The Geological Structure of the North-West Highlands of Scotland – revisited: Peach et al. 100 years on

Abstract

Abstract Following years of sporadic debate, in the early 1880s consensus was reached that thrust tectonics explained hitherto controversial geological field relationships in NW Scotland. This spawned a major research effort there by the Geological Survey of Great Britain that culminated in a series of highly detailed geological maps, preliminary research papers and, eventually, the publication of a memoir to the region. These works became highly influential to early-20th century geoscience, especially structural geology. Not only did they provide the first major synthesis of thrust belt structure, they also provided the basis for descriptions of fault and shear zone processes and deductive methods for unravelling tectonic histories in metamorphic basement. A common misconception is that the results arose from mapping alone, without regard to extant models and theory and this approach is held up as an ideal for fieldwork. Yet the notebooks and writings of the surveyors show the application of learning not only from other research groups but also between themselves. As with modern mapping, the Survey team created interpretations that built on contemporary knowledge. This work in turn has driven subsequent research for over 100 years, in the NW Highlands and in deformed rocks throughout the world.