views.

ifiefore deciding on a site, care should be taken that any development will not spoil existing
landscape views. It is worthwhile examining developments to see those that have been successful in
this respect.

GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Subsoil water
Of the rain that falls in Great Britain, about one-third runs into streams and rivers' and so to the sea,
one-third is evaporated and the remaining third is absorbed by the ground. The amount of rainwater
penetrating the ground will depend on the type of cover and the soil beneath. The water that runs off
is known as surface water, that temporarily held below the surface is ground water, and when
eventually absorbed, as subsoil water. The rain renders soils like clay almost impervious, whilst
permeable rocks such as sandstone may be saturated. The upper level of this water, known as the
water table, follows more or less the surface topography varying with the type of subsoil, and at a
depth dependent on the underground flow, evaporation, and of course the amount of rainfall. The level
of the water table is naturally highest in winter and lowest in summer. If the water table is normally
close to the surface, the ground is likely to become waterlogged or flooded in rainy weather, and,
owing to capillary attraction, likely to be damp even during dry spells; such conditions may be revealed
by rushes or willow trees.

Should impermeable layers alternate with permeable rocks, the water may be isolated and each water
table have a different height. Where the impermeable layers cut a hill profile, water collecting in the
ground above will seep out at the point of intersection or be forced to the surface at a fault in the
rock in the form of a spring.

Some limestones contain clay, which is gradually washed down to the surface of a harder stratum,
where it tends to form an impervious layer. Should such a layer be formed sloping towards a hillside
or cliff face, rainwater on reaching the clay makes it slippery and the water-soaked mass above may
slide down the layer and fall to the foot of the hill or cliff.

A location is generally healthier when the soil is dry and can be easily warmed by the sun. Such
conditions are more likely to be found on light, porous and therefore easily drained soils than with heavy
impervious soils.
Subsoils
Generally there exists ever the land a layer of more or less fertile soil 150-300 mm thick an usually
termed Ugeiible soil. Below liekhe subsoil which largely determines the type o foundation and possibly
the construction of the building above.

Very hard or rocky soils are generally uneven and excavation and levelling is difficult and expensive.
Very soft or loose soils may not be firm enough to support the weight of buildings an must be removed
to a depth at which a firm soil exists, or special types of foundations must be \provided, which will
normally add to the cost of building.

Some soils are affected by temperature changes for example, clay may expand or contract - and
where such changes occur, foundations should be built below the frost penetration level.

Besides rock, the common subsoils in Great Britain are chalk, blue clay, yellow clay, gravel and sand,
alone or in combination.
Build 208