Geology of Kent into northern France. The fold arises from the continuing Alpine orogeny and results in the general northward dip of the rock strata in most of Kent. There are extensive spreads of coastal and estuarine alluvium on the Thames Estuary coast, in the low ground surrounding the Isle of Thanet and across Romney Marsh. Alluvium also floors the valleys of the River Medway and Stour. 'Clay-with-flints' is a commonly occurring deposit across the North Downs which is a product of periglacial conditions during the last ice age. Loessic deposists, of aeolian origin i.e. windblown, are common in east Kent, especially on
Islands of the Forth and other aids to navigation have been erected on the islands and skerries, one dating to the 17th century, but only one of the islands is still permanently inhabited. The area has a diversity of bird and sea life and the scientific name for the northern gannet is derived from this bird's connection with the Bass Rock. There are few islands off eastern Scotland and most of any size are in this group. Furthest east is the Isle of May, off the coast of Fife south of Crail. To the south in the outer Firth there is a group of