Description

Opportunity to study the outcrops and fault rocks of this major feature of Scottish Geology which separates the metamorphic rocks of the Highlands from the younger Old Red Sandstone sediments of the Midland Valley. The walking is generally easy going with some moderate ascents and descents in and out of 2-3 bays.

Location 1: Starting on Cowie shore at Stonehaven we will study the coastal outcrops of the Devonian sediments that were deposited in the fault bounded Midland Valley basin. There are many interesting
sedimentary structures and features of structural geology such as small strike-slip faults.

Location 2: Pillow lavas, cherts and other ocean floor rocks that are evidence of an ancient ocean (Iapetus).

Location 3: Further North at Craigeven Bay, we will study the Highland Boundary Fault Zone (HBF) and associated rocks and the metamorphic rocks of the Dalradian Supergroup on the north side of the fault.

On the way back along the upper path, there is the opportunity for birds eye views of the HBFZ, Strathmore syncline and other features such as modern landslides.

Topics include:
– Sedimentary structures and features of structural geology in Devonian sediments.
– Modern processes such as weathering and landslides
– The HBFZ and it’s various rock types
– Regionally metamorphic rocks of the Dalradian supergroup with associated folds and faults
– Reservoir modelling aspects