Geological Terms

Plate Tectonics The generally accepted theory that the outer layer of the Earth is divided into plates which move relative to each other. The plates can move apart, creating new oceans and depressions in the Earth’s surface known as sedimentary basins (see diagram below); one plate can be pushed down (subducted) beneath another, destroying oceans and creating mountain belts; or the plates can grind past each other. The continents are part of the plates and so move, join together and tear apart as the plates interact.

Sedimentary Basins These are depressions in the Earth’s surface, usually created where the surface is being pulled apart, where sediments (sand, mud etc) are deposited. The edges of sedimentary basins are often formed by faults.

Sedimentary Rocks These form when older rocks are eroded and the grains of sand, silt or mud are transported by wind and water before being deposited again in layers. Limestones are formed in a similar way when the remains of tiny sea creatures settle on the sea bed. New layers of sediments bury and compress older layers squeezing out the water and cementing them together into rocks.

Igneous Rocks These form when molten rock (magma) cools and crystallizes. Magma may erupt at the surface from volcanoes or remain below surface forming structures such as dykes and sills.

Faults These are cracks in the Earth's surface where the rock layers on either side of the fault have moved relative to each other.

References

British Geological Survey 1989 Settle Sheet 60 1:50,000 series solid edition
British Geological Survey 1997 Hawes Sheet 50 1:50,000 provisional series solid edition
British Geological Survey 1997 Kirkby Stephen Sheet 40 1:50,000 provisional series solid edition
British Geological Survey 1974 Brough-under-Stainmore Sheet 31 1:50,000 series solid edition
British Geological Survey 2004 Appleby Sheet 30 1:50,000 series solid edition
British Geological Survey 1974 Penrith Sheet 24 1:50,000 series solid edition
British Geological Survey 1976 Brampton Sheet 18 1:50,000 series solid edition
The Pennines and adjacent areas, 1993. Edwards, W, & Trotter, F.M. 3rd ed. British Geological Survey
Geology of the Appleby district, 2003. Millward, D et al. British Geological Survey
The geology of the country around Ingleborough, 1890. Dakyns, J.R. et al. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, England and Wales.
The geology of the country between Appleby, Ullswater and Haweswater, 1897. Dakyns, J.R. et al. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, England and Wales.
The geology of the country around Penrith, 1981. Arthurton, R.S. and Wadge, A.J. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, England and Wales.
The geology of the Brampton district, 1932. Trotter, F.M. and Hollingworth, S.E. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, England and Wales.
The geology of the country around Brough-under-Stainmore, 1979. Burgess, I.C. and Holliday, D.W. Memoirs of the Geological Survey, England and Wales.
The Geology of England and Wales, 2006. Brenchley, P.J. and Rawson, P.F. (eds) The Geological Society, London.
Earth: Portrait of a Planet, 2005. Marshak, S. W.W.Norton & Co.
Geology from rail journeys: the Settle-Carlisle Railway, Taylor, G. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Geology Today, Vol.19, No. 4, July/ August 2003

• Introduction, Geological History and Economic Geology
• Settle, Horton and Ribblehead
• Ribblehead, Dent and Garsdale
• Garsdale, Kirkby Stephen and Appleby
• Appleby, Langwathby and Lazonby
• Lazonby, Armathwaite and Carlisle
• Geological Terms and References

						Blea Moor tunnel is 500 feet below the moor and cost £45 a yard to build