The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Bellshill Clay Member

Computer Code: BILL Preferred Map Code: notEntered
Status Code: Full
Age range: Devensian Stage (QD) — Devensian Stage (QD)
Lithological Description: The typical lithological association is of silty clay with wisps, laminae and bands of silt and locally sand. The deposit is dark brownish grey to brownish grey. It may be varved with multiple silt units with graded bedding. Isolated clasts up to 1-2cm are interpreted as dropstones. The clays are of a firm to stiff consistency. Diamicton bands are present and there are dark tops to centimetre-scale varve units. The sedimentological features point to the Member being a proglacial lake bed deposit ("Lake Clydesdale") close to an ice margin. Its distribution in the Clyde valley southeast of Glasgow suggests that the ice margin retreated northwestwards through the area.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Unconformity on bedrock or most commonly on older Quaternary strata, particularly the Wilderness Till Formation of the Midland Valley Glacigenic Subgroup. Conformably by passage on the Ross Sand Member.
Definition of Upper Boundary: Unconformity below younger Quaternary strata such as the Clyde Clay Formation, but also exposed at the surface. Conformably by passage laterally and upwards into the Ross Sand Member.
Thickness: Veneer to about 10m.
Geographical Limits: Central Scotland; Glasgow area in the lower Clyde valley below Lanark and in tributary valleys including Strath Kelvin.
Parent Unit: Broomhouse Sand and Gravel Formation (BHSE)
Previous Name(s): Bellshill Clay Member (BILL)
Bellshill Formation [Obsolete Name and Code: Use BILL] (-2608)
Bellshill Clay Member (BILL)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Area  Lower Clyde valley between Baillieston and Crossford. 
Reference(s):
Browne, M A E and McMillan, A A. 1989a. Quaternary geology of the Clyde valley. British Geological Survey Research Report, SA/89/1. 
Paterson, I B, McAdam, A D and MacPherson, K A T. 1998. Geology of the Hamilton district. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 23W (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). 
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). 
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. 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
none recorded or not applicable