Southern Region Chalk Group Lithostratigraphy: The North Downs (Robinson, 1986) - Dover Chalk Formation

The Dover Chalk Formation (stratotype: Akers Steps [TR 297 394]), 66.9 m thick at Akers Steps, comprises very nodular chalk with marl seams in the lower part, overlain by essentially non-nodular chalk with marl seams and occasional flints, passing up into more regularly nodular and flinty chalk with marl seams (Robinson, 1986). Three subdivisions are recognised, and in ascending order are: Shakespeare Cliff Member, Aycliff Member and Akers Steps Member (Robinson, 1986). The base of the formation is marked by the lithological change from soft, marly Plenus Marls Formation to the hard, nodular chalk at the base of the Dover Chalk Formation, and the top is the base of the Crab Bay Marl, which marks the base of the overlying Ramsgate Chalk Formation (Robinson, 1986).

Macrofossil Biozonation: (M. geslinianum Zone (pars); Wood, 1993), N. juddii Zone, Mytiloides spp. Zone (sensu Wood, 1996) & T. lata Zone (pars) (Robinson, 1986)

Correlation: see Correlation with other lithostratigraphical schemes for the Southern Region

see Correlation with other UK regions

References

ROBINSON, N D.1986. Lithostratigraphy of the Chalk Group of the North Downs, southeast England. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, Vol. 97, 141-170.

WOOD, C J. 1993. The Plenus Marls and Melbourn Rock of the Chilterns and north Hertfordshire in the context of successions in southern England. Br. Geol. Surv. Technical Report, WH/93/120R.

WOOD, C. J. 1996. Upper Cretaceous: the Chalk Group. In SUMBLER, M. G., British Regional Geology: London and the Thames Valley. Fourth Edition. (London: HMSO for the British Geological Survey)

See: marl, flint, Shakespeare Cliff Member, Aycliff Member, Akers Steps Member, Plenus Marls Formation, Dover Chalk Formation, Crab Bay Marl, Ramsgate Chalk Formation.