The Quaternary geology of the Solway

Abstract

This report describes results of a resurvey of the Quaternary landforms and deposits in the cross-border area of eastern Dumfries and Galloway and northern Cumbria, around the inner Solway Firth. The work was carried out under the BGS Geology and Landscape (Scotland) programme and predecessor programmes, by a multidisciplinary team of geologists and Quaternary specialists. The Solway Project was initiated in 1998 to resurvey the Quaternary geology of the Solway lowlands. Field Survey was undertaken between 1998 and 2000, and two special 1:50 000 sheets (Solway West and Solway East) depicting superficial deposits and simplified bedrock were published in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Prior to this survey, published Geological Survey maps of the district were based on surveys carried out in the 1880s (Dumfriesshire) and the 1920s (Cumbria), when understanding of both the Quaternary and bedrock geology was limited. It was acknowledged by the BGS that there was a requirement for up-to-date geological data for a range of applications