Lyell Collection
Journal of the Geological Society
Lyell Centre  |   Lyell Collection  |   Subscriptions   |   Geological Society  |   Email alerts  |   Online bookshop  |   Help

Keywords:
Author:
Advanced search>>
This Article
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (44)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by RICE, C. M.
Right arrow Articles by ANDERSON, L. I.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Journal of the Geological Society; 2002; v. 159; issue.2; p. 203-214;
DOI: 10.144/0016-764900-181
© 2002 Geological Society of London

Regular Article

Geological setting of the Early Devonian Rhynie cherts, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: an early terrestrial hot spring system

C. M. RICE, N. H. TREWIN & L. I. ANDERSON,

1 Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, UK (e-mail: c.rice@abdn.ac.uk)
2 Present address: Department of Geology & Zoology, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK

Abstract: The drilling of nine cored boreholes, including a deep hole (233 m) to a gabbroic basement, in the vicinity of the Rhynie chert locality has resulted in a major revision of the structure and stratigraphy of the area. The main new structural element recognized is a low angle extensional fault system which defines the western edge of a half graben containing the Early Devonian succession. The fault system was the main conduit for the fluids that fed the hot springs, and a heat source to the southeast of Rhynie is indicated. Rapid and unexpected lateral and vertical variations in lithology, together with new lithological units, have been identified. The latter include a thick unit of intensely altered lapilli tuffs which are unique to the Rhynie basin and to other Devonian basins in NE Scotland. Analysis of these lithologies in conjunction with the new structural model allows the succession at Rhynie to be correlated with the succession in the rest of the basin and a model of basin evolution and hot spring development to be constructed.

Siliceous sinters were deposited by multiple episodes of hot spring activity and are variably interbedded with shales, sandstones and minor tuffs in a unit about 35 m thick. Sinter deposition was ultimately controlled by repeated subsidence along the basin margin. Geothermal activity was probably widespread in Northern Britain in the Early Devonian but the surface deposits are unlikely to be preserved. The Rhynie deposit has survived due to a fortuitous combination of circumstances.

Key Words: Rhynie • Devonian • geothermal systems • structure • stratigraphy




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GSA BulletinHome page
R. G. Maliva, A. H. Knoll, and B. M. Simonson
Secular change in the Precambrian silica cycle: Insights from chert petrology
GSA Bulletin, 2005; 117: 835 - 845.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 MycologiaHome page
T.N. Taylor, H. Hass, H. Kerp, M. Krings, and R.T. Hanlin
Perithecial ascomycetes from the 400 million year old Rhynie chert: an example of ancestral polymorphism
Mycologia, 2005; 97: 269 - 285.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.Home page
T. N. Taylor, H. Kerp, and H. Hass
From the Cover: Life history biology of early land plants: Deciphering the gametophyte phase
PNAS, 2005; 102: 5892 - 5897.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal of PaleontologyHome page
M. POSCHMANN, L. I. ANDERSON, and J. A. DUNLOP
CHELICERATE ARTHROPODS, INCLUDING THE OLDEST PHALANGIOTARBID ARACHNID, FROM THE EARLY DEVONIAN (SIEGENIAN) OF THE RHENISH MASSIF, GERMANY
Journal of Paleontology, 2005; 79: 110 - 124.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]