The succession and structure of some mid-Ordovician sedimentary and volcanic rocks are described. Marine slates and grits are succeeded by welded and bedded rhyolitic pyroclastic rocks which are overlain by basic tuffs, lavas, and intercalated slates. A local intravolcanic unconformity cuts out over 5000 ft of strata below part of the Snowdon Volcanic Series. The fragmented debris of the missing strata forms a mixed deposit of breccias which overlies the unconformity in places. Normal faulting of Lower Caradoc age is postulated, and it is suggested that the unconformity is part of a buried volcanic collapse-structure. Timerelations suggest that the collapse was initiated by concealed intrusive activity near Aberglaslyn. The intrusion produced local thermal metamorphism and tourmalinization of the early Caradoc sediments in post-Harnagian and pre-Longvillian times.
The main structure is the south-westward continuation of the Dolwyddelan syncline, flanked to the west by a complementary anticline.
The nomenclature of the welded tufts and ignimbrites is reviewed and it is suggested that the term ignimbrite should include both the welded and the unwelded deposits (sillars) of nuee ardentes. The diagnostic chancrers of the ignimbrites are examined with special reference to Snowdonin.
A thin formation of folded mafic flows resting unconformably on Archean basement is informally named the Spi Lake basalt. Stratigraphic, structural, and textural evidence suggests that these lavas were probably fed from a diabase dike swarm dated at 2250+ m.y. by the Geological Survey of Canada. The Spi Lake basalt is overlain by conglomerate that may represent the base of the Hurwitz Group.
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