Professional Documents
Culture Documents
University of London
Imperial college of science,
technology and medicine
Coursework 1 : Engineering geology
in folkstone area
1) Introduction :
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Hydrogeology
In the area Chalk provides the most important aquifer of south east England and
is the principal source of water in this area. However, as said, before this
formation is faulted and uncovered by any impermeable layer. In this
configuration groundwater flow is fast, and the aquifer subjected to pollution. In
the area, Folkestone sand formation may also contain ground water. This
formation is much more suitable to provide the area with a clear water because
of its obvious filtration ability. The topography of the area control the water flow,
which goes down the valleys toward the sea.
The gault clay formation all around the anticline control the resurgence of
multiple current and former spring all around the anticline.
3) Area of Folkestone : the close field
Folkestone area is a coast line village situated in the north part of the anticline
(cf fig 1).
Sedimentology :
The rocks that can be found in Folkestone area are, of course, of
cretaceous and quaternary age. There are five formations in the area of
folkstone (cf fig 5), which will be described bellow from the oldest to the
youngest.
- The sandgate unit which is a silty fine sand.
- The Folkestone beds which are composed of a silty medium sand.
- The gault clay unit which is a marine clay with some more sandy beds.
- The upper chalk,
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Tectonic/deformation
In the area the strata is obviously gently dipping in the north direction (cf
fig 4).
The area is also affected by the system of conjugate fractures which as
been mentioned before (cf fig 6). In this locality the system of faulting has
a major importance, indeed, in the area, most of the cliff are N/S or NW/SE
orientated. The intersection between the cliffs and the conjugate faulting
system tigger major landslides along Folkestone coast.