The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Bathgate Group

Computer Code: BATH Preferred Map Code: BATH
Status Code: Full
Age range: Asbian Substage (CR) — Arnsbergian Substage (CG)
Lithological Description: The sequence comprises: At Salsburgh, Lanarkshire, the Salsburgh Volcanic Formation; In Fife, the Kinghorn Volcanic Formation; In West Lothian, the Bathgate Hills Volcanic Formation. These formations are generally characterised by olivine-microphyric basalts and basanites of Dalmeny and Hillhouse types with some olivine-macrophyric basalts of Craiglockhart and Dunsapie types. Bedded tuffites and tuffaceous sedimentary rocks also occur. However, unlike the petrologically wide ranging volcanic rocks of the Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation (Strathclyde Group) of the western Midland Valley of Scotland, these formations are not readily subdivided into members. The depositional environment is subaerial to submarine. Asbian to Arnsbergian in age.
Definition of Lower Boundary: The base of the group is taken at an upward transition from sedimentary rocks in most areas, but is drawn at the top of the Clyde Plateau Volcanic Formation in the Rashiehill Borehole (BGS Registration Number NS87SW/22) [NS 8386 7301], west of Slammanan, and at a supposed unconformity in the Salsburgh 1A oil well (BGS Registration Number NS86SW/89) [NS 8166 6487].
Definition of Upper Boundary: The top is taken at the top of the highest known pyroclastic rock interdigitated in the Passage Formation (Clackmannan Group) (fluviodeltaic ('Millstone Grit') facies) in the Central Coalfield area (see Cameron et al. 1998, p. 50).
Thickness: It is very variable in thickness, locally in excess of 450 m.
Geographical Limits: The type area of the Bathgate Group is limited in geographical extent to Falkirk, Fife, Lanarkshire and West Lothian, but it interdigitates with a large thickness of sedimentary formations, including the upper part of the Strathclyde Group and the larger part of the Clackmannan Group.
Parent Unit: Not Applicable (-)
Previous Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
none recorded or not applicable
Reference(s):
Browne, M A E, Dean, M T, Hall, I H S, McAdam, A D Monro, S K and Chisholm, J I. 1999. A lithostratigraphical framework for the Carboniferous rocks in the Midland Valley of Scotland. British Geological Survey Research Report, RR/99/07. 
Cameron, I B, Aitken, A M, Browne, M A E and Stephenson, D. 1998. Geology of Falkirk District. Memoir of the British Geological Survey Sheet 31E (Scotland). 
Dean, M T, Browne, M A E, Waters, C N and Powell, J H. 2011. A lithostratigraphical framework for the Carboniferous successions of northern Great Britain (onshore). British Geological Survey Research Report, RR/10/007. 165pp. 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
S040 S040