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Alluvial fan, braided river and shallow marine turbidity current deposits in the
Port Lazo and Roche Jagu Formations, Northern Brittany: relationships to
andesite emplacements and...

Article  in  Geological Magazine · August 2017

DOI: 10.1017/S0016756816000686

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Geol. Mag.: page 1 of 24 
c Cambridge University Press 2016 1
doi:10.1017/S0016756816000686

Alluvial fan, braided river and shallow-marine turbidity current

deposits in the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations, Northern
Brittany: relationships to andesite emplacements and implications
for age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
D AV I D J. W E N T ∗
Ostralegus Ventures Ltd., Silver Birches, Fox Hill Village, Haywards Heath, RH16 4QZ

(Received 19 November 2015; accepted 7 June 2016)

Abstract – Facies and stratigraphic analysis of the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations, together
the lower part of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group, suggests deposition in three distinct depositional
systems. The lower part of the Port Lazo Formation comprises red conglomerate, sandstone and shale
of alluvial fan to alluvial plain origin. A conformable interval of grey sandstone and shale succeeds
the lower Port Lazo red beds and records a period of subtidal sedimentation dominated by river-fed,
shallow-water turbidity currents (hyperpycnites). The succeeding Roche Jagu Formation comprises red
sandstones and shales of braided fluvial origin. It is intercalated with, and succeeded by, andesites. The
andesites succeeding the fluvial strata overlie a prominent erosion surface and are lava flows, whereas
those intercalated with the fluvial strata are intrusions. Rb–Sr radiometric dating of the andesites
at 472+/−5 Ma is commonly used as evidence for the whole Plourivo-Plouézec Group being Early
Ordovician in age. However, the stratigraphic relationships and patterns of sedimentation in the Port
Lazo and Roche Jagu formations, together with the localized presence of Arumberia, suggest they
are most likely of early Cambrian age and related to a phase of post-Cadomian rifting. The facies
deposited show both similarities to and differences from neighbouring strata of equivalent age, and
highlight the control exerted by sediment load on alluvial and nearshore processes on early Palaeozoic
environments.
Keywords: hyperpycnites, lower Cambrian, Arumberia, pre-vegetation environments.

1. Introduction constrained stratigraphically but a compelling simil-

Coarse-grained, continental clastic sediments (red
beds) of Palaeozoic age are widespread in NW France
where they rest with unconformity on late Precam-
brian rocks deformed during the Cadomian Orogeny
(Fig. 1a). The Cadomian Orogeny in NW France is
probably best interpreted as a sinistral, transpressive,
subduction-related event, climaxing at 540 Ma (Peucat,
1986; Treloar & Strachan, 1990). The succeeding red
beds are commonly bracketed as Cambro-Ordovician
in age in view of their largely unfossiliferous charac-
ter and loosely constrained stratigraphic control. They
are commonly referred to as post-orogenic molasse-
type deposits (Renouf, 1974), formed by erosion of the
Cadomian highlands. This may be a valid description
for lower Cambrian red beds (540–509 Ma) deposited
immediately after the climax of the Cadomian Orogeny,
but is less justified for Early Ordovician strata which
were deposited 90 Ma later. Locally in Normandy, red
beds clearly underlie fossiliferous marine early Cam-
brian strata (e.g. Alderney Sandstone Formation and its
extension into the Siouville Syncline of the Cotentin
peninsula). In other localities, for example at Erquy–
Cap Fréhel, the age of the red beds is not so well
∗ Author for correspondence: david.dwent@talktalk.net
arity of facies is supportive of a comparable genesis.
Locally, red beds or covering strata are intercalated
with volcanic flows that have yielded convincing ra-
diometric dates of Early Ordovician age (e.g. Auvray
et al. 1980; Bonjour et al. 1988). One such red-bed
sequence is present in the lower Palaeozoic Plourivo-
Plouézec Group where andesites interbedded with red
beds have yielded a Rb–Sr date of 472±5 Ma (Auvray
et al. 1980), interpreted as an eruption age (Fig. 1b,
c). This age date has been used to suggest that the
sedimentary sequence in this basin is of Ordovician
age and therefore not of immediately post-orogenic
origin (Suire, Dabard & Chauvel, 1991; Egal et al.
1995).
The purpose of this paper is to characterize the
sedimentology and stratigraphy of the Port Lazo and
Roche Jagu formations and to evaluate the relation-
ship of the andesites to the sedimentary rocks of
the Plourivo-Plouézec Group. The results are used
to challenge the age assigned to the different form-
ations of the basin fill, define a regional palaeogeo-
graphic setting and add further to our knowledge of the
sedimentary processes operating on early Palaeozoic
palaeoenvironments.
2 D. J. W E N T

Figure 1. (Colour online) Location and stratigraphy of the lower Palaeozoic strata of the Plourivo-Plouézec basin. (a) Location of other
red-bed deposits and radiometric data. (b) Sketch map of the basin fill, partly after Auvray et al. (1980) and Egal et al. (1995). Dashed
outlines locate maps in Figures 2 and 3. (c) Stratigraphic subdivision.

2. Geological setting associated with the transgression of an irregular

The rocks of NW France are of late Precambrian and
early Palaeozoic age and largely relate to the passing
of the Cadomian orogenic cycle which climaxed at c.
540 Ma (Peucat, 1986; D’Lemos, Strachan & Topley,
1990). The Precambrian rocks of the region are in-
terpreted to relate to crustal accretion at a destructive
plate boundary. The rocks include patches of >2 Ga
old ‘Icartian’ basement, succeeded by a younger Neo-
proterozoic (600–540 Ma old) cover of metasediments
and island-arc-type volcanic rocks known as the Bri-
overian (Rabu et al. 1990). These are all intruded
by abundant plutons, predominantly granitic in char-
acter (Brown et al. 1990). The Cadomian Orogeny
in NW France is probably best interpreted as a sin-
istral, transpressive, subduction-related event, which
climaxed at 540 Ma (Brun & Balé, 1990; Gapais &
Balé, 1990; Treloar & Strachan, 1990). Erosion of
the resulting Cadomian uplands immediately follow-
ing the orogenic climax is interpreted to have resul-
ted in the deposition of red beds and shallow marine
strata, which accumulated in extensional basins opened
along the prevailing structural grain (Went & Andrews,
1990).
The lower Palaeozoic rocks of Normandy and Brit-
tany are predominantly Cambrian and Ordovician in
age (Doré, 1972, 1994; Doré et al. 1977). In Nor-
mandy the Cambrian sequences are up to 800 m thick,
in part fossiliferous, and well dated as early Cam-
brian. They comprise red beds succeeded by trans-
gressive sequences of sandstones, marine shales and
limestones (Doré, 1972; Brasier, 1980). This deep-
ening of the basin through early Cambrian time was
shoreline in a direction from east to west (Doré, 1972).
Non-marine basin elements comprising predominantly
fluvial strata have been identified draining east, to-
wards the early Cambrian shoreline (Went & Andrews,
1990). The middle and upper Cambrian strata are re-
ported to be absent, reflecting a period of broad re-
gional uplift during this time. Lower Ordovician strata
of Arenig age, on the other hand, are widespread over
both Normandy and Brittany. This reflects a period of
renewed subsidence and marine transgression, unre-
lated to the Cadomian orogenic cycle, and was prob-
ably associated with the opening of the Rheic Ocean
(Robardet, Paris & Racheboeuf, 1990). In Normandy,
Arenig sediments are sandstone dominated and exclus-
ively of shallow marine affinity (the Grès Armoricain).
In Brittany the Grès Armoricain is locally underlain by
red beds, for example the Cap de la Chèvre Formation
which is also ascribed an Arenig age (Bonjour et al.
1988).
The Plourivo-Plouézec Group comprises four form-
ations (Auvray et al. 1980; Suire, Dabard & Chauvel,
1991; Egal et al. 1995). These are, from the bottom: the
Port Lazo, Roche Jagu, Toul Lan and Plourivo Shale
formations. A thick sequence of andesites occurs above
and within the Roche Jagu Formation. The andesites
which are thick and widespread in the east of the main
outcrop, but scarce in the west, are the rocks from which
the radiometric age date of 472±5 Ma was obtained by
Auvray et al. (1980). The vertical sequence of rocks
in the group is illustrated in Figure 1c. The outcrop
of the different formations is largely controlled by the
folding of the sequence into a basinal syncline, albeit
one cut by numerous faults. The outlier at Bréhec is
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 2. Map summarizing field relationships on the north coast from Port Lazo to Pointe de Kerarzic. Solid colour on coast denotes
extent of exposure on the rock platform. Inset dashed outline refers to detail in Figure 14.
separated from the main outcrop by a N–S-aligned an-
ticline which brings Brioverian metasediments to the
surface south of Pointe de Plouézec (Figs 1, 2).
3. Methods
The sedimentology and surfaces bounding the form-
ations have been studied on the coast where expos-
ures are generally good. Field relationships were stud-
ied and data collected from Port Lazo to Pointe de
Kerarzic in the main outcrop and from the outlier at
Anse de Bréhec (Figs 1b, 2, 3). The best inland expos-
ures allow for recognition of the formation present,
but are not generally well suited to detailed sedi-
mentological evaluation. Observations were nonethe-
less made at Chateau Roche Jagu on the west (left)
bank of the River Trieux and mid-cliff at the level
of the railway line on the east (right) bank of the
river.
Data were collected in the form of maps of field
relationships, sedimentological logs of representative
sections and photographs of key facies. Palaeocur-
rents were obtained from pebble imbrication, cross-
stratification, channel margins and current ripple lam-
ination. Recordings were made either of foreset planes
directly (dip amount and direction) or as the direc-
tion of current flow as a reading of pitch in the
plane of bedding (direction only), as dictated by pa-
laeocurrent indicator and exposure type. The results
were reoriented on a stereonet to remove bedding
dip.
3
4. Port Lazo Formation
Sedimentological observations made during this study
indicate that the Port Lazo Formation should be di-
vided into two intervals or informal members. The Port
Lazo Formation lower member is composed of red-
coloured conglomerate, sandstone and mudstone. The
Port Lazo Formation upper member is characterized
by grey-coloured sandstone and subordinate mudstone.
The distinction in the field is clear, but in previous work
and in the notes accompanying the French Geological
Survey Map it is reported solely as a change in facies
(Suire, Dabard & Chauvel, 1991; Egal et al. 1995). The
description of the formation as comprising two mem-
bers is preferred, since it emphasizes the stratigraphic
(rather than lateral) change in lithology and facies as
well as the permanent (not interdigitating) and wide-
spread nature of the change. As such, it acts as a useful
subdivision of the basin fill.
4.a. Port Lazo Formation lower member
4.a.1. Bounding surfaces and thickness
The Port Lazo Formation lower member is exposed
on reefs on the foreshore at the small harbour of Port
Lazo and in the Anse de Bréhec on the western and
eastern limbs respectively, of a roughly N–S-striking
anticline (Fig. 1). The Port Lazo Formation lower mem-
ber rests unconformably on Brioverian metasediments
at both locations (Figs 2, 3). The contact can be seen
directly at Bréhec, and located to within c. 1 m at Port
Lazo. Cobble grade conglomerate, with a few boulders,
4 D. J. W E N T
Figure 3. Map summarizing field relationships on the east coast in Anse de Bréhec. Solid colour on coast denotes extent of exposure
on the rock platform.
rests with marked angular unconformity on eroded Bri-
overian sandstones and shales at both localities (cf.
Went, Andrews and Williams, 1988; Went, 1991). The
Port Lazo Formation lower member is estimated to be
up to 130 m thick at Port Lazo (Fig. 4). Comparable
facies occur at each locality, but the sequence is ap-
parently somewhat thinner (50 m) in Bréhec. The fact
that the member is not seen inland in the main outcrop
suggests that the member may thin and be overlapped
or overstepped to the south by the Port Lazo Formation
upper member.
4.a.2. Facies
The Port Lazo Formation lower member comprises
five facies: planar stratified, sand-matrix conglomer-
ate; mud-matrix conglomerate; trough cross-stratified
sandstone; laminated silty sandstone; and red mudstone
(Table 1, Figs 4–7).
4.a.2.a. Planar-stratified sand-matrix conglomerate (PLL1)
These are very poorly sorted, moderately to poorly or-
ganized, cobble to pebble grade, clast-supported con-
glomerates. The conglomerates show a crude hori-
zontal, decimetre-scale bedding or stratification and
the clasts are locally imbricated (Fig. 5a). Palaeocur-
rents obtained from pebble imbrication suggest flow to
the south (Figs 4, 8). The intergranular matrix is red-
coloured granular sand. The clasts are predominantly
of Brioverian sandstone and shale. This facies accounts
for c. 50 % of the Port Lazo lower member (Table 1).
4.a.2.b. Mud-matrix conglomerate (PLL2)
These are poorly organized, decimetre-scale beds of
pebble to cobble conglomerate, locally containing lar-
ger boulders, set in a red muddy matrix (Fig. 5b). The
larger clasts within this facies are largely in contact
and therefore clast supported. Smaller particles, up to
small pebble grade, are commonly supported by the
mud matrix, however. This facies is present at Bréhec
and accounts for c. 5 % of the Port Lazo Formation
lower member.
4.a.2.c. Cross-stratified medium-grained sandstone (PLL3)
These are typically medium-grained, red sandstones
showing decimetre-scale trough cross-stratification.
This facies occurs overlying conglomerate at Port
Lazo and interbedded with red mudstone in Bréhec
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 4. Measured section through the Port Lazo Formation lower member at Port Lazo. The key to this figure also relates to Figures 6,
7, 9, 10 and 12.
(Fig. 5c). Palaeocurrents obtained from trough foresets
display a fair spread of azimuths, but mostly indic-
ate flow to the south. However, one 2.5 m thick in-
terval of yellowish-grey, trough cross-stratified sand-
stone present towards the top of the sequence in Bréhec
displays easterly palaeocurrents (Fig. 7, log D). Facies
PLL3 makes up c. 5 % of the Port Lazo Formation lower
member.
4.a.2.d. Laminated silty sandstone (PLL4)
These are red-coloured, fine- to very-fine-grained, pre-
dominantly parallel-laminated, silty sandstones. Less
commonly, this facies shows current ripple cross-
lamination, loading and water escape features (Fig. 5d).
This facies occurs succeeding the trough cross-
stratified sandstones in Port Lazo (Fig. 4) and is also
present as an interval 1 m thick intercalated with con-
glomerate in Bréhec. Palaeocurrents obtained from
ripple cross-lamination in this facies in Port Lazo and
Bréhec are typically directed southwards.
5
4.a.2.e. Red mudstone (PLL5)
This facies is well exposed in strike section in low
cliffs on the south side of the Anse de Bréhec. The
contact with the underlying conglomerates, which are
on the north side of the bay, is obscured by the beach
at Bréhec. These are red-coloured mudstones intercal-
ated with buff-coloured, very fine sandstones (Fig. 5e).
The intercalated sandstones typically show abundant
current- and wave-formed ripple lamination. Palaeo-
currents obtained from ripple cross-lamination are dir-
ected to the south. Measurements of the strike of wave-
formed ripple crests, exposed in plan view, are roughly
E–W-trending (Fig. 8b). The mudstones display irreg-
ular, warty laminations, desiccation cracks and poly-
gons, sand dykes and cement nodules (Fig. 5f, g). Lam-
ination both runs through, and is deformed around, the
cement nodules. Immediately beneath the contact with
the Port Lazo Formation upper member, an interval of
silty, very fine sandstone shows bedding-discordant, in-
clined stratification passing laterally to a steep erosion
surface with 0.8 m of relief (Fig. 6). Palaeocurrents
6 D. J. W E N T

Figure 5. (Colour online) Port Lazo Formation lower member. (a) Crudely bedded and imbricated pebble conglomerate, Port Lazo. (b)
Red, mud-matrix conglomerate, Bréhec. (c) Trough cross-stratified sandstone, Port Lazo. (d) Parallel and ripple-laminated very fine
sandstone and siltstone, Port Lazo. (e) Red mudstone with intercalated very-fine-grained, ripple cross-laminated sandstones, Bréhec.
(f) Irregular bumpy lamination interpreted as adhesion warts, Bréhec. (g) Large desiccation polygons in red mudstone, Brehec. (h)
Bedding plane of red mudstone displaying fine, sub-parallel ridges and grooves, and ovoid pits typical of Arumberia, Bréhec.
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group 7

Table 1. Summary of facies, Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations.

Formation,
member Amount Environment/
and facies (%) Description Process interpretation sub-environment

Port Lazo Formation lower member: alluvial fan to tidally influenced coastal plain
PLL1 50 Stratified, poorly sorted pebble to cobble Gravelly stream-flood deposits Middle to distal
conglomerate in beds 0.15–0.5 m thick alluvial fan gravels
PLL2 5 Poorly sorted, mud-matrix rich, pebble to Debris-flow deposits Middle to distal
cobble conglomerate in bed alluvial fan gravels
0.25–0.5 m thick
PLL3 5 Trough cross-stratified medium to coarse Deposition from sinuous crested Distal alluvial fan,
sandstone in beds 0.2–0.5 m thick dunes/megaripples sand-bed channels
PLL4 20 Planar laminated silty sandstone with Bedload and suspension deposition Fan abandonment
rare current ripples and water escape from unconfined shallow flows facies/sand-flat–
features playa
PLL5 20 Red mudstone and intercalated thin beds Low-energy bedload, suspension Tidally influenced
of very fine sandstone showing and adhesion deposits alluvial plain
desiccation cracks, irregular mudstones
lamination, current- and wave-formed
ripples and locally Arumberia
Port Lazo Formation upper member: subtidal, river-fed turbidity currents
PLU1 63 Massive, erosively based, fine to medium Rapid deposition from sediment Proximal, river-flood-
grained sandstones, 0.3–4 m thick, concentrated, density generated, shallow
mostly structureless, locally displaying underflows/high-density water, high-density
loaded bases, sole marks, dish turbidity currents, locally turbidites
structures, cross-bedding and modified by wave action (hyperpycnites)
wave-ripple-modified tops.
PLU2 5 Clean, sharp-based, tabular beds of Upper flow regime turbidity Medial, river-flood
parallel laminated fine-grained current deposits generated, turbidity
sandstone, 0.2–1 m thick. current deposits
PLU3 15 Clean sharp to erosively based beds of Lower flow regime turbidity Distal, river-flood
current rippled fine-grained sandstone, current deposits generated, turbidity
0.1–1 m thick. current deposits
PLU4 15 Intercalated thin beds of current and/or Deposition from low-energy Background, shallow
wave-rippled sandstone and mudstone, turbidity currents, water, current-,
locally containing Arumberia; wave-generated currents and wave- and
heterolithic strata possible tidal mud drapes tide-influenced
sedimentation
PLU5 2 Silty laminated mudstone Hemi-pelagic deposits Background subtidal
sedimentation
Roche Jagu Formation: braided river
RJ1 50 Trough cross-stratified sandstone Deposition from sinuous crested Channel-bar deposits
dunes/megaripples
RJ2 10 Large, laterally persistent, tabular Deposition on the slipface of Slipfaces of unit and
asymptotic cross-stratified sandstone transverse unit bars compound bars
RJ3 20 Flat to low-angle cross-stratified Deposition from fast, shallow flows Fluvial bar top flats
sandstone
RJ4 5 Current-rippled sandstone Low-energy channel-fill deposits Waning flow and
channel
abandonment facies
RJ5 15 Heterolithic: current- and wave-rippled Low-energy traction current and Bar top and possible
sandstone, red mudstone and suspension deposits subject to overbank sandstones
desiccation cracks ponded waters and desiccation and mudstones

obtained from this interval are directed to the south and
east, normal to and up the dip of the inclined bedding-
discordant stratification. Locally, this facies contains
probable fossil remains. These are manifest on bedding
plane structures as millimetre-scale ridges and grooves
associated with millimetre-scale circular to ovoid pits
(Fig. 5h). These are identified as the enigmatic struc-
ture Arumberia, an Ediacarian – lower Cambrian im-
pression fossil (Glaessner & Walter, 1975; Bland, 1984;
Davies et al. 2016).
4.a.3. Interpretation
The facies of the Port Lazo Formation lower mem-
ber are interpreted to represent the deposits of a
southwards-building, alluvial fan to tidally influenced
alluvial plain system. A continental environment of de-
position is generally supported by the red colouration
and abundant evidence of subaerial exposure (e.g. de-
siccation cracks). Petrographic data (clast composition
observations plus data in Egal et al. 1995) indicate that
the drainage basin was composed of Brioverian rocks.
A depositional model for the Port Lazo lower mem-
ber is presented in Figure 9a. Facies and environmental
interpretation are further detailed in the following.
The sand-matrix conglomerates (PLL1) are inter-
preted as waterlain stream- and sheet-flood deposits
(Blair, 1987, 1999). The clast-supported texture and
crude stratification and bedding attests to gradual ag-
gradation of clasts from water flows. However, the very
8 D. J. W E N T

Figure 6. (Colour online) Large-scale low-angle cross-bedding interpreted as lateral accretion associated with a tidally influenced
channel at the top of the Port Lazo Formation lower member. Mini logs depict sedimentary structure at three locations. Horizontal field
of view is c. 30 m. View is to the south and palaeoflow is into the page. An erosion surface interpreted as the cut bank is visible on the
right-hand side. Palaeocurrent orientations: north to top of page.

Figure 7. Measured sections through the upper parts of the Port Lazo Formation lower member, Anse de Bréhec.

poor sorting of the clasts and locally poorly organized
fabrics argues against prolonged stream flows and fa-
vours deposition from rapidly waning water floods that
may, on occasion, have been hyperconcentrated to some
degree (Costa, 1988). They are interpreted as distal al-
luvial fan deposits.
The mud-matrix conglomerates (PLL2), which are
also poorly sorted, are interpreted as muddy debris-flow
deposits (Sharp & Nobles, 1953; Blair & McPherson,
1998). They are characteristic of, and almost unique to,
alluvial fans. The mud matrix is inferred to have had
relatively low cohesive strength, as suggested by the
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 8. (Colour online) Summary of main palaeoflow indicators from (a–d) Port Lazo Formation, lower member; (e–g) Port Lazo
Formation, upper member; and (h) Roche Jagu Formation.
matrix support of only the smaller particles, but was
nonetheless probably of significance to flow mobility
and in providing buoyant support to the larger clasts
(Nemec & Steel, 1984).
The trough cross-stratified sandstones (PLL3) attest
to deposition from the migration of sinuous crested
dune bedforms in turbulent water flows 2–4 m deep
(Guy, Simons & Richardson, 1966; Allen, 1984; Bridge
& Tye, 2000). These are generally interpreted as distal
fan, stream channel deposits. However, the yellowish-
grey, trough cross-stratified sandstone intercalated with
red mudstone towards the top of the sequence in Bréhec
shows strong easterly palaeocurrents, and may possibly
represent the deposits of a modestly sized trunk river
(Figs 7, 9).
The laminated silty sandstones (PLL4) are inter-
preted as the deposits of practically unconfined sheet
flows. Water escape features attest to the periodically
saturated nature of the substrate, suggesting a fluctuat-
ing, generally high-water table such as that encountered
where alluvial fans transition to mud-dominated flats
or playas (Hardie, Smoot & Eugster, 1978; Hubert &
Hyde, 1982; Tunbridge, 1984). This facies may repres-
ent deposition marginal to an active retreating alluvial
fan system or, alternatively, reflect the abandonment of
the pre-existing fan system (Heward, 1978).
The red mudstones (PLL5) are interpreted to repres-
ent deposition on a playa to tidally influenced alluvial
plain. Playas (mudflats) are commonly observed mar-
ginal to alluvial fan systems (Hardie, Smoot & Eugster,
1978; Hubert & Hyde, 1982) where they may merge
into alluvial plains. Fine-grained sediment dominates
9
in both environments, the distinction being that sedi-
ment on the alluvial plain is largely supplied by a trunk
fluvial system. There is limited evidence for a trunk
river, although a possible exception is the yellowish-
grey, trough cross-stratified sandstone seen near the
top of the mudstone sequence (Figs 7, 9). Tidal influ-
ences are inferred from the presence of Arumberia and
the evidence of small migratory channels towards the
top of the sequence.
The wave-formed ripples present in the fine and very
fine sandstones within the mudstones attest to winds
blowing over shallow water, possibly ephemeral lakes
formed through flooding or alternatively from tidal in-
flux. On the other hand, the abundant intervals show-
ing desiccation cracks and sand dykes clearly point
to periods of subaerial exposure and confirm this is
a continental environment of deposition (Oomkens,
1966; Tunbridge, 1984). The irregular warty lamina-
tions are interpreted as adhesion structures (Kocurek
& Fielder, 1982). They may have been formed entirely
by physical processes of wetting and drying or, alternat-
ively, have involved the presence of algal films (Davies
et al. 2016). The initial formation of the cement nodules
in the mudstones was relatively early, as indicated by
some differential compaction that occurs around them,
and may have developed via early diagenesis associ-
ated with the fluctuating water table levels. Arumberia
is believed to have been formed by a microbial organ-
ism adapted to mixed salinity and periodically desic-
cated environments (Kumar & Pandey, 2009; Koles-
nikov, Grazhdankin & Maslov, 2012) and is therefore
consistent with a tidally influenced alluvial plain.
10
Figure 9. Environment of deposition. (a) Port Lazo Formation,
lower member; (b) Port Lazo Formation, upper member; and (c)
Roche Jagu Formation. Numbers relate to facies codes defined
in the text.
The inclined stratification at the very top of the se-
quence is interpreted to reflect lateral accretion on a
very-fine-grained bank-attached bar and the associated
erosion surface, the cut bank. The inclined surfaces dip
towards the cut bank and contain current ripples which
indicate flow to the south, orthogonal to and, in places,
up the depositional dip of the accretionary surface, sug-
gestive of a component of helical flow accompanying
D. J. W E N T
lateral migration of the channel (Fig. 6). The channel
evidently lay dry for periods of time judging by the de-
siccation cracks formed throughout the sequence and,
when in flow, was of low energy with only ripple bed-
forms developed. Muddy point bars tend to be asso-
ciated with tidally influenced channels in coastal parts
of alluvial plains (Stewart, 1983; Thomas et al. 1987),
an observation consistent with the immediate change
upwards to grey sediment of the Port Lazo Formation
upper member, which is interpreted to be subtidal mar-
ine in origin. Nevertheless, fluvial or ebb flow discharge
was evidently dominant as only southwards flow is ob-
served.
The coarse facies present in the Port Lazo Form-
ation lower member bear a striking resemblance to
the facies of the Rozel Conglomerate Formation
(Went, 2005). The latter likewise contains a repor-
ted occurrence of Arumberia (Bland, 1984). The
proportions of the different facies present in the
two formations highlights that the Port Lazo Form-
ation lower member was probably deposited in a
more distal fan setting than the Rozel Conglomerate
Formation.
4.b. Port Lazo Formation upper member
4.b.1. Bounding surfaces and thickness
The contact between the Port Lazo Formation lower
and upper members is not exposed on the north coast
west of Port Lazo, where a 100 m section of beach
gravels separates the two nearest exposures. However,
it is exposed in the Anse de Bréhec where the two
members are in structural conformance. A measured
section through the contact is shown in Figure 10 (log
F). Red mudstone and very fine sandstone is succeeded
by current-rippled fine grey sandstone and mudstone.
The beds immediately above the contact contain ex-
amples of an impression fossil comparable to Arum-
beria (Fig. 11f). A fault and boulders from a rock fall
prevent the viewing of an uninterrupted section above
the contact. However, there is a rapid transition to thick
massive sandstones and intercalated, thin mudstones.
The top of the formation in Bréhec is a faulted contact
with an andesite intrusion (Fig. 3). The total thickness
of the upper member to the fault contact is on the order
of 100 m.
On the north coast west of Port Lazo to Pointe Ker-
mor the member crops out in strike section. The top and
base are not exposed. The base may well be conform-
able; however, the top is undoubtedly faulted. The fault
contact with the Roche Jagu Formation runs through
the west of the bay at Boulgeff. A number of faults
cut the section from Port Lazo to Boulgeff, making
thickness estimates problematic. However, c. 60 m of
section is estimated to be present. The mapping of
Auvray et al. (1980) and Egal et al. (1995) suggests
the formation thins to the south in the main outcrop,
where it is overlapped or overstepped by andesites
(Fig. 1).
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 10. Measured sections through the Port Lazo Formation upper member, Anse de Bréhec (logs F, G, H) and Boulgeff (log B)
4.b.2. Facies
Five depositional facies are identified in the Port Lazo
Formation upper member. A summary of the depos-
itional characteristics of the facies, their relative abund-
ance and interpretation are presented in Table 1. They
are further described in the following sections and il-
lustrated in Figure 11.
4.b.2.a. Thick bedded, massive sandstones (PLU1)
These are thick beds (0.4–5 m) of grey-coloured, fine-
to medium-grained, largely structureless sandstone.
Locally the sandstones display dish and pillar struc-
tures, faint parallel lamination or minor decimetre-
scale cross-bedding. Beds show sharp, planar to chan-
nelized erosive bases, locally with sole marks or ball
and flame load structures (Table 1; Fig. 10a). Bed tops
locally display wave ripple forms, or may be incised
by deep channels (Fig. 9, logs F and B). This facies
contains common nodular concretions. Palaeocurrents
obtained from channel margins are oriented NNW–
SSE and wave ripple crests strike approximately E–W
(Fig. 8f, g). This facies accounts for c. 60 % of the Port
Lazo Formation upper member.
4.b.2.b. Parallel laminated sandstone (PLU2)
These are sharp-based, tabular beds 30–50 cm thick of
clean, grey-coloured fine to medium sandstone show-
ing parallel lamination. They locally stack vertically
11
to form bed sets 1–2 m thick (Fig. 11b). This facies
accounts for 5 % of the Port Lazo Formation upper
member.
4.b.2.c. Current-ripple-laminated sandstone (PLU3)
These are sharp-based, tabular units of clean current-
ripple-laminated sandstone organized in beds and bed
sets 0.1–2 m thick (Figs 10 (logs B, H), 11c). The
beds typically show negligible grading and the cur-
rent ripple lamination displays low angles of climb. Pa-
laeocurrents obtained from current-ripple lamination
are unambiguously directed to the south. This facies
accounts for c. 15 % of the Port Lazo Formation up-
per member and is commonly intercalated with facies
PLU2.
4.b.2.d. Heterolithic strata (thin interbeds of sandstone and
mudstone) (PLU4)
These are thin tabular beds (2–20 cm thick) of in-
tercalated fine-grained sandstone and parallel lam-
inated grey to purple mudstone (Figs 10 (log G),
11d). The thin sandstone beds are typically sharp or
erosively based, locally graded and commonly display
current and wave ripple forms and cross-lamination.
Locally thin, millimetre-scale couplets of mudstone
and very fine sandstone drape the sandstones beds.
The intervals of heterolithic strata which are 0.5–5 m
thick locally display examples of Arumberia, but are
12 D. J. W E N T

Figure 11. (Colour online) Port Lazo Formation Upper Member. (a) Thick bedded, erosively based sandstones showing prominent
load structures at contact with inclined heterolithic strata (left arrow), channel margin (middle arrow) and steep-sided mud- and
sand-filled channel above surface marked with right arrow. (b) Flat laminated clean sandstone (board for scale is 30 cm high). (c)
Current ripple-laminated fine sandstone. (d) Heterolithic strata with beds of sandstone comprising symmetrical wave-formed ripples
draped with alternating thin layers of mudstone and sandstone (arrowed). (e) Parallel laminated silty mudstone. (f) Bedding plane view
of large Arumberia at the base of the upper member in Bréhec. (g) Stepped erosional contact (at hammer head, arrowed) between thick
massive sandstone and unit of inclined heterolithic strata.
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
otherwise devoid of trace or body fossils. Heterolithic
strata locally show evidence of gravity-induced de-
formation and convolution.
4.b.2.e. Parallel laminated mudstone (PLU5)
These are intervals 0.25–2 m thick of parallel lam-
inated grey to purple mudstone (Figs 10 (log G),
11e). They comprise centimetre-scale beds of nor-
mally graded siltstone and claystone and constitute
c. 5 % of the total interval. The parallel lamin-
ated mudstones commonly show evidence of gravity-
induced, post-depositional modification including re-
cumbent folded intervals, slumped bedding and
convolution.
4.b.3. Stratal architecture
The sedimentary facies described are associated with
some distinctive architectural elements. Although ver-
tical stacking of tabular bedded sandstone and shale is
commonly observed, evidence of channelling is also
widespread. Many of the massive sandstone (facies
PLU1) show channelized bases with relief of 1–2 m as
described in the sedimentary logs and photos (Figs 10,
11). Also common are deep channel scours 1–3 m deep,
with heterolithic fills. The heterolithic fills variously
show sandstone pillows loaded into convoluted mud-
stone, thin beds of alternating rippled sandstone and
mudstone, and locally thicker channelized sand bodies
forming a composite fill to a larger channel. Smaller-
scale (centimetre–decimetre-deep) channel bodies are
less conspicuous, but also locally present. Lenticular
sandstone bodies several metres to tens of metres
wide are locally arranged as shingled stacks with the
shingling occurring approximately perpendicular to pa-
laeoflow. Partings of mudstone commonly separate the
sandstone bodies in these cases. Also common are in-
tervals of more mudstone-dominated heterolithic ma-
terial which shows inclined bedding relative to regional
dip. The inclination of the strata in these intervals also
tends to be perpendicular to the prevailing palaeocur-
rent (Fig. 11g).
4.b.4. Interpretation
The grey colouration and lack of any indicators of
subaerial exposure suggests deposition took place in
a subtidal environment. Deposition is interpreted to
have occurred in the subtidal parts of a southwards
building delta or estuary, as depicted in Figure 8b. The
bulk of sedimentation is interpreted to have occurred
during river flood in the form of hyperpycnal turbidity
current flows. Subordinate deposition is interpreted to
have occurred as background sedimentation in a low-
energy wave and tide-influenced environment. Facies
interpretations and environmental analysis are detailed
in the following.
The prominent thick beds of structureless or
dewatered sandstone (PLU1) with erosive and com-
monly loaded bases point to deposition from mass
13
flows, specifically high-density turbidity currents
(Lowe, 1979, 1982; Kneller & Branney, 1995). The
sharp to erosively channelized bases and localized as-
sociation with channel cuts suggest a largely chan-
nelized origin. They are interpreted as the product
of density underflows (hyperpycnal flows) formed at
the mouths of major river channels in times of flood
(Plink-Björklund & Steel, 2004). The underflows are
believed to have resulted from high river discharges
and sediment loads (Burgess & Hovius, 1998; Mulder
et al. 2003). Turbid sediment-rich waters entered the
sea and transitioned to density flows at a plunging
zone, in this case probably the top of the delta front
(Mulder et al. 2003). High-density turbidity currents
resulted in much rapid deposition on the delta front
as flow competence was lost offshore (Nelson, 1982).
The ball and flame structures which are locally present
in this facies attests to the weight of sediment in-
troduced on deposition (Mutti et al. 2007). Period-
ically during flows, the rate of sediment deposition
was reduced allowing localized planar lamination and
traction bedforms to develop. This is consistent with
modern river-fed hyperpycnal flows which, although
they tend to last for several days or weeks, may ebb
temporarily (Mulder et al. 2003). The interpretation
places sediment deposition in subtidal channels im-
mediately offshore of the fluvial/tidal mouth bar. The
localized moulding of the tops of massive sandstones
into wave-formed ripples attests to the action of waves
touching the water bottom, confirming that the massive
sandstones were deposited in relatively shallow water,
certainly above wave base (Raaf, Boersma & Gelder,
1977). Locally, where the sandstones and wave ripple
forms occur associated with thin couplets of sand-
stone and mudstone (Fig. 11d) they resemble tidal
rhythmites (Rahmani, 1988). This suggests the sedi-
ments may have been modified by both waves and tides,
the mud deposition occurring via particle floccula-
tion during slack water periods (Reading & Collinson,
1996).
The tabular bedded intervals of parallel laminated
sandstone (PLU2) are interpreted to reflect upper flow
regime, plane bed deposition from turbidity currents
(Bouma, 1962; Lowe, 1982). This facies is locally
transitional to facies PLU1 and is interpreted to reflect
slower rates of bed aggradation than for the massive
sandstone deposition. This facies is not generally as-
sociated with conspicuous channelling and, as such,
it is interpreted to reflect deposition from less con-
centrated, unconfined flows in a slightly more distal
environmental setting.
The beds of current-ripple-laminated sandstone
(PLU3) are also interpreted as turbidity current de-
posits, reflecting aggradation under lower-flow-regime
conditions (Bouma, 1962; Lowe, 1979, 1982). The
fairly thick tabular beds of ripple cross-lamination
are interpreted to reflect deposition from fairly sus-
tained, unconfined flows in a medial to distal environ-
mental setting. Deposition from fairly long-duration
sustained flows is deduced from the fairly thick
14
beds, lack of conspicuous grading and low angle
of climb associated with the ripple cross-lamination.
The general lack of wave-formed structures suggests
this facies was deposited below fair-weather wave
base.
The intervals of heterolithic strata, comprising thin
beds of current and wave-ripple-laminated sandstone
and silty mudstone are interpreted to reflect low-energy
sedimentation either in areas marginal to the main locus
of hyperpycnal turbidity current deposition or outside
times of major flood activity. The thin, graded beds of
current-ripple-laminated sandstone are interpreted to
reflect deposition from dilute turbidity current flows of
short duration. The occurrence of wave-formed ripples
indicates deposition took place in relatively shallow
waters, an observation consistent with the occurrence
of Arumberia in this facies. The mud–sand couplets
locally present in this facies may furthermore reflect
shallow-water deposition through the action of tides
(Rahmani, 1988; Visser, 1980; Dalrymple, Zaitlin &
Boyd, 1992).
Intervals of laminated mudstone, comprising nor-
mally graded centimetre-scale beds of siltstone and
claystone, are interpreted to reflect deposition from
very-low-energy turbidity currents. They are inter-
preted to have been deposited in an environment mar-
ginal to and/or distal from that of PLU4.
Palaeocurrents, obtained mostly from current ripple
lamination, are strongly unidirectional and indicate
that the observed turbidity-current-dominated wedge of
delta sediments built southwards through time. Most of
the sediment is interpreted to have come from fluvially
generated underflows. Loading from these dense flows
or seismic events in the basin may have triggered slides
and dewatering on the delta front, resulting in the oc-
currences of chaotic beds and recumbent folded strata
(Damuth, 1994; Mulder & Cochonat, 1996; Morgan,
2003, Briggs et al. 2006).
The evidence for large-scale, deeply incised chan-
nels in the Port Lazo Formation upper member is in-
terpreted to reflect deposition in a setting close to the
river mouth. The cuts are tentatively ascribed to the
turbidity current delivery process, and were in many
cases filled by the same event. In some cases, how-
ever, the deep channel cut was evidently filled in mul-
tiple stages and partly by later events. The channel
fills that comprise both sandstone and mudstone were
clearly filled by a mixture of events of low and high
energy.
The shingled sandstone bodies and inclined het-
erolithic strata occur in intervals showing evidence
for channelling. These strata are inclined in a direc-
tion perpendicular to palaeoflow and are interpreted
as lateral accretion surfaces formed on bank-attached
bars associated with the subtidal channels. Such chan-
nels and facies are present in the subtidal parts
of deltas, and are common on submarine slopes in
both the Niger and Nile deltas (Peakall, McCaffrey
& Kneller, 2000; Posamentier & Kolla, 2003; Samuel
et al. 2003; Peakall et al. 2007).
D. J. W E N T
5. Roche Jagu Formation
The Roche Jagu Formation takes its name from the
château which lies above the River Trieux, where sand-
stones are exposed on the banks of the river and in rail-
way cuttings on the east (right) bank (Fig. 1). The best
exposures of this formation, however, are on the north
coast between the small port of Kerarzic and the beach
at Boulgeff, where andesite is also present (Fig. 2).
5.a. Bounding surfaces and thickness
The contact between the Port Lazo Formation upper
member and the Roche Jagu Formation is not exposed
in the bay at Boulgeff, but lies under the western part of
the beach. Structural-stratigraphic considerations de-
termine that the contact must be faulted (Fig. 2).
The contact between the Port Lazo Formation upper
member and the Roche Jagu Formation elsewhere in the
Plourivo-Plouézec outcrop is typically obscured from
view and assumed to be faulted (Egal et al. 1995).
However, a structurally conformable superposition on
the River Trieux is reported by Egal et al. (1995) who
note red sandstones replacing grey beds of alternating
sandstone and mudstone. The thickness of the Roche
Jagu Formation is estimated by Egal et al. (1995) to be
up to 80 m.
5.b. Facies
The Roche Jagu Formation is subdivided into five fa-
cies. These are trough cross-stratified sandstone, tab-
ular asymptotic cross-stratified sandstone, flat to low-
angle cross-stratified sandstone, ripple cross-laminated
sandstone and heterolithic intervals of sandstone and
red mudstone. The facies are summarized in Table 1
and illustrated in Figures 12 and 13.
5.b.1. Trough cross-stratified sandstone (RJ1)
These are beds, 20 cm to 3.5 m thick, of fine-
to medium-grained sandstone showing trough cross-
stratification (Fig. 13a). Beds are erosively based and
typically stacked to form intervals several metres thick
(Fig. 12). Sets of trough cross-stratification of thickness
15–50 cm predominate. Average set height is 30 cm
and maximum set height is 1 m. Palaeocurrents ob-
tained from trough foresets and trough axes indicate a
current flow to the east (Fig. 8).
5.b.2. Tabular asymptotic cross-stratified sandstone (RJ2)
These are beds c. 1–1.5 m thick of fine-grained sand-
stone showing tabular asymptotic cross-stratification.
The beds are laterally persistent for over 150 m where
seen in strike section east of Kerarzic. They show a
number of reactivation surfaces. Maximum dips are
c. 30°, approximately at the angle of repose. The fore-
sets become asymptotic at the base. Palaeocurrents
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 12. Measured section through the Roche Jagu Formation,
west of Boulgeff.
show flow to the SE broadly similar to the results ob-
tained from trough cross-stratification (Fig. 12).
5.b.3. Flat to low-angle cross-stratified fine sandstone (RJ3)
These are beds c. 0.5–1 m thick of fine sandstone
showing flat stratification or very-low-angle cross-
stratification. Beds are commonly stacked into intervals
up to 3 m thick with thin laterally discontinuous beds
of trough cross-stratification locally interleaved. The
few palaeocurrents obtained from the low-angle cross-
strata are oriented NE, broadly similar to the results
obtained from trough cross-strata.
5.b.4. Ripple cross-laminated fine sandstone (RJ4)
These are beds 50 cm thick of current-ripple cross-
laminated sandstone. They are typically found
15
capping bed sets of trough cross-stratification
(Fig. 12).
5.b.5. Heterolithic fine sandstone and red mudstone (RJ5)
These are intervals typically 1–2 m thick which
show intercalated tabular beds of fine current-ripple-
laminated sandstone and red mudstone. The mudstones
locally show desiccation cracks and sand dykes up to
1 cm wide. These are particularly conspicuous in bed-
ding plane exposures where they display polygonal geo-
metries (Fig. 13c, d). Palaeocurrents from ripple cross-
lamination are limited in number (n = 16) and show
modes to the south and north.
5.c. Interpretation
The facies, palaeocurrents and red colouration of the
Roche Jagu Sandstones is interpreted to reflect depos-
ition in an easterly flowing, braided river depositional
environment, as depicted in Figure 9c.
The trough cross-stratified sandstones (RJ1) are in-
terpreted as fluvial channel sandstones. The sets of
trough cross-strata attest to deposition from sinu-
ous crested dune bedforms in unidirectional water
flows of the order 5–7 m deep (Yalin, 1964; Guy, Si-
mons & Richardson, 1966; Allen, 1968; Bridge &
Tye, 2000). The erosive bed bases and inferred wa-
ter depths suggest the flows were confined in chan-
nels. The repeated stacking of erosively based beds of
trough cross-stratification attests to frequent avulsion of
the channels, suggesting the river course was braided in
character. The palaeocurrents are unidirectional and in-
dicate flow to the east. The red colouration and intercal-
ation with other facies, showing evidence for subaerial
exposure, confirms the environment was continental
and the sediments periodically exposed to desiccation
(Cotter, 1978; Todd & Went, 1991; Collinson, 1996).
The tabular asymptotic cross-stratified sandstones
(RJ2) are interpreted as the slipfaces to transverse unit
bars (Smith, 1972; Cant & Walker, 1978; Bridge &
Lunt, 2006). The palaeocurrents obtained from this fa-
cies are to the SE, suggesting flow either parallel to that
in the main channels or at a low angle to it. The lateral
extent of these foresets and the presence of reactivation
surfaces suggest these were semi-permanent features
probably established on larger compound bars within
the river course. These are therefore interpreted as the
slipfaces to unit bars dipping broadly parallel with the
main channel axes. The scale of the slipfaces is also
consistent with flows of several metres depth.
The flat to low-angle cross-stratified sandstones
(RJ3) are interpreted as sandy, inter-channel bar flats.
The flat stratification is interpreted to have formed
as upper flow regime planar lamination or locally,
from the migration of very-low-amplitude sandwaves
formed in the fast, very shallow waters flowing over
the bar flats (Smith, 1971; Harms et al. 1975; Cant &
Walker, 1978). The laterally impersistent beds of small-
scale trough cross-stratification are interpreted as the
16 D. J. W E N T

Figure 13. (Colour online) Roche Jagu Formation. (a) Trough cross-stratified sandstone; (b) large-scale tabular asymptotic sandstone;
base of foreset at level of hammer head; (c) heterolithic strata comprising interbedded fine sandstone and red mudstone; and (d) bedding
plane view of red mudstone showing sand-filled desiccation cracks. All photos Boulgeff to Pointe de Kerarzic.

dune-covered floors of small channels crossing the bar
top flats and draining flood waters back into the main
channels (Bridge & Lunt, 2006).
The relatively thin beds of ripple cross-laminated
sandstone (RJ4) capping bed sets of trough cross-
stratification are interpreted as channel abandonment
deposits. The low-energy bedforms are observed cap-
ping fining-upwards and thinning-upwards bed sets of
trough cross-strata which themselves show decreasing
set size. These are therefore interpreted as the final
low-energy flows filling aggrading channel courses.
The heterolithic strata (RJ5), comprising tabular
beds of fine ripple cross-laminated sandstone and red
mudstone, are interpreted as the deposits of weakly con-
fined to unconfined flows. The palaeocurrents obtained
from the ripple cross-laminated sandstones that show
north and south modes might be interpreted to reflect
flows dispersing at a high angle to the main channel
direction. The intercalated mudstones suggest suspen-
sion deposition from temporarily ponded waters. The
sand-filled mudcracks attest to the subaerial exposure
of these red mudstones. Deposition may have occurred
on the low-energy (bar tail) parts of large compound
bars (Bridge & Lunt, 2006) or on levees/flood basins
(Collinson, 1996). There is insufficient exposure to be
able to discriminate between the two possibilities (cf.
Ielpi & Ghinassi, 2015).
6. Andesite and Toul Lan Formation
Andesite is found predominantly in the east and south of
the main outcrop (Fig. 1) where it reaches a maximum
of 80 m thick (Egal et al. 1995). Exposures of andesite
occur in quarries and on the coast. The best expos-
ures are found on the north coast between Boulgeff and
Pointe Kerarzic, where andesite occurs at six localities
in contact with sandstones of the Roche Jagu Form-
ation (Fig. 14). The characteristics and field relation-
ships have been studied at each of these six localities.
Amydaloidal andesite, greyish purple in colour, occurs
overlying the top of the Roche Jagu Formation at three
localities which are correlated as shown in Figure 14.
The evidence of a vesicular texture (now amydaloidal)
attests to the free escape of gas from the magma and
suggests these andesites are best interpreted as extrus-
ive lava flow deposits (Fig. 15a). The contact between
the lavas and the underlying sandstones is erosional,
with relief of up to 4 m (Fig. 12). The nature of the
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 14. (Colour online) Map summarizing field relationships on the north coast from Baie de Boulgeff to Pointe de Kerarzic (see
inset in Fig. 2).
surface suggests an unconformity, albeit one with no
major angular discordance. The remaining andesite
bodies are all non-amydaloidal. The boundaries of
some of these andesite bodies are approximately paral-
lel to bedding. However, detailed examination reveals
areas of bedding-discordant contact with the sand-
stones in all of the bodies (Fig. 15b). Sandstone strati-
fication is either destroyed through baking or runs right
up to the andesite body; there is no change of facies
or weathering products associated with the irregular
boundaries of the andesites. No clasts of andesite are
found in the sandstones. These properties all confirm
that the non-amydaloidal andesites are intrusions. Both
the lavas and the intrusions therefore post-date the
Roche Jagu Sandstones. This has major implications
for the interpretation of radiometric data obtained from
the andesites by Auvray et al. (1980). Far from being
indicative of an Ordovician (Arenig) age for the Port
Lazo and Roche Jagu formations, it suggests they are
actually pre-Arenig in age.
The Toul Lan Formation overlies either the andesite
or the Roche Jagu Formation but is exposed only in
inland locations where it is up to 150 m thick. The
best exposures occur in large disused quarries where
decimetre-scale beds of white to pink, pebbly sandstone
are characteristic (Fig. 15c, d). The granular and pebbly
components include jasper and vein quartz and are sub-
rounded in form. Towards the top of the formation
marine trace fossils have been observed (Egal et al.
1995).
7. Discussion
On the basis of the sedimentology and field obser-
vations, the lower Palaeozoic basin fill of Plourivo-
Plouézec is interpreted to comprise strata of both early
Cambrian and Early Ordovician age. The Port Lazo
and Roche Jagu formations are interpreted to be Lower
Cambrian in age. An unconformity is believed to sep-
arate these older formations from the andesites and
17
the Toul Lan Formation, which are interpreted to be
Early Ordovician (Arenig) in age. This interpretation
is summarized in the Wheeler diagram in Figure 16.
The reasoning behind this interpretation is discussed
further below.
The angular unconformity between the Port Lazo
Formation and the underlying Brioverian metasedi-
ments is readily observable and indisputable. The de-
formation of the late Precambrian metasediments is
attributed to the end Precambrian, Cadomian Oro-
geny which climaxed at c. 540 Ma (Peucat, 1986).
This places a maximum age limit on the Port Lazo
Formation.
The Port Lazo Formation lower member is up to
130 m thick and records deposition in an alluvial fan
to alluvial plain environment of deposition. Depos-
ition within an intermontane, early post-orogenic, ex-
tensional basin is consistent with this alluvial fan de-
positional setting. The succeeding sediments of the Port
Lazo Formation upper member are unambiguously sub-
aqueous in origin and point to a rise in base level,
consistent with deposition following a marine trans-
gression. The sand-dominated nature of the Port Lazo
Formation upper member furthermore emphasizes the
abundant supply of arenaceous sediment from nearby
upland drainage basins.
The restriction of faunal evidence to localized oc-
currences of the enigmatic Ediacaran – early Cam-
brian impression fossil Arumberia, found in the Port
Lazo Formation lower and upper members, might be
used to suggest the sediments pre-date the radiation
of Cambrian life and are therefore either very latest
Precambrian or earliest Cambrian in age (c. 540 Ma).
Arumberia is recognized as a fossil organism adapted
to mixed salinity and periodically desiccated environ-
ments (Kumar & Pandey, 2009; Kolesnikov, Grazh-
dankin & Maslov, 2012). It was initially believed to
be restricted to the late Precambrian, Vendian period
(Glaessner & Walter, 1975) but more recent discov-
eries indicate its range extends into early Cambrian
18 D. J. W E N T

Figure 15. (Colour online) (a) Amydaloidal andesite lava erosive on red mudstone of the Roche Jagu Formation. (b) Andesite intrusion
(grey) into red sandstone of the Roche Jagu Formation. (c) Pale whitish pebbly sandstone of the Toul Lan Formation, bedding arrowed.
(d) Close-up view of the granular sandstone showing rounded larger grains, Toul Lan Formation.

time (Bland, 1984). It is a somewhat controversial
fossil, with a non-biogenic origin even being proposed
by McIlroy & Walter (1997). However, despite much
searching, Arumberia is not known to exist after early
Cambrian time. Despite its uncertain biological affin-
ity it is still believed to have value as an age indicator
and, in this case, is consistent with the suggested early
Cambrian age.
Discounting the presence of Arumberia, a somewhat
younger age could be considered if the environment
was non-marine or severely stressed, thereby inhibit-
ing colonization (cf. Suire, Dabard & Chauvel, 1991;
Egal et al. 1995). A non-marine environment is not
excluded, since basinal processes appear to have been
of low energy. However, if the evidence for tides is
accepted, then the basinal waters must have been open
marine since tides are not known to be effective in lakes.
It is considered plausible that common outpourings of
fresh water and sediment from river floods entering a
restricted marine environment (Fig. 17) made it suffi-
ciently stressed to inhibit habitation (cf. Jackson et al.
2011).
An upper age for the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu
formations is provided by the relationship and dating
of the andesites that occur associated with the Plourivo-
Plouézec Group sedimentary strata. The detailed eval-
uation of field relationships observed around the coast
indicates that the andesites are a mixture of extrus-
ive lavas and commonly substantial, intrusive bodies.
The lavas exclusively overly the Roche Jagu Forma-
tion with several metres of relief present on what looks
like an unconformity, albeit one with no great angular
discordance. Other andesite bodies are intrusive into
and post-date the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu form-
ations. The lavas and intrusions are petrographically
and chemically comparable and therefore believed to
be related. A mixture of the lavas and the intrusions
has been used as samples in the dating of the andesites
(Auvray et al. 1980). They have been dated using the
Rb/Sr method, yielding a good isochron and date of
472±5 Ma (Arenig). This was interpreted by Auvray
et al. (1980) as reflecting an age of eruption. Despite
a number of reservations, the interpretation of this age
date seems reasonable and places an upper limit on the
age of the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations. It also
places a lower limit on the age of the Toul Lan Forma-
tion which succeeds the andesite and is not intruded by
it (Egal et al. 1995).
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
Figure 16. Interpretation of the chronostratigraphy of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group and relationship to other regionally significant
events and formations.
Palaeogeographic reconstructions also need to be
considered in support of an age proposal (Fig. 17). The
fossiliferous lower Cambrian strata in Normandy led
Doré (1972, 1994) and Doré et al. (1977) to propose
a sinuous early Cambrian shoreline separating mar-
ine Cambrian in the east from an exposed area over
northern Brittany in the west. Went & Andrews (1990)
proposed that the fluvially dominated Alderney Sand-
stone Formation and Erquy-Fréhel Group sediments
were also probably Cambrian in age, and that the mar-
ine Cambrian basins of Normandy extended westwards
into northern Brittany but with fills largely of contin-
ental strata. This western area was generally an inter-
montane basin region but was still connected to the
marine environment, albeit through relatively narrow
seaways. The Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations
of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group share some similarit-
ies with the strata exposed in Erquy. This is perhaps
not so surprising since they are relatively close geo-
graphically. One feature of the Alderney Sandstone and
Fréhel Formation sandstones is that they were clearly
deposited by moderately large rivers that drained east
to the early Cambrian shoreline (Fig. 17). The facies,
palaeocurrents and palaeohydraulic characteristics of
the Roche Jagu Formation sandstones are closely com-
parable to those seen in Alderney and at Erquy (Went &
Andrews, 1990, 1991 ; Todd & Went, 1991). It is pro-
posed that each records a moderately large river, drain-
ing east to an early Cambrian shoreline that oscillated
somewhat around a N–S-aligned line in western Nor-
19
mandy (Fig. 17). In central and northern Normandy the
lower Cambrian sequence is transgressive. This cannot
be demonstrated categorically in Plouézec, Erquy or
Alderney since continental sediments dominate. Mar-
ine intervals are however present in each of the above
sequences, suggesting a connection to the sea (Went,
2013). The marine Erquy Quartzite and the Bluestone
Bay Sandstone sequence in Alderney may actually cor-
relate with the Port Lazo Formation upper member.
This cannot be asserted with confidence since there is a
difference in facies, but it is a possibility. On the other
hand, local tectonic controls on basin subsidence may
have determined that multiple, non-synchronous mar-
ine incursions affected these basins. While the large
trunk rivers drained east parallel to the structural grain,
lateral systems, typically either alluvial fans or coastal
facies, fed the basin from the north or south. In Er-
quy the alluvial fan systems drained north, whereas in
Plouézec they evidently drained south. It is proposed
that this is because they were on opposite sides of the
depositional basin. Likewise, the nearshore sandstones
in Erquy show N-oriented (ebb-dominated) palaeocur-
rents interpreted to reflect an E–W-oriented strandline,
whereas in Plouézec the river-flood-dominated delta
shed hyperpycnal flows southwards. This palaeogeo-
graphic interpretation is captured in Figure 17.
The Cambrian sequences in northern Normandy are
exclusively of early Cambrian age. The Cambrian strata
in central and southern Normandy may extend into
the middle Cambrian period. A period of regional
20
Figure 17. Proposed early Cambrian palaeogeography: PP – Plourivo-Plouézec; EF – Erquy Fréhel; RC – Rozel Conglomerate; AS –
Alderney Sandstone; SJ – St Jean de la Riviere.
upwarping (epeirogenesis) during middle and late
Cambrian time, extending through to the earliest
Arenig, affected Normandy and Brittany. During the
Arenig, subsidence was renewed and shallow-water
sandstones (Grès Armoricain) and shales were depos-
ited across all Normandy and Brittany. In Brittany, a
phase of Arenig-aged red-bed deposition locally pre-
ceded deposition of the Grès Armoricain (Bonjour et al.
1988). The andesites in Plouézec are dated as Arenig in
age. They are believed to have formed during broadly
the same phase of crustal extension that was respons-
ible for the volcanic rocks interbedded with the Grès
Armoricain in Crozon (Bonjour et al. 1988). The Toul
Lan Formation shares some similarities with the Grès
Armoricain and is interpreted to have been deposited
very soon after eruption of the andesitic lavas, also in
the Arenig. This renewed phase of crustal extension
during Early Ordovician time is related to the opening
of the Rheic Ocean (Robardet, Paris & Racheboeuf,
1990).
Although the facies of Port Lazo Formation lower
member and the Roche Jagu Formation share fea-
tures in common with the continental clastic deposits
D. J. W E N T
of the Rozel Conglomerate, Alderney Sandstone and
Erquy-Fréhel formations, there are also some differ-
ences. The Port Lazo Formation lower member contains
a significant volume of red mudstone, unlike the other
localities. Pre-vegetation rivers tended to be braided
in character (Davies & Gibling, 2010; Davies, Gib-
ling & Rygel, 2011). However, in the lower coastal
reaches of the mud-prone alluvial plain in Plourivo-
Plouézec, there is evidence for laterally migrating,
single-thread, sinuous channels. These channels carried
a very fine bedload and may have been tidally influ-
enced. Nevertheless, they confirm that not all channels
on pre-vegetation alluvial plains were braided (Santos
& Owen, 2016).
The facies of the subtidal Port Lazo Formation up-
per member also contrast with the nearshore marine
facies observed at Erquy and in Alderney which are
quartzites (Went, 2013). Perhaps the main reason for
the marked contrast in coastal processes operating in
Plourivo-Plouézec compared with Erquy and Alder-
ney was the difference in the grade of the sediment
supplied to the shoreline. During deposition of the
Port Lazo Formation upper member, rivers delivered
Sedimentology and age of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group
fine-grained muddy sand to the shoreline, whereas in
Erquy and Alderney the rivers supplied very-coarse-
grained sand. The fine grade of the material allowed
turbulent suspensions to develop at river mouths in
Plourivo-Plouézec but not in Erquy or Alderney, where
coarse sands dictated that coastal facies were domin-
ated by bedload processes (Went, 2013). Many early
Palaeozoic rivers were characterized by large floods, a
property well suited to the formation of hyperpycnal
flows. However, not all rivers carried a sediment load
that was suited to their development.
8. Conclusions
The deposits of the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu forma-
tions of the Plourivo-Plouézec Group represent depos-
ition in three separate depositional systems. The Port
Lazo Formation lower member is composed of con-
glomerates, cross-bedded sandstones and mudstones
and records deposition in a southwards-building allu-
vial fan to lower alluvial plain setting. The Port Lazo
Formation upper member is composed of fine-grained
massive sandstones, ripple cross-laminated sandstones
and subordinate mudstones, and records deposition in
a tide- and wave-influenced, but river-flood-dominated,
subtidal environment. Sedimentation was dominated
by river-flood-generated, southwards-flowing, shallow-
water turbidity currents (hyperpycnites). The Roche
Jagu Formation comprises cross-bedded sandstones
and subordinate mudstone, and records deposition in
a moderately large, eastwards-flowing, braided river
environment.
Andesitic lavas rest on the Roche Jagu Formation
via a prominent erosion surface identified as an uncon-
formity. Andesites interbedded with the sedimentary
rocks of the Roche Jagu Formation are intrusions. The
andesites, dated at 472±5 Ma, therefore post-date de-
position of the Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations,
and pre-date the Toul Lan Formation. The relation-
ship to the andesites, the presence of the Ediacaran –
early Cambrian impression fossil Arumberia and re-
gional correlations of facies all suggest the Port Lazo
and Roche Jagu formations are early Cambrian in age
and relate to a phase of early post-orogenic sedimenta-
tion in extensional basins. The andesites and Toul Lan
Formation are interpreted as Early Ordovician in age,
and relate to a renewed phase of extension associated
with the opening of the Rheic ocean in the Arenig.
The Port Lazo and Roche Jagu formations accumu-
lated in an intermontane basin where rivers supplied
fine-grained sand and mud to the shoreline. The sedi-
ment calibre was a significant control on the sediment-
ary facies. The mud-prone alluvial plain was crossed,
at least in part, by meandering channels, uncommon
during early Palaeozoic time, and hyperpycnites dom-
inated sedimentation in the nearshore coastal zone.
Acknowledgements. Thanks are extended to the editor and
to the referees, Alessandro Ielpi and Piret Plink-Bjorkland,
for constructive reviews that helped to significantly improve
21
the final script. Thanks also to Neil Davies and Will McMa-
hon for discussions on the enigmatic Arumberia. This re-
search received no specific grant from any funding agency,
commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
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