- Northampton sand
The Northampton sand, sometimes called the Northamptonshire sand is a geological formation found in the
East Midlands ofEngland . Particularly in the twentieth century, it has been of economic importance as a source ofiron ore , but is now worked much less.The formation constitutes the lowest part of the
Inferior Oolite Series and lies on the upper Lias clay. It attains a maximum thickness of up to 21 metres to the north and west ofNorthampton where it lies in a subterranean basin. In the south, it fades out aroundTowcester . Northward from the edge of the basin in the upper Lias, under Northampton, it lies progressively lower beneath theJurassic Lincolnshire limestones. A little to the north ofCorby Glen (TF0027) it is at about 50 metres from the surface. It fades out under northLincolnshire as the strata rise towards theMarket Weighton Axis .Fossil s found in it indicate that it dates from the earlyBajocian (beginning 171.6 million years ago) and formed in an extensive, shallow sea to the north-west of theLondon-Brabant Island .Commercial exploitation
There is a description of the twentieth century exploitation of the Northampton sand for iron-smelting in the Wellingborough article.
References
*Kent, P. & Gaunt, G.D. "British Regional Geology Eastern England to The Wash" (1980) ISBN 0-11-884121-1
*Hains, B.A. & Horton, A. "British Regional Geology Central England" (1969) ISBN 0-11-880088-4
*British Geological Survey "1:50 000 Series. Stamford. Sheet 157" Solid & Drift Edition (1978)
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