Field technique of permeability tests in highly fissured limestone strata

A design of a dewatering system is necessary for site improvement prior to the construction of some structures. The design of an efficient dewatering system requires estimating the value of the in-situ coefficient of permeability. The available relationships for estimating the permeability coefficient were developed based on limited field measurements and conditions, and their predictions vary by several orders of magnitudes. Therefore, it was necessary to conduct field measurements of permeability and determine the relationship that best fits these measurements prior to the design of a dewatering system for specific geological and site conditions. This paper presents field measurements of permeability in complex chaotic and diagenetic limestone strata. It also offers comparative analysis of several relationships available in the literature for predicting the in-situ coefficient of permeability. The analysis is conducted for both steady and nonsteady conditions. The results show that the coefficient of permeability value is dependent on the water table level, which is affected by the tidal condition. The US Navy equation is shown to give the best correlation with field measurements. Electronic Publication     

The invertebrate ecology of the Chalk aquifer in England (UK)

The Chalk is an important water supply aquifer, yet ecosystems within it remain poorly understood. Boreholes (198) in seven areas of England (UK) were sampled to determine the importance of the Chalk aquifer as a habitat, and to improve understanding of how species are distributed. Stygobitic macro-invertebrates were remarkably common, and were recorded in 67 % of boreholes in unconcealed Chalk, although they were not recorded in Chalk that is concealed by low-permeability strata and thus likely to be confined. Most species were found in shallow boreholes (<21 m) and boreholes with deep (>50 m) water tables, indicating that the habitat is vertically extensive. Stygobites were present in more boreholes in southern England than northern England (77 % compared to 38 %). Only two species were found in northern England compared to six in southern England, but overall seven of the eight stygobitic macro-invertebrate species found in England were detected in the Chalk. Two species are common in southern England, but absent from northern England despite the presence of a continuous habitat prior to the Devensian glaciation. This suggests that either they did not survive glaciations in the north where glaciers were more extensive, or dispersal rates are slow and they have never colonised northern England. Subsurface ecosystems comprising aquatic macro-invertebrates and meiofauna, as well as the microbial organisms they interact with, are likely to be widespread in the Chalk aquifer. They represent an important contribution to biodiversity, and may influence biogeochemical cycles and provide other ecosystem services.     

Deep groundwater flow and geochemical processes in limestone aquifers: evidence from thermal waters in Derbyshire, England, UK

Thermal waters potentially provide information on geochemical processes acting deep within aquifers. New isotopic data on groundwater sulphate, inorganic carbon and strontium in thermal and non-thermal waters of a major limestone aquifer system in Derbyshire, England, UK, are used to constrain sulphate sources and groundwater evolution. Shallow groundwaters gain sulphate from oxidation of sulphide minerals and have relatively ¹³C-depleted dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Thermal waters have relatively high Sr/Ca and more ¹³C-enriched DIC as a result of increased water–rock interaction. In other respects, the thermal waters define two distinct groups. Thermal waters rising at Buxton have higher Mg, Mn and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and lower Ca and SO₄, indicating flow from deep sandstone aquifers via a high permeability pathway in the limestone. By contrast, Matlock-type waters (97% of the thermal flux) have elevated sulphate concentrations derived from interaction with buried evaporites, with no chemical evidence for flow below the limestone. About 5% of the limestone area's groundwater flows to the Matlock group springs via deep regional flow and the remainder flows via local shallow paths to many non-thermal springs. Gypsum dissolution has produced significant tertiary porosity and tertiary permeability in the carbonate aquifer and this is an essential precursor to the development of karstic drainage.

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Resumen Las aguas termales potencialmente proporcionan información sobre procesos geoquímicos que actúan a profundidad en acuíferos. Nuevos datos isotópicos de sulfatos, carbón inorgánico y estroncio en aguas termales y no-termales de un acuífero importante de caliza en Derbyshire, Inglaterra se utilizan para delinear las fuentes de sulfato y la evolución de aguas subterráneas.Las aguas subterráneas no muy profundas adquieren sulfato a través de la oxidación de minerales de sulfuro y poseen carbón inorgánico disuelto (DIC) relativamente deplatado de ¹³C. Las aguas termales muestran un ratio Sr/Ca relativamente alto y poseen (DIC) más enriquecido en¹³C, como resultado de la mayor interacción de roca-agua. En otros aspectos, los aguas termales definen dos grupos distintivos. Las aguas termales que ascienden en Buxton tienen mas Mg, Mn y ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr y menos Ca and SO₄, indicando flujo de acuíferos de areniscas profundas por un sendero de alta permeabilidad en la caliza.En contraste el tipo de agua - Matlock (97% del flujo termal) posee altas concentraciones de sulfato, derivado por interacción con evaporitas enterradas, sin evidencia química de flujo debajo de la caliza. Aproximadamente 5% del agua del área de la caliza se fluye al grupo de manantiales de Matlock a través de un flujo regional profundo y el resto fluye por senderos locales poco profundos a muchos de los manantiales no-termales. La disolución de yeso ha producido porosidad terciaria importante así como permeabilidad en el acuífero de carbonato y este es un precursor esencial del desarrollo de drenaje kárstico.

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Résumé Les eaux thermales peuvent apporter des informations sur les processus géochimiques dans les aquifères profonds. De nouvelles données isotopiques sur les sulfates présents dans les eaux souterraines, le carbone inorganique et le strontium dans les eaux thermales et non thermales d'un système aquifère calcaire majeur dans le Derbyshire, Angleterre, Royaume Uni, sont utilisées pour comprendre les sources de sulfates et l'évolution des eaux souterraines. Les eaux souterraines phréatique s'enrichissent en sulfate via l'oxydation des minéraux sulfatés et ont un Carbone Inorganique Dissous (DIC) relativement appauvri en¹³C. Les eaux thermales ont un rapport Sr/Ca relativement plus élevé et un DIC plus enrichi en¹³C, du fait de l'interaction accrue des eaux avec les roches. En d'autres mots, les eaux thermales définissent deux groupes distincts. Les eaux thermales remontant à Buxton ont un Mg, un Mn et un rapport ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr plus hauts, mais un Ca et SO₄ plus faible, indiquant un écoulement à travers les zones perméables des aquifers gréseux. Par contraste, les eaux du type de Matlock (97% du flux thermique), possèdent des concentrations élevées en sulfates, provenant de l'interaction des eaux avec les évaporites enfouies, tandis qu'il n'existe aucune évidence chimique d'un écoulement sous les calcaires. Sur environ 5% de la surface des calcaires, les eaux souterraines alimentent des sources non-thermales. La dissolution du Gypse a produit une porosité tertiaire significative et une perméabilité dans les aquifères calcaires, et ceci est un précurseur essentiel au développement du drainage karstique.

     

Flowpath structure in a limestone aquifer: multi-borehole logging investigations at the hydrogeological experimental site of Poitiers, France

Since 2002, a new hydrogeological experimental site (HES) has been developed in Poitiers, France. The overall research objective related to this site is to improve the understanding of flow and solute transport in carbonate aquifers. The benchmarking of various types of numerical models against the HES field data is one of the main research projects supported by three national scientific programs. Within this framework, the purpose of this report is to synthesize existing knowledge about both aquifer geology and flowpath structure, based on core analysis and well logging. The combined use of core-hole data, borehole logs and outcrop data provide valuable information about lithostratigraphy and fracturing. The comparison of flow-meter data with borehole images indicates that flowpaths in the HES aquifer are strongly constrained within (1) subhorizontal karstic structures and (2) subvertical fractures. The presence of karstic levels appears to be conditioned by the stratigraphy and are unevenly developed in the HES. The vertical interconnectivity between the three karstic levels seems to result from fractures occurrence in this limestone formation. Following the observations, data and interpretations, a conceptual model of the Dogger aquifer is proposed.

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Résumé  La vocation première du Site Expérimental Hydrogéologique (SEH) de Poitiers, France, est de fournir des données pertinentes-y compris des chroniques ou expériences long terme-pour la caractérisation, la quantification et la modélisation des transferts d’eau et de solutés dans les aquifères carbonatés. Depuis 2002, les investigations menées sur le SEH ont permis de recueillir une importante quantité de données concernant un aquifère calcaire captif de 100 m d’épaisseur. Ces données servent actuellement de support à un exercice de modélisation comparée (benchmark) soutenu par trois programmes scientifiques nationaux. Dans le cadre de ce projet, l’objectif ici est de synthétiser les connaissances actuelles relatives à la géologie et la structure des écoulements dans l’aquifère du Dogger. La structure lithostratigraphique et la fracturation de l’aquifère sont analysées à partir des carottes de forages, des affleurements, et des diagraphies de puits. L’analyse croisée des données de débitmétrie verticale et des imageries de parois des forages indique que les écoulements sont principalement associés à des structures karstiques subhorizontales et des fractures subverticales. Les niveaux karstiques sont irrégulièrement répartis sur le SEH mais apparaissent fortement corrélés avec des niveaux stratigraphiques précis. La connectivité hydraulique des différents niveaux karstiques semble liée à la fracturation des calcaires.

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Resumen  Desde 2002, se desarrolló en Potiers, Francia, un sitio experimental hidrogeológico (SEH). El objetivo general de la investigación relacionada a este sitio es mejorar el entendimiento del flujo y transporte de solutos en acuíferos calcáreos. El punto de referencia de varios tipos de modelos numéricos utilizando los datos del SEH es uno de los principales proyectos de investigación financiados por tres programas científicos nacionales. Dentro de este marco, el propósito de este reporte es sintetizar el conocimiento existente tanto acerca de la geología como de la estructura de los caminos de flujo, basado en el análisis de testigos y perfiles de pozos. El uso combinado de testigos, perfiles de pozos e datos de afloramientos provee información valiosa acerca de la litoestratigrafía y el fracturamiento. La comparación de datos de medidores de flujo con imágenes de pozos indica que los caminos de flujo en el acuífero del SEH están fuertemente condicionados por (1) estructuras cársticas subhorizontales, y (2) fracturas subverticales. La presencia de niveles cársticos pareciera estar condicionada por la estratigrafía y estar desarrollada en forma no igualmente distribuida dentro del SHE. La interconectividad vertical entre tres niveles cársticos sería el resultado de la ocurrencia de fracturas en la formación de las calizas. En base a las observaciones, los datos e interpretaciones, se propone un modelo conceptual del acuífero Dogger.

     

Geology of the Chiltern Chalk aquifer,southern England

The unique geological history which resulted in the evolution of the Chiltern Hills to the north of London, The United Kingdom, created the underlying foundations for everything that we see there on the surface today. The roots of the Chiltern Hills lie in their Chalk foundations. To understand the details of the way the chalk acts as an aquifer it is important to understand first the origins of the chalk sediment and how the subsequent geological history of the region has impacted on the rocks preserved today.     

Multiple-pumped-well aquifer test to determine the anisotropic properties of a karst limestone aquifer in Pasco County, Florida, USA

Groundwater-level data from an aquifer test utilizing four pumped wells conducted in the South Pasco wellfield in Pasco County, Florida, USA, were analyzed to determine the anisotropic transmissivity tensor, storativity, and leakance in the vicinity of the wellfield. A weighted least-squares procedure was used to analyze drawdowns measured at eight observation wells, and it was determined that the major axis of transmissivity extends approximately from north to south and the minor axis extends approximately from west to east with an angle of anisotropy equal to N4.54°W. The transmissivity along the major axis ${\left( {T_{{\xi \xi }} } \right)}$ is 14,019 m² day^–1, and the transmissivity along the minor axis ${\left( {T_{{\eta \eta }} } \right)}$ is 4,303 m² day^–1. The equivalent transmissivity $T_{e} = {\left( {T_{{\xi \xi }} T_{{\eta \eta }} } \right)}^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-0em} 2}} = 7,767{{\text{m}}^{2} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{m}}^{2} } {{\text{day}}^{{ - {\text{1}}}} }}} \right. \kern-0em} {{\text{day}}^{{ - {\text{1}}}} }$ , and the ratio of anisotropy is 3.26. The storativity of the aquifer is 7.52?×?10^?4, and the leakance of the overlying confining unit is 1.37?×?10^?4 day^?1. The anisotropic properties determined for the South Pasco wellfield in this investigation confirm the results of previous aquifer tests conducted in the wellfield and help to quantify the NW–SE to NE–SW trends for regional fracture patterns and inferred solution-enhanced flow zones in west-central Florida.     

A New Interpretation of the Corallian (Upper Jurassic) Cycles of the Dorset Coast,Southern England

The Corallian Group of the Dorset coast is reinterpreted as representing four regressive–transgressive cycles in contrast to previous interpretations which recognized four asymmetric regressive cycles. Each regressive sequence is separated at its top from each transgressive sequence by a sharp erosional contact. Overall, the regressive, coarsening-up sequences are characterized by relatively low faunal diversity, dominantly vertical burrows, relatively coarse sediments with cross-bedding and swaley cross-stratification, and the diagenesis predominantly influenced by meteoric water. In comparison, the transgressive, fining-up sequences are generally characterized by relatively high faunal diversity, dominantly horizontal burrows, basal lag deposits (1–2m in thickness) overlying a sharp, erosional surface, followed by clay or nodular wackestone and dominantly deep burial diagenesis. The consistence of the four regressive-transgressive cycles with the eustatic sea-level curve suggests that the sedimentary cycles of the Corallian outcrops may have been mainly produced by the eustatic sea-level changes. Tectonic movements may have been important in generating localized unconformity, relatively coarse clastic sediment influxes and rapid lateral facies variations. The recognition of storm- and tidally-related sedimentary features suggests that the Corallian Group of the Dorset coast may have been deposited in a storm- and tidally-influenced shallow epicontinental shelf.     

The limestone pavements of Great Asby Scar,Cumbria, UK

 Varied, well-developed limestone pavements are well exposed over an extensive area of the Carboniferous limestone outcrop of the Orton-Asby escarpment, Cumbria. This area is the largest expanse of limestone pavements outside the well-known Ingleborough karst of Yorkshire, and the National Nature Reserve at Great Asby Scar includes the best developed and least damaged landforms of the whole area, most of which is now protected by Limestone Pavement Orders. Received: 1 June 1995 · Accepted: 4 December 1995     

Geochemical and isotopic characterization of groundwater from the Paleogene limestone aquifer of the Upper Jezireh,Syria

This research aims to evaluate the groundwater resources of Paleogene aquifer in the Upper Jazireh area (Syria), in terms of chemical water type, recharge zones and water ages. The results show that the main recharge zones for the Paleogene aquifer range between 650 and 900 m a.s.l., which coincide with the outcrop of the karstified limestone in the Mardin uplift. The chemical and isotopic behaviors of groundwater, together with radiometric ¹⁴C reflect the existence of three different groundwater groups: (1) the fresh and cold water, percolating in short and shallow flow paths, for which the main replenishment processes are recent; (2) the brackish and thermal water containing certain amounts of H₂S gas, that percolate in longer and deeper flow paths, for which the main replenishment processes occurred during the palaeoclimatic humid conditions of Pleistocene time, placed at 10–18 Ka BP; (3) the brackish and admixed thermal groundwater with intermediate ¹⁴C age, which seems to be formed as a result of mixing between the previous two groups.     

Hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Parmelia aquifer,northern Perth Basin,Western Australia

This study aims to characterise the hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of the Parmelia aquifer and to understand controls on recent water-level changes as these are needed to underpin a quantitative analysis of recharge. The Parmelia aquifer, a layered sequence of sand, silt and discontinuous lenses of clay, receives diffuse rainfall recharge on its outcrop and groundwater recharge occurs across the Dandaragan Plateau at different rates. Water levels have risen steadily over the last three decades between 10 and 55 cm/y in response to the replacement of native vegetation with pasture and annual crops. The mean aquifer properties from sediment analyses indicate a very wide range of porosity (8.9 – 49.5 %) with an arithmetic mean of 26% and consequently a very broad range of specific yield (0.0004 – 0.4) with an arithmetic mean of 0.14. Groundwater in the Parmelia aquifer has an underlying meteoric origin with compositional changes due to reactions with silicate minerals and leaching of chloride that has concentrated in the soil by evapotranspiration. The hydrochemistry sampled at different depths and locations in the aquifer indicates that the groundwater is not well mixed, and variations arise due to relatively recent recharge that has undergone evaporation in some areas.     

“大井法”中渗透系数及含水层厚度的优化

大井法\     

Hydraulic evaluation of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) with urban stormwater in a brackish limestone aquifer

A 5-year aquifer storage and recovery trial at Andrews Farm in South Australia involving the injection of more than 250 ML (250,000 m³) of fresh but turbid stormwater into a brackish limestone aquifer over 4 years and recovery of 150 ML in the fifth provided the opportunity to evaluate rates of clogging and unclogging and the potential to recover water suitable for irrigation supplies. Results reveal there is some clogging by injected sediment, but only to a relatively small degree considering the high suspended solid concentrations and moderate aquifer transmissivity. This clogging was offset by increased matrix porosity through calcite dissolution and by routine well redevelopments after each 40 ML of injection. No significant microbial clogging occurred. Breakthrough responses at three observation wells and the proportion of injectant in the recovered water were determined from chloride data. Temperature and caliper profiles clearly indicate the heterogeneous nature of the aquifer that is attributed, in part, to sand removal during the initial well development. The recovery efficiency was greater than 60%. The trial demonstrates that urban stormwater containing high and variable particulate levels, which receives only passive pre-treatment and is not disinfected, can be used to freshen a heterogeneous brackish aquifer to create a useful water resource.     

The Corallian Group (Upper Jurassic) of Wiltshire,England. 4. The Highworth Limestone and associated strata

The Middle Oxfordian Highworth Limestone of Wiltshire has long been renowned for the wide variety of fossils it contains. Though there are no longer available any exposures of this unit, field walking of the outcrop has enabled the collection of a large assemblage of fossils from this important part of the Corallian sequence of Wiltshire. The occurrence of these prolific bivalve, ammonite and coral faunas is set into the context of the Middle Oxfordian palaeogeography of southern England.     

Vulnerability mapping of the Turonian limestone aquifer in the Phosphates Plateau (Morocco)

Turonian limestones are an important source of water indispensable for industrial, urban and agricultural development in the Phosphates Plateau. This is an elaboration of a vulnerability map of the aquifer, based on a multicriterion approach according to the DRASTIC charter that serves as a tool for assessment, management and protection of the groundwater quality.     

桂林甑皮岩洞穴遗址地下水示踪及污染来源分析

桂林甑皮岩遗址周围地带地下水中污染物的种类及来源复杂。为了查明地下水系统的结构特征,分析地下水的污染物运移路径和追溯污染源,采用在线高分辨率示踪技术与人工采样相结合的方法。选取荧光素钠和罗丹明B两种示踪剂,在桂林甑皮岩遗址周围进行了三次示踪试验。根据试验结果分析地下水流场,计算地下水平均流速。结果表明地下水流速在1.6~33.91 m/d,平均值为12.92 m/d。流场内岩溶以溶蚀裂隙为主,且裂隙发育呈网络式,存在西北向东南方向的主径流带,但大型岩溶管道存在的可能性小。三次示踪试验结果均显示,投放点所在的污染源区与遗址周围地下水存在水力联系,因此,遗址附近的居民小区、学校、原砖厂等污染源对遗址下部的地下水存在潜在污染,需更大程度地划分遗址的保护范围。特别是甑皮岩景区化粪池密闭情况较差,严重危害遗址环境,必须对化粪池进行防渗处理。      

Hydrogeological and hydrochemical character of the regolith aquifer, northern Obudu Plateau, southern Nigeria

Photogeological, geoelectrical, and drill-hole data were used to determine the hydrogeological conditions of the regolith layer mantling the Precambrian rocks in the northern Obudu plateau of southern Nigeria. The regolith thickness is 3.8–89.5 m (mean 38 m). Water for domestic purposes is extracted by dug wells <15 m deep and shallow boreholes <50 m. The mean value for permeability of the saturated regolith is 7.5×10^–1 m/d and for transmissivity, 3.8×10^–1 m²/d. The regolith wells have a high specific capacity, 40–270 m³/d/m and a high yield, 700–4,050 m³/d. Using statistical analysis, well yields and specific capacities can be estimated if the saturated thickness and apparent resistivity of regolith layers are known from drill-hole data and vertical electrical sounding. Chemical data show that the major groundwater types are calcium-bicarbonate (Ca-HCO₃) and sodium+potassium bicarbonate [(Na+K)-HCO₃] and the water quality meets national and international standards for drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes. However, for future proper management of water resources in the area, care should be taken, that waste-disposal sites for both solid and human waste should not be located near waste sources.

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Resumen Se utilizaron datos fotogeológicos, geoeléctricas y de barrenación para determinar las condiciones hidrogeológicas de la capa de regolito que cubre rocas precámbricas en la meseta obudu septentrional del sur de Nigeria. El regolito tiene un espesor de 3.8–89.5 m (promedio38m). El agua para uso doméstico se extrae medio de pozos excavados hasta profundidades de 15 metros y por barrenos no muy profundos de 50 metros. La permeabilidad promedio del regolito saturado es 7.5×10^–1 m/d, con transmisibilidad de 3.8×10^–1 m²/d. Los pozos dentro del regolito tienen alta capacidad específica de 40–270 mm²/d/m y un alto rendimiento de 700–4,050 mm³/d. Se puede estimar el rendimiento de los pozos y capacidades específicas usando análisis estadístico si el espesor saturado y la resistividad aparente de las capas de regolito se conocen a partir de los datos de barrenación y sondeo geoeléctrico. Los datos químicos muestran que los tipos de aguas subterráneas son principalmente de bicarbonato de calcio (Ca-HCO₃) y bicarbonato de sodio y potasio [(Na+K)-HCO₃] y el agua cumple las estándares de calidad nacional y internacional para agua potable y para uso doméstico y agrícola. Sin embargo para el futuro manejo apropriado del recurso de agua en el área es importante que se tenga cuidado de que los sitios de desechos de basura solida y humana no sean ubicados cerca de los fuentes de agua.

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Résumé Des données photogéologiques, géoélectriques et de forage ont été utilisées afin de déterminer les conditions hydrogéologiques de laquifère régolithique qui recouvre les roches précambriennes dans le plateau nord dObudu au sud du Nigeria. Lépaisseur de régolithe varie entre 3.8 et 89.5 m avec une moyenne de 38 m. Leau destinée aux usages domestiques est extraite de puits de surface (< 15 m de profondeur) et de puits artésiens (< 50 m). La valeur moyenne de perméabilité du régolithe saturé est de 7.5×10^–1 m/j et la transmissivité moyenne de 3.8×10^–1 m²/j. Les puits qui exploitent laquifère de régolithe ont une capacité spécifique variant entre 40 et 270 m²/j/m et un rendement élevé de 700 à 4 500 m³/j. Avec laide dune analyse statistique, le rendement et la capacité spécifique des puits peuvent être estimés si lépaisseur saturée et la résistivité apparente des couches de régolithe sont déterminées avec des forages et des relevés électriques verticaux. Des données sur la composition chimique de leau montrent que les types deau majeurs sont bicarbonaté-calcique et bicarbonaté sodique + potassique et que la qualité de leau rencontre les standards nationaux et internationaux pour leau potable, lutilisation domestique et à fins dagriculture. Malgré tout, dans loptique dune gestion appropriée des ressources en eau dans la région, une attention particulière doit être portée aux sites denfouissement des déchets solides et humains qui ne devraient pas être localisés près des sources deau.

     

Cenozoic cooling and denudation in the North Pennines (northern England,UK) constrained by apatite fission-track analysis of cuttings from the Eastgate Borehole

The Cenozoic landscape development of Britain remains relatively poorly understood. On the one hand, ‘plumists’ have tried to explain the present-day topography as a consequence of effects of the Iceland mantle plume during the Palaeocene-Eocene British Tertiary Igneous Province (BTIP) magmatism, with little or no subsequent modification. On the other hand, abundant evidence exists from fluvial and marine terraces and superimposed karstic levels for significant vertical crustal motions during the Quaternary, which clearly has nothing to do with any mantle plume. To shed light on this issue, we present the first publication of data that constrain the Cenozoic thermal history of the North Pennine uplands of northern England, from apatite fission-track analysis of drill cuttings from the Eastgate Borehole in Weardale, in the western part of County Durham. Our results indicate ～650 m of regional denudation since the latest Oligocene/Early Miocene, plus the ～400 m of localized entrenchment that has created the modern Weardale valley. Before the latest Oligocene/Early Miocene, but following the BTIP magmatism, the crust in this region experienced significant cooling, mainly due to a decrease in the geothermal gradient from ～55 to 61 °C km^?1 to the present 38 °C km^?1, along with ～300 ± 200 m of denudation. Although significant BTIP magmatism occurred in northern England, it thus had only a limited net effect; the crust experienced dramatic heating, but cooled back to its original thermal state within, at most, a few tens of millions of years. We suggest that this rapid cooling effect resulted from westward flow of relatively cold material within the mobile lower-crustal layer, driven by the lateral pressure gradient induced by earlier heating effects and effects of surface processes. Whatever topography developed during the Palaeogene, as a direct result of these heating effects, underplating at the base of the crust, and the associated modest denudation, was presumably also short-lived; significant changes to the crustal thickness, and thus to the topography, can be envisaged as a consequence of subsequent lower-crustal flow.