The Lambeth Group of SE England — lessons for the soils of Perth

Jacqueline Skipper

The Pleistocene to Holocene sediments of Perth, Australia (Guildford, Swan River and Perth Formations – formerly collectively the Guildford Formation) demonstrate striking similarities to those of the Lambeth Group (Palaeocene/Eocene) of SE England, both in regard to the lithologies themselves and their variability.

In the UK, application of oil industry stratigraphic techniques, in addition to training in the stratigraphy, has improved interpretation standards and prediction of the lithologies within the Lambeth Group. This in turn has led to refinements in design and hazard management of the sediments. This paper discusses how these techniques have evolved in the UK over the past 20 years and whether similar techniques would be advantageous in these similar sediments in Australia.