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Nothumbrian Rocks and Landscape: A Field Guide
edited by Colin Scrutton

(First Edition 1995, Second Edition with minor corrections, 2005, 216 pages)

Cover picture (613843 bytes)

Introduction

This book is a stimulating field guide to seventeen areas across Northumbia - defined for the purposes of this book as the present-day counties of Northumberland, Durham, Tyne & Wear, and the area of Cleveland north of the Rover Tees. The excursions have been selected to give comprehensive coverage of the geology, minerals, rocks, fossils and landforms of the area, and vary from easy half–day walks to longer outings involving walks in moorland areas or on rocky foreshores.

An appreciation of the British landscape and its underlying geology is beocoming increasingly popular with walkers, naturalists and the general public, in addition to geologists who have alwasy appreciated the link. It is hoped that this Field Guide will encourage readers to get out and explore the countryside of this fascinating and varied countryside with even greater enthusiasm.

Aimed at both beginners and more experienced geologists, the book begins with an over-view of the geological history of the region covered, which is followed by detailed descriptions and explanations of seventeen suggested excursions, which aim to cover a wide range of both geographical locations and features of geological and landscape interest - as detailed in the Contents List below. The book also includes detailed location maps, a full glossary of terms, and details of local museums.

This Second Edition is dedicated to the memory of Professor Sir Kingsley Dunham FRS (1910 - 2001) and his son Professor Ansel Dunham (1938 - 1998), and the Society thanks the following for their financial support towards its publication: Helen Dunham, Professor John Neale, English Nature and Northumberland County Council.

About the Authors:

The Field Guide, edited by Drs. Colin Scrutton, has contributions from knowledgeable academics, professional geologists and dedicated amateurs, many of them members of the Yorkshire Geological Society. Together in this book they provide the most up-to-date and authoritative guide to the geology of the region and surrounding areas currently available.  

Contents

Preface
Introduction

Geological History of Northumbria: Colin Scrutton

Field Excursions

The Borders
1. The geology of Siccar Point and Pease Bay: Brian Turner and Colin Scrutton
2. The geology of Eyemouth and Burnmouth: Colin Scrutton and Brian Turner
3. The Carboniferous rocks around Berwick-upon-Tweed: Brian Turner and Colin Scrutton
4. The Cheviot - early Devonian volcanic rocks, granite and basement: Peter Allen*
5. The Lower Carboniferous of Bewcastle and Gilsland: Mark Purnell and Howard Armstrong

Northumberland (and Tyne & Wear north)
6. Geology and landscape of Holy Island and Bamburgh: Bert Randall and John Senior
7. Carboniferous rocks of the Howick shore section: Maurice Tucker
8. The Carboniferous and Permian rocks between Tynemouth and Seaton Sluice: Brian Turner and Denys Smith
9. The Lower Carboniferous of Bowden Doors, Roddam Dene and the Coquet Gorge: Brian Turner and Andrew Heard
10. The geology of the North Tyne and Saughtree: Michael Money, Bert Randall and Brian Turner
11. Carboniferous rocks of the Roman Wall and Haltwhistle: Mick Jones
12. The Quaternary of South Tynedale: Angus Lunn

Durham (and Tyne & Wear south)
13. The Magnesian Limestone between South Shields and Seaham: Denys Smith
14. The Northern Pennine Orefield: Weardale and Nenthead: Brian Young*
15. Carboniferous of the Wear Valley and Derwent Gorge, County Durham: Tony Johnson
16. The geology and landscape of Upper Teesdale: John Senior
17. The Carboniferous and Permian rocks in southern County Durham: Trevor Morse and Denys Smith

Geology in Northumbrian Museums: Steve Mclean

Glossary
Bibliography
Index

* Officers of the British Geological Survey who publish with the permission of the Director.

Buying Yorkshire Rocks and Landscape and Northumberland Rocks and Landscape:

The two YGS Field Guides cost £9.99 each (plus £2 a copy postage and packing unless collected by prior arrangement at a Yorkshire Geological Society meeting). Please send cheques payable to "Yorkshire Geological Society" to Dr J H Powell, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG.

© 2007: Yorkshire Geological Society c/o Patrick Boylan, 2A Compass Road, Leicester LE5 2HF, UK.  E-mail: P.Boylan @ city.ac.uk

Last updated: 22nd July 2007 by Patrick Boylan, Web Editor