Environmental factors for around 310 million years ago in the future Wren’s Nest area
Rock Name
Pennine Coal Measures (Lower and Middle)
Lithology (appearance)
Interbedded grey mudstones, siltstone and pale grey sandstone, numerous coal seams. Some marine fossils in Middle Coal Measures.
Period
Carboniferous – Upper
How old
Around 310 million years
Environment of rock formation
Hot wet rainforest. Drained by rivers flowing north
Climate
Equatorial – hot humid
Latitude
On/near Equator
Oxygen as percentage of atmosphere
35% (21% today)
Carbon Dioxide as parts per million of atmosphere composition
340ppm (around 415ppm today and rising)
Maximum day time temperatures
38’C
Minimum night time temperature
26’C
Sea temperature
Weather risk
Lightning causing mega forest fires – high oxygen
Midday Sun
Sun overhead no shade, except in rainforest
UV index
10
Earthquake risk (scale 1 low risk to 9 high risk)
7
Tectonic
Variscan Mts to south
Volcano risk
Ash falls and earthquakes – perhaps tsunami
Top predator
Scorpion
Animal Life
Giant dragonflies and arthropods
Plant Life
Forests of Lepidodendron, Sigillaria, Calamites
Humidity
Very high
Rainfall
Frequent torrential thunderstorms
Wind
Day length
22.7 hours
Days in year
389