| Computer Code: |
RHYS |
Preferred Map Code: |
notEntered |
| Status Code: |
Full |
| Age range: |
Devensian Stage (QD)
— Devensian Stage (QD) |
| Lithological Description: |
Cross-bedded sand with subordinate silt, clay and gravel, mainly composed of limestone and dolostone of the Zechstein Group (formerly Magnesian Limestone), Carboniferous lithologies (sandstone, gritty sandstone, limestone, mudstone, ganister, coal), and far-travelled clasts from Scotland and the Lake District (greywacke sandstone and siltstone, granite and granodiorite). Includes some clasts of till, shell fragments and locally much coal. Locally cemented. Mainly southeastward palaeocurrent. |
| Definition of Lower Boundary: |
Sharp, erosional contact with underlying dark greyish brown to dark yellowish brown, stony sandy silty clay diamicton of the Wear Till Formation, infilling channels cut in the latter. |
| Definition of Upper Boundary: |
Generally a sharp, unconformable contact with reddish-brown stony clay of the Horden Till Formation. Ice-wedge casts reported in the top of the member, truncated by overlying till. |
| Thickness: |
To 13m |
| Geographical Limits: |
Coast of County Durham and southern Northumberland. |
| Parent Unit: |
Peterlee Sand And Gravel Formation (PESG)
|
| Previous Name(s): |
Ryhope Sands [Obsolete Name and Code: Use RHYS]
(-4862)
|
| Alternative Name(s): |
none recorded or not applicable
|
| Stratotypes: |
| Type Section |
Coastal cliffs between 500m north of Salterfen Rocks, Ryhope Junction and a point about 1.5km north of Featherbed Rocks, Seaham. Smith, 1994. |
| Reference(s): |
| Bridgland, D R, Horton, B P, and Innes, J B. 1999. The Quaternary of northeast England. Field Guide. Quaternary Research Assocation, London. |
| Smith, D B, 1994. Geology of the country around Sunderland. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 21, (England and Wales). |
| Thomas, G S P. 1999. Northern England. 91-98 in Bowen, D Q (Editor), A revised correlation of Quaternary and Neogene deposits in the British Isles. Geological Society Special Report No.23. |
| Francis, E A. 1970. Quaternary. 134-152 in Johnson, G A L, Geology of Durham County. [Newcastle: Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.] 152pp. |
| 1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used: |
| none recorded or not applicable |
