Modern perspectives

Morphological approaches

Morphology and stratigraphy

Neotectonics

Rock platforms

Glacier margins and sea level

Carselands

Isolation basins

Storegga Slide tsunami

Patterns of land uplift

Climate change and sea level


Bibliography

About this site

Drawings of molluscs reputedly gathered from the Clyde Beds in Physical Geology and Geography of Great Britain by Andrew Ramsay

Clyde Beds at Geilston

Ever since the first observations on raised shell beds were made, there has developed an interest in what macrofauna, especially molluscs, can tell about the environmental context of the sea level changes taking place. Much of this work has concentrated upon the period during and shortly after the decay of ice, with the view being expressed that at these times sea temperatures were distinctly less clement on the east coast. Of particular interest are the “Errol Beds” of eastern Scotland and the “Clyde Beds” of western Scotland (e.g. Peacock, 1996; 1999). However, as investigations continue, the complexity of the evidence has become evident and relating the deposits studied to specific shorelines is difficult.