Bibliography - B. W. Sparks M.A.
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A Contribution to the Geomorphology of the South Downs, by B. W. Sparks, 1949 at University of London (M.A. thesis)

The denudation chronology of the dip-slope of the South Downs, by B. W. Sparks, B.A., published 1949 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 60 issue 3, article, pp.165-215)   View Online

Although much is already known of the denudation chronology of the South Downs, detailed surveying of the dip-slope reveals the existence of a number of closely-spaced marine platforms, which are intermediate in age between the early Pliocene bench (650-550 feet O.D.) and the Goodwood raised beach (130-80 feet O.D.). A careful examination of the distribution of the platform fragments shows that in certain situations they must be of sub-aerial origin and related to the development of streams in the area. Thus, the river Adur is shown to have migrated eastwards since the early Pliocene, and it is suggested from certain evidence that the Ouse once reached the sea via the mouth of the Cuckmere, its present outlet being of comparatively recent origin. The major longitudinal valleys of the South Downs, i.e., the upper Lavant and the Lewes Winterbourne were clearly in existence by the 475-foot stage, which is the first clearly-defined stillstand in the regression of the sea from the early Pliocene level. The discontinuous secondary escarpment is examined in some detail and it is suggested that it was originally formed by the action of scarp-foot subsequent streams, which were later disrupted. Certain convergent dry valley patterns can be demonstrated to coincide in position with embayments of the shorelines discussed and are thus readily explicable. Finally the debated question of the origin of dry valleys is reviewed and it is concluded that there are no real objections to the hypothesis that they are former river valleys, which have been abandoned as the level of the water-table in the Chalk fell.
A detailed summary of the evidence for each platform is included as an appendix.

A note on a section of Coombe Rock and Brickearth at Angmering-on-sea, Sussex, by B. W. Sparks, B.A., published 1949 in The Proceedings of the Geologists' Association London (no. 60 issue 4, article, pp.288-293)   View Online

A temporary cliff-section in the superficial deposits of the Sussex Coastal Plain revealed some new details of the lithological composition of these beds, in particular of the gravels which lie between the Coombe Rock proper and the Brickearth. A small fauna of freshwater mollusca was obtained from lenticular beds of chalky silt lying within the gravels and evidence of human occupation from the Brickearth. On the basis of the lithology of the beds and the contained organic remains an attempt has been made to deduce the geographical conditions obtaining during their deposition.