Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Brecon Beacons

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Landscapes and Landforms of England and Wales

Part of the book series: World Geomorphological Landscapes ((WGLC))

  • 1545 Accesses

Abstract

The Brecon Beacons of central and southern Wales offer the opportunity to explore a range of geomorphological processes, particularly those relating to the rapid climate changes associated with the period subsequent to the Last Glacial Maximum. The mountains present some of the best preserved evidence in the British Isles of the interplay between glacial, periglacial and paraglacial processes, associated with conditions of marginal glaciation, and provide the most southerly evidence of Younger Dryas/Loch Lomond Stadial glaciation of Britain. The absence of evidence for landscape evolution in the region prior to the Last Glacial Maximum has recently begun to be addressed through insights derived from the subterranean geomorphology of limestone found in the south of the region. As one of the key sites of the early Industrial Revolution, the Brecon Beacons also preserve a unique landscape of anthropogenic (or even anthropocenic) geomorphology associated with large scale coal and iron extraction.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Barclay WJ, Davies JR, Humpage AJ, Waters RA, Wilby PR, Williams M, Wilson D (2005) Geology of the Brecon district—a brief explanation of the geological map. Sheet Explanation of the British Geological Survey. 1:50000 Sheet 213 Brecon (England and Wales) p 38

    Google Scholar 

  • Bickerdike HL, Evans DJA, Ó Cofaigh C, Stokes CR (2016) The glacial geomorphology of the Loch Lomond Stadial in Britain: a map and geographic information system resource of published evidence. J Maps 12:1178–1186

    Google Scholar 

  • Bickerdike HL, Evans DJA, Stokes CR, Ó Cofaigh C (2018) The glacial geomorphology of the Loch Lomond (Younger Dryas) Stadial in Britain: a review. J Quat Sci 33:1–54

    Google Scholar 

  • Bevins RE, White SC, Robinson D (1996) The South Wales Coalfield: low grade metamorphism in a foreland basin setting? Geol Mag 133:739–749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blieck A, Elliott DK (2017) Pteraspidomorphs (Vertebrata), the Old Red Sandstone, and the special case of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK. Proc Geol Assoc 128:438–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen DQ (1973) The Pleistocene history of Wales and the borderland. Geol J 8:207–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr S (2001) A glaciological approach for the discrimination of Loch Lomond Stadial glacial landforms in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales. Proc Geol Assoc 112:253–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Evans DJA, Porter EM, Rea BR (2007) An alternative interpretation of Craig y Fro based on mass-balance and radiation modelling. In: Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Humpage AJ, Shakesby RA (eds) Quaternary of the Brecon Beacons: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, London, pp 120–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr SJ, Lukas S, Mills SC (2010) Glacier reconstruction and mass-balance modelling as a geomorphic and palaeoclimatic tool. Earth Surf Proc Landf 35:1103–1115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cocks LRM, Woodcock NH, Rickards RB, Temple JT, Lane RD (1984) The Llandovery series of the type area. Bull Brit Mus (Natural History), Geology 38:131–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman CG (2007) Landscape interaction with climate change: the Lateglacial of the Usk Valley, South Wales. Unpubl PhD thesis, Oxford Brookes University, p 453

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman CG, Carr SJ (2007) Deglaciation of the middle Usk valley and the role of tributary glaciers. In: Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Humpage AJ, Shakesby RA (eds) Quaternary of the Brecon Beacons: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, London, pp 201–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman CG, Carr SJ (2008) Complex relationships between Younger Dryas glacial, periglacial and paraglacial landforms, Brecon Beacons, South Wales. Proc Geol Assoc 119:259–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coleman CG, Carr SJ, Parker AG (2009) Modelling topoclimatic controls on palaeoglaciers: implications for inferring palaeoclimate from geomorphic evidence. Quat Sci Rev 28:249–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curry AM, Morris CJ (2004) Lateglacial and Holocene talus slope development and rockwall retreat on Mynydd Du, UK. Geomorphology 58:85–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards D, Richardson JB (2004) Silurian and Lower Devonian plant assemblages from the Anglo-Welsh Basin: a palaeobotanical and palynological synthesis. Geol J 39:375–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis-Gruffydd ID (1977) Late Devensian glaciation in the upper Usk basin. Cambria 4:46–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Environment Agency (1998) Rural Usk LEAP consultation report. Cardiff, Environment Agency Wales, p 41

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans DJA (2016) Landscapes at the periphery of glacierization–retrospect and prospect. Scot Geogr J 132:140–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farr G, Naughton O, Sadasivam S, Kendall R, Saville J, Bowring A (2016) The hydrology of an ephemerally flooded doline: Pwll-y-Felin, South Wales, UK. Cave Karst Sci 43:41–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrant AR, Smith CJM, Noble SR, Simms MJ, Richards DA (2014) Speleogenetic evidence for a pre-Devensian glaciation in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales, UK. J Quat Sci 29:815–826

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunn J (2012) Assessment of Mynydd Langynidr as a potential site of special scientific interest. Limestone Research and Consultancy Ltd. Report 2012/13. Commissioned by the Countryside Council for Wales, Contract Number ES01700, p 35

    Google Scholar 

  • Haigh MJ (1979) Ground retreat and slope evolution on plateau-type colliery spoil mounds at Blaenavon, Gwent. Trans Inst Brit Geogr 4:321–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haigh MJ (1980) Slope retreat and gullying on revegetated surface-mine dumps, Waun Hoscyn, Gwent. Earth Surf Proc 5:79–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haigh MJ (2000) Soil stewardship on reclaimed coal-lands. In: Haigh MJ (ed) Reclaimed land: erosion control, soils & ecology. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 165–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Howells MF (2007) British regional geology: Wales. British geological survey, Keyworth, p 230

    Google Scholar 

  • Humpage, AJ (1992) The late Quaternary history of part of the middle and lower Usk Valley. Unpubl BSc Thesis, University of Liverpool

    Google Scholar 

  • Humpage AJ (2007) The bedrock geology of the Brecon Beacons and Usk Valley. In: Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Humpage AJ, Shakesby RA (eds) Quaternary of the Brecon Beacons: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, London, pp 2–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansson KN, Glasser NF (2008) Modification of peripheral mountain ranges by former ice sheets: the Brecon Beacons, southern UK. Geomorphology 97:178–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall RS (2017) The Old Red Sandstone of Britain and Ireland—a review. Proc Geol Assoc 128:409–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsen S, Vaughan IP, Ormerod SJ (2009) Scale-dependent effects of fine sediments on temperate headwater invertebrates. Freshwater Biol 54:203–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leighton D (2012) The Western Brecon Beacons. The archaeology of Mynydd Du and Fforest Fawr (2nd ed). Cambrian Printers, Cardiff, p 180

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis CA, Thomas GSP (2005) The Upper Wye and Usk Regions. In: Lewis CA, Richards AE (eds) The Glaciations of Wales and adjacent areas. Logaston Press, Herefordshire, pp 101–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Marriott SB, Hillier RD (2014) Fluvial style in the Lower Old Red Sandstone: examples from southwest Wales, UK. Proc Geol Assoc 125:534–547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan P (2005) Wales: an illustrated history (2nd ed). The History Press, Stroud, p 360

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen G (1995) Senni Beds of the Devonian Old Red Sandstone, Dyfed, Wales: anatomy of a semi-arid floodplain. Sed Geol 95:221–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Owen G (2017) Origin and significance of soft-sediment deformation in the Old Red Sandstone of central South Wales, UK. Proc Geol Assoc 128:422–430

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton H, Hubbard A, Glasser NF, Bradwell T, Golledge NR (2013) The last Welsh Ice Cap: Part 1: modelling its evolution, sensitivity and associated climate. Boreas 42:471–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palmer AP, Rose J, Lowe JJ, Walker MJC (2008) Annually laminated Late Pleistocene sediments from Llangorse Lake, South Wales, UK: a chronology for the pattern of ice wastage. Proc Geol Assoc 119:245–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsay T (2017) Fforest Fawr Geopark—a UNESCO Global Geopark distinguished by its geological, industrial and cultural heritage. Proc Geol Assoc 128:500–509

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahlin EAU, Glasser NF, Jansson KN, Hambrey MJ (2009) Connectivity analyses of valley patterns indicate preservation of a preglacial fluvial valley system in the Dyfi basin, Wales. Proc Geol Assoc 120:245–255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shakesby RA (2002) Classic Landforms of the Brecon Beacons (Classic Landforms Guide 13). Geographical Association, Sheffield, p 48

    Google Scholar 

  • Shakesby RA, Matthews JA (1993) The Loch Lomond Stadial at Fan Hir, Mynydd Du (Brecon Beacons), South Wales: critical evidence and palaeoclimatic implications. Geol J 28:69–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shakesby RA, Matthews JA (1996) Glacial activity and paraglacial landsliding in the Devensian Lateglacial: evidence from Craig Cerrig-gleisiad and Fan Dringarth, Fforest Fawr (Brecon Beacons), South Wales. Geol J 31:143–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shakesby RA, Matthews JA (2007) Craig y Fro: origin of the depositional features. In: Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Humpage AJ, Shakesby RA (eds) Quaternary of the Brecon Beacons: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, London, pp 114–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Shakesby RA, Matthews JA (2009) Comments on Jansson, K.N., and Glasser, N.F. (2008) Modification of peripheral mountain ranges by former ice sheets: the Brecon Beacons, southern UK. Geomorphology 97, 178–189. Geomorphology 110:217–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Shakesby RA, Coleman CG, Carr SJ (2007) Quaternary Landscape Evolution. In: Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Humpage AJ, Shakesby RA (eds) Quaternary of the Brecon Beacons: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, London, pp 14–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Simms MJ, Farrant AR (2011) Landscape evolution in southeast Wales; evidence from aquifer geometry and surface topography associated with Ogof Draenen cave system. Cave Karst Sci 38:7–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Symonds WS (1872) Records of the Rocks: or notes on the geology, natural history and antiquities of North and South Wales. John Murray, London, Devon and Cornwall, p 433

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas GSP (1997) Geomorphology of the Middle Usk Valley. In: Lewis SG, Maddy D (eds) The Quaternary of the South Midlands and the Welsh Marches: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, Cambridge, pp 49–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas GSP, Humpage AJ (2007) The glacial geomorphology of the lower and middle Usk valley. In: Carr SJ, Coleman CG, Humpage AJ, Shakesby RA (eds) Quaternary of the Brecon Beacons: field guide. Quaternary Research Association, London, pp 161–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker MJC (1982) The Lateglacial and Early Flandrian deposits at Traeth Mawr, Brecon Beacons, South Wales. New Phytol 90:177–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker MJC, Coope GR, Sheldrick C, Turney CSM, Lowe JJ, Blockley SPE, Harkness DD (2003) Devensian Lateglacial environmental changes in Britain: a multi-proxy record from Llanilid, South Wales, UK. Quat Sci Rev 22:475–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wellman CH, Thomas RG, Edwards D, Kenrick P (1998) The Cosheston Group (Lower Old Red Sandstone) in southwest Wales: age, correlation and palaeobotanical significance. Geol Mag 135:397–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright VP, Vanstone SD (2001) Onset of Late Palaeozoic glacio-eustasy and evolving climates of low latitude areas: a synthesis of current understanding. J Geol Soc London 158:579–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, University of Cumbria, Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA22 9BB, UK

    Simon Carr

Authors
  1. Simon Carr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Simon Carr .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford University, Oxford, UK

    Andrew Goudie

  2. Institute of Geography and Regional Development, University of Wrocław, Wroclaw, Poland

    Piotr Migoń

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Carr, S. (2020). The Brecon Beacons. In: Goudie, A., Migoń, P. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of England and Wales. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38957-4_30

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation