The sedimentology of the South Connemara Group, western Ireland – a possible Ordovician trench-fill sequence

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Abstract
The stratigraphy of the ?Ordovician South Connemara Group is described. The group is approximately 3 km thick and includes sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The sedimentary elements of the succession include conglomerates, sandstones, shales, cherts and minor limestone breccias. The Lettermullen Formation exhibits the thickest continuous sedimentary sequence in the group. It is divided into five facies: a conglomerate facies, thick sandstone facies, medium sandstone facies, sandstone/siltstone facies, and chert facies. The sedimentary features of these rocks include channelling and grading and are described in terms of Bouma units where applicable. The coarse elements of the formation are thought to represent deposition in, or proximal to, submarine channels feeding a more distal depositional site represented by the finer elements. Igneous rocks of the group include pillowed and non-pillowed lavas, massive amphibolites and minor tuffs often in conformable contact with the sediments. Petrography of conglomerate clasts and sandstones indicates derivation from a continental source area. Palaeocurrent analysis reveals a primary easterly mode with a subsidiary northerly mode. It is suggested that the group exhibits some characteristics of trench-fill sequences and the succession may be related to similar environments within the Southern Uplands accretionary wedge.