Pleistocene gravels of the River Axe in south-western England, and their bearing on the southern limit of glaciation in Britain

Abstract

SummaryThe source of far-travelled pebbles in the Pleistocene gravels of the lower Axe is investigated. Reference is made to the possible introduction of far-travelled material by glacial meltwater, flowing into the basin of the Axe through a ‘gap’ in the present watershed at Chard. Gravels of the lower Axe are described and compared with gravels of the upper Axe and of neighbouring streams. Far-travelled material is found in almost all of the gravels examined. The source of the material is identified in early Tertiary gravels which occur within the present basins of the rivers in question. A glacial origin for the far-travelled material is rejected.