Geo-research
Appreciating, conserving and promoting Somerset’s diverse geology
Geo-research
Bibliography
The late Hugh Prudden, former secretary of the Somerset Geology Group (SGG), compiled a Bibliography of Somerset Geology up to and including 1997. SGG member, Andy Gordon, took on updating it for us in 2023 and the latest version can be found here.
The current version incorporates references mentioned in the later years of Hugh Prudden’s SGG newsletters (to c 2010); others that we came across during the LGS review (2016-2022); relevant to Somerset from the Ussher Society journal (1958 to 2022); and from Bath Geological Society journal (1982 to 2023).
There are currently almost 1,700 references to Somerset Geology and it is still being updated as of July 2025. If there are any references you would like adding please let us know at somersetgeology@gmail.com
Somerset is indeed of great importance in the world of Geology!
Recent research
Below are references and links to some recent research papers since 2022:
2025
Basell, L.S Toms, P.S Norman, C Hosfield, R Tanner, P Wood, J and Brown, A.G. 2025. Resolving the late Pleistocene (MIS3–1) sedimentary sequence from Doniford, UK: Implications for British-Irish ice sheet extent, megafaunal history and hominin occupation. Quaternary Science Reviews, Volume 368, Pages TBC.
Somerset Geology Group. 2025. Yeovil in Stone. Yeovil Town Council
Peacock, D.C.P. 2025. The certainty matrix for fault data and interpretations. Geothermics Volume 125. (The use of this approach is illustrated using three faults from Somerset)
Salisbury, J Grocke, D.R McKie, T Ashleigh Cheung, H.D.R and Raine, R. 2025. Sulfur isotope (δ34S) stratigraphy of evaporites: Application to the UK Triassic. Earth Science Reviews, Volume 266.
Chandler, R and Cresta, S. 2025. New records of ammonites from the Lower Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) of England and Italy. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association. Volume TBC, Issue TBC, Pages TBC.
Weeks, O.J. Cooper, R.C. Whiteside, D.I. Duffin, C.J. Copp, C. Hildebrandt, C. Hutchinson, D and Benton, M. 2025. Microvertebrates from a Rhaetian neptunian dyke at Holwell, Somerset: Dating the fissures. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association. Volume 136, Issue 4
Cooper, S.L.A Jacobs, M Ferrari, L and Martill, D.M. 2025. Skull roof anatomy of the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) acipenseriform Gyrosteus mirabilis Woodward ex Agassiz, from Yorkshire, England, elucidates diversity of Chondrosteidae. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 136, Issue 3
Lee, J.R. 2024. Refining the known extent of major onshore Quaternary glaciation in the UK — Types of evidence, nomenclature and uncertainty. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 136, Issue 3
2024
Howson, M.P Tucker, M.E and Whitaker, F.F. 2024. A Triassic semi-arid upland community of herbaceous ferns and rhizophagous arthropods evidenced by trace fossils in rhizogenic calcrete pedorelicts from SW England. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. Volume 625.
Hounslow, M.W and Andrews, J.E. 2024 . Improved chronostratigraphy and fine-tuned timing for Late Triassic palaeoenvironmental changes in SW Britain using coupled magnetic polarity and carbon isotope stratigraphy. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. Volume 656.
Cawthorne, M Whiteside, D.I and Benton, M.J. 2024. Latest Triassic terrestrial microvertebrate assemblages from caves on the Mendip palaeoisland, S.W. England, at Emborough, Batscombe and Highcroft Quarries. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association. Volume 135, Issue 1, Pages 105-130.
Chandler, R.B. 2024. Bajocian stephanoceratid ammonites and their stratigraphy from Dorset, UK, with reference to the work of András Galácz. Bulletin of the Hungarian Geological Society. 154/2, Pages 177–194.
Vitóna,I Comas-Rengifoa,MJ, Duarte,LV and Goy, A. 2024. Biochronostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of Echioceratidae (Ammonitina) from the Raricostatum Zone (Aplanatum Subzone) in NW Iberia. Geobios, Volume 86, Pages 65-87 (this paper references Somerset)
Geologists’ Association Guide No. 78. Geology of the Bristol Region. Compiled and edited by S. Lewis. Guide Series Editor: S. B. Marriott The Geologists’ Association (2024). ISBN 978-1-9996757-8-3. (322 pp., spiral binding, card cover).
Newell, A Woods, M and Graham, R. 2024. UK Stratigraphical Framework Series: Lias Group. British Geological Survey National Programme Open Report OR/24/16.
Penn, S Hart, M.B. & Price, G.D. 2024. A new record of coleoid arm hooks from the lowermost Jurassic of Lilstock, Somerset. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association. Volume 135, Issue 4, Pages 486-491.
Simms, M.J and Drost, K. 2024. “Caves, dinosaurs and the Carnian Pluvial Episode: Recalibrating Britain’s Triassic karst ‘fissures’. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. Volume 638.
There is an accompanying video featuring Mike Simms about the Carnian Pluvial Episode. The film was made in late 2023 and the film crew visited several sites in the Mendips.
2023
Chandler, R.B Dietze, V Chiarini, R and Whicher, J. 2023. Ammonites and stratigraphy of the “Wild Bed” (Middle Jurassic, Aalenian, Inferior Oolite) at Quarr Hill, Chideock, Dorset. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 134, Issue 3, Pages 283-313 (References Bradford Abbas i.e. right on the Somerset border).
Deep geothermal resource assessment of early carboniferous limestones for Central and Southern Great Britain – ScienceDirect. Geothermics Volume 109.
Hazell, Z Last, J Campbell, G Corcoran, J and Fluck, H. 2023. Quaternary palaeoecology and the historic environment: Challenges and opportunities for preserving England’s wetlands. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 134, Issue 4, Pages 458-475
Jeram, A.J Simms, M.J Hesselbo, S.P and Raine, R. 2023. Carbon isotopes, ammonites and earthquakes: Key Triassic-Jurassic boundary events in the coastal sections of south-east County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 134, Issue 1, Pages 1-24. (Correlation is established between the well-studied sections in north Somerset).
Newell, A.J and Peacock, D.C.P. 2023. The Isle of Wedmore relay ramp: how fault evolution created King Alfred’s historic landmark. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 134, Issue 3, Pages 314-321.
Tayler, J Duffin, C.J Hildebrandt, C Parker, A and Benton, M.J. 2023. Geology and microvertebrate faunas of the Rhaetian Westbury Formation of Doniford Bay, Somerset. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 134, Issue 2, Pages 166-182.
King, A Foster, J and Evans, D. 2023. The Cockercombe Tuff: an exclusive building stone from the middle Devonian of the eastern Quantock Hills. Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society. Proceedings Volume 167. Pages 153-157.
2022
Howson, M.P Tucker, M.E and Whitaker, F.F. 2022. Rare preservation of Triassic pedorelicts with biogenic traces from a hot semi-arid upland palaeoenvironment at Portishead, SW England. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 133, Issue 6, Pages 572-588.
Parfitt, S.A and Preece, R.C. 2022. New palaeontological evidence suggests an early Middle Pleistocene age for the lower levels of Sun Hole Cave, Cheddar, Somerset, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association Volume 133, Issue 2, Pages 162-175.
Dawson, G.J Burley, S.D. Ruffell, A. Benton, M.J. and Duffin, C.J. 2022. A new exposure of the North Curry Sandstone Member (Dunscombe Mudstone Formation, Mercia Mudstone Group: Carnian, Triassic), near Taunton, Somerset (UK): The location of Charles Moore’s vertebrate specimens resolved. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, Volume 133, Issue 6, 2022, Pages 526-537.
On-line access and libraries
Many geo-research papers can now be found on-line, although sometimes requiring membership of the relevant society, especially for newly published papers. Back issues of Geoscience in South-West England (the Proceedings of the Ussher Society) can be found on its web site at https://ussher.org.uk/journal. Geological papers within the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society can be found on its web site at https://sanhs.org/digital-proceedings/.
The most comprehensive collection of books and journals relating to the geology of Somerset is probably that held at the Somerset Heritage Centre. Many of its books and journals are open access, but there is limited seating space, so check its web site for information on how to arrange a visit. You can look at its on-line catalogues first. You may find some titles held in libraries more locally to you and/or you may need to order some older titles from its store.
British Geological Survey Publications
The British Geological Survey (BGS) has a Geology of Britain viewer on its website that can also be downloaded as an app to a mobile device. It is a compilation of the geological mapping by the BGS that has been carried out over many years, and can help you to identify the different geological formations beneath the part of Somerset you are visiting, including information on their ages and how they were formed.
The BGS Lexicon can also be useful – it can help you to identify the contemporary equivalent name for formations that were formerly differently named.
Regional Guides – Somerset is covered by two BGS Regional guides:
Edmonds, E.A.; McKeown, M.C.; Williams, M.; Dewey, H. 1985 South-west England. British Regional Geology Guide. Fourth edition, reprinted in 1985 with additional references. This covers the west and central parts of Somerset. Available on line via the BGS Text Viewer
Green, D.W. 1992. Bristol and Gloucester region. British Regional Geology series. Third edition. This covers Somerset east of a north-south line through Bridgwater plus the coast to Watchet further west. It is available both as a printed version and on line.
Maps – As well as the BGS Viewer mentioned above, the BGS has over the years published a range of maps that can be explored via its maps portal at https://www.bgs.ac.uk/information-hub/bgs-maps-portal/ . The sheet numbers with their name covering Somerset at the 1: 50,000 scale (England and Wales series) are shown below and a search will also reveal any earlier versions (often at the former 1:63,360 scale). A scanned copy of each map is available, plus information on the surveyors contributing and the dates of their surveys.
Memoirs – Most, but not all of these 1:50,000 map sheets have an accompanying written explanation, published either as a full BGS ‘Memoir’ or sometimes as a shorter explanation. These can mostly now be found under the BGS Text Viewer. Look for the England and Wales series, which can then be searched by, for example, the map sheet number. The following are the latest published Memoirs for the BGS map sheets covering Somerset, listed in map-sheet order (but note that there may be older editions and other types of reports for some areas).
Sheet 277 Ilfracombe – Edmonds, E. A., Whittaker, A., and Williams, B. J. 1985. Geology of the country around Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. BGS Memoir for 1:50,000 geological sheets 277 and 293
Sheet 278 Minehead – Edwards R A, 1999. The Minehead district — a concise account of the geology. BGS Memoir for 1:50,000 Geological Sheet 278 and part of sheet 294
Sheet 279 Weston-super-Mare – Whittaker, A. and Green, G. W. 1983. Geology of the country around Weston-super-Mare. BGS Memoir for 1:50,000 geological sheet 279, New Series, with parts of sheets 263 and 295
Sheet 280 Wells – Green, G.W. and Welch, F.B.A. 1965 Geology of the country around Wells and Cheddar. BGS Memoir, explanation of one-inch geological sheet 280
Sheet 281 Frome – none
Sheet 293 Barnstaple – covered by the same Memoir as for Sheet 277 Ilfracombe, see above.
Sheet 294 Dulverton – none except a small part covered in the Memoir for Sheet 278 Minehead, see above.
Sheet 295 Taunton – Edmonds, E. A. and Williams, B. J. 1985. Geology of the country around Taunton and the Quantock Hills. BGS Memoir for 1:50,000 geological sheet 295
Sheet 296 Glastonbury – none.
Sheet 297 Wincanton –Bristow, C R, Barton, C M, Westhead, R K, Freshney, E C, Cox, B M, and Woods, M A. 1999.The Wincanton district – a concise account of the geology. BGS Memoir for 1:50,000 Geological Sheet 297 (England and Wales)
Sheet 310 Tiverton – none.
Sheet 311 Wellington – Scrivener, R C, Booth, S J, Burt, C E, Ellison, R A, Hamblin, R J O, Hollick, L M, and Royse, K R. 2014. Geology of the Wellington district —a brief explanation of the geological map. BGS Sheet explanation 1:50,000 Sheet 311 Wellington NB There is no full ‘modern’ Memoir available, but the original 1906 Memoir by Ussher, W.A.E. 1906. The geology of the country between Wellington and Chard. Explanation of sheet 311 (with contributions by HB Woodward and AJ Jukes-Browne) BGS Memoir E311 is available digitally at https://webapps.bgs.ac.uk/data/publications/publication.html?id=19865250
Sheet 312 Yeovil – Wilson, V Welch, FBA Robbie, JA and Green, GW. 1958. Geology of the country around Bridport and Yeovil. BGS Memoir for 1:50,000 geological sheets 327 and 312.
Other BGS information – There is also a wide range of other information on the BGS website – not all technical and with new material being added regularly – so it is well worth a browse to see what is available. This includes borehole data, educational resources and archival material. For example, the original field work for the published 1:50,000 (and former 1:63,360 scale) maps was largely undertaken by recording the geology on Ordnance Survey base maps at the 1:10,560 (or later 1:10,000) scale, cut to fit a standard field-mapping case. The BGS has now also made these hand drawn field/fair copy maps at the1:10,560 scale available through its maps portal. See Geological Survey of England and Wales County Series 1:10,560 maps – Somerset
Page last revised July 2025.
Calcareous Grit in Church, South Chard
