Rum layered intrusion in the context of "Layered intrusion"

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⭐ Core Definition: Rum layered intrusion

The Rum layered intrusion is located in Scotland, on the island of Rùm (Inner Hebrides). It is a mass of intrusive rock, of mafic-ultramafic composition, the remains of the eroded, solidified magma chamber of an extinct volcano that was active during the Palaeogene Period. It is associated with the nearby Skye intrusion and Skye, Mull and Eigg lavas. It was emplaced 60 million years ago above the Iceland hotspot.

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👉 Rum layered intrusion in the context of Layered intrusion

A layered intrusion is a large sill-like body of igneous rock which exhibits vertical layering or differences in composition and texture. These intrusions can be many kilometres in area covering from around 100 km (39 sq mi) to over 50,000 km (19,000 sq mi) and several hundred metres to over one kilometre (3,300 ft) in thickness. While most layered intrusions are Archean to Proterozoic in age (for example, the Paleoproterozoic Bushveld complex), they may be any age such as the Cenozoic Skaergaard intrusion of east Greenland or the Rum layered intrusion in Scotland. Although most are ultramafic to mafic in composition, the Ilimaussaq intrusive complex of Greenland is an alkalic intrusion.

Layered intrusions are typically found in ancient cratons and are rare but worldwide in distribution. The intrusive complexes exhibit evidence of fractional crystallization and crystal segregation by settling or floating of minerals from a melt.

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