The spectacular remnants of Paleocene lava fields in the Inner Hebrides are dominated by thick
sequences of simple (sheet-like) flows and more complex compound flows. Interbedded with these
lavas are sedimentary units, deposited within canyons, broad river channels, lakes and mires. In some
cases, sufficient time intervals between eruptions allowed trees to develop on the volcanic landscape,
now preserved as moulds and casts, together with slabs of bark and rafts of leaves. Elsewhere, magma
interacted with sediment in a dynamic manner, producing a variety of distinctive lithologies, including
peperites and hyaloclastites. Understanding the architecture of these volcanic and sedimentary
systems allows us to get a glimpse into the dynamic development of these lava fields.

This talk will comprise a pictorial trip through the volcanic sequences of the Inner Hebrides, looking
at examples of volcanic-sedimentary systems from Skye, Canna, Sanday, Rum, Eigg and Mull. There
will be no mention of rock chemistry or isotope signatures – just field views from his collection of the
past forty years!

Dr Brian Bell – Since retiring from his university research and teaching career, Brian has set up a website which he hopes captures the fabulous geology of the islands of Skye and Raasay (www.skyegeology.com). This includes downloadable pdfs of 64 fully illustrated excursions – for which users are encouraged to donate to charity.
His swansong is an update of the 2005 BGS memoir The Palaeogene volcanic districts of Scotland which he co-authored with his good friend and mentor Henry Emeleus, to be published online in 2026 or 2027, and which makes full use of his photograph collection.

Free, booking essential. Book here.