FRIEND, P. F. & WILLIAMS, B. P. J. (eds) 2000. New Perspectives on the Old Red Sandstone. Geological Society Special Publication no. 180. ix + 623 pp. London, Bath: Geological Society of London. Price £85.00, US $142.00; members' price £39.00, US $65.00; AAPG members' price £51.00, US $85.00; hard covers. ISBN 1 86239 071 1.

Abstract

A landmark for studies in the British Devonian was the 1978 PADS meeting when not only were two important field guides produced but also an important volume of key papers (House, Scrutton & Bassett, 1979). Two geologists, J. R. L. Allen and D. Dineley, figured prominently in these, and the present volume is dedicated to them. Our understanding of the Old Red Sandstone was revolutionized by the work of J. R. L. Allen in the 1960s and 70s and further progress was made in the 1970s and 80s leading to several major publications which until now have remained the key references. This new volume, comprising 31 papers and edited by Peter Friend and Brian Williams, represents a new benchmark for this new century. Twenty-six of the papers were presented at a Geological Society meeting. The papers are divided into seven sections; the first comprises a section of ‘state-of-the-art’ reviews and the other six are arranged into geographical regions. In the first section Williams et al. review Devonian time scales and include new data. In particular they consider aspects of isotopic age and databases underpinning the Devonian geological timescale. Importantly 14 calibrations of the Devonian time scale are discussed including new U–Pb time scales. The late Michael House provides an important chronostratigraphical framework. The Devonian is significant as both the Silurian–Devonian and Devonian–Carboniferous boundaries have been internationally agreed. There is a most useful table showing the internationally agreed series and stage boundaries for the Devonian System together with biozonations and the broad stratigraphical terminology used in five areas of the UK. Friend …