The Tectonic Development of the Western Weald in Lower Cretaceous Times

Abstract

Modern detailed stratigraphical studies have demonstrated very clearly the long and involved tectonic history of the majority of the main structural units of England. It has been proved that, in certain areas, the thickness and the lithology of the sediments were partly determined by repeated pene-contemporaneous folding along definite axes, and thus it has been possible to trace the gradual growth of some of the main fold lines of the country. The Weald is typical of these areas, whose structure, at first sight simple enough, reveals on closer study much complexity of the minor folding and faulting and also gives evidence of long continued movement along certain lines; movement contemporaneous with the deposition of beds which were involved in the final crescendo of tectonic activity.