Cornelian Bay
led by Steve Lievera (YGS)
10:00 - 16:00 BST, 28th June 2025
View of Cornelian Bay with a Peak Fault branch running through it and Osgodby Nab in the background
Overview
There is so much to see in such a small area at Cornelian Bay, so here is a condensed version of what is on offer:
Sedimentology: Facies and sedimentary environment variety, non-marine and tidal channel sand-bodies, shallow to deeper marine deposits and early diagenesis of carbonates, Structural Geology: Peak Fault, normal faulting, transcurrent faulting, fault dating, fault reactivation, breccia, secondary features, joint sets and fault sedimentation interaction, Landslips: From coherent rotation to recent mudslips, Bioturbation: Variety and intensity, the undescribed and even the odd dinosaur footprint, Stratigraphy: Jurassic and Quaternary, including the seldom viewed Eller Beck Formation, Palaeontology:, and of course Cornelians.
View of the north side of Cayton Bay with Osgodby Nab, formed by Lebberston Member sediments, abutting the Cornelian Bay fault
Access and Requirements
The walk will be ca. 5 km with an ascent and descent of 80m mostly on paths and beach. Short ascents and descents on paths. Hard Hats will be needed.
The descent into Cayton Bay can be muddy.
The path over Osgodby Nab can be wet and slippery near the beach on both sides, and is close to a 15m drop onto the wave cut platform at the top of Osgodby Point, where it is dry. The rocks are rough on Osgodby Point and White Nab wave cut platforms with narrow deep gulleys between blocks in a few places and short sections of potentially slippery seaweed.
Bring a hard hat and packed lunch, the nearset toilet facilities are at Cayton Bay car park (TA 0686 8412) or Filey Road park and ride (TA 0549 8525).
Walking poles can be a help on some sections. Not suitable for young children or dogs.
This excursion is NOT suitable for young children or dogs.
There will be an opportunity to wade knee deep onto High Scar to inspect the Eller Beck Formation (change of footware, hard hat with chin strap and walking poles as the seaweed is very slippery)