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The phosphatic chalks and hardgrounds of Boxford and Winterbourne, Berkshire – two tectonically controlled facies in the late Coniacian to early Campanian (Cretaceous) of southern England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

I. Jarvis
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, The University, Glasgow G12 8QQ
P. Woodroof
Affiliation:
Esso Exploration and Production U.K., 50 Stratton Street, London W1X 6AU

Summary

The litho-and biostratigraphy of Boxford quarry and Winterbourne pit are described in detail. Boxford quarry displays a section through parallel bedded soft white chalks and hardgrounds which dip at 25° SSE, overlain by a chalk mélange composed of displaced and deformed blocks of hardground surrounded by calcarenitic chalk. The succession is of late Coniacian to mid Santonian age and is interpreted as being the result of intra-Upper Cretaceous tectonic activity. Winterbourne pit exposes a late Santonian to early Campanian sequence of poorly phosphatic chalks and hardgrounds containing an abundant macrofauna. This deposit is the same age as, and in part similar to, the classic phosphatic chalks of northern France, to which it is compared. However, it is best explained as resulting from a continuation of the abnormal tectonic and bottom-current conditions indicated by the older, atypical chalks of the Boxford area.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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