The Neogene and Quaternary Clay-with-flints north and south of the English Channel: comparisons of distribution, age, genetic processes and geodynamics
Résumé
Weathered residual accumulations termed Clay-with-flints (Argiles 'a silex) overlying Cretaceous deposits are widespread in southern England and northwestern France. Geological and pedological studies and some field surveys indicate their distribution, nature, age and origin. In France, the microfaunas preserved in the hollow flints of the Clay-with-flints demonstrate the preservation of the parent Chalk stratigraphy in the sections studied, i.e. the Clay-with-flints corresponds to in situ weathering profiles. However, in England and in France, an important part of the clay component is derived from a thin veneer of basal Tertiary sediment overlying sub-Tertiary marine erosion surfaces of various Palaeogene transgressions. In England as in France, the youngest generation of Clay-with-flints can be dated from Late Pliocene to Quaternary. It formed after removal of different Cenozoic deposits on many plateaus and during the downcutting of Pleistocene rivers. The most visible effect of subsequent weathering profile development is irregular dissolution of the underlying Chalk to produce deep karstic pipes into which the Clay-with-flints has slumped; other pedological processes include rubification, clay illuviation and cryoturbation. Clay-with-flints also provides evidence of Quaternary palaeoenvironments, Cenozoic continental palaeosurfaces, and their vertical deformation.