North-south geofractures in Scotland and Ireland

摘要: Synopsis The suggestion is advanced that north-south trending faults and Carboniferous synclinal troughs, as well a crustal inhomogeneity in central Scotland, were formed response to stress field which the direction of relative tension was oriented east west present pole. These structures are considered be higher homologues three major extension failures (geofractures) at base Upper Crust separated by distances 45 55 km. In Ireland (like situated close continental margin) geofractures have previously been postulated explain distribution ore deposits (Russell 1968, 1969). Sparse stratigraphical evidence points late Tournaisian or Visean age for initiation geofractures. They constitute earliest eventually caused lithosphere separation Rockall Trough. This inferred taken place end times.