Iona Group Explained

Iona Group
Type:Group
Period:Tonian
Age:1000–950 Ma
Prilithology:metasandstone
Otherlithology:metasiltstone, semipelite, mylonite, conglomerate
Namedfor:Iona
Region:Inner Hebrides
Country:Scotland
Unitof:Wester Ross Supergroup
Thickness:~700 m

The Iona Group is a sequence of metamorphosed Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks that outcrop along the east coast of the island of Iona within the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The name was given to this sequence by Stewart in 1969, keeping it distinct from the Torridonian, which it resembles. Since 2021, it has been assigned to the Wester Ross Supergroup.[1]

Three divisions are recognised; i) interbedded metasandstones and metasiltstones, ii) slaty semipelites and iii) conglomerates, the clasts of which are largely metamorphic in origin. The rock strata are steeply inclined to vertical.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Krabbendam . M. . Strachan . R. . Prave . T. . 2022 . A new stratigraphic framework for the early Neoproterozoic successions of Scotland . Journal of the Geological Society . 179 . 10.1144/jgs2021-054. 10023/24155 . free .
  2. Web site: Ross of Mull . Geological maps portal . British Geological Survey . 1 March 2020.
  3. Web site: Iona Group . The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units . British Geological Survey . 7 July 2021.