Harlech Dome Explained

The Harlech Dome is a geological dome in southern Snowdonia in north Wales. It extends approximately from Blaenau Ffestiniog in the north to Tywyn in the south, and includes Harlech, The Rhinogydd,^[1] Barmouth and Cadair Idris.

The geological layer structure comprises Cambrian sedimentary, volcanic and intrusive rocks from the lower Paleozoic age approximately 4.5 km thick.^[2] The geology contains the Harlech Grits Group, Mawddach Group, Rhobell Volcanic Group and Aran Volcanic Group.

The area contains a wide range of metallic minerals and has been mined for (copper,^[3] silver,^[3] zinc,^[3] manganese,^[4] gold^{[3] [5] [6]}) in the past.^[7]

References

52.86°N -3.91°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rhinogydd. The Snowdonial. 16 November 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129014708/http://www.thesnowdonian.com/regions/rhinogydd. 29 November 2014.
2. Web site: Cambrian rocks in Wales. Countryside Council for Wales. 14 November 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141129084404/http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/geological-gems/wales-journey-through-time/cambrian/cambrian-rocks-in-wales.aspx?lang=en. 29 November 2014.
3. Web site: Mineral exploration in the Harlech Dome, North Wales. NERC Open Resesarch Archive. 16 November 2014.
4. Web site: Geology - Harlech Dome. Merioneth Manganese. 16 November 2014.
5. Web site: The Geology of the Barmouth and Arthog area. Bernard O’Connor . 16 November 2014.
6. Web site: Chasing ancient microcontinents in North Wales - the Megumia project. Geology Wales. 16 November 2014.
7. Web site: Mineral Reconnaissance Programme Report No 74 - "A reconnaissance geochemical drainage survey of the Harlech Dome, North Wales" (1985 PDF - mineralogical report, 113pp)]. British Geological Survey, Natural Environment Research Council . 14 November 2014.