A palynological study of palaeokarst deposits near Asby, Cumbria

The palaeokarst clays of Asby are enigmatic deposit; they cannot be wayboard clays or tills deposit due to the low smectite content and the absence of illite respectively. The presence of kaolinite is consistent with deep weathering. It is possible that this area of Cumbria underwent extensive weathering during the Palaeogene, then a Quaternary ice sheet moved the weathered materials from Shap to Asby, squeezing it into any pre-glacial karst features.
The Carboniferous spores are assumed to have had a local source. The indigenous flora appears to be Quaternary and is indicative of a herbaceous flora. The large levels of dispersed cuticle indicates that the plants grew nearby.