Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (July 11, 2006) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisors: Kamy Sepehrnoori and Mark A. Miller. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisors: Steven L. Bryant and James W. Jennings Jr. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Geological Sciences, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Geology)) - Rhodes University, 2007. / A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002.

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file viewed on (June 25, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

The stratigraphic relationships and sedimentary environments of the Silurian, Devonian and Lower Carboniferous lithologies in the Keel area are deduced and described. This was accomplished by the analysis of over 10.000M. of diamond drilled core from the area. The oldest rocks are Silurian shales with turbidites. Deposition was in forearc basins in an active subduction zone on the north margin of lapetus. The area was one of net erosion in the Lower Devonian following the continental collision which closed lapetus. The Upper Devonian of the area is represented by the Microconglomerate lying unconformably on the Silurian. This lithology was produced by braided streams draining the immediate Keel area. The earliest Carboniferous sediments are an assemblage of sandstones and conglomerates. The Lower Quartz Sandstone was laid down in sandy braided streams. The drainage basin of the Keel rivers was considerably larger by this time and sediment was derived from western Ireland. Uplift in western Ireland made quartz pebbles and higher stream velocities to transport them available. These pebbles formed the Quartz Pebble Conglomerate deposited in pebbly braided streams. Lowering of the source area by erosion resulted in reduced sediment grain size. Sandy braided streams again dominated the Keel area and deposited the Upper Quartz Sandstone. Owing to the sea transgressing from the south marginal marine sediments were then deposited in the area, these being represented by the Lower Mixed Beds. During the advancing transgression facies belts were moving northwards. Lagoonal (Navan Micrite) deposits were laid down behind a barrier complex now represented by the Upper Mixed Beds. To seaward of the barrier shallow marine calcareous sediments were deposited on a homoclinal ramp. These are represented in the Keel area by the Shaley Pales and the Bioclastic Limestone Unit. Further to seaward Waulsortian type mudmounds were deposited on the deeper ramp. Owing to the transgressive regime existing in the Lower Carboniferous each facies belt moved northwards over the Keel area. At the close of the Courceyan partial subsidence of the ramp took place and basinal/slope shales with turbidites (Calp) were deposited as lateral equivilants of the shallower Oakport Limestone on the surrounding shelf remnent.

Low-grade burial metamorphism in the Midland Valley of Scotland, has been investigated with reference to the Silurian sediments and to the Carboniferous volcanics. In the Silurian sediments, facies definitive phyllosilicates are absent. Thin-section examination indicates that cementation was early and despite strong deformation, the lack of cleavage is related to the isotropic dispersal of domains during burial. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction define clay mineral assemblages which characterize the transformation of montmorillonite to illite during burial. Illite crystallinity, bo and conodont alteration, show values consistent with this transformation and are indicative of diagenetic/anchizone conditions. Metamorphism is related to Siluro-Devonian syn-sedimentary burial. Despite tentative links between the Midland Valley and the Southern Uplands during the Llandovery, the relative simplicity of the burial metamorphic sequence in the former region suggests that the Silurian trough became palaeo-geographically distinct. The Carboniferous volcanics have undergone burial metamorphism in the zeolite facies, which occurred once the bulk of the lavas had been extruded, and following burial beneath the Central and Ayrshire Basins. Alteration was dominated by hydrothermal processes and has resulted in the production of early greenstones, later burial metamorphic zones and palaeo-geothermal plumes. Seven zones have been defined upon the distribution of amygdale minerals. Thin-section examination however divides the zeolite facies in the Midland Valley into an upper analcime and a lower laumontite zone. Mineralogical assemblages are conducive with metamorphism at a) Pfluid = 2-4 kb at 200 °C and b) Pfluid = 2 kb at 350-420 °C, for the zeolite zones and the palaeo-geothermal plumes respectively. These values are compatible with burial depth estimates, with homogenization temperatures in fluid inclusions and with calcite-water fractionation temperatures. Water/rock ratios indicate that metamorphism was related to the flow of seawater and meteoric water through the volcanic sequences. Evidence for episodic boiling in fluid inclusions indicates fluid convection occurred, and was related to fracturing associated with a change from a lithostatic to a hydrostatic pressure regime. Seismic pumping was related to fracturing and to renewed magmatic activity in shallow chambers beneath the Midland Valley.