The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Bransty Cliff Sandstone Member

Computer Code: BYCS Preferred Map Code: BRCS
Status Code: Full
Age range: Bolsovian Substage (CC) — Asturian Substage (CAS)
Lithological Description: Red, to deep purple or purplish brown, cross-bedded, micaceous, medium- to coarse-grained sandstone, with subsidiary mudstone and siltstone interbeds, and thin palaeosols. The unit was deposited from a major braided river system that flowed from the north-east. The reddening was either primary or early diagenetic. Bolsovian (Westphalian C) to Asturian (Westphalian D).
Definition of Lower Boundary: The lower boundary, at the base of the lowest major reddened channel sandstone unit, is unconformable cutting down to the interbedded mudstones, siltstones, and sandstones, with coal seams, of the Pennine Middle Coal Measures Formation.
Definition of Upper Boundary: The upper boundary with the mudstone dominated Millyeat Member, is at the top of the highest major channel sandstone unit in the Bransty Cliff Sandstone Member.
Thickness: Greater than 100 m.
Geographical Limits: The West Cumbria Coalfield.
Parent Unit: Whitehaven Sandstone Formation (WS)
Previous Name(s): Whitehaven Sandstone [Obsolete Name and Code: Use BYCS] (-2654)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Section  Whitehaven harbour cliffs where the mainly sandstone and subsidiary mudstone and siltstone interbeds of the member are well exposed. 
Reference(s):
Eastwood, T, Dixon, E E L, Hollingworth, S E, and Smith, B. 1931. The geology of the Whitehaven and Workington District. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, Sheet 28 (England and Wales). 
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. 
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. 
Brockbank, W, 1891. On the occurrence of the Permian, Spirorbis limestones, and Upper Coal Measures at Frizington Hall in the Whitehaven district. Memoir of the proceedings of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, Vol.4, 418-426. 
Jones, N S. 1993. Stratigraphical and sedimentological characteristics of the 'Whitehaven Sandstone Series', Westphalian C, West Cumbria coalfield. British Geological Survey Technical Report WH93/102/R. 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
E028