Lagganulva - Volcanic Ash

Most of the extrusive igneous rock in Mull and the other islands is basaltic lava of one type or another. However, there are also pyroclastic rocks to be found. Volcanic conglomerates are found throughout Mull, the best examples being at Barrachandroman in SE Mull. There are also localities where volcanic ash can be found. The main localities are:


  •  Staffa

  • Carsaig Arches

  • Rubha na h-Uamha (near the Fossil Tree)

  •  Lagganulva

 

With the exception of Lagganulva, these localities are quite remote and difficult of access. The Lagganulva ash deposit is found at Camas an Lagain and is very close to the road. Very easy to get to! The ash is also seen at the Eas Fors waterfall which lies a short distance to the north west, further along the coast and well worth a visit.

 

 

Camas an Lagain, on the shore, looking NW towards Treshnish Point

 

The picture above shows the ash which makes up the rocky shore, with fragments of varying sizes embedded in it. However, one of the really outstanding features about this ash is how it has been altered by th thermal effects of several dykes of the Mull Swarm which cut across it:

 

 

In the above picture a dyke is clearly visible running NW-SE through the ash. The country rock, in this case the ash, has been reddened by the Field Trips metamorphism from the hot dyke when it was intruded. The colour is really obvious in the field.

 

The pictures below show the effect in more detail:

 

Other photos of the location:

Click on an image to open a larger picture.


Ash with ruler for scale
Ash with ruler for scale
Close up of ash

Close up of ash
Dyke cutting ash

Dyke cutting ash
Dyke cutting ash

Dyke cutting ash
Another view of dyke

Another view of dyke
Close up of another dyke cutting ash

Close up of another dyke cutting ash
General view of dyke running NW-SE

General view of dyke running NW-SE
Approaching the shore

Approaching the shore
The ash on the shore, looking NW

The ash on the shore, looking NW
Another view to the NW.

Another view to the NW.

Similar or related Geological Sites:

Dykes are found all over Mull, the ones belonging to the Palaeocene "Mull Dyke Swarm" being the commonest. They have their greatest concentration along the shores of Loch na Keal and in the Croggan area. Good examples include.

 

  1. Ardmore Point Dykes
  2. Croggan Dykes
  3. Loch na Keal Dykes

 

  1. Staffa (Ash below columnar basalt lavas)
  2. Carsaig Arches
  3. Rubha na h-Uamha (Near the Fossil Tree)
  4. Eas Fors - Spectacular waterfall just along the coast from Lagganulva.

 

References:

Bailey, E.B., Clough, C.T., Wright, W.B. et al. (1924) Tertiary and Post-Tertiary Geology of Mull, Loch Aline and Oban. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, HMSO, Edinburgh.

GCR Report "Laggan Bay" Note: The GCR report covers this area but deals mainly with the volcanic plug at Na Torranan which is nearby and the associated flows of mugearite lavas.