The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Purley Shale Formation

Computer Code: PSH Preferred Map Code: PSh
Status Code: Full
Age range: Comley Series (EC) — St David's Series (ED)
Lithological Description: Blocky to shaly red or maroon mudstone and siltstone at the base; green and grey fissile mudstones in the middle and red and green interbedded shaly mudstones at the top.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Sharp contact of red mudstone on grey, massive or bioturbated glauconitic sandstone of the Woodlands Member (Hartshill Formation). Some sediment mixing along junction.
Definition of Upper Boundary: Gradational passage upwards into Abbey Shales. Faunal definition not specified.
Thickness: 200m in type area.
Geographical Limits: From Nuneaton, extending northwestwards to the southern suburbs of Atherstone (SP 3629 9197 - 3064 9712).
Parent Unit: Stockingford Shale Group (SSH)
Previous Name(s): Purley Shales [Obsolete Name and Code: Use PSH] (-1129)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Area  The area extending from the southwest face of Hartshill Quarry to the Woodlands Quarry (SSSI) and including the northeastern part of Hartshill village. 
Partial Type Section  Partial type section in upper part of formation. Purley Park Lane. 
Reference(s):
Baldock, J W, 1991. Geology of the Hartshill and Stockingford districts, Nuneaton. British Geological Survey Technical Report, WA/91/60. 
Lapworth, C, Watts, W W and Harrison, W J, 1898. Sketch of the geology of the Birmingham district. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association of London, Vol.15, p.313-389. 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
E155