The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Killearn Sand And Gravel Member

Computer Code: KARN Preferred Map Code: notEntered
Status Code: Full
Age range: Devensian Stage (QD) — Devensian Stage (QD)
Lithological Description: The Killearn Borehole [NS 5100 8467] (Browne and McMillan, 1989a, Figure 8) contains the standard section of the Killearn Sand and Gravel Member (15.61 to 34.8m depth). The deposit forms an upward coarsening deltaic unit up to 17.95m and then fines up to the top of the member at a depth of 15.61m. The chief lithology is fine to medium grained sand. Silt and clay layers also occur, especially near the top and base, and there is also bands of fine gravel or sand with gravel (3cm maximum) in the upper part. They are dense to very dense and reddish brown or orange in colour. Other deposits are present locally in the Clyde valley in central and eastern Glasgow. They include deposits of beaches and river terraces as well as deltas. The stratigraphical relationships and geographical distribution of this member are illustrated in Browne and McMillan (1989a, Figures 2c, 3A, C, D and 4A, B) and also by sections described by Rose (1975) at Erskine Bridge [NS 4703 7286] and by Carruthers (1904) at Clydebank Cemetary [NS 4755 7285]. In both, the beach deposits are bedded sand and gravel.
Definition of Lower Boundary: The Killearn Sand and Gravel Member of the Clyde Clay Formation rests with angular unconformity on older Quaternary sediments or bedrock. It normally rests either unconformably or by interdigitation on the Paisley Clay and Linwood Clay members of the Clyde Clay Formation or on the Wilderness Till Formation (WITI) of the Caledonia Glacigenic Group (Midland Valley Glacigenic Subgroup).
Definition of Upper Boundary: The Killearn Sand and Gravel Member of the Clyde Clay Formation is overlain unconformably by younger Quaternary sediments normally belonging to the British Coastal Deposits Group. It is also exposed at surface.
Thickness: Ranges from a thin veneer to more than 15m.
Geographical Limits: Lower Clyde valley in the Glasgow conurbation, around the Clyde estuary and in the Loch Lomond basin in the Endrick valley.
Parent Unit: Clyde Clay Formation (CLYD)
Previous Name(s): Clyde Beds [Obsolete Name and Code: Use PRTS, BOCH, LIWD, PAIS, KARN, CLYD] (-1375)
Killearn Formation [Obsolete Name and Code: Use KARN] (-4723)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Area  Lower Clyde valley in the Glasgow conurbation, around the Clyde Estuary and in the Loch Lomond basin in the Endrick valley. The NGR values provided are the southwest and northeast corners of a conceptual rectangle that approximates to the Type Area, and should be considered a rough guide only to the lateral extent of the Member. 
Reference(s):
Bowen, D Q. 1999. A revised correlation of Quaternary deposits in the British Isles. Geological Society Special Report, No. 23. 
McMillan, A A, Hamblin, R J O and Merritt, J W. 2005. An overview of the lithostratigraphical framework for the Quarternary and Neogene deposits of Great Britain (onshore). British Geological Survey Research Report RR/04/04. 
Browne, M A E and McMillan, A A. 1989a. Quaternary geology of the Clyde valley. British Geological Survey Research Report, SA/89/1. 
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. 
Jardine, W G (Editor). 1980. Glasgow Region: Field Guide. [Quaternary Reseach Association.] 
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). 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
none recorded or not applicable