The base of the Lower Leintwardine Beds (Silurian-Ludlow Series) in the shelf sequences of the Welsh Borderland is marked by a widespread development of shelly conglomeratic limestone beds. Borings into some intraclasts indicate that they were hardgrounds. The early lithification, sometimes in situ, of both sand-grade and mud-grade carbonates is demonstrated by the conglomerates. Some compound intraclasts (‘hiatus concretions’) indicate a complex history of deposition, scouring and lithification. Boring of clasts which have not been further eroded is inferred to have taken place locally. The borings are of the narrow, single entrance form referable to Trypanites. The distribution of the conglomerates relates closely to Leintwardinian palaeogeography. Repeated hardground formation in sequences of inner shelf areas reflects episodic deposition alternating with periods of omission and erosion. There is evidence throughout the shelf of a break in sedimentation with hardground formation at the end of Bringewoodian times. The nature of the conglomerates suggests that they formed in shallow water conditions; there is no lithological indication of sub-aerial exposure. The absence of the Aymestry Limestone in the SE shelf is more probably due to its non-deposition or lateral lithological change to muddier beds with a different faunal assemblage than to its subsequent removal by erosion.

The field occurrence and the known immiscibility between silicate and carbonate melts suggest the Jombo alkaline intrusion and Mrima carbonatite intrusion have come from the same magmatic source. However, only the ijolite series apparently originated from a magma body at Jombo hill intrusion, while the feldspathoidal syenite series appears to have resulted from metasomatic alteration of the country rock-sandstone. The K/Rb ratios seem to indicate a mantle origin for the ijolites and a crustal one for the feldspathoidal syenites. The feldspathoidal syenite series were presumably formed by alkali metasomatism, resulting from magmatic fluid infiltration through intergranular movement. It is suggested that the partitioning of K and Na components in the metasomatizing fluid and solid feldspar phases at different temperatures, was the cause of two rock types – albite nepheline syenite and orthoclase nepheline syenite.

Central Isla Hoste lies towards the Pacific side of a Mesozoic back-arc basin in southern Chile, behind a magmatic arc represented by the Patagonian batholith. The volcaniclastic sediments on Isla Hoste were derived from the magmatic arc and deposited in the back-arc basin by turbidity currents. These sediments may, in part, overlie mafic volcanic and intrusive rocks. Geochemical and lithologic data are used to suggest an ocean-floor origin for these mafic igneous rocks on central Isla Hoste. The sedimentary and mafic igneous rocks were deformed and uplifted during the middle Cretaceous Andean orogeny. However, the nature of the crust underlying most of the sedimentary rocks in the back-arc basin and the style of deformation in most of this basement are unknown. Therefore the role, if any, of subduction within the back-arc basin during the middle Cretaceous ‘closure’ of this basin is not certain. Post-kinematic intrusions within the back-arc basin are common. These intrusions will confuse attempts to determine by geophysical means the nature of the pre-kinematic basement of the back-arc basin and attempts to outline the present extent of the basin in offshore regions.

The classification of the genera Plaesiacomia Hawle & Corda, 1847, Kerfornella Henry, 1976, Colpocoryphe Novák in Perner, 1918, Salterocoryphe Hammann, 1977 and Neseuretus Hicks, 1873, is discussed. Plaesiacomia and Kerfornella are attributed to the Homalonotidae (sub family Kerfornellinae nov.), while Colpocoryphe, Salterocoryphe, and Neseuretus are regarded as belonging to the Calymenidae. The author's opinion is mainly based on the morphology and evolution of the coaptative devices, and on the morphology of the hypostoma.

Load-cast structures in the Caledonian, synorogenic, Fongen-Hyllingen layered basic complex closely resemble those deformations resulting from reverse density stratification in experimentally studied, water-saturated sediments. The mushroom-shaped structures are apparently restricted to a single horizon within an interlayered, metamorphosed, dunite–troctolite sequence. They generally have a symmetrical form, revealing a polygonal pattern in the plane of the layering. The density contrast between an olivine-rich crystal mush overlying a plagioclase-rich crystal mush, both very close to the igneous sediment–magma interface, is believed to have caused the deformation. Subsequent consolidation occurred by adcumulus growth.

Fracture propagation in the crust under post-critical conditions (rapid propagation), and possibly in some instances even under sub-critical conditions (slow propagation) can produce fracture-branching in a single continuous process. Later local or regional stresses result in displacements along the fractures and secondary faulting develops. This concept can explain various secondary features like conditions of branching, branching-angle and shallow secondary faults. The splaying of the Hope Fault in New Zealand is primarily a result of early fracture bifurcation and later minor displacements.

A unique columnar sandstone, produced by the thermal metamorphism of an Upper Old Red quartz arenite, is described, from South Bute, together with other examples of similarly altered sediments from nature and industry. The columnar structure probably developed as a result of the emplacement of a basic dyke via a fissure. In view of the relatively large area exhibiting this structure, metamorphic effects must have been amplified by the agency of steam and volatile constituents of the magma, passing up through the fissure.