Hebridean Terrane

The Hebridean Terrane is one of the terranes that form part of the Caledonian orogenic belt in northwest Scotland.A terrane is a fragment of crust from one tectonic plate stuck to crust lying on another plate. The crustal block or fragment has its own distinctive geologic history, which is different from that of the surrounding areas. Its boundary with the neighbouring Northern Highland Terrane is formed by the Moine Thrust Belt.

The basement rock is formed by Archaean and Paleoproterozoic gneisses of the Lewisian complex. They are overlaid unconformably by the Neoproterozoic Torridonian sediments. This in turn is unconformably overlain by a sequence of Cambro–Ordovician sediments.Park R.G; Stewart A.D. & Wright D.T. 2003. 3. The Hebridean terrane. In Trewin N.H. (ed) The Geology of Scotland. London: Geological Society, pp. 45–61.   It formed part of the Laurentian foreland during the Caledonian continental collision.

The Hebridean Terrane is the westernmost strip of mainland Scotland, most of the Inner Hebrides and all of the Outer Hebrides. Similar rocks are also thought to be present on Shetland. They have been proved west and north of the Outer Hebrides by BGS shallow boreholes and hydrocarbon exploration wells. The full extent of this terrane to the west is obscured by the effects of Mesozoic rifting.

Some similar rocks occur in Shetland, which are the northern outpost of the Caledonian orogeny,

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Category:Geography of Scotland