On the origin of the thermal waters at Bath, United Kingdom: A sub-Severn hypothesis

Possible sources of the Bath and Hotwells thermal spring waters are discussed speculatively in the light of some still-evolving modern views of cave development and groundwater movement, particularly the Inception Horizon Hypothesis of cave origin. A lateral viewpoint is adopted, that is not dominated by conventional ideas of underground drainage or by interpretations of "hard" data that provide partial support for a southerly water source, as preferred in the generally accepted "Mendip Model". On this basis, a tentative "sub-Severn model" for at least part of the drainage feeding the springs is considered, with possible water sources west of the Severn in South Wales and the Tidenham Chase and Forest of Dean Basin synclines in Gloucestershire. Several indications support the potential existence of underground flows from the west, but neither this source nor the seemingly more likely source in the Mendip Hills can yet be demonstrated conclusively as contributing to the flow of the Bath Springs.