Conclusion
The presentation of 3D and 4D maps in KML serve as an informative resource for visualizing the inter-relationships of late-Caledonian granite geology, geochemistry and geochronology in Connemara, western Ireland. The 3D emplacement maps of the Connemara granites demonstrate the various episodes in the siting of the granite plutons. The ~390 Ma faulting (i.e. Barna Fault and Shannawona Fault) can be seen to coincide with the ‘unroofing’ of the Central Block causing the relative uplift of the Megacrystic Granite, Lough Lurgan Granite and MMZ Granite (Madden 1987). The NW-SE trending long axis of the batholith clearly lies across the E-W trend of the Skird Rocks Fault which is a splay of the regional scale Southern Uplands Fault. The presence of CMG, emplaced at 380 Ma, is reflected in the geochemical maps. The leucocratic CMG contains high radioelement abundances and HP values relative to the other granites.
The methods of 4D schematic visualization in Google Earth presented here demonstrate how visualizations of multi-dimensional geological information can be presented to the widest possible audience. The visualizations presented enable users to gain an insight into the emplacement events of the Connemara granites, and their distribution of radioelements. Furthermore, it is intended that this study will serve as a resource for student instruction on 3D and 4D geological visualizations of granite emplacement coupled with geochemistry and geochronology.