Editing Isle of Wight (section)

===Geology===
{{main|Geology of the Isle of Wight}}

The Isle of Wight is made up of a variety of rock types dating from early [[Cretaceous]] (around 127 million years ago) to the middle of the [[Palaeogene]] (around 30 million years ago). The geological structure is dominated by a large [[monocline]] which causes a marked change in age of strata from the northern younger [[Tertiary]] beds to the older Cretaceous beds of the south. This gives rise to a [[Strike and dip|dip]] of almost 90 degrees in the chalk beds, seen best at [[the Needles]].

The northern half of the island is mainly composed of [[clay]]s, with the southern half formed of the [[chalk]] of the central east–west downs, as well as Upper and Lower [[Greensand]]s and [[Wealden Group|Wealden]] strata.<ref name="Hopson">{{cite journal | url=http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/15996/1/Hopson_IoW_Geo_History_PGEOLA-D-11-00048R1.pdf | title=The geological history of the Isle of Wight: an overview of the 'diamond in Britain's geological crown' | author=Hopson P. | journal=Proceedings of the Geologists' Association | year=2011 | volume=122 | issue=5 | pages=745–763 | doi=10.1016/j.pgeola.2011.09.007| bibcode=2011PrGA..122..745H }}</ref> These strata continue west from the island across the [[Solent]] into [[Dorset]], forming the basin of [[Poole Harbour]] (Tertiary) and the [[Isle of Purbeck]] (Cretaceous) respectively. The chalky ridges of Wight and Purbeck were a single formation before they were breached by waters from the [[River Frome, Dorset|River Frome]] during the [[last glacial period|last ice age]], forming the Solent and turning Wight into an island. [[The Needles]], along with [[Old Harry Rocks]] on Purbeck, represent the edges of this breach.

All the rocks found on the island are [[sedimentary]], such as [[limestone]]s, [[mudstone]]s and [[sandstone]]s. They are rich in fossils; many can be seen exposed on beaches as the cliffs erode. [[Lignite|Lignitic coal]] is present in small quantities within seams, and can be seen on the cliffs and shore at [[Whitecliff Bay]]. Fossilised [[mollusc]]s have been found there, and also on the northern coast along with [[fossil]]ised [[crocodile]]s, [[turtle]]s and [[mammal]] bones; the youngest date back to around 30&nbsp;million years ago.

The island is one of the most important areas in Europe for [[dinosaur]] [[fossil]]s. The [[Erosion|eroding]] cliffs often reveal previously hidden remains, particularly along the [[Back of the Wight]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/island-guide/isle-of-wight-activities/fossil-and-dinosaur-hunting/ |title=Fossil and Dinosaur Hunting|publisher=redfunnel.co.uk |access-date=28 November 2016}}</ref> [[Dinosaur]] bones and [[ichnite|fossilised footprints]] can be seen in and on the rocks exposed around the island's beaches, especially at [[Yaverland]] and [[Compton Bay]], from the strata of the [[Wessex Formation]]. As a result, the island has been nicknamed "Dinosaur Island" and [[Dinosaur Isle]] was established in 2001.

The area was affected by sea level changes during the repeated [[Quaternary]] glaciations. The island probably became separated from the mainland about 125,000 years ago, during the [[Eemian|Ipswichian]] [[interglacial]].<ref name="Booth&Brayson">{{cite journal | url=https://core.ac.uk/download/files/79/386230.pdf | title=Geology, landscape and human interactions: examples from the Isle of Wight | author=Booth K.A. & Brayson J. | journal=Proceedings of the Geologists' Association | year=2011 | volume=122 | issue=5 | pages=938–948 | doi=10.1016/j.pgeola.2011.01.004 | bibcode=2011PrGA..122..938B | access-date=10 March 2016 | archive-date=12 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312112130/https://core.ac.uk/download/files/79/386230.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Isle of Wight OS OpenData map.png|[[Ordnance Survey]] map of the island
File:IOW geology.svg|Geological map of the island
File:Blackgang Chine c1910 - Project Gutenberg eText 17296.jpg|[[Blackgang Chine]], circa 1910
File:Isle of Wight coastline.jpg|A view of [[the Needles]] and [[Alum Bay]]
</gallery>