Kimmeridge Clay

Kimmeridge Clay
Stratigraphic range: Kimmeridgian–Berriasian
Grey cliffs of Upper Kimmeridge Clay above the beach at Egmont Bight
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofAncholme Group (onshore), Humber Group (offshore)
Sub-unitsBirch Sandstone Member
Burns Sandstone Member
Claymore Sandstone Member
Dirk Sandstone Member
Magnus Sandstone Member
Ptarmigan Sandstone Member
Ribble Sandstone Member
UnderliesPortland Sand Formation, Speeton Clay Formation, Spilsby Sandstone
OverliesAmpthill Clay, Corallian Group
Lithology
PrimaryMudstone
OtherSiltstone, Sandstone, Conglomerate
Location
RegionEngland (surface)
North Sea (subsurface)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Type section
Named forKimmeridge Bay
LocationType section - North Sea well 47/15- 1 at 885-919 m depth
Type area - coastal outcrops from Black Head, Weymouth to Chapman's Pool

The Kimmeridge Clay is a sedimentary deposit of fossiliferous marine clay which is of Late Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous age and occurs in southern and eastern England and in the North Sea.[1] This rock formation is the major source rock for North Sea oil. The fossil fauna of the Kimmeridge Clay includes turtles, crocodiles, sauropods, plesiosaurs, pliosaurs and ichthyosaurs, as well as a number of invertebrate species.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference BGS_Lexicon was invoked but never defined (see the help page).