Greensand or Green sand is either sand or sandstone that has a greenish color. This term is speciffically applied to shallow marine sediment that contains noticeable quantities of rounded greenish grains. These grains are called Glauconies and consist of a mixture of mixed-layer clay minerals, such as Smecite and Glauconite mica. Greensand is also loosely appled to any Glauconite sediment.
Greensand forms in Anoxic marine enviroments that are rich in organic detritus and low in sedimentary input. Having accumulated in marine enviroments.
In the UK, Greensand usually refers to specific rock strata of Early Cretaceous age. A distinction is made between Upper Greensand and Lower Greensand. The term Greensand was originally applied by William Smith to Glauconite sandstones in the west of England and subsequently for the similar deposits of the Weald, before it was apprecaited that the latter are actually two distinct formations seperated by the Gault Clay. The Upper Greensand was also known as Malm Rock Of West Sussex
Both Upper and Lower Greensand outcrops appear in the scarp slopes surrounding the London basin and the Weald. Prominent Seams are to be found in the Vale of the White Horse, Bedfordshire, Kent, Surrey, The South Downs National Park, Isle of White and the Jurrasic coast in Dorset.
Greensand sandstone has been a popular building material since prehistoric times, widely used around the world in constructing temples, homes and other buildings, or for artistic purposes such as ornamental fountains and statues. This is because of it is easy to carve as it is relatively soft.
Eastbourne Parish Church has been constructed predominatly using Greensand sandstone, particularly impressive is the tower completed in 1500, this Greensand was dug from reefs on the shoreline of Eastbourne town, locally known as Eastbourne Green. This was taken from the outcrops between tidemarks. It was a fairly tough, markedly green colored sandstone. Other local examples are found in sections of Pevensey castle also Catapult balls have been found locally which were also made from it.
To log this cache as found, please visit the site and message me with the answers to the following questions by email or Geocahing message centre
- Describe the texture of the sandstone – rough, smooth or in between?
- Describe the size of the grains in the stone – are they small, large or mixture?
- Based on any signs of erosion you can see, how resistant to weathering is the Greensand?
- Explain the difference between the sandstone used on the main building in comparison to the main window surrounds found on the sides of the church
- At the far end of the building you will find the gravestone of Margret Hyde, to the left of this at about 3 meters there is a row of flints embedded in the wall, how many are there in the row
- Optional – take a photo of yourself outside the church and upload it with your log.