The Leicestershire and South Derbyshire Coalfield in the English Midlands is one of the smaller Britishcoalfields.[1] The two areas are sometimes separately referred to as the South Derbyshire Coalfield and the Leicestershire Coalfield. All of the worked coal seams are contained within the Lower and Middle Coal Measures which are of Upper Carboniferous age.
Geology
The following seams are recognised in South Derbyshire:[2]
Middle Coal Measures
Ell
Dicky Gobler
Upper Kilburn
Block
Yard
Two Foot
Upper Cannel
Little
Little Kilburn
Lower Coal Measures
Rider
Main
Little Woodfield
Lower Main
Woodfield
Stockings
Eureka
Joyce's
Upper Stanhope
Lower Stanhope
Well
Twelve Inch
Clod
Kilburn
Norton
Hardbed Band
Belperlawn
A series of seams referred to as P12, P15/16, P17, P25, P27, P31 (Derby), P33, P34 and P39/40 are recorded above the Upper Kilburn seam in the southern part of the South Derbyshire Coalfield.
In the Leicestershire area, the following are recognised;[3]
Middle Coal Measures
Excelsior
Minge
Five Foot (or Five Feet)
Splent
Threequarters
New Main Rider
New Main (Slate)
Swannington Yard
Cannel
Lower Coal Measures
High Main
Upper Main (Main)
Smoile
Upper Lount
Middle Lount
Nether Lount
Yard
Low Main (Roaster)
Lower Main Upper
Lower main Lower
Clod
Kilburn
References
^British Geological Survey 2007 Bedrock geology: UK South 1:625,000 scale geological map, BGS, Keyworth, Notts
^Hains, B.A. & Horton, A., 1969 British Regional Geology: Central England (3rd edn), London, HMSO for British Geological Survey
^British Geological Survey 2010 Coalville England and Wales sheet 155 Bedrock & Superficial deposits. 1:50,000 (Keyworth, Nottingham: BGS)
