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Multiple post-Caledonian exhumation episodes across NW Scotland revealed by apatite fission-track analysis

Simon P. Holford, Paul F. Green, Richard R. Hillis, John R. Underhill, Martyn S. Stoker and Ian R. Duddy
Journal of the Geological Society, 167, 675-694, 21 June 2010, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492009-167
Simon P. Holford
1 Australian School of Petroleum, Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration (TRaX), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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Paul F. Green
2 Geotrack International Pty Ltd, 37 Melville Road, Brunswick West, Vic. 3055, Australia
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Richard R. Hillis
1 Australian School of Petroleum, Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration (TRaX), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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John R. Underhill
3 School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute of Earth Science, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK
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Martyn S. Stoker
4 British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA, UK
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Ian R. Duddy
2 Geotrack International Pty Ltd, 37 Melville Road, Brunswick West, Vic. 3055, Australia
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Abstract:

The post-Caledonian exhumation history of NW Scotland is a controversial issue, with some studies advocating largely continual emergence whereas others suggest dominantly early Palaeogene plume-driven exhumation. Apatite fission-track analysis (AFTA) data for samples of Precambrian basement and Permian–Cretaceous sediments from onshore and offshore reveal multiple phases of post-Caledonian cooling: Triassic (beginning 245–225 Ma), Cretaceous (140–130 Ma; 110–90 Ma) and Cenozoic (65–60 Ma; 40–25 Ma; 15–10 Ma), all of which are interpreted at least in part as recording exhumation. Basement and sedimentary cover rocks display similar thermal histories, emphasizing the regional nature of these episodes and implying that sedimentary outliers represent the remnants of previously more extensive sequences. Significant thicknesses of Jurassic rocks may once have covered NW Scotland. Palaeocene palaeothermal effects are most pronounced in the vicinity of igneous centres, probably reflecting combined effects of heating by elevated heat flow, deeper burial and hydrothermal activity. Most of the region underwent kilometre-scale Neogene exhumation. Contrary to the common assumption of monotonic cooling and denudation histories, integration of geological evidence with AFTA data defines an episodic thermal history involving repeated cycles of burial and exhumation. We suggest that onshore passive margins and continental interiors may also best be characterized by similar histories.

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Journal of the Geological Society: 167 (4)
Journal of the Geological Society
Volume 167, Issue 4
July 2010
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Multiple post-Caledonian exhumation episodes across NW Scotland revealed by apatite fission-track analysis

Simon P. Holford, Paul F. Green, Richard R. Hillis, John R. Underhill, Martyn S. Stoker and Ian R. Duddy
Journal of the Geological Society, 167, 675-694, 21 June 2010, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492009-167
Simon P. Holford
1 Australian School of Petroleum, Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration (TRaX), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Paul F. Green
2 Geotrack International Pty Ltd, 37 Melville Road, Brunswick West, Vic. 3055, Australia
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Richard R. Hillis
1 Australian School of Petroleum, Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration (TRaX), University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
John R. Underhill
3 School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute of Earth Science, King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW, UK
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Martyn S. Stoker
4 British Geological Survey, Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA, UK
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Ian R. Duddy
2 Geotrack International Pty Ltd, 37 Melville Road, Brunswick West, Vic. 3055, Australia
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Multiple post-Caledonian exhumation episodes across NW Scotland revealed by apatite fission-track analysis

Simon P. Holford, Paul F. Green, Richard R. Hillis, John R. Underhill, Martyn S. Stoker and Ian R. Duddy
Journal of the Geological Society, 167, 675-694, 21 June 2010, https://doi.org/10.1144/0016-76492009-167
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  • Article
    • Abstract:
    • Post-Caledonian geological history of NW Scotland
    • AFTA methods and database
    • Thermal history interpretation of AFTA data
    • Integrating AFTA results with regional geological evidence
    • Integration of AFTA data with stratigraphic constraints on the Morvern peninsula
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