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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Butterlope Glen - Structural | Tyrone |
| Site number: | 645 | ||
| Locality Type: | Crags | Status: | ASSI |
| Grid Reference: | H493947 Centroid | ||
| Google maps: | 54.79819,-7.23345 | ||
| County: | Tyrone | Council area: | Derry City & Strabane District Council |
| Period: | Precambrian | ||
| Stages: | Dalradian | ||
| Lithostrat: | Dungiven Formation | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
The rocks in Butterlope Glen contain evidence of the complex Caledonian deformation history and contain key structures and evidence of up to three separate deformation phases. | |
| Introduction: | |
Butterlope Glen is a deeply incised glacial-meltwater channel situated in the townland of Clogherny, approximately 4km north of Plumbridge. Access to the northern end of the site is via Butterlope Road south from the junction with the Donemana to Plumbridge road (B45) (Fig. 11). | |
| Description: | |
Butterlope Glen is a site of stratigraphic and structural significance containing examples of many of the key structural elements of the Sperrin Mountains. The site is located close to the axial region of a major NE-SW trending and SE facing F2 structure, the Sperrin Fold. In the eastern face of the lower reaches of Butterlope, there are fine examples of cleavages (S1-S3) and cleavage/bedding relationships. Cleavages are particularly well-developed in pelitic and semipelitic lithologies directly north of the disused limestone quarries. High on the eastern side, about halfway up Butterlope Glen, thick units of pink-buff coloured quartzite with graded-bedding and micaceous psammite are exposed in the hinge area of a large flat-lying downwards facing (F3) fold. | |
| Notes: | |
For general information on the Structural Geology of Northern Ireland, directions to other Structural Geology sites and an extensive reference list see Key Site 641 - Introduction to the Structural Geology of N. Ireland. See also Key Site 130 - Butterlope Glen [Precambrian Stratigraphic block]. | |
| Keywords | |
|---|---|
| Rocks: | Pelitic rock, Psammite, Quartzite, Semi-pelitic rock |
| Structures: | bedding, graded bedding, cleavage, fold, fold hinge |
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | Access to the northern end of the site is via Butterlope Road south from the junction with the Donemana to Plumbridge road (B45) (Fig. 11). |
| Record type: | ESCR report | Recorded by: | T.P. Johnston |
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 23/09/03 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Butterlope Glen - Structural, County Tyrone, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=645. Accessed on 2026-11-05. |
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