The Quaternary history of the Somerset lowland, Mendip Hills and adjacent areas

Abstract

The sites described in this chapter were selected to document the extra-glacial development of the Somerset lowland, Mendip Hills and adjacent areas (Figure 9–1). This region has considerable potential significance, because it contains important and unique evidence for extra-glacial Quaternary environments. Especially important are the interglacial marine deposits of the Burtle Formation, the interstadial marginal marine Low Ham Member and the massive cold-stage gravel aggradations, possibly interstadial deposits and archaeological material of the Broom Gravel Pits in the Axe Valley. The northern and western parts of the region also contain extremely important examples of cold-stage periglacial, colluvial, aeolian and fan-gravel sedimentation and warm-stage palaeosol development.