The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Cove Limestone Member

Computer Code: CVLS Preferred Map Code: notEntered
Status Code: Full
Age range: Holkerian Substage (CQ) — Holkerian Substage (CQ)
Lithological Description: Pale grey to very pale grey limestone, mainly medium- and coarse-grained calcarenite, bioclastic and peloidal packstones and grainstones, massive to weakly bedded. Subordinate micrites ("Porcellaneous Bed"), variably fenestral, and clay beds occur locally, the latter occurring in places above palaeokarstic surfaces. The member generally produces a topography characterised by steep grassy slopes, although the uppermost 6m forms a continuous scar (sub-vertical face), commonly with an overhang.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Drawn at the base of pale grey limestone of Cove Limestone Member where it rests conformably (but gradationally and slightly diachronously) on the mid dark-grey limestone of the Scalebar Quarry Limestone Member, Kilnsey Formation, or locally, unconformably on Lower Palaeozoic strata (eg, in Crummack Dale) [SD 781 707 to 767 710].
Definition of Upper Boundary: Is taken at a conspicuous bedding plane at the base the scar forming, pale grey limestones of the Gordale Limestone Member.
Thickness: 72m thick in its type section at Malham Cove; 114m in the Cominco Borehole S2, south of the Middle Craven Fault.
Geographical Limits: Southern part of the Askrigg Block, north of Settle.
Parent Unit: Malham Formation (MALM)
Previous Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Partial Type Section  Malham Cove, where 72m of the upper part of Cove Limestone Member, including its top, is present. Arthurton et al. 1988. 
Reference(s):
Mundy, D J C and Arthurton, R S, 1980. Field Meetings: Settle and Flasby. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, Vol.43, 32-36. 
Arthurton, R S, Johnson, E W, and Mundy, D J C. 1988. Geology of the country around Settle. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 60 (England and Wales). 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
E050 E060