Earth Science Conservation Review
| Kearney Point - Caledonide Igneous Complex | Down |
| Site Type: | Coastal exposure |
| Site Status: | ASSI |
| Grid Reference: | J36463512 |
| Google maps: | 54.24705,-5.90746 |
| Rocks | |
|---|---|
| Rock Age: | Devonian, Silurian (Lower Devonian) |
| Rock Name: | Newry Igneous Complex |
| Rock Type: | Greywacke, Shale, Turbidite, Lamprophyre, Minette, Vogesite |
| Interest | |
| Other interest: | Caledonian, dyke, Intrusion |
Introduction:
This coastal exposure is located at Kearney Point on the Ards Peninsula. The site is located approximately 700m southwest of Kearney in an area owned by the National Trust. The exposure can be approached on foot using the coastal path. Viewing of the exposure is tide dependent and should be done at least two hours before high tide on a rising tide, and one hour after high tide on a falling tide. Care is needed when traversing slippery rock surfaces.
The first edition of the Downpatrick (Sheet 49) one-inch to the mile geological map (Geological Survey of Ireland, 1869) shows a number of lamprophyre dykes of hornblende and mica type, intruded into folded Upper Silurian country rocks. The country rocks are sedimentary and are described on the map as grey grits and slates. In the accompanying explanatory memoir, Trail and Egan (1871) described the country rocks and lamprophyre dykes in detail classifying them as intrusive felstones, minettes and diorites of Silurian age. Reynolds (1931) made important advances in the study of these intrusions. On the basis of field observation and petrology, Reynolds separated the dykes of the Ards Peninsula into an older and younger series on the basis of the amount of deformation. Reynolds described the older series dykes as "crushed" and indicated that these were restricted geographically below a line joining Ringburr Point on the west of the Ards Peninsula to Ringboy Point on the east. The dykes at Kearney Point fall within the older crushed series. The older crushed series of dykes are classified as minettes and rare vogesites (Reynolds, 1931).
The first edition of the Downpatrick (Sheet 49) one-inch to the mile geological map (Geological Survey of Ireland, 1869) shows a number of lamprophyre dykes of hornblende and mica type, intruded into folded Upper Silurian country rocks. The country rocks are sedimentary and are described on the map as grey grits and slates. In the accompanying explanatory memoir, Trail and Egan (1871) described the country rocks and lamprophyre dykes in detail classifying them as intrusive felstones, minettes and diorites of Silurian age. Reynolds (1931) made important advances in the study of these intrusions. On the basis of field observation and petrology, Reynolds separated the dykes of the Ards Peninsula into an older and younger series on the basis of the amount of deformation. Reynolds described the older series dykes as "crushed" and indicated that these were restricted geographically below a line joining Ringburr Point on the west of the Ards Peninsula to Ringboy Point on the east. The dykes at Kearney Point fall within the older crushed series. The older crushed series of dykes are classified as minettes and rare vogesites (Reynolds, 1931).
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2024. Kearney Point - Caledonide Igneous Complex, County Down, site summary. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/summary.php?item=578. Accessed on 2024-12-26 |
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