The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Erskine Clay Member

Computer Code: ERSK Preferred Map Code: ERSK
Status Code: Full
Age range: Holocene Epoch (QH) — Holocene Epoch (QH)
Lithological Description: The typical lithology is of very silty clay with sand and silt laminae and bands. The deposit is generally brownish grey of greyish brown and contains sulphide. The sand and silt is ripple-laminated in places. Isolated cobbles and gravel are present, and organic debris is also to be found. The deposit is of firm to soft consistency and medium plasticity.
Definition of Lower Boundary: The Erskine Clay Member of the Clydebank Clay Formation rests with angular unconformity on older Quaternary sediments or on bedrock. It is known to rest unconformably on the Inverleven Gravel Member of the Clyde Clay Formation and possible disconformably on the Endrick Sand Member of the Strathendrick Formation (Clyde Catchments Subgroup).
Definition of Upper Boundary: The Erskine Clay Member of the Clydebank Clay Formation is overlain by younger Quaternary sediments, normally the Gourock Sand Member. It is also exposed at the surface in the lower Clyde valley.
Thickness: Veneer to more than 4m
Geographical Limits: The Erskine Clay Member of the Clydebank Clay Formation is recognised in the lower Clyde valley and in the estuary of the Clyde, and in Loch Lomond.
Parent Unit: Clydebank Clay Formation (CBCL)
Previous Name(s): Erskine Formation (-893)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Reference Section  The BGS Erskine Bridge Borehole contains the standard section for the Erskine Clay Member (ERSK) (4.4 to 7.5m depth). Browne and McMillan. 1989a. 
Type Area  Lower Clyde valley and Clyde estuary. Browne and McMillan. 1989a. 
Reference(s):
McMillan, A A, Hamblin, R J O and Merritt, J W. 2005. An overview of the lithostratigraphical framework for the Quarternary and Neogene deposits of Great Britain (onshore). British Geological Survey Research Report RR/04/04. 
Browne, M A E and McMillan, A A. 1989a. Quaternary geology of the Clyde valley. British Geological Survey Research Report, SA/89/1. 
Forsyth, I H, Hall, I H S and McMillan, A A. 1996. Geology of the Airdrie district. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 31W (Scotland). 
Hall, I H S, Browne, M A E and Forsyth, I H. 1998. Geology of the Glasgow district. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 30E (Scotland). 
Browne, M A E and McMillan, A A. 1989b. Geology for land use planning: drift deposits of the Clyde valley Volume 1: Planning Report. British Geological Survey Technical Report, WA/89/78. 
Bowen, D Q. 1999. A revised correlation of Quaternary deposits in the British Isles. Geological Society Special Report, No. 23. 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
none recorded or not applicable