Durham Coalfield

British Coalfields

The Durham Coalfield is a coalfield in north-east England.[1] It is continuous with the Northumberland Coalfield to its north. It extends from Bishop Auckland in the south to the boundary with the county of Northumberland along the River Tyne in the north, beyond which is the Northumberland Coalfield.[2]

The two contiguous coalfield areas were often referred to as the Durham and Northumberland Coalfield(s) or as the Great Northern Coalfield.[3]

Geology

See also Geology of County Durham

The following coal seams are recorded from the Durham coalfield. They are listed here in stratigraphic order with the youngest at the top and the oldest/deepest at the bottom:[4]

Upper Coal Measures

  • Hylton Castle

Middle Coal Measures

  • Dean
  • Hebburn Fell
  • Usworth
  • Ryhope Five-Quarter
  • Ryhope Little
  • High Main
  • Metal
  • Five-Quarter
  • Main
  • Maudlin
  • Durham Low Main
  • Brass Thill
  • Hutton

Lower Coal Measures

  • Harvey
  • Tilley
  • Busty
  • Three-Quarter
  • Brockwell
  • Victoria
  • Marshall Green
  • Ganister Clay

References

  1. ↑ The Durham Coalfield, Coalmining History Research Centre, retrieved 2010-12-05
  2. ↑ British Geological Survey 2007 Bedrock geology: UK North 1:625,000 scale geological map, BGS, Keyworth, Notts
  3. ↑ http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/its/uni_press/catalogue/hist/gnc_bm/
  4. ↑ British Geological Survey 1:50,000 scale geological map sheet no 21 (England & Wales series) Sunderland

Coordinates: 54°50′19″N 1°36′16″W / 54.8386°N 1.6045°W / 54.8386; -1.6045

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