GCR Database
Background to the GCR database
The information in the GCR database is the product of over two
decades of site evaluation and documentation. It contains an
inventory of over 3000 GCR sites, selected for around 100
categories (the GCR 'Blocks') encompassing the range of geological
and geomorphological features of Britain.
JNCC is responsible for the upkeep and accuracy of GCR site
data, and the country conservation agencies (Countryside Council
for Wales, Natural England (Formally English Nature), and Scottish
Natural Heritage) are responsible for advising JNCC of the links
between GCR sites and SSSIs. Information about SSSIs is managed
separately by the country conservation agencies.
Each site record has a single grid reference in the database,
intended to help locate the localities on distribution maps. For
sites of a linear nature (for example, a length of coast) the grid
reference provided is typically one extremity. Some sites covering
a wide area are referenced by a centroid. Site boundaries are not
included in the database.
Full detailed accounts of the sites are published in the volumes
of the Geological Conservation Review Series and
this information is gradually being made available, in full, via
this database. In fact many GCR site reports (as published
[they have not been modified subsequent to initial publication but
simply reproduced here in digital form]) appear here.
Many GCR sites are on private land: the listing of a site in
these pages does not imply any right of public access. Prior
consent for visits should always be obtained from the landowner
and/or occupier via the relevant country conservation
agency.
Block definitions
The 'Block' definitions provided in the database and reproduced
here are based largely on existing GCR publications, where
available. They are under development and will be enhanced and
refined as new GCR publications are produced. In terms of the
geological ages assigned to events and intervals of time in
millions of years (Ma) as described in these definitions, it should
be pointed out that although the names and sequences of
chronostratigraphical units and geological time intervals are
agreed by international standards, the 'absolute dating' of the
boundaries continues to undergo revision, as new and/or more
accurate methods of dating are employed. The dating of younger
units is generally more secure. Therefore ages provided in the
Block definitions are provided to help assist users, and are
principally those as published by The International Commission on
Stratigraphy (ICS, part of the International Union of Geological
Sciences (IUGS).
Updating the GCR Database
To maintain an up-to-date GCR database of Britain's best Earth
geological and geomorphological science sites, which ensures that
the GCR retains its scientific credibility as a 'benchmark' for
quality, and to ensure that the highlights of British geology
continue to be conserved, it is important that the GCR daabase of
sites is not static. Increased or hitherto unrecognized
significance may be seen in new sites. Indeed, new sites continue
to be proposed for the GCR lists and are accepted or rejected
following consideration of conservation value, and detailed
assessment and independent refereeing.
After over two decades of site evaluation and documentation, we
now have an inventory of over 3000 GCR sites, selected for around
100 categories (the GCR 'Blocks') encompassing the range of
geological and geomorphological features of Britain. In addition to
the publication of detailed site reports in the 45-volume Geological Conservation Review Series, JNCC has
established an electronic database of basic GCR site
information.
Navigating the GCR database
To navigate the information in the database you may: