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Late Wenlock sequence stratigraphy in central England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2009

DAVID C. RAY ,
CARLTON E. BRETT ,
ALAN T. THOMAS  and
ADRIAN V. J. COLLINGS
DAVID C. RAY*
Affiliation:
School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
CARLTON E. BRETT
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013, USA
ALAN T. THOMAS
Affiliation:
School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
ADRIAN V. J. COLLINGS
Affiliation:
Arup Geotechnics, The Arup Campus, Blythe Valley Business Park, Solihull, B90 8AE, UK
*
†Author for correspondence: daveray01@yahoo.com
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Abstract

The late Wenlock Series (Homerian Stage) of the northern Midland Platform (central England) comprises silty mudstones and limestones of the upper part of the Coalbrookdale and overlying Much Wenlock Limestone formations. Based on outcrop studies and borehole data, the sequence stratigraphical interpretation developed for the inliers of the West Midlands is slightly revised, and extended to the stratotype sections along Wenlock Edge. A single third-order cycle of sea-level change is identified, punctuated by a regressive–transgressive episode associated with a higher-order glacioeustatic cycle, allowing the upper Wenlock Series of the area to be divided into two subsequences (A and B). Subsequence A and the early transgressive systems tract began with regression associated with the basal sequence boundary in late Cyrtograptus lundgreni Biozone times. This was followed by a period of slow transgression or stillstand, allowing shallower water carbonate environments to prograde. A minor phase of regression followed, resulting in the generation of the shallowest water deposits of both the Lower Quarried Limestone and Farley members (of the Much Wenlock Limestone and Coalbrookdale formations, respectively). The overlying Subsequence B and the late transgressive systems tract are marked by transgression and a period of rapid sea-level fluctuation and are likely contained within the Gothograptus nassa Biozone. A minor highstand is widely recognizable at this time. The rest of Subsequence B consists of an initial phase of weak progradation (highstand systems tract), followed by a marked regression (falling stage systems tract) culminating in an erosive upper sequence boundary at or close to the top of the Monograptus ludensis Biozone, but within the uppermost Much Wenlock Limestone Formation. Above Subsequence B is a marked transgression into the Lower Elton Formation and the Ludlow Series. Both late Wenlock lowstands and the succeeding flooding events have been recognized on other palaeocontinents, reflecting the eustatic nature of sea-level changes reported here.

Keywords

Much Wenlock Limestone Formationsequence stratigraphySilurianWenlock Series
Type
Original Article
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 147 , Issue 1 , January 2010 , pp. 123 - 144
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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