Mineral magnetic analyses of glacial diamicts from the Midland Valley of Scotland

Abstract

Synopsis Mineral magnetic measurements are applied to samples from Late Devensian glacial diamicts from the Midland Valley of Scotland to assess the effectiveness of the mineral magnetic approach as a tool for sediment provenance indication. The results indicate that the magnetic mineral assemblages within the diamict sediments are strongly related to the underlying and up-ice lithologies and suggest ice-flow directions from west to east. Such inferences are consistent with published data on ice-flow patterns based upon other evidence (clast lithology, diamict matrix colour, drumlin orientations, striations, etc.). These data also stress the need for measurements of mineralogical or chemical components to be made on a particle size specific base.