New interpretations of the Caledonian geology of Shetland (lecture)

Dr Rob Strachan, University of Portsmouth

The Caledonian belt in Shetland comprises a superb west-east section from the supposed equivalent of the Moine Thrust to the Unst-Fetlar ophiolite, all documented in detail by the work of Derek Flinn and his research students. However, understanding of this northernmost part of the Scottish Caledonides has lagged behind in recent years in comparison with mainland Scotland. New geochronological studies have placed constraints on the depositional ages of major metasedimentary units and timing of orogenic events with implications for regional tectonic models.