95 
Che Ancient Volcanoes of Derbyshire. 
By W. J. P. Burton, F.G.S. 
READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY JANUARY 15TH, 1904. 
AV a very remote period in the past Derbyshire was the scene of 
great and long-continued volcanic disturbances. Streams of 
liquid lava, miles in length and scores of feet in depth, vast deposits 
of ash and other volcanic debris, and at least five active volcanoes, 
once formed part of the geographical conditions of North Derbyshire. 
The lapse of untold ages has either largely removed or hidden 
these features from the view of all save the geologist and the miner ; 
but their presence is a well-authenticated fact. 
Now, although we possess tangible proof of volcanic activity 
throughout nearly the whole of the geological history of the British 
Islands, there were probably two periods when it was more intense 
than in any of the others. Those that I refer toare what are known 
to geologists as the Tertiary and the Carboniferous Periods, 
The work of the Tertiary volcanoes is amply illustrated, especially 
in North Ireland and West Scotland, where the vast deposits of 
basalt and other rocks lie exposed to view in such well-known 
localities as the Giant’s Causeway and various parts of 
the Hebrides. These deposits represent the most recent phase of 
