Major shear zones and autochthonous Dalradian in the north-east Scottish Caledonides
The Buchan area within the Grampian Caledonides of north-east Scotland is a classic locality for the study of low-pressure regional metamorphism. Using detailed geophysical surveys, pits and boreholes to augment sparse outcrop data, we have revealed a system of steep shear belts of Grampian age. When combined with a reassessment of the stratigraphy, the new information leads us to the view that the Banff nappe does not exist. We also argue that the Tay nappe is of limited extent in Buchan, and that the tract of uninverted Southern Highland Group (upper Dalradian) is autochthonous.
Silicate Mineralogy of the Middle Zone Cumulates and Associated Gabbroic Rocks from the Insch Intrusion, NE Scotland
Abstract The Middle Zone (MZ) of the Insch intrusion lies in a geographically intermediate position between the Lower Zone (LZ) and Upper Zone (UZ) cumulate sequences, but is more complicated than either in comprising two intricately associated, but texturally distinct, components, the MZ cumulates and the fine-grained granular gabbros (FGG). In addition, there is a minor group of porphyritic granular gabbros (PGG), containing abundant plagioclase phenocrysts. A further variety of gabbroic rock, namely quartz-biotite norite (QBN) occupies a similarly intermediate position in the Boganclogh extension of the main Insch mass. These principal components (MZ cumulates, FGG, and QBN) show considerable mineralogical overlap with each other and with the lower part of the UZ succession (UZa). Unlike the UZ rocks, they are essentially olivine-free (apart from the most basic granular gabbros) and consist mainly of plagioclase, orthopyroxene, and Ca-rich clinopyroxene, with accessory Fe-Tioxides and minor interstitial biotite and/or hornblende. Mineral compositions are in the range An70–55 (plagioclase), En71–44 (opx), and Ca46Mg42Fe12 to Ca45Mg30Fe25 (cpx), but in detail each rock group can be characterized mineralogically as well as texturally. It is concluded that the MZ cumulates and FGG (including PGG) are essentially complementary, formed in different locations, and under slightly different conditions, but in the same magma chamber. The complex relationships between them, and the apparently haphazard geographical variations in mineral compositions, may be the combined results of the magmatic events, possibly including the movement of large xenolithic fragments, and later block faulting. The substantial compositional overlap of the more evolved MZ cumulates by UZa is explained in terms of replenishment by magma of slightly more primitive (and potentially olivine-bearing) composition after the deposition of the MZ. The Boganclogh QBN is believed to represent a more hydrous fraction of the Insch MZ magma.
Archaeological Survey of Dangoyama Kofun by 3DGPR
We presented a three-dimensional ground penetrating radar (3DGPR) system for the archeological investigation in a harsh site, where we have to deal with many trees and/or great topographic variations. This system consists of a commercial GPR system with a laser positioning system. With this system, we can move the GPR antenna freely, on which a positioning detector can record accurate position for each GPR data trace. We applied our 3DGPR system at Dangoyama Kofun, a burial mound, in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. A lot of trees and bushes covered the survey area and cannot be cut. We acquired six datasets in two days in this area. We successfully imaged the boundary between the original surface of the burial mound and the covering soil clearly at about 0.3 m depth around the mound. Furthermore, we found some strong reflections appeared at 0.8 m depth in the top area of the mound, which can be from the artificial parts of the burial mound. The results would greatly aid the following archaeological excavation. In addition, we compared the non-interpolated depth slice with interpolated depth slice at same position and demonstrated that the interpolation process on threedimensional GPR data may introduce some artifacts which might mislead our interpretation.