Publications
The Geology of the Eastbourne - Hastings Coastline: With Special Reference to the Localities visited by the Association in June, 1925. Weald Research Committee Report No. 3, by H. B. Milner, M.A., D.I.C., F.G.S. and A. J. Bull, M.Sc., F.G.S., published 1925 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 36 issue 3, article, pp.291-316) View Online
Abstract:The following pages present in outline the geology of the coast-section exposed from Beachy Head to Cliff End, beyond Fairlight, a distance of 26 miles. One of us (A.J.B.) is responsible for the survey from Beachy Head to Rockhouse Bank, the other (H.B. M.) from Rockhouse Bank eastward to Cliff End. The work forms part of the six-inch geological survey of the Weald being under taken by members of the Weald Research Committee of the Geologists' Association.
The authors wish to point out that they do not here include the inland geology of the districts traversed, except in so far as exigencies of building or similar circumstances necessitate a detour for a few hundred yards inland to preserve continuity of geological description. For this reason much that is generally known to be of unusual interest in the region, especially in the vicinity of Hastings and S1. Leonards, finds no mention here, the object being rather to draw attention to this exceptionally fine coast-section, wherein is displayed such varied stratigraphy and tectonics, and also to render it possible for casual visitor or more serious student to explore it with some guide to the trend and sequence of geological events.
The description of the coast is arranged from west (Beachy Head) to east (Cliff End); but so as to enable those who desire to pick up the thread at any particular place, insets in the text indicating localities have been employed, from which a start can be made at will.
This section of coast has on it the towns of Eastbourne, Bexhill, St. Leonards and Hastings, while smaller residential and holiday resorts are springing up at Fairlight and Cooden, and even in unpromising places on the edge of the marsh-land.
The authors wish to point out that they do not here include the inland geology of the districts traversed, except in so far as exigencies of building or similar circumstances necessitate a detour for a few hundred yards inland to preserve continuity of geological description. For this reason much that is generally known to be of unusual interest in the region, especially in the vicinity of Hastings and S1. Leonards, finds no mention here, the object being rather to draw attention to this exceptionally fine coast-section, wherein is displayed such varied stratigraphy and tectonics, and also to render it possible for casual visitor or more serious student to explore it with some guide to the trend and sequence of geological events.
The description of the coast is arranged from west (Beachy Head) to east (Cliff End); but so as to enable those who desire to pick up the thread at any particular place, insets in the text indicating localities have been employed, from which a start can be made at will.
This section of coast has on it the towns of Eastbourne, Bexhill, St. Leonards and Hastings, while smaller residential and holiday resorts are springing up at Fairlight and Cooden, and even in unpromising places on the edge of the marsh-land.
Note on the geomorphology of the Arun Gap: Weald Research Committee Report, No. 16, by A. J. Bull, M.Sc., F.G.S., published 1932 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 43 issue 3, article, pp.274-276) View Online
Abstract:The object of this note is to give an outline of the geomorphological features of the Arun Gap which has been zoned by Mr. C. T. A. Gaster, and to give a preliminary account of the work which the Weald Research Committee has in progress on the South Downs and the river gaps.
Studies in the geomorphology of the South Downs: Eastbourne to the Arun Gap, by A. J. Bull, M.Sc., F.G.S., published 1936 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 47 issue 2, article, pp.99-129) View Online
Abstract:The South Downs are the southern outcrop of the Chalk in the Wealden dome. They consist of a range of rounded hills rarely exceeding 700 ft. O.D. in height, and extend from Eastbourne to Petersfield, a distance of about 55 miles. Seen from any point such as Beachy Head or Seaford Head that affords an extensive view, the Downs present the appearance of a dissected peneplain which has been tilted to the south. So extreme is the dissection that little if any of the original peneplained surface remains, and most of the area is occupied by dry valleys whose interfluves have gently rounded crosssections. Most of the higher ground, especially that which tends to be flat, is covered with the well-known Clay-with-Flints. The northern face is an abrupt escarpment, which, except for the four river gaps and some wind gaps, is not breached, although the heads of the dry valleys often come close to it, as at Ratton and Willingdon, north of Eastbourne. The effect of the proximity of the dry valleys is usually to lower the escarpment slightly, but the amount is often surprisingly small, and the skyline as seen from the lower ground from the north is only gently undulating.
A Study in the Geomorphology of the South Downs, by A. J. Bull, 1937 at University of London (Ph.D. thesis)
A Zonal map of parts of the South Downs. I Eastbourne to the River Cuckmere, by A. J. Bull, Ph.D., F.G.S., published 1939 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 49 issue 3, article, pp.261-262) View Online
Abstract:Some maps of the outcrops of the palaeontological zones of the Chalk of the South Downs are being prepared in order to facilitate the study of certain geomorphological problems. In the Adur-Arun district the outer escarpment consists of Chalk of the pilula zone, but the continuation of this escarpment eastward is uncertain. It is, therefore, proposed to map particularly this zone and the Marsupites zone below it both eastward and westward of the Adur-Arun district, and to ascertain how far the lithology which appears to produce the marked series of hills from Steep Down to Wepham Down continues to be associated with the pilula zone outside that district.
Cold conditions and land forms in the South Downs. Weald Research Committee Communication No. 27#, by A. J. Bull, Ph.D., F.G.S., published 1940 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 51 issue 1, article, pp.63-71) View Online
Abstract:The effects of cold and other agents in fashioning the South Downs and other Chalk hills has been a subject of discussion since Clement Reid thought that the existing system of dry valleys was cut at a time when the Chalk was saturated with water and this was frozen, so that the rock was for the time being impermeable. The present writer has referred to the matter in a study of the geomorphology of the South Downs, but some aspects of the question require further elaboration.
The South Downs show three main types of land form and others that are transitional. These are the now dry dendritic valleys on the counterscarp, gullies, and the arm-chair form I have previously referred as a coombe. The use of this word has been rightly criticised, because coombe or combe is applied to many different land forms in the south of England. For the arm-chair form, the seat of which is often occupied by a mass of neve or by a lake, many countries have developed local names such as corrie (Scottish), cwm (Welsh), cirque (French), etc. Cirque is being restricted to the larger, often composite, mountain forms. There remain cwm and corrie, and for the moment I choose the latter as being easier for an Englishman to pronounce.
The South Downs show three main types of land form and others that are transitional. These are the now dry dendritic valleys on the counterscarp, gullies, and the arm-chair form I have previously referred as a coombe. The use of this word has been rightly criticised, because coombe or combe is applied to many different land forms in the south of England. For the arm-chair form, the seat of which is often occupied by a mass of neve or by a lake, many countries have developed local names such as corrie (Scottish), cwm (Welsh), cirque (French), etc. Cirque is being restricted to the larger, often composite, mountain forms. There remain cwm and corrie, and for the moment I choose the latter as being easier for an Englishman to pronounce.
The geomorphology of the rivers of the Southern Weald: Weald Research Committee Communication No. 28, by J. F. Kirkaldy, M.Sc., F.G.S. and A. J. Bull, Ph.D., F.G.S., published 1940 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 51 issue 2, article, pp.115-150) View Online
Abstract:In a recent communication one of the authors dealt with the evidence of periods of 'still-stand' shown by the bevelled spurs of the South Downs. The present paper is an attempt to extend the investigation over a wider area and through a greater period of geological time. It is hoped that by combining the evidence of the Downland spurs with that of the drainage plan, longitudinal profiles and drift deposits of the rivers Cuckmere, Ouse, Adur and Rother-Arun and the raised beaches and infilled valleys of the Coastal Plain of Sussex, a clearer picture than hitherto available of the events of the later stages of geological time in the Southern Weald will be obtained.