Short Paper: The palynology and correlation of the Walton Crag (Red Crag Formation, Pliocene)

The basal sands of the Red Crag Formation at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, contain a pollen assemblage dominated by Pinus and with pollen of Taxodiaceae and thermophilous trees. This is comparable with assemblages from the Dutch Reuverian 'C' (Late Pliocene). It is not closely comparable with spectra from other sections previously correlated with the Red Crag Formation at Walton, which arguably have Praetiglian affinities. Dinoflagellate cysts typical of warm-temperate water are also present, and compare well with assemblages from the Red Crag Formation in the southern North Sea. The 'Pre-Ludhamian' and 'Waltonian' are therefore separate stages assignable to the Pleistocene and Pliocene, respectively.