The Caledonian history of the north-eastern Irish Sea region and its relation to surrounding areas

Abstract

In the light of recent work in the Isle of Man and the Lake District, the Caledonian histories of these two areas are outlined and correlated. The tectonic history of this north-eastern quarter of the Irish Sea region consists of two evorogenic episodes of severe Caledonian deformation. The earlier tectogenesis took place during the Lower Ordovician after the infilling of a rapidly subsiding geosynclinal trough. The importance of this orogenic phase within the British Caledonides is considered by comparison with surrounding areas. The structures produced during the subsequent end-Silurian evorogenesis are examined and compared with those formed at this time elsewhere in the British Isles.