This memoir traces the geological history of the district from the muddy seas and volcanicity of the early Palaeozoic of 450 million years ago, via the deserts of the Trias and the shallow tropical and subtropical seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous, to the last glaciation 18,000 years ago, when much of the district was covered by ice. Finally, it records the history of the period after the retreat of the ice when temperate climates returned and the broad hollow that was to become Fenland and the Wash became progressively filled with freshwater peats, estuarine muds and marine sands as sea level rose in response to the melting of the ice.

Since the 3rd edition of this publication, emphasis within the petroleum industry has shifted from exploration to appraisal and development of existing hydrocarbon resources. This change is reflected in this new 4th edition, which has been significantly expanded to accomodate additional material. The centrepiece of the book, however, remains a series of descriptions, in stratigraphic order, of the depositional history and hydrocarbon related rock units of the North Sea.

A detailed account of the geology shown on the complementary 1: 50 000 (or earlier 1: 63 360) geological map(s)

This second edition of 'The Geology of England and Wales' is considerably expanded from its predecessor, reflecting the increase in our knowledge of the region, and particularly of the offshore areas. Forty specialists have contributed to 18 chapters, which cover a time range from 700 million years ago to 200 million years into the future. A new format places all the chapters in approximately temporal order. Both offshore and economic geology now form an integral part of appropriate chapters.

This memoir describes the sediments and rocks of central Broadland, the history of their formation and their relationship to the landscape. It also highlights the particular relevance of the geology of the district to a wide range of environmental and economic issues.