Computer Code: |
SBSI |
Preferred Map Code: |
SBE |
Status Code: |
Full |
Age range: |
Devensian Stage (QD)
— Devensian Stage (QD) |
Lithological Description: |
Thinly interlaminated calcareous, bluish grey silty clay, reddish brown clay and yellowish brown silt passing upwards into ripple-drift cross laminated sand with much finely disseminated coal. Palaeocurrents mostly directed towards the northwest. |
Definition of Lower Boundary: |
Not exposed, but BGS-registered borehole NX91SE5 near the type section indicates that it rests unconformably on stiff, reddish brown diamicton, probably the Lowca Till Member of the Seascale Glacigenic Formation. |
Definition of Upper Boundary: |
Gradational, conformable contact with sand and gravel of the St Bees Sand and Gravel Member of the Seascale Glacigenic Formation above. |
Thickness: |
At least 3.7m |
Geographical Limits: |
Cumbrian coast between St Bees and Sellafield seaward of the limit of the "Gosforth Oscillation" between Cleator and Ravenglass. |
Parent Unit: |
Seascale Glacigenic Formation (SEAG)
|
Previous Name(s): |
St Bees silts and clays [Obsolete Name and Code: Use SBSI]
(-3659)
|
Alternative Name(s): |
none recorded or not applicable
|
Stratotypes: |
Type Section |
Sea cliff section in the axis of large anticlinal fold 300m south of the southernmost groyne on St Bees Beach, Cumbria. Nirex, 1997. |
Reference(s): |
Merrit, J W and Auton, C A. 2000. An outline of the lithostratigraphy and depositional history of Quaternary deposits in the Sellafield district, west Cumbria. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, Vol.53, 129-154 |
Merritt, J W and Auton, C A. 1997. Quaternary lithostratigraphy of the Sellafield district. Nirex Science Report SA/97/045 (Issue 2.0). [Report prepared for UK Nirex Ltd. 69pp, 5 tables, 20 figures, 14 enclosures and one appendix.] |
Akhurst, M C, Chadwick, R A, Holliday, D W, McCormac, M, McMillan, A A, Millward, D, Young, B, Ambrose, K, Auton, C A, Barclay, W J, Barnes, R P, Beddoe-Stephens, B, James, J C W, Johnson, H, Jones, N S, Glover, B W, Hawkins, M P, Kimbell, G S, MacPherson, K A T, Merritt, J W, Milodowski, A E, Riley, N J, Robins, N S, Stone, P, and Wingfield, R T R. 1997. The geology of the west Cumbria district. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheets 28, 37 and 47 (England and Wales). 138pp. |
Eastwood T, and others. 1968. Geology of the country around Whitehaven. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, Sheet 28 (England and Wales). |
Huddart, D and Tooley, M J. 1972. The Cumberland Lowland field trip handbook. [Cambridge: Quaternary Research Association.] |
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used: |
none recorded or not applicable |