The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Diabaig Formation

Computer Code: TCD Preferred Map Code: notEntered
Status Code: Full
Age range: Tonian Period (AT) — Tonian Period (AT)
Lithological Description: Breccias and conglomerates, locally interbedded with red sandstone. These typically pass into variable, generally thin-bedded grey shales and tabular sandstone.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Unconformable upon Lewisian Gneiss (L).
Definition of Upper Boundary: Overlain by Applecross Formation (incoming of thick-bedded, cross-bedded sandstone), normally with sharp boundary, possibly with low-angle unconformity.
Thickness: Highly variable, maximum c. 200 m.
Geographical Limits: Northwest Highlands, from Assynt to Rum.
Parent Unit: Torridon Group (TC)
Previous Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Section  Diabaig, coastal section [NG 797 601 - NG 793 603]. 
Reference(s):
Stewart, A D. 2002. The later Proterozoic Torridonian rocks of Scotland: their sedimentology, geochemistry and origin. Geological Society Memoir. Vol. 24. (The Geological Society.) 
Krabbendam, M. 2021. A stratigraphic framework for the early Neoproterozoic successions of the Northern Highlands of Scotland. UK Stratigraphic Framework Series. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/21/072. 86pp. 
Callow, R H, Battison, L, and Brasier, M D. 2011. Diverse microbially induced sedimentary structures from 1 Ga lakes of the Diabaig Formation, Torridon Group, northwest Scotland. Sedimentary Geology, 239 (3-4), 117-128. 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
S107 S071 S108 S081 S082 S092 S101 S101 S081 S102 S060 S091