arch, dipping at each end under the Weald clay, and rising in the middle to the greatest height in the neighbourhood of Hastings, where they may be advantageously studied.
Along this extent (Pl. V.) several valleys of denudation occur, which have separated the cliff into different portions. One of these valleys divides the White Rock from the West Cliff on which are the ruins of the ancient castle; in another, which divides the East from the West Cliff, the town of Hastings is built. In the middle of East Cliff is the romantic valley where the stream called Eaglesbourne forms the well-known fish-ponds; and to the east of East Cliff, and between it and Fairlee Cliff, is the place called the Govers. At Cliff End the cliff terminates, and gives place to the valley that goes up to Winchelsea.
When we view this coast from the sea, we may perceive that the beds of rock form a vast, but irregular, arch, dipping at each end under the Weald clay, and rising in the middle to the greatest height in the neighbourhood of Hastings, where they may be advantageously studied.