Daley, B. & Balson, P. 1999. British Tertiary Stratigraphy. Geological Conservation Review Series No. 15, JNCC, Peterborough, ISBN 1 86107 469 7.
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B. Daley
Various mainland sites of the Hampshire Basin both complement and enhance an appreciation of Palaeogene stratigraphy and palaeoenvironments derived and established from those GCR sites on the Isle of Wight. Whilst not having the stratigraphical range found in the latter area, they demonstrate the lateral environmental changes that occurred across this region of southern Britain in Palaeogene times.
The Wittering to Selsey section represents the truly marine nature more typical of 'eastern facies', whilst the Bournemouth Cliffs site, for example, provides information on the passage to shallower marine and more continental conditions which lay further to the west. It is unfortunate that no permanent sites exist to demonstrate the full range of facies representing the latter, particularly within the upper part of the London Clay and the Poole Formation. Considerable borehole data are however now available, whilst good temporary sections are to be found in the ball clay pits operated by ECC Ball Clays.
The most 'classic' of the mainland Palaeogene sites of the Hampshire Basin is 'Barton Cliffs'. The subject of geological interest for over 200 years, with a molluscan fauna alone of some 500 species, and being the type section for the Bartonian stage, its international importance is indisputable.