The Magnesian Limestone forms a broken west-facing scarp raised above the Middle and Upper Coal Measures country to its west.
In addition there are small outliers of Permian strata north of the River Tyne at Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay and Forest Hall.
The group comprises the following formations: The 'Tynemouth Dyke' is a Palaeogene intrusion of tholeiitic dolerite which cuts the southern edge of Tynemouth Castle.
The larger part of Tyne and Wear is covered with a varying thickness of glacial till dating from the last ice age.
[2] The Pelaw or Upper Clay is widespread in the area and is interpreted as a flow till mixed with soliflucted material in places.