The Warwickshire Group is a
lithostratigraphic
Lithostratigraphy is a sub-discipline of stratigraphy, the geological science associated with the study of strata or rock layers. Major focuses include geochronology, comparative geology, and petrology.
In general, strata are primarily igneou ...
unit of rock
strata defined within the British
Carboniferous system. Within the
Pennine Basin it overlies (i.e. postdates) the
Coal Measures Group and is deemed to be of late
Westphalian and
Stephanian age. In the
South Wales Coalfield
The South Wales Coalfield ( cy, Maes glo De Cymru) extends across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen. It is rich in coal deposits, espe ...
it consists of the
Pennant Sandstone Formation
Pennant may refer to:
Flag or banner
* Pennon (or pennant), a narrow, tapering flag
** Commissioning pennant, the traditional sign of a warship, flown from its masthead while the ship is in commission
** Broad pennant, flown from the masthead o ...
and overlying
Grovesend Formation. It contains the youngest Carboniferous rocks in Britain.
The name Warwickshire Group is a relatively recent one, replacing a variety of earlier names for the succession of coal-barren red-beds such as Barren Coal Measures and Red Measures which overlie the productive coal measures. It is derived from the
Warwickshire Coalfield
The Warwickshire Coalfield extends between Warwick and Tamworth in the English Midlands. It is about from north to south and its width is around half that distance. Its western margin is defined by the 'Western Boundary Fault'. In the northeast ...
where they achieve their thickest development.
[Powell, J.H. et al. 2000. ''Stratigraphical framework for Westphalian to early Permian red-bed successions of the Pennine Basin'', British Geological Survey Research Report, RR/00/01]
References
Coal in Wales
Coal in England
Geology of Wales
Geology of England
Geological groups of the United Kingdom
Carboniferous Wales
Carboniferous England
Carboniferous System of Europe
Geologic formations of England
Stratigraphy of the United Kingdom
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