Draft of Ely article Geology and topography section
West Cambridgeshire is made up of middle Mesozoic Era rocks from the Jurassic system whilst East Cambridgeshire consists of the upper Mesozoic Era from the Cretaceous system. The high ground forming the Isle of Ely is from a lower division Cretaceous system known as Lower Greensand which is capped by Boulder Clay; all local settlements are on similar islands such as Stretham and Littleport. These islands rise above the surrounding flat tracts of land from the Jurassic system of partly consolidated clays or muds.[1] Kimmeridge Clay beds dipping gently west occur under the Lower Greensand of the area, exposed for example about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Ely in the Roswell Pits.[2] The Lower Greensand is partly capped by glacial deposits which form the highest point in East Cambridgeshire rising to 85 feet (26 m)* above sea-level in Ely.[3]
References edit
- Notes
- ^ Marr (1967) [1938] p. 1
- ^ Marr (1967) [1938] p. 9
- ^ Ely (S&D) (Map) (Based on 1st series 1:50000 map part of sheet 173 – 1974 ed.). 1:50000. British Geological Survey. 1980. § 173. ISBN 0751805734.
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- Bibliography
- Marr, J E (1967) [1938]. "Chapter 1: Geology". In Salzman, L F (ed.). The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely. Vol. 1. London: for The University of London Institute of Historical Research reprinted by Dawsons of Pall Mall. pp. 1–33.
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