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Notes
Abstract: East-West trending inverted extensional fault systems offset Triassic to Lower
Jurassic strata close to the southern margin of the Bristol Channel basin along the north
Somerset coast. Field mapping, using exceptionally detailed aerial photographs, has
revealed a three phase tectonic evolution. (i) North South orientated stretching, resulting in
a well developed extensional fault system. The faults are segmented, linked by relay ramps
and horsetail toward their tips. (ii) North-South oriented compression, resulting in partial
inversion of the extensional fault system, with the development of hangingwall buttress
anticlines and zones of intense folding. (iii) North-South orientated compression, resulting
in NW-SE trending dextral and NE-SW trending sinistral strike-slip faults. Comparison of
hangingwall buttress anticlines exposed in North Somerset with similar larger scale
structures observed on seismic profiles from the Bristol Channel shows that both are directly
analogous. Correlation with regional data on the tectonic evolution southwest England, and
the Bristol Channel, indicates that extension occurred during the Jurassic-Lower
Cretaceous, and contractional inversion and strike-slip deformation during the Tertiary.
Exceptional coastal exposures of inverted ex- several orders of magnitude. In this study
tensional fault systems crop out along the outcrop scale structures are compared with
southern margin of the E - W trending Mesozoic larger scale structural geometries observed on
to Tertiary Bristol Channel basin, UK (Lloyd et seismic sections from the offshore Bristol
al. 1973; Kamerling 1979; Van Hoorn 1987) Channel basin.
(Fig. 1). Cliffs and wave cut platforms within the The Bristol Channel basin sits on a basement
Triassic/Lower Jurassic dominate several kilo- of Carboniferous limestones and Devonian
metres of the North Somerset coast, from east of sandstones and slates that were deformed by
Kilve to west of Watchet (Fig. 1). Cliffs are up to N-S oriented compression during the Variscan
50 m high and the unusually high tidal range in orogeny. The surface trace of the Variscan
the area (up to 12m) provides a wave cut Frontal Thrust lies to the north of the basin
platform width of up to 400 m at low tide and (Chadwick 1986; Lake & Karner 1987) (Fig. 1),
spectacular exposures of inverted extensional and this and other related thrusts give the
fault systems (Fig. 2). In this analysis, field basement a distinct E - W trending structural
mapping was undertaken using a detailed set of grain (Brooks et al. 1977; Chadwick et al. 1983;
aerial photographs to construct maps and cross Chadwick 1986; Donato 1988; Brooks et aI.
sections, in order to determine accurately the 3D 1988). Important phases of extension occurred
geometry of inverted extensional fault systems during the Permian (Anderton et al. 1979),
along 10 km of foreshore on the north Somerset Lower Jurassic and Upper Jurassic to Lower
coast at Kilve and Watchet (Fig. 1). Cretaceous (Kamerling 1979; Chadwick 1986;
Exposed faults have net displacements that Lake & Karner 1987; Karner et al. 1987). Uplift
range from the microscopic to up to 200 m, and and erosion followed in the Lower Cretaceous
those with the largest displacements would be with the development of the 'late Cimmerian
clearly resolved on seismic sections. However, Unconformity' (Chadwick 1986; Ruffell 1992).
most of the faults have net displacements of Inversion and erosion occurred during the
<20 m and would not be resolved using conven- Tertiary (Stoneley 1982).
tional seismic reflection techniques, but do Along strike, the Bristol Channel basin is
provide appropriate analogues for faults and divided by major N W - S E trending strike-slip
fault related deformation at the scale of an faults, such as the Sticklepath Fault (Holloway
individual hydrocarbon field. Many fault system & Chadwick 1986) (Fig. 1). A similar structure,
geometries are similar regardless of scale over the N W - S E trending Watchet-Cothelstone
5 °W 4 °W 3*W 2 *W
Fig. 1. Location of study areas together with the structural framework of southwest England. Compiled from Van Hoorn (1987) and Lake & Karner (1987). 1 & 2,
location of seismic sections illustrated in Fig. 10.
Fig. 2. Photograph looking W S W along the foreshore at Kilve at low tide. The well bedded Lower Lias limestones and shales are cut by three east-west striking down
to the north extensional faults. Photograph taken from the cliff top on cross-section line D - D' on Fig. 4.
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396 C . J . DART E T A L.
m LITHOLOGY
[~] Mudstone,
shale,siltstone
~ Limestone
j[~j Contorted
limestone
300 Division 5
Nodular
D evaporite
SEDIMENTARY
STRUCTURES
Ripples
Shrinkage
"-v-v- cracks
Division4 Evaporite
Restricted OOO pseudomorphs
shallow marine
(~ Burrows /
bioturbation
• • • Pyrite
200 FOSSILS
Division 3
/ix Bioclasts
~ Ammonites
A Bivalves
Division 2 Fish remains
~ Bonebed
COLOUR
~ ~ Shallow marine R. Red + green/grey
Westbury Fro. I~$1 ~agoon/embayment
Gn. Green/grey + grey
100 Gy. Grey
Blue Anchor Fm. j ~.~ J Marine sabkha
Fig. 3. Foreshore stratigraphy exposed in the Watchet and Kilve study areas. Compiled from Anderton etal.
(1979); Whittaker & Green (1983). Thicknesses of individual limestone beds in the Westbury Formation
through to the Lower Lias are schematic, the lithology column only illustrates the relative proportions of
limestones and shale/mudstones.
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Fault (Whittaker 1972) cuts the Watchet study Lias (up to 203 m exposed). Following earlier
area. These strike-slip faults were active during work by Whittaker & Green (1983), five
the Tertiary, when pull-apart basins were de- lithostratigraphic divisions, with varying mud-
veloped along the Sticklepath fault, and may stone/shale to limestone ratios, have been
have a history that extends back to the Variscan mapped in this study. There is no evidence of
orogeny. shallow water sedimentary structures and the
Lower Lias is bioturbated, contains ammonites,
thin shelled bivalves, fish remains and bioclastic
Triassic/Lower Jurassic stratigraphy of the debris. The bituminous shales are potential
hydrocarbon source rocks (TOC up to 18%,
North Somerset Coast average 2%; Cornford 1990). The general
The coastal exposures of inverted extensional depositional environment for these units is
fault systems of North Somerset deform the interpreted as a restricted marine sea, subject to
Triassic to Lower Jurassic stratigraphy summar- climatically controlled cyclical clastic input.
ized in Figure 3. The following summary is based Black shale deposition can be attributed to
on Whittaker & Green (1983), Anderton et al. planktonic blooms, leading to the creation of
(1979) and the authors' own observations. anoxic bottom waters.
The oldest strata exposed in foreshore out-
crop are red mudstones and siltstones of the
'Keuper Marl' (up to 85m exposed). These Geometries of inverted extensional fault
contain nodular beds and vein networks of systems
gypsum, and 1-2m thick levels of intra-
formational conglomerate and gypsum Maps and cross sections presented in Figs 4 and 5
cemented sandstones. Toward the top the red are extremely well constrained by foreshore
lithologies become inter-bedded with reduced exposure which commonly approaches 100%
grey/green beds. A playa lake environment of (Figs 2 & 6). The kinematic evolution of
deposition for these units has been suggested by individual faults is determined by combining
Tucker (1977). information such as stratigraphic offset, drag
The top of the 'Keuper' is defined by the folding, growth of fibrous vein fills, the orien-
topmost red coloured bed. This is overlain by tation of slickenfibres and meso-scale shear
alternating green/grey and dark grey mud/ bands. Contoured stereographic displays of
siltstones of the Blue Anchor Formation (Tea poles to fault sets are illustrated in Fig. 7a, b & c.
Green and Grey Marls) (26-31 m), which are
also rich in nodular and vein network gypsum.
Kilve
Marine fossils, desiccation cracks and burrows
occur, indicating deposition of these units in a The faults systems in the Kilve area are
marine sabkha. predominately exposed in Lower Lias strata.
The Blue Anchor Formation is conformably They lie within the hangingwall of a major E - W
overlain by inter-bedded light grey limestones, trending, north-dipping fault which crosses the
sandstones and dark grey shales of the Westbury foreshore to the west of Blue Ben (Fig. 4a), and
Formation (6-7 m), the boundary being marked preserves greater than 200m of net extension.
by the first limestone bed. Current ripples and The system is composed of an array of E-W-
shrinkage cracks are common, as are mono- trending north-dipping synthetic, and south-
specific bivalve assemblages and concentrations dipping antithetic faults with dips that generally
of bioclastic debris. The Westbury Formation range between 40 ° and 70 ° (Fig. 7a). In detail
also contains the Rhaetian bone beds (Whit- most faults with significant displacements are
taker & Green 1983). Further up section are formed by a zone of closely spaced offsets which
inter-bedded grey mudstones, siltstones and are usually less than a metre wide. Along strike,
limestones of the Lilstock Formation (Cotham faults are segmented. Individual segments are
and Langport Members) (4m). U-shaped bur- up to a few hundred metres in length. Displace-
rows occur. Deposition of these units is inter- ment on each segment is greatest at its centre
preted to have occurred in a shallow marine and dies towards its tip line both horizontally
lagoon or embayment and the bone beds may and vertically, where the fault trace may split
represent littoral deposits. into divergent strands or horsetails. Individual
The Triassic/Jurassic boundary occurs within segments interact along strike and may link,
the first few metres of the overlying inter-bedded either directly, or via relay ramps (see Peacock
grey mudstones, dark grey/black bituminous & Sanderson 1991), to form fault traces that are
shales and light grey limestones of the Lower up to several kilometres in length. Away from
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398 C. J. DART E T A L .
44 ~
/
14
4S /
10
/
14
J
15
/ N
(a) 1 Km
KEY
Fig. 4. (a) Maps of foreshore at Kilve illustrating partially inverted extensional, strike-slip fault systems,
(b) cross-sections. The maps are constructed from aerial photographs and have not been undistorted.
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S N
Key
A Blue Ben A'
X~ Extensional fault
0m
200 m
, , , -100
B Quantocks Head
-1 O 0 -÷
0m
-100
0m
-100
100
0m
-100
(b)
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T
44
','Z'Z'~'~'Z'~';'.'.'.'.'.'.'.-. BLUEANCHOR
.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.','.'.'.'.'." BAY
(a) l Km
l
KEY
~WESTBURY FM-
LOWER LIAS --JL_ Extensional fault
[-----]BLUEANCHORFM Partially inverted extensional fault
~ KEUPERMARLFM ----I----- Syncline trace
Anticline trace
Fig. 5. (a) Maps of foreshore at Watchet illustrating partially inverted extensional, strike-slip fault systems.
(b) cross-sections. The maps are constructed from aerial photographs and have not been undistorted.
areas of linkage, major faults have smooth plan Hut section, Fig. 4b) and shallow into shale-rich
and profile views at the scale of the illustrated levels where early steep faults are offset by
maps and sections. Some of the major faults bedding parallel slip.
exhibit listric profiles and associated roll-over In the Kilve area almost all the faults preserve
anticlines in cliff section (RN Range Quadrant net extensional displacements, but some exhibit
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S N
Key
A Blue Anchor Bay A'
,4 Partially inverted ,oo
extensional fault
N~ Extensional fault
200 m
I I I -100 _ I ~ ~ i ! i ! i
100
Om ' .:~........'-.-.~... . . . . . : .
Om
-100
(b) -lOO ~ ~ ; : ~
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Fig. 6. P h o t o g r a p h s of inversion related structures. (A) Reverse fault, Kilve; (B) hangingwall buttress
anticline, Kiive. Cliff exposure is approximately 30 m high; (C) intense hangingwall buttress folding, Watchet.
Si!i~iiiiiiiil;iii21111iiiiiii,
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C. J. DART ET AL.
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evidence of contractional inversion (Fig. 6a). Structures associated with contractional in-
The fault that cuts through the headland known version of the extensional faults are better
as Blue Ben in the Kilve area (Fig. 4a) has a displayed at Watchet than at Kilve. As at Kilve,
region of net contractional displacement (up to all of the major E - W trending faults (Fig. 7a)
15m), but this passes along strike to net preserve net extensional offsets and exhibit
extension (Fig. 4b). The fault just to the west of dip-slip/oblique-slip oriented slickenfibres inter-
Quantocks Head (Fig. 4a) has a hangingwall preted as the product of extension and contrac-
buttress anticline that verges toward the main tional inversion. The hangingwalls of the faults
fault (Fig. 6b) and is associated with hangingwall that bound the northern and southern margin of
vergent back thrusts. Within some fault zones the central horst display well developed buttress
there are strands with contractional offset and anticlines which verge toward the horst and
hangingwall and footwall contractional drag locally have overturned forelimbs (Fig. 5b).
folds adjacent to faults are relatively common. Buttress fold axial surfaces may dip as low as 20 ° .
Locally intense hangingwall buttress folding The intensity of buttressing on the southern
creates steeply dipping beds which extend up to margin of the horst is greatest in the centre of the
a few metres from the fault. Fold axes are study area and decreases to the east and the west
parallel to the main fault, but steep plunges give while on the northern margin it is greatest in the
the folds complex patterns in plan. On a broader east. The southern buttress folding is the most
scale the entire foreshore exposure is deformed complex with parasitic anticlines and synclines
into gentle elongate periclines and synclinal developed around the crest and a zone of intense
basins with shallow dipping limbs and plunges of folding immediately adjacent to the main fault
less than 5° . Bedding dips to the south are (Fig. 5b, Warren Bay section & Fig. 6c). The
generally more common and steeper, possibly buttress zones are also cut by numerous minor
reflecting an initial rotation toward the major faults, some at high angles to the main fault. The
Lower Lias bounding fault during extension. minor faults may have formed either prior to,
A N E - S W trending set of steeply-dipping together with, or after the folding.
sinistral strike-slip faults cross cut and offset The N W - S E trending Watchet-Cothelstone
steeply-dipping inverted extensional faults by up dextral strike-slip fault, and an attended set of
to a few metres (Figs 4a & 7b). Calcite faults with similar orientations (Fig. 7c), cross
slickenfibres preserved on their surfaces exhibit the foreshore in the Watchet study area
strike-slip/oblique-slip orientations. (Fig. 5a). It has a dip of 65 ° to the southwest and
offsets steeply dipping inverted extensional
faults, and their attendant buttress fold zones,
Watchet
laterally by up to 300 m. A drag fold zone, visible
The fault systems exposed at Watchet crop out at in map view, extends several metres from the
a lower stratigraphic level than those at Kilve, strike-slip fault trace. Associated with this fault
and offset the Keuper Marl through to the basal is a N N E - S S W trending sinistral strike slip fault,
portion of the Lower Lias (Fig. 5a). In places the also with an attendant drag zone, located on the
highly fractured and jointed Keuper Marl and outer foreshore to the east of Warren Bay
Blue Anchor Formation are shot through with (Fig. 5a). This structure has an antithetic re-
veins of remobilized gypsum. The zones of lationship to the Watchet-Cothelstone fault and
gypsum veining are abruptly bounded by certain is probably related to similar trending sinistral
stratigraphic horizons and faults. These prob- strike-slip faults exposed in the Kilve study area.
ably acted as permeability barriers, partitioning
regions of elevated pore fluid pressures during
Extension/inversion direction
burial in which hydro-fracturing and gypsum
precipitation took place. The extension/inversion direction for the Kilve
In the Watchet study area an E - W trending and Watchet study areas were determined using
horst, predominantly composed of Keuper Marl fault slip data (fault plane orientation, striae
and bounded by faults with net extensional lineation orientation and sense of slip). On most
displacement to the north and south, runs along faults along the north Somerset coast it is not
the length of the foreshore (Fig. 5a). To the possible to distinguish between calcite slicken-
west, the horst widens and the structure changes fibres generated during extension and those
from an anticline to a syncline, which is cut by generated by compression. Other kinematic
additional faults. The character of the faults is indicators (i.e. drag folds) indicate fault motion
broadly similar to those found in the Kilve area; on individual faults under both stress regimes.
they are also zones, segmented along their Therefore, it is only possible to calculate a
length and linked by relay structures. combined principle extension/inversion axes,
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N= 15 N= 184
C.I. = 2.0 s i g m a C.I. = 2.0 sigma
Fig. 7. Fault kinematic analysis of the Southern Bristol Channel basin. N, number of measurements used in
each plot. Both scatter and contour plots are shown on each projection. Combined extension/inversion axes
were calculated using the method of Marrett & Allmendinger (1990).
which is interpreted to be the product of both the There is minimal scatter in the combined axes
extensional and subsequent compressional within or between the study areas, or between
phase of deformation. The true principle exten- the dip-slip/oblique-slip E - W trending and
sion and principle inversion axes will lie within strike-slip/oblique-slip N W - S E and N E - S W
the range of the combined axes. trending faults. This indicates that, in general,
Combined principle extension/inversion axes all the faults measured essentially operated as a
were calculated for 184 faults using the m e t h o d coherent system during extension and com-
of Marrett & Allmendinger (1990) and the pression. However, a few of the E - W trending
results were contoured to provide an average faults do exhibit up to three separate sets of
axis, which is oriented N-S (004/184°; Fig. 7d). dip-slip/oblique through to strike-slip/oblique
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d,;
j
200 m
100~
j v
200m ]~ (b)
lO00m
KEY
orientations. This indicates that at least some of Watchet and Kilve study areas are summarized
the faults within the system have been reutilized in Fig. 8. Both study areas have a three phase
by different stress fields throughout their history. evolution (Fig. 9). An E - W trending extensional
fault system developed first, in response to
Tectonic evolution of the North Somerset broadly N-S orientated stretching. This fault
system then suffered contractional inversion in
coast
response to broadly N-S orientated com-
The three dimensional geometry of the inverted pression. This was followed by a phase of
extensional fault systems exposed in the N W - S E trending dextral, and N E - S W trending
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408 C. J. DART E T A L .
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
s C N
"~ e,.
e" 0
e- .~_
2 2
(a)
s C N
0 ~.:.., ,: ~-~-:- _~ ~.~=:~:=::::i=:=i==.===:ii :~i 'i : ;Wr-:I:IE:=I:~~====~=.==::;::<<I~=~I ~ 0
¢1
e- ._c
2~ 2
(b)
5 km
I I
Fig. 10. Seismic sections from the offshore Bristol Channel: (a) western profile, (b) eastern profile. Seismic
data courtesy of Geco Prakla Exploration Services. Sections located on Fig. 1. These inversion structures are at
a scale an order of magnitude greater than those exposed on the foreshore, but have a very similar geometry.
Sequence A, ?pre mid-Triassic; sequence B, ?mid-Triassic to lowermost Cretaceous; sequence C, Lower
Cretaceous (Aptian) to Upper Cretaceous.
sinistral, strike-slip faulting, also the result of On the western profile (Fig. 10a) three se-
N - S compression. quences can be identified. The deepest resolva-
ble sequence (A) is characterized by relatively
Bristol C h a n n e l seismic profiles continuous moderate amplitude reflectors ar-
ranged in a series of southward-tilted fault
Cross sections through the inverted extensional blocks, which are offset by steep, northward-
fault systems exposed in the Watchet and Kilve dipping faults with net extensional displace-
study areas (Figs 4b & 5b) are compared with ments. These reflectors are overlain by a
those observed on two offshore seismic profiles sequence (B) characterized by very continuous
from the Bristol Channel (Fig. 10). The profiles reflectors of moderate to high amplitude. The
lie to the north and west of the onshore study basal reflector of this sequence is a prominent
areas (Fig. 1) and are oriented N-S. angular unconformity which truncates the crests
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of the tilted fault blocks beneath. Sequence B mation in the Bristol Channel basin, but do not
lies within a broad parallel syncline that domi- constrain the geological age of these events,
nates the profile segment illustrated (Fig. 10a). other than that they all post-date deposition of
Both the southern and the northern margins of the youngest rocks exposed (Lower Jurassic-
this syncline are bounded by inward-dipping, Lower Lias). The ages of these events can,
partially inverted extensional faults, which ex- however, be deduced by considering areas
hibit buttress anticlines in their hangingwalls. where younger strata are preserved in southwest
The southern buttress anticline is asymmetric England (e.g. Chadwick 1986, 1993; Lake &
and verges toward the main fault with a steeply Karner 1987), and the Bristol Channel (Lloyd et
dipping forelimb. The northern anticline is more al. 1973; Kamerling 1979; Van Hoorn 1987; and
symmetrical. Both of these structures show the seismic data presented here). A regional
remarkable geometrical similarity with buttress tectonic evolutionary sequence is summarized in
anticlines exposed in the onshore study areas at Fig. 11.
Watchet (Watchet Harbour & Warren Bay
sections, Fig. 4b) and Kilve (Quantocks Head
Permian-Lower Cretaceous extension
section, Fig. 5b). However, the buttress zones in
the seismic profiles are up to 1 km in width, and Wedge thickening stratal geometries indicate
are thus approximately an order of magnitude several major phases of extension to the east of
larger than those exposed at Watchet and Kilve, the BristoI Channel basin, in the Wessex basin
which are generally up to 100m across. This (Stoneley 1982; Chadwick 1986; Karner et al.
emphasizes the geometrical scale independence 1987; Jenkyns & Senior 1991). These were
of inverted extensional fault systems. To the punctuated by periods of thermally related basin
north of the northern partially inverted ex- expansion and onlap of the surrounding Palaeo-
tensional fault, sequence B is cut by southward- zoic basement. In the Wessex basin the total
and northward-dipping faults with net ex- amount of extension achieved is up to 10-15%
tensional displacements and no evidence for (Chadwick 1993). The location of some major
contractional inversion. extensional faults appears to coincide with
Only a limited region of the third sequence important Variscan thrusts and it is now thought
(C) is preserved, which lies within the core of the that these thrusts were reutilized and inverted
parallel syncline (Fig. 10a). Elsewhere in the during extensional basin formation (Chadwick
survey a greater thickness of this sequence is 1986; Lake & Karner 1987) (Fig. l l a , b). The
preserved. It is characterized by continuous first phase of extension occurred during the
moderate amplitude reflectors which onlap Permian with the development of small inter-
truncated reflectors of the underlying sequence. montane basins (Anderton et al. 1979) (Fig. 1 lb)
On the eastern seismic profile (Fig. 10b), which are now exposed along the eastern margin
sequence A lies below the depth of seismic of the Cornubian Massif (Fig. 1). This phase of
resolution. The deepest resolvable sequence (B) extension may have contributed significantly to
is characterized by continuous to discontinuous, the formation of depocentres in which the
moderate to high amplitude reflectors that are Triassic strata exposed along the North Somer-
cut into a series of northward tilted fault blocks, set coast were later deposited. Permian de-
divided by southward dipping faults with net position commenced with a brief period of
extensional displacements. A buttress anticline volcanism (Exeter Volcanics), followed by allu-
is developed in the hangingwall of a major partly vial fan sandstones and conglomerates, and
inverted extensional fault close to the northern playa lake mudstones and siltstones (Edmonds
margin of the illustrated profile segment. This et al. 1975). Onshore exposures show that
has similar dimension to those of the western similar deposits laid down during the Triassic
profile. Similarly, the third sequence (C) is only spread beyond the basin margins (Chadwick
preserved as thin poorly resolved remnants. It is 1986). This phase of basin margin overlap can be
not possible to date these seismic sequences correlated with the boundary between se-
accurately as the sections are located far from quences A and B recognized in the segment of
any well control. seismic profile from the Bristol Channel illus-
trated in Fig. 10a.
The passage from the Triassic to Jurassic is
Discussion
marked by a regional transgression which can be
The field data from the North Somerset coast recognized throughout Europe (Anderton et al.
provide information on the relative timing of 1979) and is not associated with extensional
extension, contraction and strike-slip defor- basin formation. Triassic playa lake sedimen-
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S N
(a) VARISCAN (d) LOWER CRETACEOUS
<-
Fig. ll. Tectonic evolution of the Bristol Channel basin, modified after Roberts (1989).
tation gave way to Jurassic deposition in re- the result of a maximum of 2.4km of burial
stricted marine basins (Fig. 3). Wedge thicken- (Cornford 1986). This figure provides an esti-
ing stratal geometries provide evidence for a mate of the depth of the North Somerset
second phase of extension during the Lower exposures during extensional deformation, prior
Jurassic (Hettangian-Sinemurian) in both the to subsequent uplift and exhumation associated
Bristol Channel and western Wessex Basins with the later phase(s) of contractional in-
(Kamerling 1979; Chadwick 1986). However, version.
convincing evidence for this phase of extension
is not present in the Watchet and Kilve study
Lower Cretaceous~Tertiary inversion
areas.
Wedge thickening stratal geometries in the In the western Wessex and Bristol Channel
Bristol Channel and Wessex basins also provide basins the base of the Aptian Lower Greensand
evidence for a third, Upper Jurassic phase of Formation is marked by a prominent angular
extension (Kamerling 1979; Chadwick 1986) unconformity (Kamerling 1979; Chadwick 1986;
(Fig. llc). In the western Wessex Basin an Van Hoorn 1987; Lake & Karner 1987). This
important period of extension occurred during was created by pre-Lower Greensand broad
the deposition of the Upper Jurassic Kimmer- scale folding that may have been accompanied
idge Clay. In the Watchet and Kilve study areas by regional erosion (Fig. lld). This unconform-
the initial phase of extensional faulting may be ity is the boundary between sequences B and C
correlated with this regional phase of extension. on the seismic profiles from the Bristol Channel
This phase of extension is also interpreted to be (Figs 10a, b). Most of the Lower Cretaceous is
responsible for the faults with net extensional absent across the Bristol Channel basin, and was
displacement that cross cut sequence B in the either never deposited or has been subsequently
seismic profiles from the Bristol Channel (Figs eroded. Many of the faults that cut pre-Lower
10a, b). The Lower Lias black shales of the Greensand strata are truncated at the Aptian-
North Somerset coast have geochemical ma- Albian unconformity. Those that do transect the
turity indices that correspond with a vitrinite unconformity do not generate significant offsets
reflectance of 0.4%, which may be interpreted as in younger strata. The angular unconformity
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may be interpreted as a response to thermal occur at left stepping offsets (Bovey Tracey &
effects associated with the Bay of Biscay and Petrockstow basins; IGS 1979; Holloway &
North Atlantic opening during the Lower Cre- Chadwick 1986). The Eocene Lundy island
taceous (Lake & Karner 1987). granite which lies along the fault trace (50-
In the western Wessex and Bristol Channel 55Ma; Miller & Fitch 1962; Dodson & Long
Basins the pre-Lower Greensand unconformity 1962) (Fig. 1) may also be related to this phase of
is overlain by a significant thickness of Lower to deformation. Compressional deformation of the
Upper Cretaceous strata, including the Chalk pull-apart basin sediments (Bristow & Hughes
(Kamerling 1979; Chadwick 1986; Van Hoorn i971) indicates dextral reactivation of the
1987; Lake & Karner 1987) (Fig. l l e ) . Renewed Sticklepath fault after the Oligocene and the
deposition after the Lower Cretaceous phase of margins of an E-W trending Permian intermon-
folding and uplift may be related to thermal tane Crediton Trough (Fig. 1) are also offset
relaxation of the continental margin at the onset with a dextral sense.
of ocean floor spreading in the Bay of Biscay The Watchet-Cothelstone fault does not
(Pegrum & Mounteney 1978; Van Hoorn 1987), exhibit direct evidence for sinistral transpress-
combined with a high global sea-level stand. ion. It displays dextral offset where it crosses the
A Tertiary phase of inversion (Fig. 1lf) has Watchet study area. Dextral motion is also
been recorded in southwest England and is indicated by an important uplift (Compton
responsible for net contractional offsets and Valence dome; Chadwick 1993) between left
monoclinal folding at Upper Cretaceous levels stepping fault segments. The NW-SE-trending
in the Wessex basin (e.g. the Purbeck mono- strike-slip fault set exposed in the Watchet study
cline; Stoneley 1982; Chadwick 1993). Tertiary area exhibits dextral offset, and their NE-SW
basins were developed on what were Mesozoic trending antithetic counterparts, exposed at
footwall highs (Lake & Karner 1987). The total Watchet and Kilve, exhibit sinistral offsets.
amount of shortening across the Wessex basin is Slickenfibre orientations from the faults along
up to 2%, considerably less than the magnitude the north Somerset coast imply sinistral transten-
of extension (Chadwick 1993). Lake & Karner sion on NW-SE trending structures during the
(1987) suggest that inversion culminated in the Upper Jurassic extensional phase. Pull-aparts
Oligo-Miocene concurrent with the Helvetic along the Sticklepath fault also indicate sinistral
phase of Alpine deformation. Widespread rem- transtension on NW-SE trending faults during
ani6 deposits suggest that the Chalk may have the Oligocene. A phase of dextral transpression
been deposited over the entire region (Cornford on these faults is the final response to N-S
1986). Its subsequent removal during the Ter- directed contraction along the north Somerset
tiary is probably related to a combination of coast, and may be concurrent with post-
falling global sea level and inversion associated Oligocene compressional structures in pull-apart
uplift. basin sediments along the Sticklepath fault.