Lithostratigraphical framework for Carboniferous successions of ...

acknowledgements
This report is the result of much discussion and lively debate
within the BGs regarding the formulation of a comprehensive
hierarchical lithostratigraphical scheme for the onshore
successions of Great Britain. in 1999 dr peter allen (assistant
director, BGs) requested that the chairmen of the established
stratigraphical Framework Committee, mike Browne
(midland valley of scotland), Nick Riley (Namurian of the
pennines) and Brian Young (Carboniferous of the scottish
Borders and northern england) investigate the possibility of
producing a uK wide subdivision of dinantian and Namurian
lithostratigraphy at the group level. Following a meeting held
on 11 th June 1999 a top-down approach, defining groups by
broad lithological facies was proposed, and schematic
correlation figures were generated to indicate the distribution
of the main lithofacies types. This proposal forms the basis of
the subsequent scheme proposed within this report. This
scheme was further modified at meetings held on 12 th
v
december 2000 to discuss the lithostratigraphy in the scottish
Borders and northern england, and on 31 st January 2001 to
discuss the lithostratigraphy of southern Britain. Both
meetings were chaired by Robert Knox (BGs stratigraphy
Committee chair). it was accepted that additional expertise
was required to complete the lithostratigraphy of southwest
england, so a further meeting was held on 21 st October 2004.
Those attending the three main meetings have been credited
as contributors to the report.
The authors of the report acknowledge the contribution of
many others in BGs who have offered constructive advice.
The comments of dr John Collinson, dr Chris Cleal and the
external reviewers, dr sarah davies (university of Leicester)
and dr Bernard Besly (ichron Ltd.) are also acknowledged.
audrey Jackson is thanked for editing the report and Lauren
Noakes is thanked for the drafting of the figures.