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Chemical correlation of Moinian rocks in the northern Highlands of Scotland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

J. A. Winchester
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Keele, Keele, Staffs, England ST5 5BG
R. St J. Lambert
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaT6G 2E3
J. G. Holland
Affiliation:
Department of Geological Sciences, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham, England DHI 3LE

Summary

Comparison is made between the semipelitic and psammitic schists of the Morar and Glenfinnan Division in their type areas and the succession in the Fannich district of Northern Ross-shire. The tentative lithological correlation of the Morar Pelite with the Sgurr Mor Pelite is confirmed, while the Meall an t-Sithe Pelite and the semipelites of the Glenfinnan Division likewise have a similar geochemistry. In establishing these similarities, ratios involving Sr, Nb, Y, Zr and P2O5 have been found to be most useful, particularly Sr/Y. Other ratios (Ca/Y, K/Rb, K2O/(Na2O+CaO) and K/Ba) can also yield useful information regarding correlation and sedimentary history. Sr/Y decreases stratigraphically upwards in these successions and also towards the north east, suggesting a palaeogeography for the Morar Division involving increasing remoteness from the source area with time and in a northeasterly direction.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1983

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References

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