Northampton Sand Formation

The Northampton Sand Formation, sometimes called the Northamptonshire Sand, is a Middle Jurassic geological formation which is placed within the Inferior Oolite Group.[2][3] It was formerly worked extensively in Northamptonshire for its ironstone.

Northampton Sand Formation
Stratigraphic range: Aalenian
Dragline opencast mining of the ironstone at Weldon, Northamptonshire.
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofInferior Oolite Group
Sub-unitsCorby Ironstone Member, Duston Member (formerly Variable Beds)[1]
UnderliesGrantham Formation, Rutland Formation, Horsehay Sand Formation
OverliesWhitby Mudstone Formation
ThicknessUp to 21 m, typically 4-8 m
Lithology
PrimarySandstone
OtherIronstone, Oolitic Limestone
Location
RegionEast Midlands
CountryEngland
ExtentNorthamptonshire, Lincolnshire
Type section
Named forNorthampton
Named bySharp
LocationDuston Top Pit
Year defined1870
Thickness at type section11.6 m

The Northampton Sand Formation constitutes the lowest part of the Inferior Oolite Group and lies on the upper Lias clay. It attains a maximum thickness of up to 21 metres (69 ft) to the north and west of Northampton where it lies in a subterranean basin. In the south, it fades out around Towcester. Northward from the edge of the basin in the upper Lias, under Northampton, it lies progressively lower beneath the Jurassic Lincolnshire limestones. A little to the north of Corby Glen (grid reference TF0027) it is at about 50 metres (160 ft) from the surface. It fades out under north Lincolnshire as the strata rise towards the Market Weighton Axis.

The formation to dates to the Aalenian, and predominantly consists of sandy ironstone, which when freshly exposed is greenish-grey in colour, which weathers to limonitic brown sandstone.[4] It formed in an extensive, shallow sea on the northwestern margin of the London-Brabant Massif. Dinosaur remains are among the fossils that have been recovered from the formation, although none have yet been referred to a specific genus.[5] A species of horseshoe crab, Mesolimulus woodwardi has been described from the formation.[6]

The formation is a signficiant emitter of radon gas.[7]

Commercial exploitation

There is a description of the twentieth century exploitation of the Northampton Sand for iron-smelting in the Wellingborough article.

See also

References
  1. Sutherland, D.S. (2003). Northamptonshire Stone. Dovecote Press. p. 31. ISBN 190434917X.
  2. British Geological Survey 2002 Kettering England and Wales sheet 171, solid & drift geology. 1:50,000 (Keyworth, Nottingham: BGS)
  3. "Northampton Sand Formation". BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  4. "Northampton Sand Formation". webapps.bgs.ac.uk. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  5. Weishampel, David B.; Dodson, Peter; and Osmólska, Halszka (eds.): The Dinosauria, 2nd, Berkeley: University of California Press ISBN 0-520-24209-2. pp. 517-607.
  6. Bicknell, Russell D. C.; Błażejowski, Błażej; Wings, Oliver; Hitij, Tomaž; Botton, Mark L. (August 2021). Zhang, Xi‐Guang (ed.). "Critical re‐evaluation of Limulidae uncovers limited Limulus diversity". Papers in Palaeontology. 7 (3): 1525–1556. doi:10.1002/spp2.1352. ISSN 2056-2799. S2CID 233783546.
  7. Scheib, C.; Appleton, J.D.; Miles, J.C.H.; Hodgkinson, E. (December 2013). "Geological controls on radon potential in England". Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. 124 (6): 910–928. doi:10.1016/j.pgeola.2013.03.004.

Bibliography
  • Kent, P. & Gaunt, G.D. British Regional Geology Eastern England to The Wash (1980) ISBN 0-11-884121-1
  • Hains, B.A. & Horton, A. British Regional Geology Central England (1969) ISBN 0-11-880088-4
  • British Geological Survey 1:50 000 Series. Stamford. Sheet 157 Solid & Drift Edition (1978)

52.8313°N 0.5171°W / 52.8313; -0.5171


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