The Borrowdale Volcanic Series of Coniston, Lancashire

Abstract

I. Introduction The Furness Fells lie at the extreme northern corner of Lancashire between the higher reaches of the River Duddon and the upper end of Lake Windermere. The highest summits are those of Wetherlam (2502 feet), Swirl How (2630 feet), Brim Fell (2611 feet), Old Man of Coniston (2633 feet), and Dow Crag (2555 feet). These are but the most prominent peaks on a high ridge extending from north-east to south-west. This watershed divides the waters which flow westwards to join the Duddon and northwards to the Brathay from those which find their way south-eastwards into Coniston Lake. From north to south there are six principal becks which, rising near the watershed, make their way ultimately to Coniston Lake. In the north Tilberthwaite Gill descends through its picturesque gorge along a course which is nearly northward in direction as far as Tilberthwaite, where, turning abruptly south-east and then south-west, it becomes known as Yewdale Beck, thereafter forming a strike stream almost along the junction between the Borrowdale Volcanic and later rocks. Approaching Coniston it again turns south-eastwards over the low ground to the lake. Church Beck is formed by the gathering together of a bunch of tributaries which are known as Red Dell Beck, Levers Water Beck, draining the tarn of that name, and Low Water Beck, which issues from Low Water. These all descend in marked steps to the Coniston Copper Mines, below which the main stream of Church Beck descends by a further succession of falls to