Ordovician(510-439 Ma.) and Silurian (439-408 Ma.) ( Lower Palaeozoic) times. Part 3 of 3
The Ordovician 
Skiddaw
Slates in the northern part of the Lake District consist mainly of
low grade metamorphosed mudstones, siltstones and greywackes, except
where thermally metamorphosed by igneous intrusions, e.g. the Skiddaw
Granite. They are therefore generally softer than the Borrowdale
Volcanics and tend to give the landscape a less craggy more rounded
appearance as the two photos of Blencathra and Glenderaterra show.
In contrast,
the scenery in many parts of the central Lake District is much more
craggy with steep valley sides due to the more resistant andesite
lavas and tuffs. The southern part of the Lake District
consists mainly of Silurian mudstones and siltstones giving the
landscape a much gentler lower lying rolling landscape.
Click for part 2 Click for Part1
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