Geological structures exposed - for iPad/Mac/PC

Understanding mountain building involves unraveling how and why rocks deform. Geologists Nigel Harris and John Whalley tour the Scottish segment of the Caledonian orogenic Belt to untangle the kinematics and the chronology of deformation. This material forms part of The Open University course S339, Understanding the continents.

Last refreshed: July 14th, 2025 at 9:03 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Geological structures exposed

A short introduction to this album.

Apr 12, 2010•36 sec

Transcript -- Geological structures exposed

Transcript -- A short introduction to this album.

Apr 12, 2010

Overview of the Orogenic Belt

The three main components of the Orogenic Belt; Lewisian gneisses, Torridonian sandstone and sediments laid down from Cambrian times.

Jun 23, 2009•5 min

Transcript -- Overview of the Orogenic Belt

Transcript -- The three main components of the Orogenic Belt; Lewisian gneisses, Torridonian sandstone and sediments laid down from Cambrian times.

Jun 23, 2009

A history of movement

Evidence that the Moine Thrust is the result of frictional sliding.

Jun 23, 2009•4 min

Transcript -- A history of movement

Transcript -- Evidence that the Moine Thrust is the result of frictional sliding.

Jun 23, 2009

Ductility of the Structures

The ductility of structures of rocks from the Dalradian supergroup.

Jun 23, 2009•1 min

Transcript -- Ductility of the Structures

Transcript -- The ductility of structures of rocks from the Dalradian supergroup.

Jun 23, 2009

Kinematic indicators

Evidence of indicators which suggest the direction of movement within slices of rock.

Jun 23, 2009•5 min

Transcript -- Kinematic indicators

Transcript -- Evidence of indicators which suggest the direction of movement within slices of rock.

Jun 23, 2009

Using dikes as kinematic indicators

A dike that is deflected 45 degrees when entering a sheer zone provides a valuable kinematic indicator.

Jun 23, 2009•7 min

Transcript -- Using dikes as kinematic indicators

Transcript -- A dike that is deflected 45 degrees when entering a sheer zone provides a valuable kinematic indicator.

Jun 23, 2009

Shear Zone movement

An assymetric porphyroblast reveals a sense of movement within Myelenite gneissic banding.

Jun 23, 2009•3 min

Transcript -- Shear Zone movement

Transcript -- An assymetric porphyroblast reveals a sense of movement within Myelenite gneissic banding.

Jun 23, 2009

Locating synforms

Asymmetric fold pairs and ductile structures in the inner zone at Scotlands Kilmore Bay.

Jun 23, 2009•4 min

Transcript -- Locating synforms

Transcript -- Asymmetric fold pairs and ductile structures in the inner zone at Scotlands Kilmore Bay.

Jun 23, 2009

Cleavage vergence test

Evidence for crossing the axis of the synfold.

Jun 23, 2009•3 min

Transcript -- Cleavage vergence test

Transcript -- Evidence for crossing the axis of the synfold.

Jun 23, 2009

Structural chronology

A closer look at folds and deformation.

Jun 23, 2009•4 min

Transcript -- Structural chronology

Transcript -- A closer look at folds and deformation.

Jun 23, 2009

Deformation history

Geologist John Whalley explains how in structural chronology downwards facing folds will cause the rock structure to start younging.

Jun 23, 2009•3 min

Transcript -- Deformation history

Transcript -- Geologist John Whalley explains how in structural chronology downwards facing folds will cause the rock structure to start younging.

Jun 23, 2009

460 million years ago

The evidence for an Arc-continent collision around 460 million years ago in the Scottish Highlands.

Jun 23, 2009•3 min

Transcript -- 460 million years ago

Transcript -- The evidence for an Arc-continent collision around 460 million years ago in the Scottish Highlands.

Jun 23, 2009

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android