The Tectonics of the Purbeck and Ridgeway Faults in Dorset

Abstract

The Ridgeway Fault may begin along the north margin of the Chaldon Anticline as mapped by Bristow (1855), but its existence there was doubted by Strahan. From the “bridge” at Holworth it certainly continues along the north margin of the Poxwell-Sutton Poyntz Anticline to Greenhill. Here it turns a double corner, the exact nature of which is problematical, and runs thence obliquely across and later along and parallel to the north limb of the Upwey Syncline to a point ½ mile west of Portisham, where it dies out in Kimeridge Clay. The total length from near Chaldon is 13 miles.