From the 13th century to the end of the 19th century Wheatley’s rocks were exploited for multiple uses including the quarrying of building stone, brick-making and the production of ochre. The extensive exposures so created have allowed geologists the opportunity to study the sediments in more detail than is usually possible.
As a result, Wheatley has become a site of geological controversy, particularly about the origin of prominent northeasterly dipping beds seen in the Corallian Wheatley Limestone in several old quarries in and near the village. Many villagers are lucky enough to now see these beds in their gardens. The origin of the dips leads to a wider controversy about the reasons for the abrupt thinning of the Corallian as it passes north-eastwards through the village along the outcrop trend. That then leads to different views about the subsurface distribution of Corallian facies to the south-east of Wheatley.
The talk aims to summarise the different geological opinions and suggest, with the benefit of the latest data, which are the more credible.
About the speaker
Nigel Banks left Oxford in 1971 with a BA and D.Phil in geology. After a 40+ year career in the international oil industry he has found a new interest in the geology of Oxfordshire. He recently had papers published on areas near Faringdon and Culham and his latest research is focussing on Wheatley.
