The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Ravelston Sandstone

Computer Code: RVN Preferred Map Code: notEntered
Status Code: Index Level
Age range: Asbian Substage (CR) — Asbian Substage (CR)
Lithological Description: A brown or locally black, often thickly bedded with trough cross bedding, typically fine-grained, siliceous, sandstone, containing little mica or carbonaceous material, and famous building stone.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Status uncertain, but likely to be erosive on underlying argillaceous and arenaceous rocks of the Gullane Formation.
Definition of Upper Boundary: Transitional by upward fining into mainly non-marine siltstone and mudstone of the Gullane Formation.
Thickness: Up to 40 m thick in the City of Edinburgh.
Geographical Limits: Only known for certain in Edinburgh area.
Parent Unit: Gullane Formation (GUL)
Previous Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Section  Ravelston Quarry, Edinburgh. 
Reference(s):
Mitchell, G H. 1962. The geology of the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. (Explanation of Sheet 32) Third Edition. (Reprinted 1980). Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain (Scotland). 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
S032