List of geological faults of Scotland
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the named geological faults in Scotland
. See the main article on faults for a fuller treatment of fault types and nomenclature but in brief, the main types are normal faults, reverse faults, thrusts, thrust faults or slides and strike-slip faults. Many faults may have acted as both normal faults at one time and as reverse or thrust faults at another and may or may not have also incorporated some degree of strike-slip movement too. The terms 'zone' and 'complex' imply collections of features with associated histories.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. See the main article on faults for a fuller treatment of fault types and nomenclature but in brief, the main types are normal faults, reverse faults, thrusts, thrust faults or slides and strike-slip faults. Many faults may have acted as both normal faults at one time and as reverse or thrust faults at another and may or may not have also incorporated some degree of strike-slip movement too. The terms 'zone' and 'complex' imply collections of features with associated histories.
Key to tables
- Column 1 indicates the name of the fault. Note that different authors may use different names for the same fault or a section of it. Conversely, the same name may be applied to more than one fault, particularly in the case of smaller faults which are widely separated.
- Column 2 indicates the OS grid reference of the approximate midpoint of certain faults. Note that the mapped extent of a fault may not accurately reflect its actual extent.
- Column 3 indicates the countyCountyA county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
in which the fault occurs. Some traverse two or more counties of course.
- Column 4 indicates on which sheet, if any, of the British Geological SurveyBritish Geological SurveyThe British Geological Survey is a partly publicly funded body which aims to advance geoscientific knowledge of the United Kingdom landmass and its continental shelf by means of systematic surveying, monitoring and research. The BGS headquarters are in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, but other centres...
's 1:50,000 / 1" scale geological map series of Scotland, the fault is shown and named (either on map/s or cross-section/s or both). A handful of BGS maps at other scales are listed too.
- Column 5 indicates a selection of publications in which references to the fault may be found. See references section for full details of publication.
Alphabetical list of faults
| Fault name | OS map ref | County | BGS map sheet | book reference/s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achininver Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114E | ||
| Aithbank Fault | Shetland | Sc 131 | ||
| Alwinton Fault | BGS:BRG 7 | |||
| Arisdale Fault | Shetland | Sc 130 | ||
| Arnaboll Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114W | BGS:BRG 2, G & K 2011 | |
| Assapol Fault | BGS:BRG 3; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Balmacara Thrust | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Balmae Burn Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Banff Fault | ||||
| Bealach Traligill Fault | Sutherland | Assynt (Special 50K) | G & K 2011 | |
| Beinn an Fhuarain Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Beinn Uidhe Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Ben Hope Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114W, Sc 114E | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Ben Hutig Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114E | ||
| Ben More Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114W | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002, G & K 2011 | |
| Ben Oss Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Ben Suardal Thrust | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Benderloch Slide | Argyll | Sc 45W | ||
| Bluemull Sound Fault | Shetland | Sc 130 | ||
| Boundary Slide | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Brims - Risa Fault | Shetland | BGS:BRG 1 | ||
| Bring Fault | Orkney | Orkney Islands (Special 100K) | ||
| Brodick Bay Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Cairn Muir Fault | Sc 32W | |||
| Cairngarroch Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Cairnholy Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Calder Fault | Sc 32W | |||
| Calder-Murieston Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Caledonian Front Thrust Belt | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Cam Loch Thrust | Sutherland | Assynt (Special 50K) | G & K 2011 | |
| Camasunary Fault | BGS:BRG 2 & 3; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Camasunary-Rona Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Cambret Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Campsie Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Carcow Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Central Fracture Zone | North Sea | |||
| Chasm Faults | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Cnoc nan Uamh Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Coigach Fault | Sutherland | Tect B&Ire 1:500K | ||
| Corloch Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Cove Fault | ?Lothian | Sc 33E | BGS:BRG 6 | |
| Crossgatehall Fault | UK (north) 625K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Cue Sike Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Dalmellington Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Devil's Staircase Fault | Glencoe:25K | |||
| Dherue Thrust | Sutherland | Sc114E | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Dogger Bank Fault Zone | North Sea | |||
| Dove Cove Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Dunbar - Gifford Fault | Lothian | UK (north) 625K; S32E & S33 | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Dusk Water Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| East Ochil Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| East Scapa Fault | Orkney | Orkney Islands (Special 100K) | BGS:BRG 1 | |
| Ericht - Laidon Fault | Sc 74E | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Ettrick Valley Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Fardingmullach Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Firth of Forth Fault | Tect B&Ire 1:500K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Flannan Thrust | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Garabal Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Garheugh Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Garlieston Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Garthna Geo Fault | Shetland | BGS:BRG 1; Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Gillespie Burn Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Gilnockie Fault | Dumfries-shire | BGS:BRG 7 | ||
| Glaik Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Gleann Charnan Fault | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Gleann Liath Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Gleghornie Fault | ?Lothian | Sc 33E | ||
| Glen App Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Glen Etive Fault | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Glen Creran Slide | Argyll | Sc 45W | ||
| Glen Fumart Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Glen Stockdale Slide | Argyll | Sc 45W | ||
| Glencoul Thrust | Sutherland | Assynt (Special 50K) | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002, G & K 2011 | |
| Grampian Slide | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Great Glen Fault Great Glen Fault The Great Glen Fault is a long strike-slip fault that runs through its namesake the Great Glen in Scotland. However, the fault is actually much longer and over 400 million years old.-Location:... |
Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Great Glen Fault Zone Great Glen Fault The Great Glen Fault is a long strike-slip fault that runs through its namesake the Great Glen in Scotland. However, the fault is actually much longer and over 400 million years old.-Location:... |
UK (north) 625K | |||
| Haggrister Fault | Shetland | Sc 129 | ||
| Harbour Hill Fault | Lothian | Sc 32E | ||
| Headmark Fault | Sc 14 | |||
| Helmsdale Fault | UK (north) 625K | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Highland Boundary Fault Highland Boundary Fault The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east... |
Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Highland Boundary Fault Zone Highland Boundary Fault The Highland Boundary Fault is a geological fault that traverses Scotland from Arran and Helensburgh on the west coast to Stonehaven in the east... |
UK (north) 625K | |||
| Inchgottrick Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Inchkeith Fault | Sc 32E | |||
| Innerwell Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Innerwick Fault | ?Berwickshire | Sc 33E | ||
| Inninmore Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Kennox Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Kerse Loch Fault | Sc 14 | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Kilchrenan Slide | Argyll | Sc 45W | ||
| Killantringan Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Killin Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Kingledores Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Kinlochewe Thrust | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Kintail Thrust | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Kishorn Thrust | Sc 71W | BGS:BRG 2 & 3 | ||
| Kishorn-Suardal Thrust | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Knoydart Thrust | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Laig Gorge Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Lamb Hoga Fault | Shetland | Sc 131 | ||
| Lammermuir Fault | UK (north) 625K; S32E & S33 | Trewin (ed) 2002, BGS:BRG 6 | ||
| Laurieston Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Leadhills Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Littlemill Fault | Sc 14 | |||
| Loch Assapol Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Loch Assynt Fault | G & K 2011 | |||
| Loch Gruniart Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Loch Maree Fault | Sc 91/100 | BGS:BRG 2 | ||
| Loch Morie Fault | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Loch Mudle Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Loch Ryan Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Loch Screapadal Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Loch Seaforth Fault | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Loch Skerrols Thrust | Argyll | Sc 37W | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Loch Tay Fault | UK (north) 625K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Lochan Riabhach Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114W, Sc 114E | G & K 2011 | |
| Long Loch Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Lynn of Lorn Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Main Ring Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Melby Fault | Shetland | Tect B&Ire 1:500K; Sc 129 | BGS:BRG 1; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Middleton Hall Fault | Sc 32W | |||
| Minch Fault | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Moffat Valley Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Moine Thrust | Sc 114E | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002, G & K 2011 | ||
| Moine Thrust Zone | Trewin (ed) 2002, G & K 2011 | |||
| Morroch Bay Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Mursieston Fault | Sc 32W | |||
| Naver Slide | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Naver Thrust | Sc 114E | Trewin (ed) 2002, G & K 2011 | ||
| Nesting Fault | Shetland | Sc 128; 129; 130 | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| North Scapa Fault | Orkney | Orkney Islands (Special 100K) | BGS:BRG 1 | |
| North Solway Fault | Dumfries-shire | BGS:BRG 7, Mem Sc 5W, 5E & pt6W | ||
| Northeastern Graben Fault Zone | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Ochil Fault Ochil Fault The Ochil Fault is the geological feature which defines the southern edge of the Ochil Hills escarpment, Scotland.North of the fault, Devonian lava flows and pyroclastic deposits slope gently down, thinning towards the north. These are in part overlain by Old Red Sandstone rocks formed later in the... |
Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Ochiltree Fault | Sc 32W | |||
| Ossian Fault | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Outer Hebrides Fault | Tect B&Ire 1:500K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Outer Hebrides Fault Zone | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Outer Hebrides Thrust Zone | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Outer Isles Fault Zone | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Outer Isles Thrust | UK (north) 625K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Oykell Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Pentland Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Pobie Fault | North Sea | Tect B&Ire 1:500K | ||
| Pyet Thrust | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Queen's Cairn Fault | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Risa Fault | Orkney | Orkney Islands (Special 100K) | ||
| Ross Bay Fault | Kirkcudbrightshire | Sc 5W | ||
| Rothes Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Rubha Garbh Slide | Argyll | Sc 45W | ||
| Sangobeg Fault | Sutherland | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Scapa Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Screapadal Fault | BGS:BRG 3 | |||
| Sgurr Beag Slide | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Sgurr Beag Thrust | UK (north) 625K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Shetland Spine Fault | Shetland | |||
| Skerryvore Fault | BGS:BRG 3; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Sole Thrust | Sutherland | Sc 114W | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002, G & K 2011 | |
| Southern Upland Fault | Sc 14 | BGS:BRG 6 | ||
| Southwestern Graben Fault Zone | Argyll | Glencoe:25K | ||
| Sronlairig Fault | UK (north) 625K | |||
| Stinchar Valley Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Strath Fleet Fault | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Strath Naver Slide | BGS:BRG 2 | |||
| Strathconon Fault | BGS:BRG 2; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Strathglass Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Sulma Water Fault | Shetland | BGS:BRG 1 | ||
| Swordly Thrust | Sutherland | Tect B&Ire 1:500K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| Tarskavaig Thrust | Sc 71W | BGS:BRG 2 & 3 | ||
| Tollie Farm Fault | Sutherland | Sc 91/100 | ||
| Torrisdale Thrust | Sc 114E | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
| Traligill Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Tyndrum Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Uamh an Tartair Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Ullapool Thrust | G & K 2011 | |||
| Walls Boundary Fault | Shetland | Sc 128; 129 | BGS:BRG 1; Trewin (ed) 2002 | |
| West Ochil Fault | Trewin (ed) 2002 | |||
| Wick Fault | Tect B&Ire 1:500K | Trewin (ed) 2002 | ||
Maps
- British Geological Survey 2007, Bedrock Geology UK North, 1:625,000 scale geological map, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Notts (UK (north) 625K)
- British Geological Survey 1996 Tectonic map of Britain, Ireland and Adjacent Areas 1996, Pharaoh TC et al (compilers), 1:1,500,000 British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Notts (Tect B&Ire 1:1500K)
- British Geological Survey, various of 1:50,000 scale geological maps of Scotland, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Notts (Sc no.)
- British Geological Survey 'Classic Areas' series; Glencoe, 1:25,000 scale geological map, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Notts (Glencoe:25K)
Books
- Trewin, NH (ed) 2002. The Geology of Scotland, (4th edn) The Geological Society, London (Trewin (ed) 2002)
- British Regional Geology: Orkney and Shetland, British Geological Survey, Nottingham (BGS:BRG1)
- British Regional Geology: Northern Highlands of Scotland, British Geological Survey, Nottingham (BGS:BRG2)
- Emeleus CH & Bell BR 2005, British Regional Geology; The Palaeogene volcanic districts of Scotland (4th edn) British Geological Survey, Nottingham (BGS:BRG3)
- Goodenough, K.M. & Krabbendam, M. 2011 A Geological Excursion Guide to the North-west Highlands of Scotland, Edinburgh Geological Society , ISBN 9781905267538 (G & K 2011)
- Grieg, D.C. 1971. British Regional Geology: The South of Scotland (3rd edn) British Geological Survey, Nottingham (BGS:BRG6)
- British Regional Geology: Northern England, British Geological Survey, Nottingham (BGS:BRG7)
- Lintern, B.C. & Floyd, J.D. 2000 Geology of the Kirkcudbright-Dalbeattie District memoir of the British Geological Survey, sheets 5W, 5E and part of 6W (Scotland) (Mem Sc 5W, 5E & pt6W)
See also
- List of geological faults of England
- List of geological faults of Northern Ireland
- List of geological faults of Wales
- List of geological folds in Great Britain
- Geological structure of Great BritainGeological structure of Great BritainThe geological structure of Great Britain is complex, resulting as it does from a long and varied geological history spanning more than two billion years...