The Lake District

Abstract

The Lake District features some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain and, being relatively compact, represents a distinct environment among the mainstream. Within this environment there exists a variety of geology and geological features, born of an interesting history which may yet be fully understood. In simple terms, one might posit that its origins lay in volcanic action and associated outcrops occurring up to 500 million years ago, juxtapositioned among slates and mudstones of a similar age and moulded by subsequent glacial action in order to form the gentle valleys and sometimes quite rugged peaks which we find today. The bulldozing glaciers mostly affected the softer rocks, scouring out the landscape and aiding the establishment of lakes and tarns in their trail within this notably wet environment. The more rugged igneous rocks tended to prevail to form the fells and peaks adjoining these valleys, ranging in height from the 2,700 ft of the High Street to the 3,200 ft of Scafell Pike. Consequently, the geological picture today is interesting and varied as one traverses this small but beautiful area of Britain.