Ercall Conglomerate Specimen (England, UK)

Ercall Conglomerate Specimen - The Ercall & The Wrekin, Wellington, Telford & Wrekin/Shropshire, England, UK

This fascinating rock is a superb sample of conglomerate, a classic sedimentary rock derived from the historically significant Ercall, near Wellington in Telford, England. This location is particularly famous for exposing rocks at the crucial Precambrian/Cambrian boundary.

This substantial specimen clearly exhibits the defining characteristics of a conglomerate. It is composed of numerous large, well-rounded to sub-angular clasts—or pebbles and fragments—set within a finer-grained matrix. The clasts show varied colouration, including whites, pinks, and earth tones, suggesting they were derived from different source rocks, likely including the Uriconian Volcanic Group and the Ercall Granophyre which underlies the area. The coarse, unsorted nature of the components suggests rapid deposition in a high-energy environment, such as an ancient stream or beach. The Ercall Conglomerate provides a tangible link to one of the most important periods in geological history, representing the transition from the relatively simple life forms of the Precambrian to the "Cambrian Explosion" of diverse life. Its position directly overlying older igneous rocks makes it a key geological marker.

This specimen is an invaluable addition for geology collectors, academic institutions, and educators seeking a high-quality example of coarse clastic sedimentary rock from a globally significant locality.

Origin: The Ercall, Wellington, Telford & Wrekin/Shropshire, England, UK
Rock type: Conglomerate
Size: ~8(L) x 9(H) x 7(W) cm (see scale cube), 622 g