The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units — Result Details

Crom Psammite Formation

Computer Code: CMPS Preferred Map Code: SYMB
Status Code: Full
Age range: Tonian Period (AT) — Tonian Period (AT)
Lithological Description: Basal part: interbedded micaceous psammite and semipelite-pelite beds, with upwards increase in psammite component. Central part: gritty or pebbly arkosic psammite, with beds 0.5 - 2 m thick, with cm-scale semipelite beds. Trough cross-bedding and water escape structures common. Upper part: similar to the lower part.
Definition of Lower Boundary: Overlies the Vach Pelite Formation, where predominantly pelitic lithologies pass into predominaintly psammitic lithologies.
Definition of Upper Boundary: Overlain by the Diebidale Pelite Formation, where predominainlty psammitic lithologies pass into predominantly pelitic lithologies. The upper boundary is locally obscured by the Sgurr Beag Thrust, the Carn Chunneag-Inchbae Granite Gneiss, or the Old Red Sandstone unconformity.
Thickness: c. 2500-3000 m (estimate); thinning to the east.
Geographical Limits: NW Highlands, Central Ross-shire; southern Sutherland.
Parent Unit: Morar Group (MORR)
Previous Name(s): Upper Quartzite [Obsolete Name and Code: Use CMPS] (-1447)
Upper Psammite [Obsolete Name and Code: Use CMPS] (-4558)
Alternative Name(s): none recorded or not applicable
Stratotypes:
Type Area  Glen Calvie: Croick to Beinn Tharsuinn. [NC 45 89 - NC 29 83]. 
Reference Section  Reference section: Allt Crom Loch section [NH 372 830 - NH 390 830]. 
Reference(s):
Shepherd, J. 1970. The structure and metamorphism of the Carn Chuinneag area, Ross-shire. (University of Edinburgh.: unpublished PhD thesis.) 
Holdsworth, R E, Strachan, R A and Harris, A L, 1994. Precambrian rocks in northern Scotland east of the Moine Thrust: The Moine Supergroup in Gibbons, W and Harris, A L (editors). A revised correlation of Precambrian rocks in the British Isles. Special Report of the Geological Society, No.22. 
Bonsor, H, Strachan, R, Prave, A, and Krabbendam, M. 2012. Sedimentology of the early Neoproterozoic Morar Group in northern Scotland: implications for basin models and tectonic setting. Journal of the Geological Society of London 169, 53-65. 
Krabbendam, M, Strachan, R A, Leslie, A G, Goodenough, K M and Bonsor, H C. 2011. The internal structure of the Moine Nappe Complex and the stratigraphy of the Morar Group in the Fannichs-Beinn Dearg area, NW Highlands. Scottish Journal of Geology, 47, 1-20. 
Krabbendam, M. 2021. A stratigraphic framework for the early Neoproterozoic successions of the Northern Highlands of Scotland. UK Stratigraphic Framework Series. British Geological Survey Open Report, OR/21/072. 86pp. 
Wilson, D. 1975. Structure and metamorphism of the Ben Wyvis District, Ross-shire. (University of Edinburgh: Unpublished PhD thesis.) 
1:50K maps on which the lithostratigraphical unit is found, and map code used:
S083 S093 S093 S093