Academic literature on the topic 'Ultrabasic rocks – England – Cornwall'

AbstractPermian basic/ultrabasic lavas from south-west England may be divided into a ‘basaltic’ and a K-rich group. Both groups have enrichment of large-ion lithophile (LIL) elements relative to high field strength (HFS) elements, and the K-rich group show large degrees of LIL enrichment (c.50–500 times primordial mantle) in association with varied transition element concentrations. Samples from both groups 87Sr/86Sri = 0.704–0.705 and 143Nd/144Ndi = 0.5123–0.5127 and plot close to the mantle array on an ɛSr−ɛNd diagram. These data are interpreted in terms of derivation of the lavas from magmas resulting from partial melting of mantle which had experienced less (for the basaltic group) or more (for the K-rich group) enrichment in LIL elements as a result of migration of mantle melts. Such enrichment accompanied or followed subduction of oceanic lithosphere below south-west England. The resultant magmas experienced fractional crystallization of olivine and pyroxene prior to eruption.

AbstractThe largest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK is found in Cornwall and west Devon, and its designation is based specifically on its heritage for metalliferous mining, especially tin, copper and arsenic. With a history of over 2000 years of mining, SW England is exceptional in the nature and extent of its mining landscape. The mining for metallic ores, and more recently for kaolin, is a function of the distinctive geology of the region. The mining hazards that are encountered in areas of metallic mines are a function of: the Paleozoic rocks; the predominant steeply dipping nature of mineral veins and consequent shaft mining; the great depth and complexity of some of the mines; the waste derived from processing metallic ores; the long history of exploitation; and the contamination associated with various by-products of primary ore-processing, refining and smelting, notably arsenic. The hazards associated with kaolin mining are mainly related to the volume of the inert waste products and the need to maintain stable spoil tips, and the depth of the various tailings’ ponds and pits. The extent of mining in Cornwall and Devon has resulted in the counties being leaders in mining heritage preservation and the treatment and remediation of mining-related hazards.

AbstractThe north coast of Cornwall, from Bude to Newquay, provides a continuous section through a major Variscan fold/thrust complex. Illite crystallinity studies have revealed a transition from diagenesis in the north to greenschist facies metamorphism in the south in the Upper Palaeozoic succession. More detailed studies of mineral assemblages in both metabasites and pelitic rocks support the regional pattern of metamorphism indicated by illite crystallinity, and show that locally in the Tintagel district, the grade of metamorphism may have reached middle to upper greenschist facies. An attempt to correlate the above data with temperatures (108–985°C) derived from O-isotope geothermometers is made. Interpretation of the metamorphic data presented helps to emphasize the tectonic importance of the major structures seen in the fold/thrust complex.