A reconnaissance of the superficial deposits of the Kale Water, Cheviot Hills, Roxburghshire

Abstract

This report was prepared by Dr Wishart Mitchell, University of Durham on behalf of the British Geological Survey (BGS). It describes a brief study to assess and characterise the superficial deposits and landforms of the district around the Kale Water, Hownam, Roxburghshire. The area mapped forms part of 1:63360 scale Sheet Scotland 18 (Morebattle) which was previously surveyed by James Geikie and published by the Geological Survey of Scotland in 1883. No Survey memoir was prepared for this district although Geikie published a series of informal papers in 1886. The study took the form of a two-week field reconnaissance (August-September, 2003), preparation of two 1:10 000 scale field maps (NT71NE and NT71SE) and a literature review. The report presents the results of the survey and describes the superficial deposits and weathered bedrock of the district with reference to logged natural and temporary sections. It also makes recommendations for future research and mapping. The field maps and images including photographs of sections and landscapes have archived at BGS Murchison House Edinburgh. Notable features of the district include the widespread distribution of weathered bedrock and periglacial deposits. Combined with the paucity of well-developed glacial landforms these features make it difficult to set out a regional glacial history. A modern regional synthesis and stratigraphical review could be achieved with a mapping exercise covering a larger area utilising detailed sedimentological analysis, sampling for dating and an assessment of published OSL dates