Geology of the United Kingdom
The Geology of the United Kingdom is hugely varied, and gives rise to the wide variety of landscapes found across the country. This varied geology has also meant that the country has been an important source for the formation of many geological concepts.The oldest rocks are found in north west Scotland, the youngest in south east England.
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2 Geological Features 3 Geological Resources 4 Events 5 Institutions 6 People 7 Awards 8 See also |
Geological History
Paleomagnetic evidence indicates that 520 Ma (Ma = millions of years ago), what is now the UK was split between two continents, separated by 7000 km (4500 miles) of ocean. The north of Scotland was located at about 20ÃÂð south of the equator on the continent of Laurentia near the Tropic of Capricorn, while the rest of the country was at about 60ÃÂð south on the continent of Gondwana near the Antarctic Circle.
500 million years ago, in the Ordovician period, southern Britain, the east coast of North America and south-east Newfoundland broke away from Gondwana to form the continent of Avalonia, which by 440 Ma had drifted (by the mechanisms of plate tectonics) to about 30ÃÂð south.
Having joined with the continent of Baltica, the Avalonia and Baltica collided with Laurentia at about 20ÃÂð south around 425Ma, joining the southern and northern halves of the British Isles together.
Geological Features
Geological Resources
Events
Institutions
People
Awards
See also
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