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North-South Trending Pre-cleavage Folds in the Skiddaw Slate Group of the English Lake District

Nature Physical Science volume 235, pages 138–140 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

THE polyphase nature of the deformation in the principal Skiddaw Slate tract was originally described by Simpson1. He considered that the main slaty cleavage and the folds to which it is axial planar are a result of the first deformation to which the slates were subjected. The trend of these structures varies from north-east-south-west to east-west due to later refolding, but can generally be considered Caledonoid. The existence of early north-south trending structures has also been advocated2–5. Helm and Roberts6 recently suggested that the Skiddaw Slates were deformed by a major north-south trending anticline and subjected to considerable erosion before the deposition of the Borrowdale Volcanic rocks. The evidence for early north-south trending folds has, however, been very limited and often of questionable validity. Recent work on the psammitic rocks near Buttermere now provides ample evidence to substantiate them and suggests that they may be present throughout the Skiddaw Slate Group.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, St George's Square, Sheffield, S1 3JD

    B. C. WEBB

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  1. B. C. WEBB
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WEBB, B. North-South Trending Pre-cleavage Folds in the Skiddaw Slate Group of the English Lake District. Nature Physical Science 235, 138–140 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci235138a0

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