Culm Stratigraphy and the Age of the Main Orogenic Phase in Devon and Cornwall

Abstract

AbstractThe major stratigraphic divisions of the Carboniferous rocks of Devon and Cornwall are characterized and new terms suggested to replace those of W. A. E. Ussher. It is shown that there is in South Devon and Cornwall a major unconformity separating an uncleaved group of post-orogenic Carboniferous strata (Ugbrooke Group) from underlying Devonian and Carboniferous with slaty cleavage. It is argued that the Ugbrooke Group is younger than any strata hitherto thought to be present in the Carboniferous of South-West England, and that the major orogeny is either Malvernian or Asturic in age.