T he South Downs has been designated as the UK’s newest National Park. At its northern edge the Downs ends in a dramatically steep slope, from which the views stretch northwards across the Weald of Sussex and Kent. This ridge or escarpment stretches for almost 110 km along the edge of the South Downs.
The Downs are made of chalk rock, which was formed under a warm, shallow sea from shells and skeletons of the sea creatures that lived there. These piled up and were crushed to form rock, which was folded upwards as the tectonic plates to the south pushed northwards. The whiteness of the chalk can be seen in the photograph, where tracks and paths wind up the slope.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
