2008

SJ7824 : Loynton Moss : Glacial Kettle Hole

taken 17 years ago, near to Norbury, Staffordshire, England

Loynton Moss : Glacial Kettle Hole
Loynton Moss : Glacial Kettle Hole
Loynton Moss (formerly Blakemere) is one of a number of Meres and Mosses of glacial origin found in the north west midlands area of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and Clwyd. Loynton Moss was formed as a result of glacial action at the end of the last ice age. Huge blocks of ice breaking off the retreating glaciers formed a hollow (a glacial kettle hole) which filled with water to form Blakemere. Records from the 14th century show over 100 acres of open water.

Sphagnum moss and natural successional processes slowly diminished the size of the mere so that by the 18th century Blakemere had shrunk to 35 acres. This process continued, although the lake was still large enough to support a boat house on its north banks until the early part of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the excavation of the Shropshire Union Canal adjacent to the moss in 1834 accelerated this succession until the last significant area of open water was lost in the 1950s.

The canal effectively cut off the main water supply to the site, so an aqueduct was built over the canal to protect the riparian rights of the then landowner. However, the aqueduct structure was never successful in transporting water to the moss, and quickly fell into disrepair. Thanks to Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, North West Group for the above info.

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright John Harvey and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Category: Glacial feature
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Staffordshire Wildlife [8] ·
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SJ7824, 97 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
John Harvey   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Friday, 7 March, 2008   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 9 March, 2008
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SJ 788 244 [100m precision]
WGS84: 52:49.0410N 2:18.8801W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SJ 789 244
View Direction
Northwest (about 315 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph (Third Visitor for SJ7824)
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