The Ancient Geology at Hobbs 

The Silurian period

During the Silurian period (443.7 to 416.0 million years ago), Earth experienced significant changes, including the melting of large glaciers leading to rising sea levels and a more stable climate. This period saw the emergence of coral reefs and marked a crucial stage in fish evolution, with the rapid spread of jawless fish and the appearance of the first freshwater fish and jawed fish. Additionally, the Silurian provides the earliest evidence of life on land, including relatives of spiders, centipedes, and the earliest vascular plants.

Exposed Silurain rock at Hobbs

The section at Hobbs is only one part of an abandoned linear quarry that extends north-south for one kilometre along the ridge east of Longhope village. It provides a wonderfully exposed section through a series of reef-like bioherms and fossiliferous carbonate rocks that are Gloucestershire’s approximate equivalent of the Wenlock Limestone seen at Wenlock Edge in Shropshire. The accessibility at Hobbs allows it to provide source material for examination by groups of all ages and all academic levels. You can visit the Wikipedia page on Hobbs Quarry for more information.