The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Cairnsmore Of Fleet Pluton

Computer Code: COFG Preferred Map Code: COFG
Status Code: Full
Age range: Emsian Age (DE) — Emsian Age (DE)
Lithological Description: The pluton is compositionally zoned comprising a marginal coarse-grained feldspar-phyric granite enclosing a central fine- to medium-grained aphyric granite. The outer zone has been divided into a marginal biotite-granite and an inner biotite-muscovite-granite.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Intrusive margin of the pluton against surrounding contact metamorphosed rock.
Definition of Upper Boundary: Not applicable.
Thickness: Geophysical studies indicate that it extends to a depth of 10 - 12km. (Parslow, 1968; Parslow and Randall, 1973).
Geographical Limits: The pluton is exposed in south-west Scotland. It extends from Cairnsmore [NX 49 65] in the south-west to New Galloway [NX 62 76] in the north-east.
Parent Unit: Galloway Granitic Suite (GALGR)
Previous Name(s): Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite [Obsolete Name and Code: Use COFG] (-3949)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Area  The outer zone of coarse-grained granite is exposed in the vicinity of Cairnsmore of Fleet. 
Type Area  The inner zone of fine-grained aphyric granite is exposed to the north of Loch Fleet. 
Reference(s):
Gardiner, C L and Reynolds, S H. 1937. The Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite and its metamorphic aureole. Geological Magazine, Vol. 74, p. 289 - 300. 
Cook, D R. 1976. The geology of the Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite and its environs, south-west Scotland. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of St. Andrews. 
Fettes, D J and Timmerman, H. 1993. The geology of the Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite. British Geological Survey Technical Report, WA/92/89. 
Parslow, G R. 1968. The physical and structural features of the Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite and its environs. Scottish Journal of Geology, Vol. 4, p. 91 - 108. 
Parslow, G R. 1971. Variations in mineralogy and major elements in the Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite, SW Scotland. Lithos, Vol. 9, p. 43 - 55. 
Parslow, G R and Randall, B A. 1973. A gravity survey of the Cairnsmore of Fleet Granite and its environs. Scottish Journal of Geology, Vol. 9, p. a 219 - 231. 
Barnes, R P, (in prep). The geology of the Kirkcowan, Wigtown and Whithorn districts. Memoir of the British Geological Survey, Sheets 4W, 4E and 2 (Scotland). 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
S004 S005 S008 S009