Lower Coal Measures Research Articles

New malacostracan crustaceans from the Lower Coal Measures (Langsettian, Carboniferous) north Lanarkshire, Scotland

Two malacostracan crustacean genera are described from the Langsettian (upper part of the Bashkirian, Lower Pennsylvanian) of the Scottish coal fields in the Midland Valley of Scotland. One is the youngest occurrence of Tealliocaris Peach, 1908 and was found at Polkemmet Colliery near Whitburn, West Lothian. It is recognized as a new species, Tealliocaris elliotti , based on the presence of eight spines on its scaphocerites and lateral convergent carinae of the telson. The other crustacean is a unique specimen from the Ardenrigg Colliery at Wester Bracco, North Lanarkshire in similar shales of Langsettian age. There are no distinguishing characters preserved that would identify it as a new species, but it can be placed in Palaeocaris Meek and Worthen, 1865 based on the well-preserved features of the tail fan. This is the first record of this genus in Scotland, although specimens of Minicaris brandi Schram, 1979 from the Namurian (Serpukhovian, Upper Mississippian) shales of Bearsden are now here also considered to be a species of Palaeocaris .

Erodibility Characteristics of Three Geological Sediments in the Idah-Ankpa Plateau of the Anambra Basin, Nigeria

Three geological sediments, namely, the Upper Coal Measures (UCM), the Ajalli Sandstones (AS), and the Lower Coal Measures (LCM), underlie 100% of the landscape of the Idah-Ankpa Plateau (IAP) of the Anambra Basin, Nigeria. The total number of gullies in occurrence on the IAP formation has been estimated at 740, 100, and 1 for AS, UCM and LCM respectively. A total of 34 samples were randomly collected from gully side walls at a depth range of 0 – 15 cm. At sites where gullies did not exist, sampling pits were dug up to a depth of 15 cm within which samples were collected. Fifteen samples were collect from the AS, 14 from the UCM, and 5 from the LCM. Particle size distribution was determined by the hydrometer method, and the dry bulk density was computed from undisturbed cores after weighing, drying at 105oC, and reweighing. The two sets of data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that the AS had a mean % sand plus %silt = 95, %clay = 5, and a mean dry bulk density = 1.31 g/cm3; the UCM had values of 80, 20, and 1.57 g/cm3; and the LCM 61, 39, and 1.71 g/m3 respectively. The data indicate that the AS sediments are the most prone to detachment and transport, followed by the UCM. Therefore, the vulnerability of the sediments to erosion can be ranked as AS>UCM>LCM, and this can be attributed to their wide variations in particle size distribution and dry bulk density. The findings also agree with the order of proliferation of gullies on the IAP. Activities that trigger accelerated erosion on the AS should be controlled.

Relative Proliferation of Gullies on Three Geological Sediments: The Influence of Soil Consistency Limits and Shear Strength

This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of soil consistency limits and shear strength on the relative proliferation of gullies on three geological sediments, namely: the Upper Coal Measures (UCM), the Ajalli Sandstones (AS), and the Lower Coal Measures (LCM), which has been ranked as AS > UCM > LCM. Soil samples were collected from a depth range of 60 - 90 cm of sampling pits dug at a selected location on each of these texturally homogenous and unique formations. These were analysed for consistency limits and shear strength using standard methods and procedures. Results showed that the plasticity index (PI) of the UCM (PIUCM) was 24.49%; PIAS, 5.89%; and PILCM, 44.85%. The shear strength (S) of the UCM (SUCM) was 314.74 KN/m2; SAS, 196.23 KN/m2; and SLCM, 321.72 KN/m2. The results of the study show that rankings of the respective contributions of these two geotechnical properties to the vulnerability of the sediments to gully (soil) erosion follow the same order of proliferation of gullies on the plateau landscape: AS > UCM > LCM. Hence, consistency limits and shear strength parameters partly influence and explain the relative proliferation of gullies on the three formations. Further studies are required to determine other soil factors of gully erosion in the area in order to evolve appropriate management strategies for these sediments.

The Scottish oil-shale industry from the viewpoint of the modern-day shale-gas industry

Abstract Oil production in West Lothian in Scotland started in 1851. It was not the first place to produce oil from shale but it was the largest and most successful. This oil production led to major developments in oil refining and, as a result, a large demand for oil products was created. This new demand for oil products stimulated the search for oil around the world and resulted in the first modern-day oil well being drilled in Titusville Pennsylvania in 1859. Over the next 100 years, an estimated 75 MMbbl (million barrels) of oil and 500 Bcf (billion cubic ft) of gas were produced from the shales of West Lothian. Initially, the oil was produced from a thin layer of shale at Torbanehill near Bathgate. Later, the much thicker deposits in the Dinantian West Lothian Oil-shale Formation (WLO) were used to produce the oil, although there was also oil produced from other shales mostly in the Lower Coal Measures and Limestone Coal Formation. This paper looks at the Scottish oil-shale industry from the viewpoint of the modern-day shale-gas industry and highlights the contribution the industry made as the forerunner of the oil industry. The paper attempts to explain why the Scottish oil-shale industry was so successful and influential. Reasons why the oil-shale industry did not develop into modern oil-well production are also put forward. The Scottish shale-oil industry was successful not only thanks to James Young and his colleagues but also because of the geology of the Central Belt of Scotland and, in particular, the geochemical properties of the WLO. The shale-oil industry, natural oil seepage, free oil encountered during mining and the historical exploration drilling demonstrate a rich functioning source rock suggesting significant prospectivity for future exploration for both oil fields and shale gas.

A Putative Zygomycetous Fungus with Mantled Zygosporangia and Apposed Gametangia from the Lower Coal Measures (Carboniferous) of Great Britain

Several specimens of a new fungal reproductive unit, Halifaxia taylorii nov. gen. et spec., occur within the tracheids of a structurally preserved fern axis from the Lower Pennsylvanian of Great Britain. The reproductive units, which appear to be lateral outgrowths of tubular hyphae, consist of a mantled sphere (80–90 μm in diameter) borne terminally on an inflated subtending structure, which may also be mantled. A smaller element clasps the proximal portion of the subtending structure; one arm of this element extends further up along and appears to eventually fuse laterally with the subtending structure. The reproductive units are interpreted as zygosporangium-apposed gametangia complexes of a zygomycetous fungus. Although several structural features of H. taylorii resemble features seen in the zygosporangium-gametangia complexes of certain modern zygomycetes, the precise systematic affinities of the fossils remain unresolved. Nevertheless, the discovery is important because it provides new information o...

Fungal reproductive units enveloped in a hyphal mantle from the Lower Pennsylvanian of Great Britain, and their relevance to our understanding of Carboniferous fungal “sporocarps”

An assemblage of distinctive fungal reproductive units occurs in a fragment of permineralized xylem from the Lower Coal Measures (Carboniferous) of Great Britain. Specimens are spherical to irregular in outline, 70–95μm in diameter, and consist of a central cavity surrounded by an investment of tightly interlaced hyphae. Clusters of specimens may additionally be enveloped in a confluent hyphal meshwork. This complement of features is quite similar to the morphology seen in mantled zygosporangia/zygospores of certain extant zygomycetous fungi. Closely associated with several of the reproductive units are single or paired smaller spherical to elongate structures, which we interpret as apposed gametangia. This discovery represents only the third record of zygomycetous fungi from the Carboniferous. Moreover, the reproductive units resemble certain Carboniferous microfossils termed fungal sporocarps in the genus Mycocarpon, and thus indirectly support the hypothesis that the systematic affinities of these sporocarps may lie with the zygomycetous fungi.

Fungal sporocarps from the Carboniferous: An unusual specimen of Traquairia

Small spherical structures commonly termed sporocarps are widespread elements in Carboniferous permineralized peat. While sporocarps today are generally interpreted as fungal, their precise systematic affinities largely remain unknown. A specimen of the sporocarp-type Traquairia from the Lower Coal Measures (Lower Pennsylvanian) of Great Britain demonstrates a heretofore unknown feature in the form of a preformed aperture from which emerges a fascicle of radially oriented structures that are constricted sub-distally; transverse septa are present in the constricted areas of some of the structures. The outgrowths are morphologically similar to conidiophores bearing terminal conidia of certain extant fungi in the order Entomophthorales, and thus might suggest affinities of Traquairia with the Zygomycota. Alternatively, the outgrowths might represent sporulating hyphae of a parasitic or saprotrophic blastocladalean fungus or a peronosporomycete that used Traquairia as a nutrient source.

A fungal community in plant tissue from the Lower Coal Measures (Langsettian, Lower Pennsylvanian) of Great Britain

A fungal community in plant tissue from the Lower Coal Measures (Langsettian, Lower Pennsylvanian) of Great Britain

Interplay of geomorphic and hydrogeologic features at reach- and channel unit-scales on riverbed hydrology and hydrochemistry: a conceptual model in the Lower Coal Measures, South Yorkshire, UK

A conceptual model of groundwater and surface-water interactions in areas of minor aquifers has been developed. It assesses the interplay of reach-scale subsurface flow paths (RSSF), controlled by the lateral extent of the alluvial valley, and channel unit-scale hyporheic flow paths (CUSHF), controlled by riffle and run/pool sequences, and their impacts on the spatial variability of riverbed flow and solute exchange. A network of riverbed mini-piezometers and multi-level samplers in different reach- and channel-unit scale settings of the River Don (South Yorkshire, UK) is monitored to: (1) estimate vertical hydraulic gradients (VHGs) and specific discharge; (2) discriminate subsurface flow paths from conservative natural tracers; and (3) deduce biogeochemical processes. In a constrained context (downstream end of the alluvial valley), RSSF discharge favours a homogeneous riverbed hydrochemistry with limited biogeochemical processes and shallow CUSHF. In an unconstrained (open alluvial valley) or asymmetric (bedrock outcropping on one bank) context, low VHGs favour deep CUSHF and a vertical stratification of RSSF. Reducing conditions intensify with depth, and superimpose with mixing in riffles. This good approximation of flow and solute behaviour in minor aquifers provides a practical framework to understand nutrient and contaminant fate and develop cost-effective monitoring programmes across the groundwater/surface-water interface.

Design and construction of a tunnel above abandoned mine workings: the Roughcastle tunnel, Falkirk, Scotland

The Roughcastle tunnel is 147 m long and forms part of the Millennium Link connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal at Falkirk, Scotland. The tunnel was constructed in a mixed face of stiff Glacial Till overlying Lower Coal Measures that comprise interbedded sandstones, mudstones and coals of varying strength. An unfilled, abandoned stoop-and-pillar fireclay mine underlies the tunnel at shallow depth. Boreholes were drilled into the mine to ascertain the rock quality in the roof and pillars and ultrasonic surveys were carried out to determine the condition of the workings.Risk assessment models indicated that the risk of roof beam failure and collapse chimney initiation in the sandstone or siltstone was extremely low in the current conditions, but the risk of beam failure when mudstone was the roof rock was high. The measures adopted in the design to ensure the structural integrity of the tunnel and the construction techniques employed are described with particular attention to the single-pass sprayed-concrete lining technique.

The thermal history of the Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia: vitrinite reflectance and clay mineralogy of Late Permian coal measures

The thermal history of the Bowen Basin (Queensland, Australia) has been investigated using vitrinite reflectance data and clay mineralogy. Vitrinite reflectance data combined with a study of clay mineral reactions indicates that the maximum temperatures which induced organic maturation of the Bowen Basin coals and extensive clay mineralisation are not related to deep burial metamorphism during the latest Middle Triassic–earliest Late Triassic as previously believed. The results of the present study indicate that the development of a zone of high heat flow in the latest Late Triassic had a major control on the thermal history of the Bowen Basin. High palaeogeothermal gradients estimated in the northern Bowen Basin are interpreted to result from convective heat transfer during a hydrothermal event. Variable heat distributions due to localised fracture-enhanced permeable zones acting as hot reservoirs in the deeper part of the basin may have been responsible for some significant local thermal anomalies in the lower coal measures. The estimated palaeogeothermal gradients in the southern Bowen Basin also indicate high heat flow in the lower sections of the stratigraphy. Sections in the southern Bowen Basin, however, are believed to reflect a rock dominated semi-closed system with low water/rock ratio, where rocks are impervious to circulating fluids and thus heat transfer may have occurred by conduction. The correlation between vitrinite reflectance and clay mineralogy shows a delay in illitisation reaction relative to organic maturity for many illite/smectite (I/S) mixed-layer clays in the northern Bowen Basin. This phenomenon can be explained as a result of insufficient time for the completion of mineral reactions and a variable potassium supply in relatively impermeable rocks. The relationship between I/S expandability and vitrinite reflectance for the Bowen Basin data compared to basins with known tectonic regimes suggests a thermal history in a rift setting for the Bowen Basin. The effect of thin igneous intrusions on clay mineral reactions is very limited. Intensive illitisation due to heating of intrusions can only be observed in narrow zones immediately adjacent to intrusive bodies. This further demonstrates that mineral reactions are too slow to record the effect of extremely short heating duration, in contrast to organic maturity indicators. These differences between mineral and organic parameters aid in the identification of local contact metamorphic effects.

Numerical analysis of coastal cliff failure along the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales, UK

Cliff stability within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was evaluated using a numerical model applied at four sites representative of rock mass failure phenomena and major sedimentary geological sequences. The sites were: Mill Bay, (Old Red Sandstone); St Govan's Head, Carboniferous Limestone (Dinantian); Druidston, Millstone Grit (Namurian) and Lower Coal Measures (Westphalian); and Wiseman's Bridge, Lower Coal Measures (Westphalian). The study integrated a range of geotechnical parameters, measured in the field and laboratory, into a model to predict the likely failure mechanisms. The model is based on the existence of rock prisms delineated by structural parameters, i.e. joints, bedding planes and critical tension fractures behind the cliff face. An iterative approach is used to define the dip of the most probable, stepped failure surface at the base of any potentially unstable multiblock system and to calculate the sliding and toppling forces for each block in the cliff mass. Prediction compared favourably with field observations at three of the four selected sites, i.e. Druidston, St Govan's Head and Wiseman's Bridge. At Druidston sliding is predicted and dominates in the basal blocks, whilst toppling is confined to the upper cliff and is dependent on movement of the lower structural units. St Govan-s Head is shown to have a low risk of toppling and sliding and this was predicted except where basal undercutting reaches a depth of 1·0 m or lateral forces exceed 100 kN m−2 when failure could occur. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Coal clasts in the upper Westphalian sequence of the South Wales coal basin: implications for the timing of maturation and fracture permeability

Abstract Coal clasts, common within channel lag deposits within the upper Westphalian C and Westphalian D Upper (Pennant) Coal Measures of the South Wales coal basin, represent reworked previously deposited coal-forming material. Analysis of clast shape, coal petrology and palynology at 16 localities within the eastern part of the South Wales coalfield suggests that three types of clast are present: (1) large elongate rafts of coal, with axial ratios up to 90:1, with irregular, often ‘fish-tail’ terminations and showing post-depositional compaction relative to the enclosing sandstone; (2) rafts of similar dimensions to (1), but showing no evidence for differential compaction and terminated by cleat fractures; (3) small near-equidimensional pebbles that either show no evidence for differential compaction or in which the surrounding sandstone shows greater compaction than the coal pebble. Both types 1 and 2 rafts have miospore assemblage ages that are indistinguishable from coal seams in adjacent sediments and show a similar range of vitrinite-dominated, maceral group composition. The pebbles have miospore assemblages suggesting derivation from coal seams ranging from a similar age to those of the rafts to Westphalian A (Lower Coal Measures) and with a wider range of maceral group composition than the rafts. Type 1 rafts were derived by erosion of partially consolidated and lithified peat deposits from the contemporary alluival plain, and cleat fractures were developed in situ during compaction. They formed as extensional cracks parallel to the regional NNW-SSE Variscan compressive stress. In type 2 rafts and pebbles cleat partly controlled the shape of the clasts and was developed before erosion of the clasts from their source coal seams. Vitrinite reflectance ( R m %) indicates that maturation of the rafts to bituminous coal rank developed in situ within the Pennant Measures, but in the pebbles maturation to bituminous rank may have been developed in the source coal seam before erosion. It is suggested that this maturation, and the concomitant compaction and cleat development, occurred within ≈ 1 Ma of deposition after rapid burial to ≈ 1 km in a high heat flow regime, associated with hot thrust-guided fluids in a foreland basin setting. Rapid maturation of type III kerogen into the oil and gas generation windows, together with the development of cleat, forming effective migration pathways, has important implications for coalbed methane exploration.

Retrogradational Fluvio-Paralic Coal-Forming Environments, South Island, New Zealand: ABSTRACT

The West Coast Region of South Island, New Zealand, records Paleogene history of peneplanation, fluvio-paralic aggradation, and marine transgression. At Buller coalfield, Eocene Brunner coal measures rest unconformably on Paleozoic to Cretaceous basement rocks and interfinger upward with Eocene, marine Kaiata Formation. During Eocene, rising sea level controlled the architecture of fluvio-paralic deposits and strongly influenced the origin and properties of Brunner coals. The Brunner coal measures contain as much as 40-ft thick, high to low volatile bituminous coal beds with 0.5-16% ash and 1-9% sulfur that is greatest in the upper coal beds. The Brunner can be divided informally into lower and upper coal measures. The lower coal measures are dominated by pebble conglomerates and multierosional, trough-crossbedded conglomeratic sandstones; the upper coal measures by stacked, multilateral, trough crossbedded, granular sandstones with subordinate siltstones and mudstones. Bioturbated sandstones with brackish-marine Ophiomorpha-like trace fossils are common in the upper coal measures. The lower coal measures were deposited in exhumed paleovalleys of the peneplain surface. These valleys, as deep as 50 ft, were initially aggraded by gravelly braided streams. Raised bogs formed in abandoned braid valleys and extended onto surrounding basement highs. The upper coal measures were deposited in sandy bedload, meanderingmore » streams with paralic wave-reworked deltas, and attached barriers. Peat bogs in the paralic environments accumulated thin coals, whereas bogs that developed on abandoned meander ridges formed thick, lenticular coals. Sea-level rise resulted in inundation introducing sulfur into the peat and resulted in high sinuosity fluvial architecture. Gradual incursion of brackish-marine waters favored bioturbation of paralic sediments along retrograding coastlines.« less

Palynomorph taxa from the “Lower Coal Measures” deposits (? Campanian-Maastrichtian) of Anambra trough, Southeastern Nigeria

Recovered palynomorph taxa from “Lower Coal Measures” deposits of the Anambra trough are largely miospores and few organic-walled microplankton. Trilete spores are mainly laevigate form whilst the sculptured varieties are few in the assemblage. Pollen taxa are largely monocolpates whilst other apertural types are few in the assemblage. They show appreciable variation in the sculpture of the exine. The spores provide evidence of freshwater swamp or marsh environment of deposition. Organic-walled microplankton suite shows, most probably, evidence of normal marine or brackish water incursion into a freshwater swamp or marsh association. The presence of algal spores similar to Tasmanites or Pachysphaera support further a freshwater swamp or marsh association. In all 43 species of palynomorphs (11 spores, 26 pollen, 3 dinocysts and 3 incertae sedis) are described and illustrated. One new species of pollen ( Longapertites reticulatus) is formally described and illustrated. Some taxa of palynomorphs which appear new but with few specimens are classified as form genera. Stratigraphically significant palynomorph taxa are plotted on a composite diagram. They indicate ?Campanian-Maastrichtian age for the sediments.

The Upper Band-Better Bed sequence (Lower Coal Measures, Westphalian A) in the central and south Pennine area of England

AbstractAn analysis of outcrop and borehole information relating to the strata between the Upper Band and Better Bed coals of the central and south Pennines shows that two lithological facies can be recognized within a cyclic sequence of mudstones, siltstones and sandstones. In one facies, sandstones and siltstones contain abundant mica, and argillaceous beds are neutral grey in colour. Petrographically the sandstones are feldspathic but contain little lithic material other than multigrain quartz. In the other facies, mica is much less common, argillaceous beds are greenish grey, and sandstones and siltstones contain a notable proportion of chloritic lithoclasts. The sediments of both facies were deposited in lower delta plain/shallow-water delta environments, and palaeocurrent measurements show that the micaceous facies was supplied from the north or east while the green facies came in from the west.Three named divisions of the sequence are based on recognition of the two facies types. They correspond roughly with three upward-coarsening transgressive–regressive sedimentary cycles of presumed eustatic origin. In the lowest part of the succession (Shibden division) the main clastic input was of the micaceous type. Sandstones are found only in the north of the basin, where they form a series of superimposed delta-front bodies. Mudstones were deposited elsewhere, in a large body of open water which, although linked to the sea, was generally of lowered salinity. The restriction of the delta-front sandstones to the same geographical area over a long period of time is attributed to differential subsidence of the basin across deep-seated structures.The sediments of the overlying Brighouse division belong to the green facies, and the source of the elastics lay to the west. After an initial period of mudstone deposition in an extensive, apparently non-marine, body of open water, fluviodeltaic sand and silt spread across the entire area. There is no obvious control of sandstone distribution by basement structures.The succeeding Bradley Wood division includes sediments of both micaceous and green facies. A lobe of medium-grained micaceous sandstone around Sheffield (Thurlstone Channel) represents a fluvial incursion from the east and a linear body of fine-grained green-facies sandstone south of Chesterfield (Bole Hill Channel) represents a similar incursion from the west. Elsewhere, small units of finer-grained elastics are probably deltaic deposits linked to the same sources. The location of the channel sand-bodies suggests control by deep-seated fractures.

Permian palynofossils from the eastern Himalaya and their genetic relationship

Palynofossils from the Permian sediments of the eastern Himalaya have been critically revised with reference to the marine invertebrate fossils contained at various levels. The Pebble Slate Member of the Rangit Formation having sporadic presence of Eurydesma (Biozone 1) has not yielded palynofossils but the younger Rilu Member has yielded a radial monosaccate rich assemblage (Biozone 2). The association of Leiosphaeridia in this assemblage in Barpathar area characteristically indicates marine influence. Biozone 3 characterised by Callumispora + Parasaccites association is present in marine Garu Formation in Siang and Subansiri, non-marine Bhareli Formation in Kameng and Lower Coal Measures in Darjeeling District. Scheuringipollenites rich Biozone 4 is characteristically associated with the marine invertebrates in Siang District (Garu Formation) only; elsewhere it occurs independently. Biozones 5 and 6 are characterized by the abundance of striate-disaccate pollen grains, the latter having Indospora, Thymospora and Crescentipollenites and represent Upper Barakar and Raniganj palynofloras, respectively.
 The Permian sediments in eastern Himalaya are in lithological contrast with the intracratonic continental sediments of the Peninsula but their floristic resemblances are close. Biozones 1 and 2 are comparable to Talchir palynoflora which is related to glacio-marine model of sedimentation. During the deposition of sediments containing Biozone 3, comparable to Karharbari palynoflora, the marine environment seems to have existed continuously from Siang to eastern Kameng but westwards certain areas were under fresh water environment. Similarly, Biozone 4 is associated with marine fossils in Siang only but elsewhere it is typically associated with fluvial sediments. Thus an eastward regression of the sea is plausible during Karharbari and Lower Barakar times. During the younger palynofloras having Upper Barakar (Biozone 5) and Raniganj (Biozone 6) affinities the conditions of deposition appear to be exclusively fluvial in nature. It is clearly indicated that a larger segment of sedimentation in these marginal basins of eastern Himalayas has continued under marine environment while in peninsular India the intracratonic depositional basins were under fluvial environment during the same time span.

Analysis of cyclical sedimentation in the lower Permian Mchuchuma coalfield (South-West-Tanzania)

A statistical approach by a modified Markov process model was used to prove that the lower Permian coal measures of the Tanzanian Mchuchuma basin developed distinct cyclicities during deposition. From results the transition path of lithologic states typical for this coal sequence is as follows: (A) coarse sandstone, (B) medium sandstone, (C) fine-very fine sandstone, (D) shale, (E) mudstone, (F) coal or (E+F) and again (A) coarse sandstone. The majority of cycles is are asymmetric (ABCDEF-ABC.)but symmetrical cycles are present as well (ABCDEFED). The statistical results concur with observed sedimentological evidence of depositional environment. Fining upward cycles correspond to the development of basal channel bars, changing into levees, then into back swamps which are topped by coal swamps. Frequent interbedding of coal and mudstone in the upper part of the coal measures calls for periodic flooding and flushing of fine clastics into coal-forming swamps causing interruption of peat formation. Cyclical deposition is explained by wandering channels in response to varying discharge and rate of deposition, their lateral frequent shifting caused the formation of asymmetrical cycles in this fluviodeltaic depositional model.

A new section around the Amaliae (Tonge's) Marine Band near Manchester, England

AbstractAn excavation for a reservoir at Hartshead, Greater Manchester, has provided a section through part of the lower Coal Measures (Westphalian A). The identification of two marker bands, the Amaliae (Tonge's) Marine Band and the Meadowfarm (Cannel Mine) Marine Band enables the section to be correlated with the standard Lancashire sequence, with consequent revision to the published geological maps. Palaeocurrent data are also given. Trace fossil descriptions suggest differing facies associations of sandstones occurring adjacent to the marine bands in this area.

A gravity slide in the lower coal measures at Swallow Craig, near Kirkconnel, Dumfries and Galloway

Synopsis A NNW dipping listric normal fault affecting a 6 m stratigraphic interval and displaying evidence of syn-sedimentary activity is described from the Sanquhar Coalfield, and interpreted as a gravity slide.