Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Tertiary deposits from everywhere except the Hampshire Basin. The northern edge of
the Vale of Wardour also formed at this time.
FIG
105.
Vale of Wardour slope (greater than 3 degrees) and hillshade map. Located on
Figure 100.
FIG
106.
Cross-section through the Wiltshire Downs, Vale of Wardour and Dorset Downs,
showing both normal and reverse faulting. Located on Figure 105.
Erosion of the land surface has continued since, and more resistant levels in the
bedrock have been picked out while valley slopes have formed as sediment is transpor-
ted down the streams and rivers. One of the layers that has been picked out during this
ongoing erosion process is the Chilmark Stone, a well-known building material used
in the construction of Salisbury Cathedral. It was quarried from the Chilmark Oolite, a
unit of the Portland Limestone Formation brought to the surface by compression and
subsequent erosion in the Vale of Wardour.
To the west of the Vale of Wardour is the area round Sherborne and Blackmoor
Vale. Here the scenery of hills and valleys reflects the presence of various resistant lay-
