British Geological Survey thematic geology maps of Quaternary deposits in Scotland

Abstract

This paper describes the portrayal of the surface distribution of Quaternary deposits (drift) in a range of maps prepared by the Geological Survey (Scotland). It considers three methods of classification involving the use of i. the familiar BGS symbol scheme, 2. the descriptive lithological codes of thematic map packages and 3. an alphabetical classification adopted in a recent thematic study of the Clyde valley. The three dimensional distribution of Quaternary deposits has rarely been portrayed in map form. A lithological profile scheme, also prepared as part of the Clyde valley project, is advocated as an appropriate method of representing the third dimension in complex sequences.

Creation and delivery of a complex 3D geological survey for the Glasgow area and its application to urban geology

“…The superficial geology of the Clyde Basin area reflects successive transitions between glacial, marine, estuarine and fluvial environments that have occurred since the last major glaciation of the region during the Late Devensian period ( ca. 30–25ka; Browne & McMillan 1989; Hall et al . 1998; Campbell et al .…”

“…1998). In the lower parts of the catchment, underlying the urban area, the till is overlain by a highly variable sequence of deposits laid down during regional deglaciation, a subsequent marine inundation and later by the development of the fluvial system of the River Clyde (Browne & McMillan 1989).…”

“…Undermining, commonly at shallow depths (less than 30m below the ground surface), affects many areas that are planned for urban redevelopment (Browne et al . 1986). The collapse of underground ‘pillar and stall' workings has resulted in cases of severe local subsidence affecting building stability.…”

Engineering geology of the Quaternary

“…The 25th Annual Conference of the Engineering Group of the Geological Society at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh in September 1989 resulted in the 1991 Engineering Geology Special Publication on Quaternary Engineering Geology . This work is a significant collection of papers on all aspects of the engineering geology of the Quaternary Period addressing key Quaternary background themes (for example Fookes 1991;Culshaw et al 1991;Bell 1991a), Quaternary processes (for example Hutchinson 1991;Gostelow et al 1991;Parks 1991;Spink 1991;Blight 1991), the geotechnics of Quaternary soils (for example Bell 1991b; Bell & Coultard 1991;Bell & Forster 1991;Paul & Jobson 1991;Gregory & Bell 1991;Marsland & Powell), engineering implications (for example Cruden & Tsui 1991;Harris 1991;Hossain & McKinlay 1991;Matheson & Oliphant 1991;Skempton et al 1991) together with applied mapping of Quaternary terrains (for example Browne & McMillan 1991;Cornwell & McCann 1991). Both cold and temperate Quaternary conditions were discussed with summary papers reporting on the significant points presented (Fannin 1991;Little 1991;Muir-Wood 1991;Nash 1991;Petley 1991;Privett 1991).…”

Recharge: the key to groundwater pollution and aquifer vulnerability

“…Recent mapping of superficial strata, such as that reported by Browne & McMillan (1991) for the Glasgow area and elsewhere in Scotland, has attempted to provide the detail with which recharge distribution can be attempted, but areas so far covered are few. For the most part, site-specific investigations are necessary in areas where low-conductivity till is believed to be present.…”