Jurassic Beach of São Bento

Category: Nature > Beach

District: Leiria > Porto de Mós > Chainça > São Bento

Location

São Bento Jurassic Beach is located in the parish of São Bento, specifically in the Chainça locality area, in the municipality of Porto de Mós. This remarkable site is situated in an old quarry, integrated into the landscape of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. Its surroundings are characterized by exposed rock formations, a result of former limestone extraction, which today reveal geological layers of great interest.

A Glimpse into the Jurassic

São Bento Jurassic Beach represents an ancient fossilized seabed, with an estimated age of about 170 million years, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period. Discovered in 2003, this site allowed for the unraveling of a prehistoric aquatic ecosystem. The rock layers visible at this point bear witness to the existence of a once shallow and temperate sea that covered the area where the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros now stand.

Witnesses of Ancient Life

At the site, it is possible to observe the remains of a rich fossilized marine biodiversity. Among the most significant finds are numerous specimens of echinoderms, such as sea urchins, sea stars, and sea lilies, some of which were found with their skeletons preserved in situ. In addition to these, other organisms such as bivalves, gastropods, and ammonites were identified. A notable aspect are the ichnospecies, i.e., activity marks left by animals, including locomotion traces of crinoids, one of the first pieces of evidence of the genus in the global fossil record. The rocks also display fossilized marks of ancient sea waves, known as ripple marks, which illustrate the Jurassic coastal environment.

Scientific and Preservation Value

São Bento Jurassic Beach holds considerable scientific importance, recognized for the uniqueness and rarity of its paleontological occurrences. The wealth of fossils and ichnospecies present makes it a fundamental object of study for geologists and paleontologists at national and international levels. To safeguard the integrity of this natural heritage, the original fossils have been removed and are preserved for research. The site is subject to classification processes aimed at ensuring its long-term conservation and the maintenance of its integrity, recognizing its didactic and aesthetic relevance.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt