168 THE ESSEX NATURALIST
ran roughly parallel to the base of the channel. In addition the
horizontal bedding of the sandstone was sharply displaced by a
series of small, parallel normal faults. These were all downthrown
to the west with a maximum single throw of about 15 inches
(38 cm). They do not displace the ironstone bands and the fault
planes themselves are hardened by ironstone in places. Clearly,
therefore, some of these faults predate or are coeval with the
development of the present form of the channel: the gravel con-