Day 3: Isle of Mull and Iona


Tobermory, Isle of Mull (Shantel T., 2018)


We began the first day of adventures through the Isle of Mull on May 19th. Departing our place of stay in Tobermory, the largest town on the island, we took to the winding road out to the first stop in Glen More.

The site was gabbroic, but this is not any ordinary gabbro site, it is a CROSS BEDDED site! Seeing such a structure adds to the ongoing debate on how the fundamental rock types are defined from one another. A significant depositional environment with strength, speed and depth is required to create cross strata – typically because of wind or water flowing mediums for sedimentary material. BUT! THIS IS IGNEOUS! Igneous material that exhibit cross-bedding suggests the heat and strength of volcanic activity was able to layer within a stratum and at an angle! The material must have “behaved like sedimentary” material typically does, and this, by no means is common as a structure for this rock type. Leaders Joy C. and Thea M. explained the site is likely the result of volcanic activity and the magma chamber of an ancient Paleogene volcano.

Crossing of the Gabbroic kind (Thea M., 2018)

After enjoying our packed lunches on the beachside, with the chilly breeze, we loaded up the vans and caught a ferry ride to Isle of Iona. Met by the blue water beach, stronger winds, and an eagerness to find sites suggested by a field guide the leaders were using.

Isle of Iona coastline (Shantel T., 2018)

This lead us all to be scattered across the coast, hammering, examining the outcrops closely with hand lenses and having us lose track of time. Students discussed structures observed, while others deciphered the mineralogy of coast. Fascinated the scene, finds, and debates, we quickly lost track of time.  Luckily we rushed around the coast and caught the second last ferry back to the Isle of Mull with our muddy boots and heavy rock carrying backpacks.

Geonerds exploring the coastline (Shantel T., 2018)

Tomorrow we continue our tour of Isle of Mull on Ardalanish Bay, a small village in in Argyll. Here we witnessed a collection of minerals such as Tourmaline, Kyanite, Andalusite (!)

Isle of Iona you are beautiful!
More travels across Isle of Mull will follow with our next blog post!

Warm wishes,
Shantel T.


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