On the Raised Beaches on the North East Coast of Yorkshire

Abstract

At the estuary of the Tees, and on the adjoining coast, there are several indications that alterations in the sea level have taken place, embracing a period ranging from pre-glacial to recent times. They are, perhaps, of sufficient interest to be recorded, and this ought to be done as nearly as possible in the order in which they probably occurred. Ancient river beds. —The most convenient physiographical records as a starting point, are the ancient river beds. The numerous borings taken in this district, prove that the pre-glacial stream which carried off the water to the sea from this neighbourhood, did so at a level considerably below the present low water mark. Its bed is traceable from the river Tees, near Newport, where it enters the county of Durham, and takes the direction of Saltholme, where it is ascertained by a boring to be 98ft. deep, and filled with sand and gravel; the following is the section:— | | | | | | | FEET. | |:------------------------------ | - | - | - | - | - | ----- | | Sand | … | … | … | … | … | 35 | | Warp (a fine carbonaceous mud) | | | | … | … | 15 | | Sand | … | … | … | … | … | 23 | | Warp | … | … | … | … | … | 23 | | Gravel | … | … | … | … | … | 2 | | Into the red sandstone | | … | … | … | … | 1 | | | | | | | | 99 | It is next traced to Port Clarence, where boulder clay at a depth of 77ft. was proved, according to the following section:— | | | | | | FEET. | INCHES. | |:--------- | - | - | - | - | ----- | ------- | | Soil .. | … | … | … | … | 1 | 6 | | Clay … | … | … | … | … | 4 | — | | Dark Sand | … | … | … | | 7 | 6 |