Northampton sand
Encyclopedia
The Northampton Sand, sometimes called the Northamptonshire Sand is a geological formation
of Jurassic
age found in the East Midlands
of England
. Particularly in the twentieth century, it has been of economic importance as a source of iron ore, but is now worked much less.
The Northampton Sand Formation constitutes the lowest part of the Inferior Oolite Series and lies on the upper Lias clay. It attains a maximum thickness of up to 21 metres (68.9 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
it is at about 50 metres (164 ft) from the surface. It fades out under north Lincolnshire
as the strata rise towards the Market Weighton Axis
.
Fossil
s found in it indicate that it dates from the early Bajocian
(beginning 171.6 million years ago) and formed in an extensive, shallow sea on the northwestern margin of the London-Brabant Massif.
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
of Jurassic
Jurassic
The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Mya to Mya, that is, from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic era, also known as the age of reptiles. The start of the period is marked by...
age found in the East Midlands
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of the regions of England, consisting of most of the eastern half of the traditional region of the Midlands. It encompasses the combined area of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and most of Lincolnshire...
of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Particularly in the twentieth century, it has been of economic importance as a source of iron ore, but is now worked much less.
The Northampton Sand Formation constitutes the lowest part of the Inferior Oolite Series and lies on the upper Lias clay. It attains a maximum thickness of up to 21 metres (68.9 ft) to the north and west of Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
where it lies in a subterranean basin. In the south, it fades out around Towcester
Towcester
Towcester , the Roman town of Lactodorum, is a small town in south Northamptonshire, England.-Etymology:Towcester comes from the Old English Tófe-ceaster. Tófe refers to the River Tove; Bosworth and Toller compare it to the "Scandinavian proper names" Tófi and Tófa...
. Northward from the edge of the basin in the upper Lias, under Northampton, it lies progressively lower beneath the Jurassic
Jurassic
The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Mya to Mya, that is, from the end of the Triassic to the beginning of the Cretaceous. The Jurassic constitutes the middle period of the Mesozoic era, also known as the age of reptiles. The start of the period is marked by...
Lincolnshire limestones. A little to the north of Corby Glen
Corby Glen
Corby Glen is a village in southwest Lincolnshire, England.-Geography:The village of Corby Glen is in South Kesteven District in Lincolnshire. It lies mainly to the north of the A151, a former toll road, and to the east of the West Glen River, near where the Glen flows through a small graben in...
it is at about 50 metres (164 ft) from the surface. It fades out under north Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
as the strata rise towards the Market Weighton Axis
Market Weighton Axis
The Market Weighton Axis is a geological feature which forms the south-eastern part of Yorkshire, England. The feature goes under a number of names such as 'block' or 'area' while the name of the town, Market Weighton is retained...
.
Fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
s found in it indicate that it dates from the early Bajocian
Bajocian
In the geologic timescale, the Bajocian is an age or stage in the Middle Jurassic. It lasted from approximately 171.6 Ma to around 167.7 Ma . The Bajocian age succeeds the Aalenian age and precedes the Bathonian age....
(beginning 171.6 million years ago) and formed in an extensive, shallow sea on the northwestern margin of the London-Brabant Massif.