Kinghorn–Kirkcaldy - an excursion - Revision history

JamesMartin at 10:49, 29 May 2019

2019-05-29T10:49:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:49, 29 May 2019
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	[[File:_FANG_FIG_20.jpg\|thumbnail\|Figure 20 Minor thrusting in the Middle Kinniny Limestone, Seafield Shore, Kirkcaldy. Offshore the dark rocks, the East Vows, are poart of a dolerite sill.]]		[[File:_FANG_FIG_20.jpg\|thumbnail\|Figure 20 Minor thrusting in the Middle Kinniny Limestone, Seafield Shore, Kirkcaldy. Offshore the dark rocks, the East Vows, are poart of a dolerite sill.]]

			[[File:P585372.jpg\|thumbnail\| Abden to Seafield shore Kinghorn, Fife; Lower Limestone Formatiom south of Seafield Tower.]]


	== Excursion 18 Kinghorn–Kirkcaldy (whole day) ==		== Excursion 18 Kinghorn–Kirkcaldy (whole day) ==

Scotfot: /* 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones */

2019-02-23T15:34:41Z

6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones

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	In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to ~~45cm~~ long by ~~15cm~~ thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4 m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.		In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to 45 cm long by 15 cm thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4 m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.

	== 7. Quartz-dolerite sill: sedimentary structures ==		== 7. Quartz-dolerite sill: sedimentary structures ==

Scotfot: /* 5. Old Kilns: Seafield Tower Limestone */

2019-02-23T15:33:59Z

5. Old Kilns: Seafield Tower Limestone

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	== 5. Old Kilns: Seafield Tower Limestone ==		== 5. Old Kilns: Seafield Tower Limestone ==

	The Seafield Tower Limestone, at one time worked on the shore, crops out as a prominent pale grey band on the shore to the east of four old lime kilns, 250 m south of Seafield Tower. The limestone, which has three main beds, is 3.5 m thick and is succeeded by 14 m of calcareous grey shales with carbonate nodules and bands of crinoidal limestone up to lm thick. All these calcareous strata have been grouped together on the map as the Seafield Tower Limestone. ''Lithostrotion,'' '''Zaphrentis~~'''~~'',~~'' '~~''Productus~~'''~~'',~~'' '~~''Spirifer~~'''~~'',~~'' '~~''Athyris''''', Schizophoria,'' crinoids and many other fossils can be found in these beds in considerable numbers.		The Seafield Tower Limestone, at one time worked on the shore, crops out as a prominent pale grey band on the shore to the east of four old lime kilns, 250 m south of Seafield Tower. The limestone, which has three main beds, is 3.5 m thick and is succeeded by 14 m of calcareous grey shales with carbonate nodules and bands of crinoidal limestone up to lm thick. All these calcareous strata have been grouped together on the map as the Seafield Tower Limestone. ''Lithostrotion'', ''Zaphrentis'', ''Productus'', ''Spirifer'', ''Athyris'', ''Schizophoria,'' crinoids and many other fossils can be found in these beds in considerable numbers.

	Forsyth (1970, p. 8) correlated the Seafield Tower Limestone with the Charlestown Main Limestone elsewhere in Fife, although Wilson (1966, p. 113) noted that the unique Neilson Shell Bed fauna, widespread elsewhere above the Charlestown Main Limestone and its equivalents, had not been located above any of the limestones of this section.		Forsyth (1970, p. 8) correlated the Seafield Tower Limestone with the Charlestown Main Limestone elsewhere in Fife, although Wilson (1966, p. 113) noted that the unique Neilson Shell Bed fauna, widespread elsewhere above the Charlestown Main Limestone and its equivalents, had not been located above any of the limestones of this section.

Scotfot: /* 2. First Abden Limestone, lavas and laterite */

2019-02-23T15:31:36Z

2. First Abden Limestone, lavas and laterite

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	Correlation of the First and the Second Abden Limestones with the succession in the Lower Limestone Formation elsewhere in Scotland has been controversial over the years. However, Wilson (1989, p. 104) has suggested that the Hurlet Limestone at the base of the Lower Limestone Formation is best correlated with the Second Abden Limestone and suggested further that the First and Second Abden Limestone may well be part of a single episode of limestone formation which was locally interrupted by eruption of the lavas which lie between them on the coast. Certainly the top of the thick lava of the Strathclyde Group lies immediately below the Second Abden Limestone in the shafts of the former Seafield Colliery some 2 km to the north and there is no trace of the First Abden Limestone there (Francis 1961, p. 17).		Correlation of the First and the Second Abden Limestones with the succession in the Lower Limestone Formation elsewhere in Scotland has been controversial over the years. However, Wilson (1989, p. 104) has suggested that the Hurlet Limestone at the base of the Lower Limestone Formation is best correlated with the Second Abden Limestone and suggested further that the First and Second Abden Limestone may well be part of a single episode of limestone formation which was locally interrupted by eruption of the lavas which lie between them on the coast. Certainly the top of the thick lava of the Strathclyde Group lies immediately below the Second Abden Limestone in the shafts of the former Seafield Colliery some 2 km to the north and there is no trace of the First Abden Limestone there (Francis 1961, p. 17).

	A small N–S fault downthrowing to the west and repeating most of the succession should be examined where a small stream reaches HWM. Considerable fault drag of the strata can be seen. Next, the shales above and below the tuffs should be carefully examined as they are richly fossiliferous, yielding '''Productus''', ''Aviculopecten, Sanguinolites, Murchisonia,'' ostracods, occasional '''Orthoceras''' and many other fossils. The shales above the graded tuffs have at their base a 2 cm yellow bentonite band. The shales interbedded in the limestones are also very fossiliferous as is the limestone itself, but in the latter the fossils are very difficult to extract and are better examined on the wave-washed surfaces. Foraminifera are common in thin sections of the limestone. Notice that the shale above the limestone is squeezed and contorted where the overlying basalt came into contact with it while it was still soft and water saturated. This shale has been selectively eroded out by the sea and forms a fissure at the foot of the lava cliff.		A small N–S fault downthrowing to the west and repeating most of the succession should be examined where a small stream reaches HWM. Considerable fault drag of the strata can be seen. Next, the shales above and below the tuffs should be carefully examined as they are richly fossiliferous, yielding ''Productus'', ''Aviculopecten'', ''Sanguinolites'', ''Murchisonia'', ostracods, occasional ''Orthoceras'' and many other fossils. The shales above the graded tuffs have at their base a 2 cm yellow bentonite band. The shales interbedded in the limestones are also very fossiliferous as is the limestone itself, but in the latter the fossils are very difficult to extract and are better examined on the wave-washed surfaces. Foraminifera are common in thin sections of the limestone. Notice that the shale above the limestone is squeezed and contorted where the overlying basalt came into contact with it while it was still soft and water saturated. This shale has been selectively eroded out by the sea and forms a fissure at the foot of the lava cliff.

	Now return to the footpath and, keeping close to the shore, continue north, noting that the basalt lava flow above the limestone is quite massive. On top of this flow is a 1.2 m thick green tuff band now largely altered to a brick red laterite in which small pieces of decomposed lava can still be found. This laterite lies at the base of a prominent scarp formed by the next lava flow which is massive, doleritic and displays carious weathering along the joints. In all there are some 21 m of strata, mainly lavas, separating the two Abden Limestones (Francis 1961, p. 23).		Now return to the footpath and, keeping close to the shore, continue north, noting that the basalt lava flow above the limestone is quite massive. On top of this flow is a 1.2 m thick green tuff band now largely altered to a brick red laterite in which small pieces of decomposed lava can still be found. This laterite lies at the base of a prominent scarp formed by the next lava flow which is massive, doleritic and displays carious weathering along the joints. In all there are some 21 m of strata, mainly lavas, separating the two Abden Limestones (Francis 1961, p. 23).

Scotfot: /* 3. Old kilns: Second Abden Limestone; faulting on the Abden shore */

2019-02-23T15:24:46Z

3. Old kilns: Second Abden Limestone; faulting on the Abden shore

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	The pillow structure in the underlying basalt is best exposed at HWM. Green tuffs appear to have penetrated the cracks in the upper surface of the lava before covering it completely. On the shore the tuffs, red laterite and seatearth, have been preferentially eroded by the sea, but in the low cliff at HWM they form conspicuous coloured bands. The succeeding grey shales were described in detail by Ferguson (1962) who recognised from bottom to top the stages of a marine transgression, documented by the changing very abundant fauna. At the base will be seen the hard, 2.5 cm ''Naiadites crassa'' band in which many of these thick-shelled bivalves are found. The next 90 cm of shales yield in particular ''Lingula'' and ''Streblopteria.'' The next 75 cm yield ''Schizophoria'' and '''Productus''' and the topmost 60 cm, immediately beneath the limestone, yield '''Productus~~'''~~'','' corals and bryozoa. On the shore the Second Abden Limestone forms a prominent ridge which decreases in height when followed north. It consists of a series of limestone beds separated by irregular muddy partings. Considerable colonies of ''Lithostrotion junceum'' occur in it and solitary corals can also be seen, particularly on the wave-washed upper surface. Crinoid debris is abundant throughout.		The pillow structure in the underlying basalt is best exposed at HWM. Green tuffs appear to have penetrated the cracks in the upper surface of the lava before covering it completely. On the shore the tuffs, red laterite and seatearth, have been preferentially eroded by the sea, but in the low cliff at HWM they form conspicuous coloured bands. The succeeding grey shales were described in detail by Ferguson (1962) who recognised from bottom to top the stages of a marine transgression, documented by the changing very abundant fauna. At the base will be seen the hard, 2.5 cm ''Naiadites crassa'' band in which many of these thick-shelled bivalves are found. The next 90 cm of shales yield in particular ''Lingula'' and ''Streblopteria.'' The next 75 cm yield ''Schizophoria'' and ''Productus'' and the topmost 60 cm, immediately beneath the limestone, yield ''Productus'', corals and bryozoa. On the shore the Second Abden Limestone forms a prominent ridge which decreases in height when followed north. It consists of a series of limestone beds separated by irregular muddy partings. Considerable colonies of ''Lithostrotion junceum'' occur in it and solitary corals can also be seen, particularly on the wave-washed upper surface. Crinoid debris is abundant throughout.

	For the next 550 m the Second Abden Limestone strikes parallel to the shore but is cut by three small dip faults which displace the outcrop dextrally, in each case by a small down-throw to the south. At the first of these faults, 150 m north of the kilns, the limestone is brecciated, dolomitised, brown in colour and has a hematitic stain.		For the next 550 m the Second Abden Limestone strikes parallel to the shore but is cut by three small dip faults which displace the outcrop dextrally, in each case by a small down-throw to the south. At the first of these faults, 150 m north of the kilns, the limestone is brecciated, dolomitised, brown in colour and has a hematitic stain.

Scotfot: /* 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones */

2019-02-23T15:23:59Z

6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones

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	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
			\|-
			\|\|
			\|\| metres
			\|-
	\|-		\|-
	\|\| Upper Kinniny Limestone		\|\| Upper Kinniny Limestone

Scotfot: /* 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones */

2019-02-23T15:23:15Z

6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones

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	\|\| 15.0		\|\| 15.0
	\|-		\|-
	\|\| Thick trough cross-bedded sandstone, on which stands		\|\| Thick trough cross-bedded sandstone, on which stands Seafield Tower
	\|\|
	\|-
	\|\| Seafield Tower
	\|\| 15.0		\|\| 15.0
	\|-		\|-

Scotfot: /* 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones */

2019-02-23T15:22:26Z

6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones

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 Seafield Tower stands on the outcrop of a prominent cross-bedded sandstone, 15 m thick and locally reddish in colour. On its seaward side this sandstone is succeeded by 55 m of sandstones, shales and thin limestones, the last of these aggregating some 5m and forming small scarps on the shore. These limestones which are the equivalent of the Hosie Limestones elsewhere in Scotland (Wilson 1989, p95) are the Kinniny Limestones, the highest of which marks the top of the Lower Limestone Formation in Fife. The succession is listed below in generalised form (after Francis 1961, p18):
-Insert Table
 In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to 45cm long by 15cm thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4 m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.

Scotfot at 14:05, 23 February 2019

2019-02-23T14:05:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:05, 23 February 2019
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	== 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones ==		== 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones ==

	Seafield Tower stands on the outcrop of a prominent cross-bedded sandstone, 15 m thick and locally reddish in colour. On its seaward side this sandstone is succeeded by 55 m of		Seafield Tower stands on the outcrop of a prominent cross-bedded sandstone, 15 m thick and locally reddish in colour. On its seaward side this sandstone is succeeded by 55 m of sandstones, shales and thin limestones, the last of these aggregating some 5m and forming small scarps on the shore. These limestones which are the equivalent of the Hosie Limestones elsewhere in Scotland (Wilson 1989, p95) are the Kinniny Limestones, the highest of which marks the top of the Lower Limestone Formation in Fife. The succession is listed below in generalised form (after Francis 1961, p18):
	In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to 45cm long by 15cm thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.
	From Craigfoot follow the Upper Kinniny Limestone north along the shore for 400m until the outcrop of the sill which forms Craigfoot is reached. The sill, which is 5m above the base of the Limestone Coal Formation, i.e. the top of the Upper Kinniny Limestone, here forms a scarp and is about 3m thick. The margins are bleached to white trap and are fine grained. Along this part of the shore it will be seen that the strike gradually swings round from N–S to NNW—SSE but the dip remains at 20°–25° eastward. Two hundred and thirty metres south of the bend in the old Tyrie breakwater some of the sandy beds beneath the Upper Kinniny Limestone have developed pseudo-nodules, through pods of sandstone sinking ~~sandstones, shales and thin limestones,~~ the ~~last of these aggregating some 5m and forming small scarps on~~ the ~~shore~~. ~~These limestones which are~~ the ~~equivalent of~~ the ~~Hosie Limestones elsewhere in Scotland (Wilson 1989~~, ~~p95) are the Kinniny Limestones, the highest~~ of ~~which marks the top of the Lower Limestone Formation in Fife~~. ~~The succession is listed below in generalised form (after Francis 1961, p18):~~		Insert Table
			In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to 45cm long by 15cm thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4 m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.

			== 7. Quartz-dolerite sill: sedimentary structures ==
			From Craigfoot follow the Upper Kinniny Limestone north along the shore for 400m until the outcrop of the sill which forms Craigfoot is reached. The sill, which is 5m above the base of the Limestone Coal Formation, i.e. the top of the Upper Kinniny Limestone, here forms a scarp and is about 3m thick. The margins are bleached to white trap and are fine grained. Along this part of the shore it will be seen that the strike gradually swings round from N–S to NNW—SSE but the dip remains at 20°–25° eastward. Two hundred and thirty metres south of the bend in the old Tyrie breakwater some of the sandy beds beneath the Upper Kinniny Limestone have developed pseudo-nodules, through pods of sandstone sinking into the siltstone beneath while the sediments were still unconsolidated. Other thin-bedded sandstones in the vicinity display ''Scolicia'' type tracks across the bedding planes, generally thought to be made by gastropods. A small E–W fault with a downthrow of around 3 m can also be seen at this locality.

	== 8. Tyrie breakwater: white trap sill ==		== 8. Tyrie breakwater: white trap sill ==

Scotfot: /* 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones */

2019-02-23T13:58:49Z

6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 23 February 2019
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	== 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones ==		== 6. Craigfoot: Seafield Tower, Kinniny Limestones ==

	Seafield Tower stands on the outcrop of a prominent cross-bedded sandstone, 15 m thick and locally reddish in colour. On its seaward side this sandstone is succeeded by 55 m of into the siltstone beneath while the sediments were still unconsolidated. Other thin-bedded sandstones in the vicinity display '''Scolicia'''type tracks across the bedding planes, generally thought to be made by gastropods. A small E–W fault with a downthrow of around 3 m can also be seen at this locality.		Seafield Tower stands on the outcrop of a prominent cross-bedded sandstone, 15 m thick and locally reddish in colour. On its seaward side this sandstone is succeeded by 55 m of

	In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to 45cm long by 15cm thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.		In this succession the coaly beds are rarely exposed though the coal beneath the Lower Kinniny Limestone was at one time worked at outcrop. The Lower Kinniny Limestone is bioturbated, sandy and contains nodules up to 45cm long by 15cm thick. The Middle Kinniny Limestone is conspicuous on account of its being cut by several small thrusts which die out quickly in the shales above and below. It is richly fossiliferous in its upper, muddier part. The 1.4m limestone above the Middle Kinniny Limestone also forms a prominent feature on the shore, especially towards Craigfoot, while the 12 m thick shale between these two limestones has been eroded out leaving an intervening depression. The 0.5m thick Upper Kinniny Limestone is impure, passes down into sandstone and thins northwards. It is stratigraphically important since it forms the topmost bed of the Lower Limestone Formation. Offshore the crags of Craigfoot and the East and West Vows are formed by dolerite sills intruded into the overlying Limestone Coal Formation sediments.
	From Craigfoot follow the Upper Kinniny Limestone north along the shore for 400m until the outcrop of the sill which forms Craigfoot is reached. The sill, which is 5m above the base of the Limestone Coal Formation, i.e. the top of the Upper Kinniny Limestone, here forms a scarp and is about 3m thick. The margins are bleached to white trap and are fine grained. Along this part of the shore it will be seen that the strike gradually swings round from N–S to NNW—SSE but the dip remains at 20°–25° eastward. Two hundred and thirty metres south of the bend in the old Tyrie breakwater some of the sandy beds beneath the Upper Kinniny Limestone have developed pseudo-nodules, through pods of sandstone sinking sandstones, shales and thin limestones, the last of these aggregating some 5m and forming small scarps on the shore. These limestones which are the equivalent of the Hosie Limestones elsewhere in Scotland (Wilson 1989, p95) are the Kinniny Limestones, the highest of which marks the top of the Lower Limestone Formation in Fife. The succession is listed below in generalised form (after Francis 1961, p18):		From Craigfoot follow the Upper Kinniny Limestone north along the shore for 400m until the outcrop of the sill which forms Craigfoot is reached. The sill, which is 5m above the base of the Limestone Coal Formation, i.e. the top of the Upper Kinniny Limestone, here forms a scarp and is about 3m thick. The margins are bleached to white trap and are fine grained. Along this part of the shore it will be seen that the strike gradually swings round from N–S to NNW—SSE but the dip remains at 20°–25° eastward. Two hundred and thirty metres south of the bend in the old Tyrie breakwater some of the sandy beds beneath the Upper Kinniny Limestone have developed pseudo-nodules, through pods of sandstone sinking sandstones, shales and thin limestones, the last of these aggregating some 5m and forming small scarps on the shore. These limestones which are the equivalent of the Hosie Limestones elsewhere in Scotland (Wilson 1989, p95) are the Kinniny Limestones, the highest of which marks the top of the Lower Limestone Formation in Fife. The succession is listed below in generalised form (after Francis 1961, p18):