Pulpit Rock, Portland

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Pulpit Rock, Portland Bill.

Pulpit Rock is a coastal feature at Portland Bill, the southern tip of the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Representing an open bible leaning on a pulpit,[1] Pulpit Rock was formed in the 1870s after a natural arch was cut away by quarrymen at Bill Quarry.[2] As a quarrying relic,[3] the rock is similar to that of Nicodemus Knob, another quarrying landmark on the island.

Pulpit Rock has become a popular tourist attraction on the island and is often photographed.[4] Despite the danger, for many decades it has been a popular place for tombstoning.[5] Pulpit Rock is also a popular point for wrasse anglers. The British record Ballan wrasse was caught there in 1998 by Pete Hegg.[6]

The geological succession up from sea level is: Portland Cherty Series (up to the level of the neighbouring quarried platform), then Portland Freestone (the oolitic limestone quarried inland of Pulpit Rock), then a cap of thin-bedded limestones which are part of the basal Purbeck Formation.[7]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Portland Bill". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  2. ^ "Portland Bill: Exploring Portland by Geoff Kirby". Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. ^ "Portland Bill - Geological Field Guide". Southampton.ac.uk. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  4. ^ "Sea Gallery | Pulpit Rock, Portland, Dorset by Robin Mills ARPS; Fine Art Photography". Robinmillsphotography.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  5. ^ YouTube (2009-08-01). "Cliff Jumping, Portland Bill: Extreme sport Tombstoning danger". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-01-26.[dead YouTube link]
  6. ^ "Portlandbill.co.uk". Portlandbill.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-26.
  7. ^ "West, Ian. M. 2008. The Isle of Portland: Portland Bill. Geology of the Wessex Coast". Retrieved 2009-01-02.

External links[]

Media related to Pulpit Rock, Isle of Portland at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 50°30′51.3″N 2°27′34.1″W / 50.514250°N 2.459472°W / 50.514250; -2.459472

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