On the Geology of Tor and Babbacombe Bays, Devon
Downloaded from http://trn.lyellcollection.org/ at University of Auckland on March 22, 2015 V.—On the Geology of Tor and Babbacombe Bays, Devon. BY HENRY THOMAS DE LA BECHE, ESQ. F.G.S. P.R.S. F.L.S., &c. [Read November 16th, 1827.] THE district to be noticed in this communication enables us to trace the dis turbance of the Exeter red conglomerate, carboniferous limestone, and old red sandstone of the coasts of Tor and Babbacombe Bays, to the intrusion of trap rocks, subsequent to the formation of the Exeter red conglomerate. The following is a general sketch of the coast. There is no beach to the cliffs from near the Ness-point, at the mouth of the Teign, to Hope's Nose, the northern point of Tor Bay, with the exception of the bottom of a few coves, and the Babbacombe-sands, and their continuation the Oddicombe- sands, both misnomers, for they are shingle beaches. The cliffs plunge di rectly into the sea, and are well seen only from a boat. The coast is equally bold from Hope's Nose to Torquay, with the exception of Meadfoot-sands, which are, however, backed by a high broken hill. After passing the hill between Torquay and Tor Abbey, the coast assumes a milder character: the cliffs, where they occur, are of no great elevation; and there are extensive sands both at Paington and Goodrington, separated by Roundham Head. Further south, low cliffs intervene between Goodrington-sands and the Broad-sands. Beyond the low rocky land of Galmpton Point, the cliffs are bolder, and con tinue so to the Berry Head, being, in a few places, broken into coves, the most considerable of which is occupied by the harbour of Brixham.
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