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Systematic fissuring of a matrix-dominated lodgement till at Church Wilne, Derbyshire, England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

E. Derbyshire  and
P. F. Jones
E. Derbyshire
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, University of Keele, Keele, Staffordshire
P. F. Jones
Affiliation:
Geology Division, School of ScienceDerby Lonsdale College of Higher Education, Kedleston Road, Derby
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Summary

A set of sub-vertical curving fissures in a Pennine-derived lodgement till of Wolstonian age is described from Church Wilne near Derby. The fissures are at least 5 m long and curved (radius of curvature c. 3 m) in both vertical and horizontal planes, the concavity facing SE in the direction of regional ice movement. The origin of the structures is considered in the light of a review of modes of formation of structural discontinuities in till. Origins due to stress relief following excavation, desiccation, frost action, direct ice push, ice-core meltout, compaction of the substrate and shear failure are rejected. It is proposed that the fissures were produced by point loading of a frozen till surface by englacial (basal) boulders which provided periodically high compressive stresses and induced tensional failure. Analogous fissures occur in a Devensian lodgement till in the Wirral peninsula in Cheshire. It is concluded that curved fissure sets are localized features of lodgement tills but that they may be quite widely distributed.

Type
Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 117 , Issue 3 , May 1980 , pp. 243 - 254
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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