CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands 6.

SUB-MESOZOIC STRATIGRAPHY AND VARISCAN STRUCTURE UNDER THE INNER BRISTOL CHANNEL

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands 6.2 INTRODUCTION The ESE-WNW trending Bristol Channel Syncline (Evans & Thompson, 1979) deforming

6.1 ABSTRACT The Bristol Channel conceals major Variscan structures separating the two distinct onshore Palaeozoic terranes of South Wales and North Devon. Mapping of seismic reflectors from recently acquired data from the Bristol Channel has revealed two ESE-WNW striking thrusts within the Palaeozoic sequence. The more southerly, with a moderate SSW dip, has previously been identified as the Bristol Channel Thrust that was reactivated during the Mesozoic and developed as part of the Bristol Channel Fault Zone. In the west of the Inner Bristol Channel, it separates a southerly sub-Mesozoic sequence of mainly indistinct seismic character from a strongly reflective northern sequence. These have been postulated to be Devonian strata and Carboniferous Limestone respectively. Hence the Bristol Channel Thrust may be interpreted as the main Variscan structure separating the onshore Palaeozoic terranes. The other thrust, the previously undescribed Gravel Margin Thrust, occurs only in the eastern part of the Inner Bristol Channel and lies in the footwall of the Bristol Channel Thrust. It has a similar strike but steeper SSW dip and extends to anticipated basement depths. The Gravel Margin Thrust and Bristol Channel Thrust together are mainly responsible for the arrangement of the Palaeozoic rocks prior to Mesozoic reactivation. Seismic evidence will be presented here for the Gravel Margin Thrust. Further examination of the seismic sections in conjunction with onshore geological mapping along the North Devon coast shows that the Bristol Channel Thrust has an orientation and geometry typical of many minor thrusts observed at Foreland Point. In addition, an antiform at Foreland Point, displaying the geometry of a hangingwall anticline, strongly suggests the presence of at least one further thrust immediately offshore (the North Devon Coastal Thrust). Along-strike structural changes beneath the Inner Bristol Channel as indicated on the seismic reflection sections provide further evidence, in addition to earlier refraction studies, for the offshore continuation of the NW-SE trending Cothelstone Fault.

Mesozoic strata is situated between two Variscan terranes, the South Wales Coalfield foreland basin (Kelling, 1988) and the Culm thrust sheet top basin (Gayer & Jones, 1989; Fig. 6.1), of differing structure and stratigraphy (Gardiner & Sheridan, 1981). The Bristol Channel Syncline developed in Mesozoic strata conceals most of the underlying Upper Palaeozoic sequences (Brooks & James, 1975) which crop out along the coasts of North Devon and South Wales (BGS 1:50 000 sheets 276-278 Ilfracombe; 261/262 Bridgend). Most knowledge of Variscan structure beneath the Bristol Channel has resulted from geophysical investigations. Seismic evidence for thrusting in South West England has been presented by Chadwick et al (1983), Donato (1988), Brooks et al (1988) & Le Gall (1990, 1991).

A close network of commercial seismic reflection lines was shot by Merlin-GECO/PRAKLA in the Bristol Channel with dip sections extending N-S across the Inner Bristol Channel at about 4km intervals tied by 3 E-W trending strike lines at 5km intervals (Fig. 6.2).

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

Brooks et al (1988) presented seismic sections that provided evidence for the structure and normal reactivation of the Bristol Channel Thrust. It was proposed that the Bristol Channel Thrust juxtaposed the Devonian of North Devon and the Carboniferous Limestone of South Wales (Fig. 6.3). In this chapter seismic evidence for another thrust in the east, the Gravel Margin Thrust, will demonstrate that the onshore strata were juxtaposed by at least two offshore thrusts whilst in the west there is evidence for only the Bristol Channel Thrust. Geological surveys carried out in August 1990 along the coastal section from Lynmouth to Foreland Point (Fig. 6.1) revealed evidence for a further thrust offshore, the North Devon Coastal Thrust. A large variety of thrusts provide structural analogues for the offshore thrusting and are used to postulate a thrust origin for major offshore reflectors and, secondly, to assist speculation on the structural history including kinematics and amounts of displacement along offshore thrusts. Brooks et al (1993) give evidence for a major geological boundary at shallow depth in the hangingwall of the Bristol Channel Thrust which, depending on the interpretation of age of the boundary, constrains the combined displacement across the Bristol Channel and Gravel Margin Thrusts. A comparison of estimates of displacement based on onshore geology and seismic data is given. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-3 SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-4

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands Thus seismic data and complementary coastal sections are used to investigate the number, position and history of major offshore thrusts in order to obtain a better understanding of the reason for such contrasting stratigraphic sequences and deformation state across the Bristol Channel. Correlation of onland and offshore thrusts has not been attempted previously due to the demonstrable problem of the offshore continuation of the Cothelstone Fault postulated by Owen (1971), Al-Saadi (1976) & Llewellyn (1981). Brooks et al (1988) also illustrated a large number of closely spaced NW trending faults transecting the Mesozoic structure beneath the Inner Bristol Channel. Webby (1965) estimated a large pre-Triassic displacement along the Cothelstone Fault. Geological surveys in Somerset, of Mesozoic strata showing the postTriassic expression of the Cothelstone Fault, are combined with seismic data to determine whether the Cothelstone Fault also compartmentalises the Variscan structure or whether a correlation can be made between the Bristol Channel and Gravel Margin Thrusts in the west and the Cannington Park Thrust (Whittaker, 1975) in the east. 6.2.1 METHODOLOGY Seismic time structure maps are based on line drawings of prominent reflectors displayed on filtered and migrated sections. Typical sections and maps illustrating the structure beneath the Inner Bristol Channel are given in Enclosure 6. Reflectors were correlated and their geometry digitised to produce data point maps Appendix 6.1, contoured using software packages eg SURFER and UNIMAP to construct the time structure maps below. 6.3 VARISCAN STRUCTURE 6.3.1. SEISMIC EVIDENCE FOR OFFSHORE THRUSTS THE BRISTOL CHANNEL THRUST The Bristol Channel Thrust (Fig. 6.4) has an ESE strike and gentle to moderate SSW dip of 24-31 (Fig. 6.5). It is traceable at least from offshore areas north of Somerset to the Outer Bristol Channel, north of Lundy. There is some control on the footwall and hangingwall geometry associated with the Bristol Channel Thrust but no decisive seismic control on the amount of displacement across it. Reflectors on E-W strike sections beneath the southern part of the Inner Bristol Channel, interpreted as bedding, are truncated by the Bristol Channel Thrust. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-5

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands On N-S dip sections the Bristol Channel Thrust is sub-parallel to reflectors also representing bedding in the footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust and, more significantly, the thrust clearly truncates the North Ledge reflector (see below) which is postulated to represent a major normal geological boundary. The Bristol Channel Thrust is therefore a ramp.

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands The upward continuation of the Bristol Channel Thrust is a normal fault, the Bristol Channel Fault, intersecting the sea bed in the southern part of the Central Bristol Channel Fault Zone. The fault shows a normal southerly downthrow juxtaposing Upper Jurassic in the footwall and hangingwall across the Inner Bristol Channel (BGS 1:250 000 sheet 51N - 4W Bristol Channel).

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

THE GRAVEL MARGIN THRUST At a depth of 2km north of Foreland Point, the Gravel Margin Thrust (Fig. 6.4) occurs 3-4km north of the Bristol Channel Thrust in its footwall. It is traceable, offshore, only from north of Ilfracombe to north of Porlock. It has a moderate SSW dip of 26-40 (Fig. 6.6) and shows a thrust-flat geometry in relation to the moderately SSW dipping reflectors of the South Scarweather package defined in Fig. 6.9. The Gravel Margin Thrust continues upwards from a depth of 6km, at which depth Precambrian crystalline basement is predicted from seismic refraction studies (Brooks et al, 1983). The footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust contains a laterally restricted but prominent reflector. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-11 SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-12

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands The Gravel Margin Fault downthrows Upper Jurassic in the hangingwall against Lower Jurassic in the footwall in the eastern part of the Inner Bristol Channel (BGS 1:250 000 sheet 51N - 4W Bristol Channel). THE NORTH LEDGE REFLECTOR Seismic sections from the eastern part of the Inner Bristol Channel only to the south of the Gravel Margin Thrust show a reflection event in the hangingwall of the Bristol Channel Thrust. The event has a gentle dip of 12S to 9N and a strike which varies from WNW about 8km north of Woody Bay to ESE 4km north of Foreland Point (Figure 6.7). The reflector occurs at about 1.0s Two Way Travel Time, equivalent to a depth of about 2.5km.

The position of the reflector accords with the above basement depth. On a southern strike section the Gravel Margin Thrust rises gradually in structural level towards the east. The fault intersects the sea bed as the Gravel Margin Fault, 2km to the north of the Bristol Channel Fault within the northern section of the Central Bristol Channel Fault Zone. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-15 SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-16

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands Various possibilities for the nature of this reflector are: 1. tectonic boundary 2. stratigraphic boundary a. back thrust b. fore thrust a. unconformity b. formation boundary Seismic studies by Mechie & Brooks (1984) revealed a 6.2kms-1 refractor at a depth of about 2km beneath the North Devon coast. They interpreted the refractor as the boundary between Devonian and sub-Devonian. The sub-Devonian was modelled to be composed of a two-fold sequence corresponding to the 6.2km-1 layer of allochthonous basement and a hypothetical 5.75kms-1 lower layer. The upper and lower layers were thought to be separated by a thrust which may now be correlated with the recently discovered Bristol Channel Thrust. Brooks et al (1993) refer to the North Ledge reflector as 'reflector X' and correlate the event with the 6.2kms-1 seismic refractor. On the basis of a good agreement in the depth of occurrence of the North Ledge reflector (2.5km) and the seismic refractor (2km), Brooks et al (1993) infer that the event represents a major geological boundary between Precambrian basement or Lower Palaeozoic rocks and the Devonian observed onshore, both in the hangingwall of the Bristol Channel Thrust. The change in seismic character and discordance of reflectors above and below the North Ledge reflector within the allochthonous Foreland Ledge package supports the interpretation of the North Ledge reflector as an unconformity. A result of correlating the North Ledge reflector and seismic refractor is the identification of a regional interface dipping south beneath North Devon and north towards the Bristol Channel Thrust. Thus it is likely that the North Ledge reflector is not a simple Variscan thrust. The North Ledge reflector could however be interpreted as a folded thrust of the type found onshore in the Foreland Point section and nearby Lynton where evidence was only found for major fore thrusting. A northerly dip of the north part of the North Ledge reflector could have been acquired due to rotation brought about, for example, by the Variscan thickening of the hangingwall sequence of the Bristol Channel Thrust or by Mesozoic extension along the Bristol Channel and Gravel Margin Faults which resulted in northerly dips of up to 30 in the Mesozoic strata preserved in the hangingwall of the Bristol Channel Fault. If, however, the North Ledge reflector represents a fore thrust it has thrust low velocity rocks over high velocity rocks. Since there are no known rocks in the area younger than Precambrian basement of sufficiently high velocity (Mechie & Brooks, 1984), fore thrusting is unreasonable because younger rocks would have to have been thrust over older.

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands In common with Donato (1988), who interpreted north dipping seismic reflectors in the nearby Somerton anticline of Somerset as bedding, the North Ledge reflector is most reasonably interpreted as a stratigraphic boundary. The North Ledge reflector may even mark a sub-Devonian formation boundary or even the regional unconformity between the Cambrian and basal-Silurian of South Wales and the Welsh Borderlands (refer to Chapter 5). The speculative interpretation above is made between two areas of uncertain pre-Mesozoic geology. The prominent seismic signature of the North Ledge reflector differs from the weakly reflective boundary on the Vale reflection lines (Chapter 5). There is no decisive evidence for the southward continuation of the Cambrian-Silurian Unconformity other than the existence of an Early Palaeozoic landmass in North Devon, named Pretannia by Cope & Bassett (1987). In spite of these reservations, an implication of the North Ledge reflector representing the Cambro-Silurian unconformity is that a direct correlation can be made across the Bristol Channel and Gravel Margin Thrusts with the Vale reflection lines (Chapter 5). This would be possible only if the total displacement along the offshore thrusts is small.

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

6.3.2 STRUCTURAL EVIDENCE FROM THE FORELAND POINT SECTION THE NORTH DEVON COASTAL THRUST Examination of the structure along the Foreland Point section reveals, within the Middle Devonian Hangman Grits, an ESE-plunging antiform with an estimated wavelength of 4.5km extending from Lynmouth in the south to Foreland Point in the north, and ESE striking, moderately SSW dipping ramp thrusts with dips ranging from 20-44 and decametre-scale exposed lengths (Fig. 6.8). Slickenside lineations indicate a NNE directed transport. The fold profiles of decametre-scale wavelength ramp anticlines above the thrusts suggest, using bed-length balancing, a minimum shortening of 2m (10%) just due to folding. The striking similarity between the geometry of the mesoscopic anticlines and the major antiform suggests that this antiform may also represents a ramp anticline, to a major offshore thrust. 6.4 SUB-MESOZOIC SEISMIC PACKAGES Only fragmentary evidence exists for the nature of the Palaeozoic stratigraphic succession beneath the Inner Bristol Channel. However, seismic packages are recognisable which in some cases correlate with velocity units identified by seismic refraction surveys (Table 6.1).

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

The Palaeozoic can be subdivided into two groups here named the Southern and Northern sequences (Fig. 6.9). The two sequences, described below, contain all recognisable seismic packages which are separated by the Variscan thrusts defined earlier. The following packages are of particular interest in defining the structural boundary of the Upper Palaeozoic sequences observed onshore, to the north and south of the Bristol Channel: the Foreland Ledge package within the Southern sequence and the South Scarweather package within the Northern sequence. FORELAND LEDGE PACKAGE (composite package) The upper part of the Foreland Ledge package (thickness approx. 2km) is provisionally correlated with the Devonian strata along the North Devon coast due to its seismic signature, velocity from refraction surveys of 5.5kms-1, and structural position south of the Bristol Channel Thrust (Fig. 6.9) The Foreland Ledge package also appears to continue into the Devonian outcrop of North Devon. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-23 SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-24

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands Beneath the western part of the Inner Bristol Channel, the Foreland Ledge package contains prominent, north dipping, closely spaced reflectors which accord with the NNE dipping strata in the northern limb of the North Devon Anticline. The lower part of the Foreland Ledge package lying beneath the North Ledge reflector displays a different seismic character which consists of short discontinuous undulose reflectors extending down to 1.4s Two Way Travel Time (about 3-4km depth). This may represent a separate package within the southern sequence equivalent to allochthonous Precambrian basement, sub-Silurian or Siluro-Devonian strata.

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

SOUTH SCARWEATHER PACKAGE The prominent sequence of moderately southward dipping reflectors (Fig. 6.9, Fig. 6.10) constituting the South Scarweather package (750m) can be initially correlated with the Carboniferous Limestone after Brooks et al (1988).

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

Comparison of the offshore seismic sections with seismic reflection sections from the Vale of Glamorgan, which transect Carboniferous Limestone inliers, suggests that the reflective upper boundary of the South Scarweather package represents a horizon within middle-upper sections of the Chadian Gully Oolite of Waters & Lawrence (1987). SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-27 SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-28

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands The less reflective lower boundary lies within 100m of the expected base of the Carboniferous Limestone. The consequence of this correlation between seismic data and onshore stratigraphy is investigated below. Above the South Scarweather package the Middle Nash package (1250m) (Fig. 6.9) may, by analogy with the Carboniferous Limestone stratigraphy of inliers in the Vale of Glamorgan, and with the Upper Carboniferous stratigraphy observed along the south crop of the South Wales coalfield, consist of: 800m Upper Carboniferous 450m Arundian-Brigantian Limestone Using an estimated thickness for the Namurian succession along the south crop of the coalfield of 500m (George, 1970), it is possible that up to 300m of Lower and Middle Coal Measures occur in the footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust. If, however, the contact south of Tusker Rock between Westphalian and Carboniferous Limestone is typical of the Inner Bristol Channel there are probably more Coal Measure strata beneath the Inner Bristol Channel in the footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust. The absence of the South Scarweather package to the south of the Gravel Margin Thrust (Fig. 6.4) suggests that this structure, north of the Bristol Channel Thrust, is the boundary between the contrasting Upper Palaeozoic sequences beneath the eastern part of the Inner Bristol Channel. This tentatively points to the Mid Channel package as representing Devonian strata partly or wholly younger than the Foreland Ledge package. However it may equally result from a change in Carboniferous facies across the Gravel Margin Thrust. Alternatively, the Mid Channel package may represent Lower Palaeozoic strata beneath the Bristol Channel, following the suggestion of Mechie & Brooks (1984) for the seismic refractor of 5.95kms-1. However this refraction velocity is only an apparent velocity. If the effects of post-Variscan extension are removed from the Bristol Channel Thrust, subDevonian rocks are elevated closer to the surface. Even so, if Lower Palaeozoic rocks subcrop beneath Mesozoic strata in the footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust the Variscan displacement along the Gravel Margin Thrust must have been over 5km and must have been inverted by at least 2km. These estimates are based on correlation of the basement reflector in the footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust and the restored subcrop of near-basement rocks in the hangingwall and the difference in thickness of Mesozoic strata preserved on either side of the Gravel Margin Fault. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-29 ESTIMATES OF DISPLACEMENT

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands 6.5 ONSHORE ANALOGUES FOR THE OFFSHORE THRUSTS In the absence of deep boreholes and decisive seismic markers the onshore geology is investigated to establish a structural framework to assist with the interpretation of the Bristol Channel seismic data. The geometry and displacements of mesoscale thrusts and thrust related folds were studied between Minehead and Morte Point and, mainly, at Foreland Point to provide structural analogues for the offshore thrusts. Even though the large population of thrusts and good coastal exposure were ideal for this investigation, the application of the above approach to seismic interpretation is hindered by the following general observations: (i) the displacement along thrusts of similar geometry can differ dramatically eg, within imbricate fans. (ii) The displacement and geometry of individual thrusts and thrust related folds is variable. (iii) Shortening estimates defined from local sections may be unrealistic for regional evaluations. (iv) Estimates of displacement derived from regional analogues from western Europe can be orders of magnitude greater than estimates derived from scaling up displacements from local mesoscale structures. In spite of the above reservations, the implications of applying the structural method to the seismic data are investigated below. THE GRAVEL MARGIN THRUST The southern limb of the Foreland Point antiform is truncated by the Lynton Fault (Whittaker, 1978) which transports Lower Devonian Lynton Slates 2km NNE over Hangman Grits. The Lynton Fault has a moderate SSW dip similar to the Gravel Margin Thrust. The hangingwall of the Lynton Fault contains a sedimentary melange (Fig. 6.11) that is thought here to have developed during Early Devonian extension. This suggests that the Lynton Fault had a preVariscan movement history which would also be anticipated for the basement-related Gravel Margin Thrust. The basement-relation of the Gravel Margin Thrust is stressed here as a feature of the fault which may indicate that it had a pre-Variscan origin. Thus by analogy with onshore structures it is suggested that the Gravel Margin Thrust had a pre-Variscan movement history as well as a Mesozoic negative inversion.

The hangingwall anticline of the North Devon Coastal Thrust and associated minor structure involve shortening of about 50% deduced by line length balancing a NNE-SSW section between Lynmouth and Foreland Point. If this can be taken as an indication of thrust displacement, about 1km displacement is estimated over the 1km section with transport towards the NNE.

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands By analogy with the onshore thrusts, it can be inferred that the Bristol Channel Thrust also involves about 2km displacement less than the 3km displacement required to juxtapose the Carboniferous and the Devonian, and transports the Foreland Ledge package northwards over the Mid Channel package (see Fig. 6.9). This interpretation differs from earlier views where displacements on thrusts repeating a Palaeozoic sequence beneath the Inner Bristol Channel were inferred by Mechie & Brooks (1984) to greatly exceed 3km (after Bott & Scott, 1964).

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands In support of a displacement greater than 3km on the offshore thrusts, the North Ledge reflector may represent a level near basement at only 2km depth in the hangingwall of the Bristol Channel Thrust. Since basement occurs at the much greater depth of 6km in the footwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust a combined displacement of about 6km is calculated, assuming allochthonous and 'autochthonous' basement surfaces were at the same depth prior to Variscan thrusting i.e. any pre-Variscan faulting was minimal (see above for converse case).

6.6 THE COTHELSTONE FAULT The NW-SE trending Cothelstone Fault marks the south-west boundary of the Quantock Hills and separates the Variscan North Devon Anticline to the west from Somerton Anticline to the east. Near Watchet, the Cothelstone Fault has a 100m displacement in Triassic and Lower Jurassic strata and links with the E-W trending North Somerset coastal fault zone (Watchet Fault). A major splay of the Cothelstone Fault also continues north-westwards across the foreshore losing little displacement and thus probably continues offshore. OFFSHORE CONTINUATION Seismic refraction investigations (Al-Saadi, 1976; Llewellyn, 1981) provide evidence for the offshore continuation of the basement related Cothelstone Fault. Owen (1971) also proposed the offshore continuation of NW trending faults. The dextral displacement of 7-10km on the Cothelstone Fault interpreted from seismic refraction data accords with the pre-Triassic dextral displacement also determined by Webby (1965). The structure of the Devonian of the Quantock Hills (BGS 1:63 000 sheet 295 Taunton), bounded to the south-west by the Cothelstone Fault, is a major anticline known as the Somerton Anticline. The Somerton Anticline is interpreted as the dextral offset of the North Devon Anticline (Fig. 6.12). Measurements of displacement of the boundary between the Ilfracombe Beds and the Morte Slates on the southern limb of the Somerton Anticline suggest an apparent dextral strike-slip displacement of 9km assuming no dip-slip component. A The analogy between onshore and offshore structures, developed above, has the following implication for the interpretation of the offshore seismic data: the minimum total displacement of about 3km necessary to juxtapose the Carboniferous strata of the South Wales Coalfield and the Devonian of North Devon is likely to be greater than the shortening on any one offshore Variscan thrust. This is indirect evidence for the presence of a series of thrusts occurring below the Bristol Channel. SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-31 SEISMIC INTERPRETATION, BRISTOL CHANNEL Page 6-32 similar value is obtained from measuring the offset across the Cothelstone Fault of the axial trace of the North Devon and Somerton Anticlines. Donato (1988) stated that the Somerton Anticline also folds Triassic-Jurassic strata, as a result of the reactivation of a Variscan thrust. This suggests that the displacement values above are a summation of Variscan and postVariscan strike-slip movement.

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands (ii) In contrast to sections in the west, the Bristol Channel Thrust is poorly imaged to the east of the Cothelstone Fault extension. The Bristol Channel Fault occurs about 2km to the south of the along-strike position predicted from seismic sections to the west. (iii) To the east of the Cothelstone Fault the South Scarweather package has a complex geometry and is found at a greater depth than the uniformly SSW dipping package to the west of the extrapolated fault line. The South Scarweather package also occurs to the south of the along-strike position predicted from the western structure. Observations (ii) and (iii) above relating to the along-strike position of seismic reflectors may also be explained by the occurrence of a dextral displacement along the Cothelstone Fault within the sub-Mesozoic strata. The extrapolated Cothelstone Fault extends beneath the Inner Bristol Channel and runs parallel to the north-west trending coastline of the Vale of Glamorgan and may link with the similarly trending Merthyr Mawr Fault (BGS 1:50 000 sheet 261/262 Bridgend) east of Porthcawl and west of Ogmore (Fig. 6.1). A geological survey at Nash Point showed evidence for NW & N-S trending strike-slip and extensional faults which may be the Mesozoic 'stemstructure' expression of the Variscan 'root-fault'. In consequence, the Cothelstone Fault may compartmentalise as well as substantially offset the Variscan structure beneath the Inner Bristol Channel. 6.7 DISCUSSION ON STRATIGRAPHY The validity of the interpretation of the Southern sequence as being solely Devonian is in question if a major dextral movement is inferred along the offshore continuation of the Cothelstone Fault. From extrapolations across the Cothelstone Fault, using displacements

Both the deep basement-relation and large estimates of displacement along the Cothelstone Fault suggest a substantial offshore length for the fault. A rapid lateral change in Variscan structure on seismic reflection sections from the eastern part of the Inner Bristol Channel also suggests that the Cothelstone Fault extends northwestwards offshore from Watchet:

stated above, the North Devon Anticline is correlated with the Somerton Anticline which is suggested to represent the major hangingwall anticline of the Cannington Park Thrust containing Carboniferous Limestone and Millstone Grit in the footwall (after Whittaker, 1975). This suggests that the hangingwall of the Bristol Channel Thrust also contains Carboniferous strata which remain undetected on the seismic sections. In the absence of decisive seismic or borehole data the alternative stratigraphic interpretations,

(i) The Gravel Margin Thrust and the North Ledge reflector are not imaged to the east of an extrapolation of the Cothelstone Fault line.

that the hangingwall of the Gravel Margin Thrust consists of either Devonian or Lower Palaeozoic strata, both remain viable.

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands 6.8 CONCLUSIONS The South Wales Coalfield foreland basin and Culm thrust sheet top basin of Devon were juxtaposed by a series of Variscan thrusts beneath the Bristol Channel: the North Devon Coastal Thrust; the Bristol Channel Thrust and the Gravel Margin Thrust. The fault zone beneath the Inner Bristol Channel has been reactivated a number of times (possibly from Devonian to post-Late Jurassic times.) The structure beneath the Inner Bristol Channel varies laterally across the offshore continuation of the Cothelstone Fault.

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

APPENDIX 6.1

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

Le Gall, B., 1990. Evidence of an imbricate crustal thrust Powell, C.M., 1989. Structural controls on Palaeozoic basin evolution and inversion in south-west Wales. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 146, pp. 439-446.

REFERENCES

Chadwick, R.A., Kenolty, N. & Whittaker A., 1983. Crustal structure beneath southern England

belt

in

the southern British Variscides:

contributions of South-Western Approaches Traverse (SWAT) deep seismic reflection profiling recorded through the English Channel and the Celtic Sea. Tectonics, 9(2), pp. 283-

Al-Saadi, R.H., 1976. Seismic studies of the geological structure in the Inner Bristol Channel area. Ph.D. thesis, University of Wales (unpubl.).

from deep seismic reflection profiles. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 140, pp. 893-911.

Waters, R.A. & Lawrence, D.J.D., 1987. The geology of the South Wales Coalfield Part 3: The Country around Cardiff, 3rd edn. Memoirs of the British Geological Survey, Sheet 263 (England

Cope, J.C.W. & Bassett, M.G., 1987. Sediment sources Bott, M.H.P. & Scott., 1964. Recent geophysical studies In south-west England, in Present Views on Some Aspects of the Geology of Cornwall and Devon, pp. 25-44, Blackford, Truro, Cornwall. Donato, J.A., 1988. Possible Variscan thrusting beneath Brooks, M., Hillier, B.V. & Miliorizos, M., 1993. New seismic evidence for a major geological boundary at shallow depth, N Devon. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond. 150, pp. 131-135. Evans, D.J. & Thompson, M.S., 1979. The geology of the central Bristol Channel and the Lundy area, Brooks, M. & James, D.G., 1975. The geological results of seismic refraction surveys in the Bristol Channel, 1970-1973 South Western Approaches, British Isles. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 90(1), pp. 1-14. the Somerton Anticline, Somerset. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 145, pp. 431-438. and Palaeozoic history of the Bristol Channel area. Proceedings of the Geologists'

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Le Gall, B., 1991. Crustal evolutionary model for the Variscides of Ireland and Wales from SWAT seismic data. Journal of the Geological Society, London, Vol. 148, pp. 759-774.

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Webby, B.D., 1965. The stratigraphy and structure of the Devonian rocks in the Quantock Hills, west Somerset. Proceedings of the Geologists'

Llewellyn, D.J., 1981. Geophysical Investigation of the Deep Structure of the Bristol Channel and South Wales. Ph.D. thesis; University of Wales (unpubl.).

Association, 76, pp. 321-44.

Whittaker, A., 1975. Namurian strata near Cannington Park, Somerset. Geol. Mag., 112, pp.325-6 (corresp.).

Mechie, J, & Brooks, M., 1984. A seismic study of deep geological structure in the Bristol Channel area, SW Britain. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc., 78, Whittaker, A., 1978. Discussion of the gravity gradient across Exmoor, North Devon. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 135, pp. 353-4 (corresp.).

Brooks, M., Mechie, J. & Llewellyn, D.J., 1983. Geophysical investigations in the Variscides of South-west Britain, in the Variscan Fold Belt in the British Isles, edited by P.L. Hancock, pp. 186-197, A. Hilger, Bristol, 1983.

Gayer, R.A. & Jones, J., 1989. The Variscan foreland in South Wales. Proceedings of the Ussher Society, 9, pp. 177-179.

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Owen, T.R., 1971. The structural evolution of the Bristol Channel. Proc. geol. Soc. London., 1664, pp.

Wilson, D., Davies, J.R., Smith, M. & Waters, R.A., 1988. Structural controls on Upper Palaeozoic sedimentation in south-east Wales. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 145, pp. 901-914.

Hartley, A.J. & Warr, L.N., 1990. Upper Carboniferous foreland basin evolution in SW Britain.

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Kelling, G., 1988. Silesian sedimentation and tectonics Brooks, M., Trayner, P.M. & Trimble, T.J., 1988. Mesozoic Reactivation of Variscan thrusting in the Bristol Channel area, UK. Jl. geol. Soc. Lond., 145, pp. 439-444. in the South Wales Basin: a brief review. In: Besly, B. & Kelling, G. (eds.), Sedimentation in a Synorogenic Basin Complex: the Upper Carboniferous of North-west Europe. Blackie, Glasgow and London, pp. 38-42.

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CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

FIGURE CAPTIONS

CHAPTER SIX Tectonic Evolution of the Bristol Channel borderlands

Fig. 6.7 A-G. Seismic time structure maps and 3D constructions of the North Ledge reflector beneath the Inner

Fig. 6.1 Sketch map of the Bristol Channel Borderlands (modified from Hartley & Warr, 1990) showing the location of the South Wales Coalfield (SWC), the North Devon Basin (NDB), the Culm Basin (CB) and the Mesozoic Bristol Channel Syncline (BCS). Locality key: 1. Morte Point; 2. Ilfracombe; 3. Woody Bay; 4. Lynmouth; 5. Foreland Point; 6. Lynton; 7. Porlock; 8. Minehead; 9. North Devon Anticline; 10. Somerton Anticline; 11. Merthyr Mawr Fault; 12. Porthcawl; 13. Ogmore. Symbol key: (P-T) Permian-Tertiary, (UC) Upper Carboniferous, (D-LC) Devonian-Lower Carboniferous, (Pc-LPz) Precambrian-Lower Palaeozoic, (G) Granite. [1] geological boundary; [2] fault lines and fold axial traces; [3] example of a major thrust; [4] major fault; [5] axial traces of the North Devon and Somerton Anticlines.

Bristol Channel. (A) Line contour map. (B) Colour contour map. (C) 3D perspective of map and sub-surface time structure. (D) Enlarged 3D construction viewed from the north. (E) Enlarged 3D construction viewed from the south. (F) Smoothed SURFER 3D construction viewed from the north and (G) viewed from the south.

Fig. 6.8 A-E. Decametre-scale ramp thrusts deforming beds within the Hangman Grit Formation along the Foreland Point section. A,B & D show clear evidence for ramp thrusting. (C) shows a metre length thrust with a sub horizontal dip but ramp geometry in relation to the steeply dipping bedding in the footwall. (E) shows a reoriented ramp thrust with a downward facing hangingwall anticline plunging steeply.

Fig. 6.2 Network of commercial seismic reflection lines shot in the Bristol Channel by Merlin-GECO/PRAKLA (modified from Brooks et al, in press). The location of sections presented in Chapters 6 & 7 is shown.

Fig. 6.9 A & B. Interpreted seismic sections showing the sub-Mesozoic seismic packages beneath the Inner Bristol Channel. Key: Southern sequence: A. Foreland Ledge package, lower and upper layers; B. Mid Channel package. Northern sequence: C. Middle Nash package.; D. South Scarweather package.

Fig. 6.3 A & B. Seismic structure of the Bristol Channel Thrust (BCT) juxtaposing the Devonian of North Devon (Dv) and Carboniferous Limestone of South Wales (CL). The arrows highlight reflectors of interest and the square symbols locate the Devonian and Carboniferous sequences. Fig. 6.10 A-G. Seismic time structure maps and 3D constructions of the South Scarweather package. (A) Line contour map. (B) Colour contour map. (C) Map and 3D construction viewed from the south-west and (D) viewed from the east. (E) Enlarged 3D construction. (F) Generalised map. (G) Detailed SURFER contour map showing Fig. 6.4 A-D. Interpreted seismic sections from the Inner Bristol Channel showing the structure of the Gravel Margin Thrust (GMT), the Bristol Channel Thrust (BCT) and the North Ledge reflector (NLR). Sections C (153) and D (153A) present the original seismic data with reflectors of interest being highlighted by arrows. It is unclear on D whether the GMT is present, due to noise. Fig. 6.11 A & B. Sedimentary melange containing sandstone clasts in the hangingwall of the Lynton Fault observed along the Foreland Point section. only the well constrained area.

Fig. 6.5 A-G. Seismic time structure maps and 3D constructions of the Bristol Channel Thrust. (A) TWTT line contour map of the BCT, with a contour interval of 0.4s. (B) Colour TWTT contour map showing the geometry of the thrust; (yellow) near surface, (red) moderate depth, about 2km, (blue) deep, about 4.5km. (C) 3D perspective construction of the sub-surface and plan time structure of the BCT in relation to the coasts of South Wales and North Devon. (D) Enlarged 3D perspective construction of the time structure of the BCT showing an offset of the fault in the east. (E) Generalised SURFER software package time structure map of the BCT in the Inner Bristol Channel. (F) Detailed SURFER time structure map of the minimal area possible, containing all data points. (G) Smoothed SURFER 3D construction of the BCT. NB the grid references for all maps and sections relate to marine co-ordinates of the Inner Bristol Channel.

Fig. 6.12 Sketch map of the Somerton Anticline and eastern part of the North Devon Anticline showing the dextral offset of the fold axial trace across the Cothelstone Fault. Key: (LPzc) Lower Palaeozoic, (LB) Lynton Beds, (LQB) Little Quantock Beds, (HG) Hangman Grits, (IB) Ilfracombe Beds, (MS) Morte Slates, (PDS) Pickwell Down Sandstone, (CL) Carboniferous Limestone, (UC) Upper Carboniferous. 1. fault, 2. geological boundary, 3. coastline, 4. fold axial trace.

Table 6.1 Description of the seismic signature of the sub-Mesozoic packages beneath the Inner Bristol Channel.

Marios Miliorizos 26 March 2007

th

Fig. 6.6 A-H. Seismic time structure maps and 3D constructions of the Gravel Margin Thrust. (A) Line contour map. (B) Colour contour map. (C) 3D perspective of map and sub-surface time structure. (D) Enlarged 3D construction. (E) Generalised map. (F) Blanked SURFER contour map showing only the well constrained area including all data points. (G) Blanked 3D SURFER construction of the time structure. (H) Detailed 3D SURFER construction highlighting a lateral ramp in the eastern part of the structure.

File name: PhD Chapter 6 Six

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