Proceedings of the Geologists Association最新文献

Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Their role and importance in conserving England's geoheritage 具有特殊科学价值的地点：它们在保护英格兰地质遗产中的作用和重要性

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-18 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101095

Colin D. Prosser, Hannah C. Townley

{"title":"Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Their role and importance in conserving England's geoheritage","authors":"Colin D. Prosser, Hannah C. Townley","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101095","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101095","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949), the first national nature conservation legislation in Great Britain, included provision to designate, for the purpose of nature conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) on account of their flora, fauna, geological or physiographical (geomorphological) features. Although often incorrectly perceived only as a means of conserving flora and fauna, SSSIs remain the primary mechanism for conserving and managing nationally and internationally important geological and geomorphological features in Great Britain. Seventy-five years on, and with questions being raised about how well they conserve flora and fauna given current threats and pressures, the role and effectiveness of SSSIs in conserving the highlights of England's geoheritage are explored. The importance of geological/geomorphological SSSIs, their origin, character, and workings, and the threats and pressures they face are described. The condition of the 1221 existing geological/geomorphological SSSIs in England is described and the strengths and weaknesses of existing SSSI legislation and policy are discussed, leading us to conclude that SSSIs have been, and remain, extremely effective in conserving England's geoheritage. Any future SSSI reform should recognise, build upon and celebrate the success of geological/geomorphological SSSIs, and would provide an opportunity to raise the profile of geoconservation in government policy and to futureproof the SSSI series. For example, simplifying the process for updating SSSI descriptions and site boundaries would make it easier to accommodate advances in scientific understanding and respond to the physical repositioning of geological/geomorphological features resulting from natural processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 3","pages":"Article 101095"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143947895","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Impact of the EECO on mammalian faunas: New Ypresian localities from Montpellier (France), a multidisciplinary approach EECO对哺乳动物群的影响：来自法国蒙彼利埃的新埃及地区，多学科方法

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-05 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.01.001

Fabrice Lihoreau , Johan Yans , Mouloud Benammi , Flavia Girard , Gregory Ballas , Hélène Bourget , Cindy Boyrie , Jacinthe Caillaud , Anne-Lise Charruault , Killian Gernelle , Floréal Solé , Xavier Valentin , Quentin Vautrin , Monique Vianey-Liaud , Rodolphe Tabuce

{"title":"Impact of the EECO on mammalian faunas: New Ypresian localities from Montpellier (France), a multidisciplinary approach","authors":"Fabrice Lihoreau , Johan Yans , Mouloud Benammi , Flavia Girard , Gregory Ballas , Hélène Bourget , Cindy Boyrie , Jacinthe Caillaud , Anne-Lise Charruault , Killian Gernelle , Floréal Solé , Xavier Valentin , Quentin Vautrin , Monique Vianey-Liaud , Rodolphe Tabuce","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An integrative chronological study on a new terrestrial sedimentary sequence north of Montpellier (southern France) yields an age ranging from 52.1 to 49.7 Ma. This sequence contains three new mammalian fossil localities, for the first time described in this study, and is associated with the nearby specifically rich site of Mas de Gimel (MP10 — European Mammalian Paleogene Reference Scale [MP]). This study constrains the age of the Grauvian ELMA [European Land Mammal Age] with respect to the geological time scale, suggesting that it is more contemporary with the EECO (Early Eocene Climatic Optimum) than previously considered, and in particular with the period of High Amplitude Climate Fluctuations. These new faunas and data allow us to discuss the relevance of the European Mammalian Paleogene Reference Scale [MP] and to propose new continental biozones for the late Ypresian. It also demonstrates that the late Neustrian fauna (MP8 + 9) is contemporary with the onset of the EECO and that there may be several late- and post-EECO faunas in southern France. Our study moreover suggests phases of diversification during the warm periods, and extinction during the cooling, as observed in North America. Future refined dating of the European fossil localities of this key period will help to discuss the impact of global warming on mammalian communities in the frame of further intercontinental comparisons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 3","pages":"Article 101092"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143947894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Quaternary sea level landforms and sediments in southern England: Description of Geological Conservation Review sites 英格兰南部第四纪海平面地貌和沉积物：地质保护评审地点描述

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2022.06.004

Rebecca M. Briant , B. Andrew Haggart , Danielle C. Schreve , Colin A. Whiteman

引用次数: 0

Periglacial landforms and landscape development in southern England 英格兰南部的冰川地貌和景观发展

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.04.006

Colin A. Whiteman

{"title":"Periglacial landforms and landscape development in southern England","authors":"Colin A. Whiteman","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.04.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>The south-central and south-east England Geological Conservation Review region is unique in Britain in lying completely outside the margins of Quaternary ice sheets. In view of this, the area has been described as a ‘relict periglacial landscape’. This implies that the region has evolved its current form substantially under the influence of seasonal and/or perennial frost. In fact, modern research has demonstrated that permafrost, either continuous or discontinuous, likely existed across probably the whole of the region at different times during the Quaternary. This has important implications for ground permeability and the strength of sediments and soils and this has, without doubt, influenced landscape development. Whilst the whole region appears to have experienced cold environmental conditions, the landforms, structures and sediments of some sites are particularly associated with </span>periglacial processes<span>. Allington Quarry, Spot Lane Quarry, Oaken Wood, Chiddingly Wood (known locally as Chiddinglye Wood), High Rocks and Rusthall Common have exhibited typical cambering structures with open or closed gulls. The latter three sites also display a fine range of surface weathering features. Hubbard's Hill is characterised by solifluction and active-layer detachment slides and associated subsurface shear structures, whilst the sarsen trains at Fyfield Down and Valley of Stones are also attributed to solifluction processes. Birling Gap and Pegwell Bay exhibit spectacular sediment brecciation and involutions. Pegwell Bay is also known for its thick layer of periglacial loess, a sediment that is also a feature of North Cliff, Broadstairs. Unfortunately, the dating of these landscape features has, so far, proved possible only at Hubbard's Hill and Pegwell Bay. Nevertheless, the sites reviewed here provide exceptional, and in some cases internationally important, indications of landscape development in cold, often permafrost, environments which justifies their status as GCR sites.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 1","pages":"Article 101059"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141053454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

An Introduction to the Quaternary of southern England Geological Conservation Review sites 英国南部地质保护评价点第四纪介绍

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.08.006

Rebecca M. Briant , Colin A. Whiteman , B. Andrew Haggart

引用次数: 0

Quaternary rivers, tufas and mires of southern England: Description of Geological Conservation Review sites 英格兰南部第四纪河流、凝灰岩和泥潭：地质保护评审地点描述

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.10.002

Rebecca M. Briant , Colin A. Whiteman , B. Andrew Haggart , David R. Bridgland , Ella Egberts , Michael J. Grant , Marcus Hatch , Peter G. Knowles , Danielle C. Schreve , Philip S. Toms , Francis F. Wenban-Smith , Mark J. White

{"title":"Quaternary rivers, tufas and mires of southern England: Description of Geological Conservation Review sites","authors":"Rebecca M. Briant , Colin A. Whiteman , B. Andrew Haggart , David R. Bridgland , Ella Egberts , Michael J. Grant , Marcus Hatch , Peter G. Knowles , Danielle C. Schreve , Philip S. Toms , Francis F. Wenban-Smith , Mark J. White","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Southern England contains a wealth of sites, reviewed here, that contain evidence for past deposition in freshwater environments over a period of over 0.5 million years and have been designated as Geological Conservation Review sites for their representativeness of a range of such environments. They include nine sites from two complete terrace sequences (the Solent in Hampshire [Solent Cliffs West, Calshot Cliffs, Hillhead Cliffs, Dunbridge Pit, Wood Green Gravel Pit] and Stour in Kent [Fordwich Pit, Sturry Gravel Pits, Wear Farm Pit, Chislet, Bishopstone to Reculver Cliffs]), alongside a further fluvial gravel site at Aylesford, in the valley of the Medway in Kent. Sites from the Thames catchment, although geographically nearby, are not included, having been previously described by Bridgland (1994). Many of these sites contain abundant Palaeolithic artefacts and some also fossils of multiple groups. A further four sites record fluvial landforms (Mole Gap, Surrey) and ancient ‘high-level gravels’ that may relate to very Early Pleistocene river activity (Upper Common, Mountain Wood, Upper Hale). Tufa and mire sites are relatively rare in this region, making those which are preserved more significant. The tufa sites at Blashenwell Farm and Wateringbury provide context for adjacent archaeological sites and record landscape development in the early and mid Holocene. The mire deposits at Cranes Moor, Mark Ash Wood, Cothill Fen and Rimsmoor together record vegetation history from key regional ecosystems for the entirety of the Holocene.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 1","pages":"Article 101084"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143642579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Chalk Landforms of Southern England and Quaternary Landscape Development 英国南部白垩地貌与第四纪景观发展

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2018.05.002

Colin A. Whiteman , B. Andrew Haggart

{"title":"Chalk Landforms of Southern England and Quaternary Landscape Development","authors":"Colin A. Whiteman , B. Andrew Haggart","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2018.05.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2018.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>The Chalklands are conspicuous in the landscape of the south-central and south-eastern England GCR region, especially the prominent escarpments of the North and South Downs and the extensive upland of Salisbury Plain. One of the most obvious features of Chalk landscape is the dense distribution of dry valleys which characterise both its dip and scarp slopes. Two groups of dry-valley sites are considered here, a morphology group (Bratton, Devil’s Dyke, and Rake Bottom), and a group noted for its sediments (Asham Quarry, Cow Gap, Devil’s Kneadingtrough, Holywell Coombe and Upper Halling). The morphology of the valleys considered in the first group, is spectacular. Each of these GCR sites is apparently associated with river capture. They display a complex morphology involving breaks of slope, sharply angular courses and, apparently, entrenched springs. Devil’s Dyke and Rake Bottom possess generally smooth slopes in contrast to the Bratton site where the slopes are incised by a wide range of channels. The formation of these valleys has attracted considerable controversy, mainly concerning the degree to which periglacial conditions, rather than ‘normal’, temperate fluvial conditions, are involved. The second group of Chalkland GCR sites is associated with relatively simple valleys or embayments in which natural or artificial exposures have revealed complex sediments that provided detailed environmental information, mainly from molluscan remains, but also from pollen and coleoptera in the case of the spectacular Holywell Coombe. Human artefacts were retrieved from Cow Gap, Devil’s Kneadingtrough and Holywell Coombe. At each site except perhaps Upper Halling where the record may extend back to the Mid-Devensian, the period represented by the sediments is late </span>Devensian<span> to Holocene<span> time, according to conventional and AMS radiocarbon dating.</span></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 1","pages":"Article 100692"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87737083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

A revision of sponges from the Faringdon Sponge Gravel Member and Atherfield Clay Formation, Lower Greensand Group of England 英国下格林桑组Faringdon海绵砾石段和Atherfield粘土组海绵的修正

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-01-21 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.006

Consuelo Sendino , Stephen Kershaw

{"title":"A revision of sponges from the Faringdon Sponge Gravel Member and Atherfield Clay Formation, Lower Greensand Group of England","authors":"Consuelo Sendino , Stephen Kershaw","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sponges of the Lower Greensand Group (LGS) are well preserved and occur in sediments of a sandy matrix. Abundant in the Faringdon Sponge Gravel Member (FSG), these sponges, mostly Calcareans, are found in Oxfordshire, with notable preservation at Little Coxwell quarries. This study provides descriptions of common species following the updated Porifera classification and recent sponge taxonomy research, illustrated with specimens from the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), British Geological Survey (BGS), and Natural History Museum Basel (NMB) collections. The following taxa are recorded and described: 1) Calcareans: <em>Barroisia anastomosans</em> (Parkinson, 1822), <em>Barroisia clavata</em> (Keeping, 1883), <em>Barroisia irregularis</em> (Hinde, 1884), <em>Dehukia crassa</em> (de Fromentel, 1861), <em>[Elasmoierea] faringdonensis</em> (Mantell, 1854), <em>[Elasmoierea] mantelli</em> (Hinde, 1884), <em>Peronidella gillieroni</em> (de Loriol, 1869), <em>Peronidella prolifera</em> (Hinde, 1884), <em>Peronidella ramosa</em> (Roemer, 1839), <em>Oculospongia dilatate</em> (Roemer, 1864), <em>Tremospongia pulvinaria</em> (Goldfuss, 1826), <em>Raphidonema contortum</em> (Hinde, 1884), <em>Raphidonema porcatum</em> (Sharpe, 1854), <em>Raphidonema farringdonensis</em> (Sharpe, 1854), <em>Raphidonema macropora</em> (Sharpe, 1854), <em>Raphidonema pustulatum</em> (Hinde, 1884), <em>Endostoma foraminosa</em> (Goldfuss, 1826); and 2) Hexactinellids: <em>Lonsda contortuplicata</em> (Lonsdale, 1849). Key findings include the identification of Tethyan biogeographic affinities and ecological adaptations that highlight the role of these sponges in early reef-like systems. By refining species descriptions and linking them to broader Cretaceous ecosystems, this work enhances understanding of sponge biodiversity, evolutionary strategies, and their contributions to carbonate platform development during periods of environmental change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 3","pages":"Article 101091"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143947765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Palaeosols from the Upper Triassic of South Wales 南威尔士上三叠世的古土壤

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-01-17 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.005

V. Paul Wright , Peter Hodges , Jennifer M. Huggett , Susan B. Marriott

{"title":"Palaeosols from the Upper Triassic of South Wales","authors":"V. Paul Wright , Peter Hodges , Jennifer M. Huggett , Susan B. Marriott","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Temporary exposures recording the Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic transition near Bridgend, South Wales provided a rare opportunity to assess how this major stratigraphical interval is manifested in terrestrial deposits in close proximity to the intensively studied marine and marginal marine successions in SW Britain. Following the progradation and exposure of a shoreline sandbody, up to 8 m of coastal plain deposits formed during a subsequent punctuated transgression. These deposits host a series of palaeosols with unusual carbonate textures, complex mottling styles and marked lateral variability, with evidence of several changes in hydrological conditions. Initially calcrete-bearing soils capped the shoreline sandstones but were overprinted by ferroan-carbonate-bearing gleys likely marking the influence of marine waters. Subsequently, a transition to well-drained soils with calcrete horizons occurred. Continued mud grade deposition was marked by the development of pseudo-gley conditions culminating in gleyed soils, overlain by marine sediments. This provides an example of the often complex polyphase and polygenetic nature of palaeosols encountered in aggrading sedimentary systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 3","pages":"Article 101090"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143947764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Determining the relative scientific and cultural “value” of the UK's in-situ dinosaur track sites 确定英国原位恐龙足迹遗址的相对科学和文化“价值”

IF 1.2 4区地球科学

Proceedings of the Geologists Association Pub Date : 2025-01-17 DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.003

Kirsty M. Edgar , Richard J. Butler , Jonathan G. Larwood , Joshua J.P. Smith

{"title":"Determining the relative scientific and cultural “value” of the UK's in-situ dinosaur track sites","authors":"Kirsty M. Edgar , Richard J. Butler , Jonathan G. Larwood , Joshua J.P. Smith","doi":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pgeola.2024.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dinosaur tracks (footprints) provide useful information on the palaeoecology and distribution of dinosaurs over time, complementing the skeletal (body) fossil record. These tracks are amongst the most popular and recognisable trace fossils in the natural world, attracting significant public interest and drawing visitors to sites in England, Scotland, and Wales. Beyond their scientific importance, they offer valuable aesthetic and educational opportunities in the tourism and education sectors. However, the protection, monitoring, communication, and scientific understanding of these sites vary widely. Here we review the nature of the fourteen <em>in-situ</em> dinosaur track sites present in the UK today, and subsequently use an established quantitative system to determine the relative scientific and cultural ‘value’ of each site. We find that the relative scientific and cultural value of UK track sites varies considerably, and that the two value types do not correlate with one another. UK sites with considerable national and international scientific value include the Late Triassic dinosaur track site Bendrick Rock, in South Wales, and the Middle Jurassic site Ardley Quarry, in Oxfordshire. By contrast, the Early Cretaceous dinosaur track sites at Hanover Point, Isle of Wight, and Spyway Quarry, Dorset have relatively high cultural value due to their accessibility and visitor appeal, but modest scientific value. This assessment helps identify threats and opportunities for UK dinosaur track sites, guiding future conservation, scientific research, and public engagement efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49672,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Geologists Association","volume":"136 3","pages":"Article 101088"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143947740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0