Blisworth Limestone Formation
Blisworth Limestone Formation | |
---|---|
Stratigraphic range: | |
Type | Geological formation |
Unit of | Great Oolite Group |
Underlies | Blisworth Clay Formation |
Overlies | Rutland Formation |
Thickness | up to 12 metres (40 ft) |
Lithology | |
Primary | Limestone |
Other | Marl, Mudstone |
Location | |
Region | Europe |
Country | UK |
Extent | Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire |
Type section | |
Named for | Blisworth |
Location | Blisworth Rectory Farm Quarry |
Thickness at type section | 6-7 m |
The Blisworth Limestone Formation is a geological formation primarily consisting of limestone deposited during the Bathonian stage of the Middle Jurassic, found in the Jurassic ridge which extends north and south through England. It was laid down in the shallows of the Jurassic sea and is part of the more widely defined Great Oolite Group. It was previously known as the Great Oolite Limestone, White Limestone and the Snitterby Limestone Formation. It is the lateral equivalent of the White Limestone Formation[1] From the Jurassic ridge it extends eastwards below the later deposits and in the North Sea terminology, it is part of the West Sole Group. (Cameron p. 74)
Formation
The Blisworth limestone lies above the Upper Estuarine Series of strata. The latter was formed close to the coast where rivers flowed from the
The stratum is known as Blisworth Limestone because it was first studied at Blisworth in
Occurrence
Blisworth limestone is a generally thin but widely spread deposit in eastern England. It becomes thicker as one progresses southward from north Lincolnshire or westward from Norfolk. In the King's Lynn district, it is a shelly oolitic limestone 1 to 2 m thick. At Wiggenhall it is around 190m below mean sea level (OD) and at Tydd St Mary, around 140m. (Gallois) At Bourne, Lincolnshire, at the eastern edge of the Jurassic ridge, it is around 15m below OD. (BGS sheet 144) It is exposed at the surface around the valleys of the East and West Glen rivers (River Glen, Lincolnshire) in which vicinity it is 2.4 to 4.8 metres thick. (BGS sheet 143). Its exposure continues southward in a similar relationship to the Jurassic ridge, to the west of Peterborough. (BGS sheet 157) Around Towcester it reaches a thickness of 9m. (Hains & Horton p. 85)
Application
Blisworth limestone is used as a building material, in particular as blocks of stone. Lilford Hall in Northamptonshire is made from Blisworth limestone.
References
- ^ "Blisworth Limestone Formation". BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- British Geological Survey, 1:50,00 Series. (1992)
- Cameron, T.D.J. et al. The geology of the southern North Sea (1992) ISBN 0-11-884492-X
- Gallois, R.W. Geology of the country around King's Lynn and The Wash (1994) ISBN 0-11-884495-4
- Hains, B.A. & Horton, A. British Regional Geology: Central England 3rd edn. (1969) ISBN 0-11-880088-4
- Kirkaldy, J.F. Field Geology (1988) ISBN 1-85079-133-3