Reading Formation

The Reading Formation is a geologic formation in southern England. It dates to the Paleocene period, and is part of the Lambeth Group. It overlies the London Basin and is below the Harwich Formation.[1] The formation is composed of "a series of lenticular mottled clays and sands, here and there with pebbly beds and masses of fine sand converted into quartzite. These beds are generally unfossiliferous."[2]

Reading Formation Stratigraphic range: Paleocene
Type	Formation
Unit of	Lambeth Group
Underlies	Harwich Formation
Overlies	Upnor Formation (London Basin), Chalk Group (Hampshire Basin)
Thickness	Up to 27 m, generally 12 to 16 m
Lithology
Primary	Clay
Other	Sand
Location
Region	England
Country	United Kingdom
Extent	London Basin, Hampshire Basin
Type section
Named for	Reading, Berkshire

Clay sources

During the late medieval era, the Surrey whitewares pottery kilns were located near the Reading Formation, most notably the area between Farnham and Tongham The beds were an excellent source of white-firing clay.[3]

See also

• List of fossiliferous stratigraphic units in England

References

1. "The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details: Reading Formation". British Geological Survey. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
2. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Woolwich-and-Reading Beds" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 819.
3. Pearce, Jaqueline (1992). Border Wares. Post-Medieval Pottery in London 1500-1700. London: Museum of Londo. ISBN 978-0112904946.