Rockall
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Tertiary Igneous | Favourable | — | 2005-03-31 |
Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Granite
Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous
Description
Rockall Rockall and Rockall Bank are of great significance in tracing the development of the North Atlantic Ocean, the composition of the rocks which build the island and distinguish it from all other Tertiary igneous rocks in Britain. The island is composed of a unique assemblage of various sodium rich granites of Tertiary age apparently emplaced into slightly older lavas and intrusions of basaltic composition. Nearby there occur ancient rocks similar to those exposed in the Outer Hebrides and north-western Scotland. Cavities in the granite are of great mineralogical interest and contain some rare minerals. One species, Rockallite, was discovered here first. The Rockall granite is more closely analogous with the central complexes of south eastern Greenland than with the Hebridean central complexes and, as such, is unique in Britain.