DUNDONNELL (NH114880 - 137880)

Dundonnel map

The Dundonnell structure, although poorly exposed, is of international importance as the type example of an antiformal-stack duplex. These structures are important in explaining large-scale folds within thrust belts and orogens (e.g. Boyer and Elliott, 1982). They also give clear evidence for the sequence of thrust development, from hinterland to foreland (Peach et al., 1907). This site offers a fine example of how such conclusions may be drawn from very limited field data.

The formation of the thrust stack in essence involves the repeated imbrication of An t-Sron Formation. The trend of the antiform suggests that the imbricates developed along an oblique ramp, oriented about 30s away from the thrusting direction. It is by no means clear why such a ramp orientation occurred repeatedly.

Moine Thrust Belt front page Southern Zone location map