U.S.-U.K. Cooperative Research: Fluid Flow, Mass Transfer, and Cooling History of the Cuillin Complex, Isle of Skye, NWScotland

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This two-year award in petrology and geochemistry will support collaborative research between Dr. Emi Ito of the University of Minnesota and Dr. Brian Bell of the University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland. The objective of the proposed project is to generate a new set of stable isotopic, structural, petrochemical, and petro- graphic data on the Cuillin Complex, a classic, volcanic region located on the Isle of Skye, Northwest Scotland. The data will be used to quantitatively characterize the hydrothermal fluid flow and mass transfer in relation to the cooling history of the region. The Cuillin Complex consists of multiple concentric igneous intrusions separated by significant geological time gaps. Recent isotopic studies suggest two or more phases of fluid flow. Ito's previous research in this area suggest that a channelized flow through fractures may have been important and in this project she and Bell propose to investigate this question further. The investigation will describe the fluid flow and mass transfer by detailed mapping of the geometry, the distribution of the veins, abundance of minerals, changes in rock compositions. Fieldwork and sampling will be conducted jointly. The laboratory analysis will be handled in both Scotland and the U.S. Dr. Bell's group in Glasgow will generate the petrochemical data, determine the mineral composition of the samples using electron microprobe analyzer. Dr. Ito will perform the stable isotope analysis of the separated mineral samples and whole rocks. This research combines the complementary expertise of Ito and Bell and is expected to advance understanding of the interactions of thermal, mechanical and chemical processes during the cooling of magmas (molten materials) in the earth's crust.