Field relations of certain of the basic igneous rocks associated with the Carboniferous strata of the Midland counties

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
I. I ntroduction T he basic igneous rocks associated with the Carboniferous strata and especially with the Coal Measures of the Midland counties have long attracted the attention of geologist and miner. The interest of the former has been largely academic; to the miner, the maleficial or beneficial effect of the igneous sheets on the coal seams has been a matter of practical concern. The principal exposed masses are those of Rowley Regis, Wednesfield, Barrow Hill, Pouk Hill, Shatterford, Kinlet, Titterstone Clee, Clee Burf, Brown Clee and Little Wenlock. In many of these districts extensive sills and dykes apparently related to the surface masses have been proved in mining operations. Each of the surface masses has been at different times interpreted as intrusive or extrusive, but until the comparatively recent accounts of Dr. R. W. Pocock the later tendency had been to regard them as intruded sheets. In two papers field evidence has been presented (Pocock 1926, 1931) to support the suggestion that, with the exception of Wednesfield, Pouk Hill and possibly Barrow Hill, the Midland “basalts” are volcanic. Recent examination of these rocks and associated sediments, however, has made it desirable to reopen the question of the mode of occurrence of certain of the sheets. The evidence discussed in this paper is concerned almost entirely with the field relations of certain of the igneous bodies. Penological investigation of the “basalts” has also provided a considerable amount of interesting material which it is proposed to discuss in later

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: