The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Forth Valley Formation

Computer Code: FOVA Preferred Map Code: notEntered
Status Code: Full
Age range: Devensian Stage (QD) — Holocene Epoch (QH)
Lithological Description: A wide range of lithologies encompassing pebbles, fine to coarse gravel, cobbles and boulders in a sandy matrix and coarse- to fine-grained sand, silt and clay. Some beds rich in organic remains and peat occur in the floodplain deposits.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Unconformably overlies older Quaternary deposits and bedrock.
Definition of Upper Boundary: Normally the land surface.
Thickness: From a veneer to several metres.
Geographical Limits: Recognized in the Forth catchment area as the alluvial deposits of the Forth and all of its tributaries, from highest to lowest order. Includes valleys of the River Tyne (East Lothian), Water of Leith, Almond, Avon, Carron, Devon and Teith.
Parent Unit: Forth Catchments Subgroup (FORCA)
Previous Name(s): Freshwater alluvium [Obsolete Name and Code: Use ALV] (-4655)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Area  Forth valley upstream of the tidal limit at Stirling. 
Reference(s):
McMillan, A A, Hamblin, R J O, and Merritt, J W. 2011. A lithostratigraphical framework for onshore Quaternary and Neogene (Tertiary) superficial deposits of Great Britain and the Isle of Man. British Geological Survey Research Report, RR/10/03. 343pp. 
Francis, E H, Forsyth, I H, Read, W A and Armstrong, M. 1970. The geology of the Stirling district. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, Sheet 39 (Scotland). 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
S038 S039 S039