The Pleistocene Development of the Severn from Bridgnorth to the Sea

Abstract

In 1914 I began to study the valley of the Severn, from the entrance of the Iron Bridge gorge downwards, in the hope that a detailed examination of the river terraces and topographic features would throw light on the history of the development of the valley. The results of some of this work were published by the Geological Society in 1924, and I have also described the terraces near the mouth of the Stour (1926). As the work progressed, it became necessary to enlarge its scope and to study the tributary valleys. Here it has naturally varied in intensity, but has in some cases been carried right up to the watersheds, and thus has often involved a study of glacial rather than of river drifts. Although many of the problems cannot at present be solved, I am convinced that the data relating to the river drifts which have been collected can now be profitably set out. I wish to record my indebtedness to the work of Dr. Mabel Tomlinson on the Avon valley drifts, which has thrown much light on the history of the Severn. I have also been helped by Miss Deakin (now Mrs. N. Boulton) and Mr. W. C. Reeves, who mapped parts of the Stour and of the Salwarpe valleys respectively and have generously allowed me to use their results. I wish, also, to thank my colleagues at the University of Birmingham (Professor W. S. Boulton, Dr. F. Raw, and Mr. F. W. Shotton) and certain members