The Great British Tertiary Volcanoes: Exploring the Palaeogene Centres of Syke and Rum (Fieldtrip)

Start Date: 
Monday, May 27, 2013
End Date: 
Saturday, June 1, 2013

Location: Isle of Skye and Isle of Rum, Inner Hebrides, UK

Web: http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/en/Events/The Great British Tertiary Volcanoes Exploring the Palaeogene centres of Skye and Rum.aspx?ec_trk=followlist&ec_trk_data=Events

The Geological Society of London is pleased to present this fieldtrip to the Northwest Highlands of Scotland as a contribution to the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Geological Society of America.

The igneous centres of the NW Highland and Islands of Scotland, have provided the starting point for much of our understanding of petrology. Classic studies like that of Harker (Skye) and Emeleus (Rum), have unravelled the inner workings of volcanic plumbing systems and their products. This trip, based on the Isle of Skye, explores two of these great igneous centres, by foot and boat and will look at layered igneous rocks, sills/dykes, lava flows and explosive volcanism, amongst the backdrop and beauty of the inner Isles of Skye and Rum. Everything from textures to the wide expanse of flood basalts and beyond will be covered, with something for everyone’s volcanic tastes.

Itinerary outline

Monday 27 May: Travel from Inverness and arrive in Portree, Isle of Skye.
Tuesday 28 May: Trotternish peninsular, sediments, shallow intrusions, lavas and landslides (including Duntulm Castle).
Wednesday 29 May: The Central Cullins and boat trip along cliffs, visiting the inside of the Skye volcano (with seals and other wildlife).
Thursday 30 May: Lavas of Talisker Bay and North West Skye, including distillery tour.
Friday 31 May: A taste of Rum....Day trip to the Isle of Rum igneous centre!
Saturday 1 June: Travel back to Inverness with scenic stops and castles en route.

Contact: Naomi Newbold (naomi.newbold@geolsoc.org.uk)

City: 
Inner Hebrides, UK