Ballachulish Igneous Complex and aureole: a field guide

From: Pattison, D.R.M. and Harte, B. Ballachulish Igneous Complex and aureole: a field guide. Edinburgh : Edinburgh Geological Society, 2001.

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Contents

Part 1 – Setting and summary of geology

Introduction

The SW Scottish Highlands and the development of geological studies

Regional setting of the Ballachulish Igneous Complex

The Ballachulish Igneous Complex and the 'Newer' Granites

Host rocks to the Ballachulish Igneous Complex

Stratigraphy

Structure

Regional metamorphism

The Ballachulish Igneous Complex

The Ballachulish aureole

Metapelites

Siliceous carbonates and quartzites

Cause and duration of contact metamorphism

Fluid movement in the aureole

Illustrations of exposures and rocks in literature

Part 2 - The five days of field excursions

Summary of the field excursions

Logistics

Weather and hill conditions - equipment

Hammering and sampling

Forestry roads and vehicular access

Maps and grid references

Excursions for day 3

Day 3, Part 1 - Fraochaidh prograde sequence

Day 3, Part 2 - Chaotic Zone migmatites

Excursions for day 4

Excursion for Day 4 - Prograde sequence in the Ballachulish Slate along the Gleann a' Fhiodh – Coire Chaorann ridge; appinitc and quartz diorite relations; migmatitcs and Crd+Grt+Opx hornfelses

Excursions for day 5

Excursion for Day 5 - Medium- to high-grade pelitic and talc -silicate hornfelses, marbles; migmatites, including`chocolate-tablet type; summit(s) of Beinn a' Bheithir.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Forest Enterprise, and in particular Donald Hendry, for advice on paths and roads through the Glen Duror Forest and for much logistical assistance. Stefan Weiss suggested the Day 2 traverse and provided abundant additional advice and factual information, in addition to compiling and hand-drafting the original map that became the basis for the Coloured Map in the back pocket. Gerard White showed much skill and wizardry in handling computer graphics to compile the Coloured Map and prepare the other maps in this guide. The Edinburgh Geological Society and Moray Endowment Fund (University of Edinburgh) provided grants in support of the publication of this guide book.

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