|
Article |
The geological evolution of the metamorphic Caledonides during the 100-million-year period from the phase of crustal thickening initiated by the Grampian orogeny to the emplacement of late granites at c. 400 Ma is reviewed. Shortening and westward transport associated with the Grampian orogeny were diachronous; deformation began in the weak Dalradian basin and extended north-westward into the area of crystalline Moine rocks. An important change in tectonic regime, coinciding roughly with the closing of the Iapetus Ocean, was recorded at c. 425 Ma by the onset of sinistral transcurrent motions on NE–SW lines parallel to the Caledonian belt. Regional uplift of the thickened crustal welt, accompanied by deep erosion, led to the removal of 20–30 km of overburden from the Highlands, mainly in Ordovician and Silurian times. Known Lower Palaeozoic deposits of Scotland cannot account for the volume of sediment so produced and it is suggested that other basins were located in a major transform zone beneath the northern North Sea.
The onset of late Caledonian magmatism coincided with the start of the post-collisional regime of strike-slip motion. The distribution of granites and appinites was influenced by transverse (NW–SE) dislocations in the lower crust and the emplacement of individual intrusions was often fault-controlled. The deep transverse lineaments acted as conduits for both sub-crustal and crustal melts over periods of up to 25 million years. It is suggested that mantle rocks metasomatized by fluids generated at an underlying subduction zone were the main source of the sub-crustal melts, and that magmatism was triggered from above by vertical and horizontal block movements.
This paper is a contribution to IGCP Project 27.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  D.J. Moy and J. Imber A critical analysis of the structure and tectonic significance of rift-oblique lineaments ('transfer zones') in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic succession of the Faroe-Shetland Basin, NE Atlantic margin Journal of the Geological Society, 2009; 166: 831 - 844. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.C. Neilson, B.P. Kokelaar, and Q.G. Crowley Timing, relations and cause of plutonic and volcanic activity of the Siluro-Devonian post-collision magmatic episode in the Grampian Terrane, Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 2009; 166: 545 - 561. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. G. Leslie, M. Smith, and N.J. Soper Laurentian margin evolution and the Caledonian orogeny--A template for Scotland and East Greenland Geological Society of America Memoirs, 2008; 202: 307 - 343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L.M. Watts, R.E. Holdsworth, J.A. Sleight, R.A. Strachan, and S.A.F. Smith The movement history and fault rock evolution of a reactivated crustal-scale strike-slip fault: the Walls Boundary Fault Zone, Shetland Journal of the Geological Society, 2007; 164: 1037 - 1058. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Parnell, J. Parnell, G. Watt, H. Chen, H. Wycherley, A. Boyce, D. Elmore, R. Blumstein, M. Engel, and P. Green Kaolin polytype evidence for a hot-fluid pulse along Caledonian thrusts during rifting of the European Margin Mineralogical Magazine, 2004; 68: 419 - 432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. J. Soper, N. J. SOPER, and N. H. WOODCOCK The lost Lower Old Red Sandstone of England and Wales: a record of post-Iapetan flexure or Early Devonian transtension? Geological Magazine, 2003; 140: 627 - 647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. STEWART, R. A. STRACHAN, M. W. MARTIN, and R. E. HOLDSWORTH Constraints on early sinistral displacements along the Great Glen Fault Zone, Scotland: structural setting, U-Pb geochronology and emplacement of the syn-tectonic Clunes tonalite Journal of the Geological Society, 2001; 158: 821 - 830. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. A. Armstrong, H. A. ARMSTRONG, and A. W. OWEN Terrane evolution of the paratectonic Caledonides of northern Britain Journal of the Geological Society, 2001; 158: 475 - 486. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. R. Osinski, G. R. OSINSKI, G. I. ALSOP, and G. J. H. OLIVER Extensional tectonics of the Outer Hebrides Fault Zone, South Uist, northwest Scotland Geological Magazine, 2001; 138: 325 - 344. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. McSherry, J. Parnell, A. G. Leslie, and T. Haggan Depositional and structural setting of the (?)Lower Old Red Sandstone sediments of Ballymastocker, Co. Donegal Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 2000; 180: 109 - 122. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. Stone, J. A. Plant, J. R. Mendum, and P. M. Green A regional geochemical assessment of some terrane relationships in the British Caledonides Scottish Journal of Geology, 1999; 35: 145 - 156. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. E. HOLDSWORTH, M. A. McERLEAN, and R. A. STRACHAN The influence of country rock structural architecture during pluton emplacement: the Loch Loyal syenites, Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1999; 156: 163 - 175. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. G. DORE, E. R. LUNDIN, L. N. JENSEN, O. BIRKELAND, P. E. ELIASSEN, and C. FICHLER Principal tectonic events in the evolution of the northwest European Atlantic margin Geological Society, London, Petroleum Geology Conference series, 1999; 5: 41 - 61. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. Plant, P. Stone, and J. R. Mendum Regional geochemistry, terrane analysis and metallogeny in the British Caledonides Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1999; 164: 109 - 125. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. R. HUTCHISON and G. J. H. OLIVER Garnet provenance studies, juxtaposition of Laurentian marginal terranes and timing of the Grampian Orogeny in Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1998; 155: 541 - 550. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
I.A.N. MOORE and P. KOKELAAR Tectonic influences in piecemeal caldera collapse at Glencoe Volcano, Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1997; 154: 765 - 768. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. M. WILLIAMS, J. HARKIN, and A. H. N. RICE Umbers, ocean crust and the Irish Caledonides: terrane transpression and the morphology of the Laurentian margin Journal of the Geological Society, 1997; 154: 829 - 838. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. G. DORE, E. R. LUNDIN, C. FICHLER, and O. OLESEN Patterns of basement structure and reactivation along the NE Atlantic margin Journal of the Geological Society, 1997; 154: 85 - 92. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. P. M. VAUGHAN A tectonomagmatic model for the genesis and emplacement of Caledonian calc-alkaline lamprophyres Journal of the Geological Society, 1996; 153: 613 - 623. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. H. W. HUTTON and G. I. ALSOP The Caledonian strike-swing and associated lineaments in NW Ireland and adjacent areas: sedimentation, deformation and igneous intrusion patterns Journal of the Geological Society, 1996; 153: 345 - 360. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. J. Potts, R. H. Hunter, A. L. Harris, and F. M. Fraser Late-orogenic extensional tectonics at the NW margin of the Caledonides in Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1995; 152: 907 - 910. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. R. Phillips, R. P. Barnes, M. P. Boland, N. J. Fortey, and A. A. McMillan The Moniaive Shear Zone: a major zone of sinistral strike-slip deformation in the Southern Uplands of Scotland Scottish Journal of Geology, 1995; 31: 139 - 149. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. P. Atherton Granite magmatism Geological Society, London, Memoirs, 1995; 16: 221 - 235. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M. JACQUES and R. J. REAVY Caledonian plutonism and major lineaments in the SW Scottish Highlands Journal of the Geological Society, 1994; 151: 955 - 969. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. P. ATHERTON Granite magmatism Journal of the Geological Society, 1993; 150: 1009 - 1023. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. E. Leake and J. Cobbing Transient and long-term correspondence of erosion level and the tops of granite plutons Scottish Journal of Geology, 1993; 29: 177 - 182. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion on the location and history of the Walls Boundary fault and Moine thrust north and south of Shetland Journal of the Geological Society, 1993; 150: 1003 - 1008. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. A. Morris, G. A. Morris, and D. H. W. Hutton Evidence for sinistral shear associated with the emplacement of the early Devonian Etive dyke swarm Scottish Journal of Geology, 1993; 29: 69 - 72. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. J. SOPER, R. A. STRACHAN, R. E. HOLDSWORTH, R. A. GAYER, and R. O. GREILING Sinistral transpression and the Silurian closure of Iapetus Journal of the Geological Society, 1992; 149: 871 - 880. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. FLINN The history of the Walls Boundary fault, Shetland: the northward continuation of the Great Glen fault from Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1992; 149: 721 - 726. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. M. WILLIAMS, P. D. O'CONNOR, and J. MENUGE Silurian turbidite provenance and the closure of Iapetus Journal of the Geological Society, 1992; 149: 349 - 357. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. E. Treagus Fault displacements in the Dalradian of the Central Highlands Scottish Journal of Geology, 1991; 27: 135 - 145. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. H. W. HUTTON and M. McERLEAN Silurian and Early Devonian sinistral deformation of the Ratagain granite, Scotland: constraints on the age of Caledonian movements on the Great Glen fault system Journal of the Geological Society, 1991; 148: 1 - 4. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. ROGERS and G. R. DUNNING Geochronology of appinitic and related granitic magmatism in the W Highlands of Scotland: constraints on the timing of transcurrent fault movement Journal of the Geological Society, 1991; 148: 17 - 27. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. POWELL and N. R. W. GLENDINNING Late Caledonian extensional reactivation of a ductile thrust in NW Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1990; 147: 979 - 987. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. E. LEAKE Granite magmas: their sources, initiation and consequences of emplacement Journal of the Geological Society, 1990; 147: 579 - 589. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. B. SNYDER The Moine Thrust in the BIRPS data set Journal of the Geological Society, 1990; 147: 81 - 86. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. D. W. HAUGHTON, G. ROGERS, and A. N. HALLIDAY Provenance of Lower Old Red Sandstone conglomerates, SE Kincardineshire: evidence for the timing of Caledonian terrane accretion in central Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1990; 147: 105 - 120. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. A. ROGERS, J. E. A. MARSHALL, and T. R. ASTIN Short Paper: Devonian and later movements on the Great Glen fault system, Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1989; 146: 369 - 372. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. McGEARY Reflection seismic evidence for a Moho offset beneath the Walls Boundary strike-slip fault Journal of the Geological Society, 1989; 146: 261 - 269. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. F. THIRLWALL Geochronology of Late Caledonian magmatism in northern Britain Journal of the Geological Society, 1988; 145: 951 - 967. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-X. ZHOU A gold and silver-bearing subvolcanic centre in the Scottish Caledonides near Lagalochan, Argyllshire Journal of the Geological Society, 1988; 145: 225 - 234. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. KELLEY The relationship between K-Ar mineral ages, mica grainsizes and movement on the Moine Thrust Zone, NW Highlands, Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1988; 145: 1 - 10. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Rast, B. A. Sturt, and A. L. Harris Early deformation in the Caledonian-Appalachian orogen Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1988; 38: 111 - 122. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. J. Soper Timing and geometry of collision, terrane accretion and sinistral strike-slip events in the British Caledonides Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1988; 38: 481 - 492. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. A. Fortey and L. R. M. Cocks Arenig to Llandovery faunal distributions in the Caledonides Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1988; 38: 231 - 246. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. J. Soper, B. C. Webb, and N. H. Woodcock Late Caledonian (Acadian) transpression in north-west England: timing, geometry and geotectonic significance Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 1987; 46: 175 - 192. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-X. ZHOU An occurrence of shoshonites near Kilmelford in the Scottish Caledonides and its tectonic implications Journal of the Geological Society, 1987; 144: 699 - 706. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. STONE, J. D. FLOYD, R. P. BARNES, and B. C. LINTERN A sequential back-arc and foreland basin thrust duplex model for the Southern Uplands of Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1987; 144: 753 - 764. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. B. ANDERSON The onset and timing of Caledonian sinistral shear in County Down Journal of the Geological Society, 1987; 144: 817 - 825. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. D. Ritchie, K. Hitchen, and J. G. Mitchell The offshore continuation of the Moine Thrust north of Shetland as deduced from basement isotopic ages Scottish Journal of Geology, 1987; 23: 163 - 173. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. R. Bowes Janet Watson--an appreciation and bibliography Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 1987; 27: 1 - 5. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. J. Bluck The Scottish paratectonic Caledonides Scottish Journal of Geology, 1985; 21: 437 - 464. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Beach Some comments on sedimentary basin development in the Northern North Sea Scottish Journal of Geology, 1985; 21: 493 - 512. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Watson Northern Scotland as an Atlantic-North Sea divide Journal of the Geological Society, 1985; 142: 221 - 243. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. J. Blundell, C. A. Hurich, and S. B. Smithson A model for the MOIST seismic reflection profile, N Scotland Journal of the Geological Society, 1985; 142: 245 - 258. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Zhou The timing of calc-alkaline magmatism in parts of the Alpine-Himalayan collision zone and its relevance to the interpretation of Caledonian magmatism Journal of the Geological Society, 1985; 142: 309 - 317. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. N. Baxter and J. G. Mitchell Camptonite-Monchiquite dyke swarms of Northern Scotland; Age relationships and their implications Scottish Journal of Geology, 1984; 20: 297 - 308. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
