Environmental factors for around 359 million years ago in the future Wye Valley area
Rock Name
Avon Group (former name Lower Limestone Shales)
Lithology (appearance)
Limestones with mudstones, plus some thin sandstones and occasional conglomerates.
Period
Carboniferous
How old
Around 359 million years
Environment of rock formation
Shallow marine – shelf sea – resulting from marine transgression
Climate
Equatorial – with marine bias
Latitude
15′ S of Equator
Oxygen as percentage of atmosphere
19% (21% today)
Carbon Dioxide as parts per million of atmosphere composition
1500ppm (around 415ppm today and rising)
Maximum day time temperatures
32’C
Minimum night time temperature
15’C
Sea temperature
30’C
Weather risk
High sea temperature, producing heavy rainfall
Midday Sun
High in northern sky
UV index
8
Earthquake risk (scale 1 low risk to 9 high risk)
3
Tectonic
Rheic Ocean closing to the south – rising sea levels
Volcano risk
None in area
Top predator
Sharks
Animal Life
Crinoids, brachipods, algae, sharks
Plant Life
Forests on land
Humidity
Rainfall
Heavy
Wind
Day length
22 hours
Days in year
398