Farne Group

Claystones and sandstones with minor coal seams, and a variable amount of intercalated limestone and dolomite beds.

Under paralic conditions. Periods of active delta-front deposition alternated with repeated marine incursions, during which marine limestones and claystones were formed. In places a fluvial regime prevailed, resulting in a thick succession of stacked channel fills.

Overlies the Old Red Group conformably. Its base is marked by the lowermost carbonate bed.

Placed at the top of the highest limestone. Here the typical coarsening upward claystone/sandstone sequences of the conformably overlying Epen Formation (Limburg Group) begin. In areas which were subjected to later erosion, the group is overlain unconformably by younger formations (Rotliegend to Chalk groups).