Cox, B.M. & Sumbler, M.G. 2002. British Middle Jurassic Stratigraphy. Geological Conservation Review Series, No. 26, JNCC, Peterborough, ISBN 1 86107 479 4.
The original source material for these web pages has been made available by the JNCC under the Open Government Licence 3.0. Full details in the JNCC Open Data Policy
B.M. Cox* and M.G. Sumbler
*formerly of the British Geological Survey Keyworth, Nottingham
GCR Editor:
D. Skevington
Published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, PE1 1JY, UK
First edition 2002
0 2002 Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Typeset in 10/12pt Garamond ITC by JNCC
Printed in Great Britain by CLE Ltd on 100 gsm Silverblade Matt.
ISBN 1 86107 479 4.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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Recommended example citations
Cox, B.M. and Sumbler, M.G. (2002) British Middle Jurassic Stratigraphy, Geological Conservation Review Series, No. 26, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough.
Cox, B.M. (2002) Peashill Quarry, Dorset. In British Middle Jurassic Stratigraphy (eds B.M. Cox and M.G. Sumbler), Geological Conservation Review Series, No. 26, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, pp. 45–7.
Acknowledgements
Access to the countryside
Preface N.V. Ellis
1 General introduction to the Aalenian to Callovian stratigraphy of Great Britain
B.M. Cox
Introduction
Palaeoenvironment and palaeogeography
The Middle Jurassic outcrop
Stratigraphical nomenclature
Middle Jurassic fauna and flora
GCR site selection
Volume structure
2 The Middle Jurassic stratigraphy of Wessex
B.M. Cox and K.N. Page
Introduction B.M. Cox
Shipmoor Point–Butterstreet Cove and Tidmoor Point–East Fleet Coast, Dorset B.M. Cox and K.N. Page
Crookhill Brickpit, Dorset K.N. Page
Ham Cliff, Redcliff Point, Dorset K.N. Page
Burton Cliff and Cliff Hill Road Section, Dorset B.M. Cox
Watton Cliff, Dorset B.M. Cox
Peashill Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Horn Park Quarry, Dorset B.M.Cox
Conegar Hill, Dorset B.M. Cox
Ryewater, Corscombe, Dorset K.N. Page
Seavington St Mary Quarry, Somerset B.M. Cox
Troll Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Bradford Abbas Railway Cutting, Dorset B.M. Cox
Louse Hill Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Halfway House Cutting and Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Sandford Lane Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Frogden Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Goathill, Dorset B.M. Cox
Holway Hill Quarry, Dorset B.M. Cox
Milborne Wick Section, Somerset B.M. Cox
Laycock Railway Cutting, Somerset B.M. Cox
Shepton Montague, Somerset B.M. Cox
Godminster Lane Quarry and Railway Cutting, Somerset B.M. Cox
Bruton Railway Cutting, Somerset B.M. Cox
Doulting Railway Cutting, Somerset B.M. Cox
Vallis Vale, Somerset B.M. Cox
Hinton Hill, Wellow, Somerset B.M. Cox
Hinton Charterhouse, Somerset B.M. Cox
Gripwood Quarry, Wiltshire B.M. Cox
3 The Middle Jurassic stratigraphy of the Cotswolds
M. G. Sumbler, B.M. Cox, R.J Wyatt and KN. Page
Introduction B.M. Cox
Barns Batch Spinney and South Main Road Quarry, Somerset B.M. Cox
Brown's Folly, Somerset R.J. Wyatt
Corsham Railway Cutting, Wiltshire R.J. Wyatt
Kellaways–West Tytherton, Wiltshire K.N. Page and B.M. Cox
Lower Stanton St Quintin Quarry and Stanton St Quintin Motorway Cutting, Wiltshire R.J. Wyatt
Hawkesbury Quarry, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Nibley Knoll, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Veizey's Quarry, Gloucestershire R.J. Wyatt
Kemble Cuttings, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Woodchester Park Farm, Gloucestershire R.J. Wyatt
Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire R.J. Wyatt and M.G. Sumbler
Leigh's Quarry, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Fort Quarry Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Haresfield Hill, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Frith Quarry, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Swift's Hill, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Knap House Quarry Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Crickley Hill, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Leckhampton Hill, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Foss Cross, Gloucestershire M. G. Sumbler
Stony Furlong Railway Cutting, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Rolling Bank Quarry, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Hampen Railway Cutting, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
First Cutting West of Notgrove, Gloucestershire M. G. Sumbler
Harford Cutting, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Huntsman Quarry, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Jackdaw Quarry, Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Snowshill Hill (Hornsleasow Quarry), Gloucestershire M.G. Sumbler
Cross Hands Quarry, Warwickshire M.G. Sumbler
Sharps Hill, Oxfordshire M.G. Sumbler
Hook Norton, Oxfordshire R.J. Wyatt
Horsehay Quarry, Oxfordshire R.J. Wyatt and M.G. Sumbler
Ditchley Road Quarry, Oxfordshire R.J. Wyatt
Stonesfield, Oxfordshire R.J. Wyatt
Shipton-on-Cherwell Cement Works and Whitehill Farm Quarry Gibraltar,
Oxfordshire R.J. Wyatt
4 The Middle Jurassic stratigraphy of the East Midlands
B.M. Cox, M. G. Sumbler, R.J. Wyatt and K.N. Page
Introduction B.M. Cox and M.G. Sumbler
Woodeaton, Oxfordshire R.J. Wyatt
Ardley Cuttings and Quarries, Oxfordshire M.G. Sumbler and R.J Wyatt
Stratton Audley, Oxfordshire, R.J. Wyatt and M.G. Sumbler
Blisworth Rectory Farm, Northamptonshire R.J. Wyatt and M.G. Sumbler
Roade Railway Cutting, Northamptonshire R.J. Wyatt and M.G. Sumbler
Irchester Old Lodge Pit and Irchester Country Park, Northamptonshire R.J. Wyatt and M.G. Sumbler
Finedon Gullet, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire R.J. Wyatt
Cranford St John, Northamptonshire R.J. Wyatt
Thrapston, Northamptonshire R.J. Wyatt, K.N. Page, M.G. Sumbler and B.M. Cox
Peterborough Brickpits, Cambridgeshire K.N. Page
Collyweston, Northamptonshire B.M. Cox
Ketton Quarry Rutland M.G. Sumbler
Clipsham Quarry Rutland M.G. Sumbler
Castle Bytham, Lincolnshire M.G. Sumbler
Sproxton Quarry Leicestershire M.G. Sumbler
Copper Hill, Lincolnshire M.G. Sumbler
Metheringham, Lincolnshire M.G. Sumbler
Greetwell Quarry Lincolnshire M.G. Sumbler
Cliff Farm Pit, East Riding B.M. Cox
Manton Stone Quarry East Riding B.M. Cox
Eastfield Quarry; East Riding B.M. Cox
Drewton Lane Pits, East Riding K.N. Page and B.M. Cox
5 The Middle Jurassic stratigraphy of North Yorkshire B.M. Cox and K.N. Page
Introduction B.M. Cox
Whitwell Quarry North Yorkshire B.M. Cox and M.G. Sumbler
Gristhorpe Bay, Yons Nab and Red Cliff–Cunstone Nab, North Yorkshire B.M. Cox and K.N. Page
Osgodby Point, North Yorkshire K.N. Page
South Toll House Cliff and North Bay, Scarborough, North Yorkshire K.N. Page
Hackness Rock Pit, North Yorkshire K.N. Page
Havern Beck, Saltergate, North Yorkshire K.N. Page
Hudson's Cross Crags, Newton Dale, North Yorkshire K.N. Page
Fairy Call Beck, North Yorkshire K.N. Page
Iron Scar-Hundale and Hundale Point–Scalby Ness, North Yorkshire B.M. Cox
Blea Wyke, North Yorkshire B.M. Cox
Hawsker Bottoms, North Yorkshire B.M. Cox
6 The Middle Jurassic stratigraphy of Scotland B.M. Cox, K.N. Page and N. Morton
Introduction B.M. Cox
Brora (Bathonian), Sutherland B.M. Cox
Brora (Callovian), Sutherland K.N. Page
Cadh'-an-Righ, Ross-Shire K.N. Page
Isle of Eigg B.M. Cox
Elgol–Glen Scaladal, Isle of Skye B.M. Cox
North Elgol Coast, Isle of Skye K.N. Page
Dun Skudiburgh, Isle of Skye B.M. Cox
Duntulm (Cairidh Ghlumaig and Lon Ostatoin), Isle of Skye B.M. Cox
Staffin Bay, Isle of Skye B.M. Cox
Staffin, Isle of Skye K.N. Page
Valtos, Isle of Skye B.M. Cox
Bearreraig Bay, Isle of Skye N. Morton
Beinn na Leac, Isle of Raasay N. Morton
References
Glossary
Fossil index
General index
Compilation of this volume by the authors began in 1995 as a contract between the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), but completion of the work has extended well beyond the original tenure of that contract. The volume comprises a description of sites originally selected for the Geological Conservation Review (GCR) in the 1980s by C.F. Parsons (Aalenian–Bajocian GCR 'Block'), D.W. Cripps (Bathonian GCR 'Block') and K.L. Duff (Callovian GCR 'Block').
At the instigation of the JNCC, Dr Kevin N. Page (formerly with English Nature) prepared initial drafts of the Callovian sites; he acknowledges constructive comments from Prof. J.H. Callomon, Dr K.L. Duff and Dr J.K. Wright. We thank Dr Page and the other contributors (Dr M.J. Barker (University of Portsmouth), Dr N. Morton (formerly at Birkbeck College, University of London) and RJ. Wyatt (formerly with the British Geological Survey)) for their passive forbearance, and Dr D. Skevington (the GCR editor) for his support and encouragement.
Information from unpublished theses is, where possible, quoted with the permission of the authors and/or their host universities; these include J.E. Andrews (University of Leicester, 1984), M. Ashton (University of Hull, 1977), MJ. Bradshaw (University of Oxford, 1978), D.W. Cripps (University of Aston, 1986), S. Gowling (University of Hull, 1987), J.P. Harris (University of Leicester, 1984), S. Holloway (University of Keele, 1981), S.E. Livera (University of Leeds, 1981), C.F. Parsons (University of Keele, 1980) and H.S. Torrens (University of Leicester, 1966). In addition, other individuals and museum curators have imparted information about particular specimens or localities, notably Phil Powell (University Museum, Oxford) and John Crossling (formerly of the Warwickshire Museum).
For original photographic material, we thank Bob Chandler
The present volume has been seen to completion by the JNCC on behalf of the three conservation agencies, the Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature, and Scottish Natural Heritage. Thanks are due to the JNCC GCR Publications Editorial and Production Team: Neil Ellis (GCR Publications Manager), Emma Durham and Anita Carter (Production Editors). The diagrams were produced by J S Publications of Newmarket. Where the content of illustrations has been replicated or modified from the work of others, appropriate acknowledgements are given in the captions. The National Grid is used on diagrams with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown copyright licence no. GD 27254X/01/00. Photographs are accredited in the captions.
This volume is not intended for use as a field guide. The description or mention of any site should not be taken as an indication that access to a site is open. Most sites described are in private ownership, and their inclusion herein is solely for the purpose of justifying their conservation. Their description or appearance on a map in this work should not be construed as an invitation to visit. Prior consent for visits should always be obtained from the landowner and/or occupier.
Information on conservation matters, including site ownership, relating to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in particular counties or districts may be obtained from the relevant country conservation agency headquarters listed below:
Countryside Council for Wales, Plas Penrhos, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2LQ.
English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough PEI 1UA.
Scottish Natural Heritage, 12 Hope Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 2AS.
There is such a diversity of rocks, minerals, fossils and landforms packed into the piece of the Earth's crust we call 'Britain' that it is difficult not to be impressed by the long, complex history of geological change to which they are testimony. But if we are to improve our understanding of the nature of the geological forces that have shaped our islands, further unravel their history in 'deep time' and learn more of the history of life on Earth, we must ensure that the most scientifically important of Britain's geological localities are conserved for future generations to study, research and enjoy. Moreover, as an educational field resource and as training grounds for new generations of geologists on which to hone their skills, it is essential that such sites continue to remain available for study. The first step in achieving this goal is to identify the key sites, both at national and local levels.
The GCR, launched in 1977, is a world-first in the systematic selection and documentation of a country's best Earth science sites. No other country has attempted such a comprehensive and systematic review of its Earth science sites on anything near the same scale. After over two decades of site evaluation and documentation, we now have an inventory of over 3000 GCR sites, selected for 100 categories covering the entire range of the geological and geomorphological features of Britain.
This volume, detailing the Middle Jurassic stratigraphy GCR sites, is the 26th to be published in the intended 42-volume GCR series. Not only does it contain the descriptions of key localities that will be conserved for their contribution to our understanding of the stratigraphy of rocks of this age, but it also provides an excellent summary of the palaeontological and sedimentological features, and palaeogeographical significance to be found in them; it also outlines the research that has been undertaken on them. The book will be invaluable as an essential reference book to those engaged in the study of these rocks and will provide a stimulus for further investigation. It will also be helpful to teachers and lecturers and for those people who, in one way or another, have a vested interest in the GCR sites: land owners and occupiers, planners, those concerned with the practicalities of site conservation and indeed the local people for whom such sites are an environmental asset. The conservation value of the sites is mostly based on a specialist understanding of the stratigraphical, palaeontological and sedimentological features present and is therefore, of a technical nature. The account of each site in this book ends, however, with a brief summary of the geological interest, framed in less technical language, in order to help the non-specialist. The first chapter of the volume, used in conjunction with the glossary, is also aimed at a less specialized audience. This volume is not intended to be a field guide to the sites, nor does it cover the practical problems of their ongoing conservation. Its remit is to put on record the scientific justification for conserving the sites.
This volume deals with the state of knowledge of the sites available at the time of writing, in 1995–2001, and must be seen in this context. Stratigraphy, like any other science, is an ever-developing pursuit with new discoveries being made, and existing models are subject to continual testing and modification as new data come to light. Increased or hitherto unrecognized significance may be seen in new sites, and it is possible that further sites worthy of conservation will be identified in future years.
There is still much more to learn and the sites described in this volume are as important today as they have ever been in increasing our knowledge and understanding of the geological history of Britain. This account clearly demonstrates the value of these sites for research, and their important place in Britain's scientific and natural heritage. This, after all, is the raison d''etre of the GCR Series of publications.
N.V. Ellis, GCR Publications Manager May 2002