Editing Little Cumbrae (section)

==Geology==
Unlike its larger neighbour, Little Cumbrae is formed almost entirely from extrusive [[igneous rock]]s. These are a mix of [[Carboniferous]] age [[basalt]]s, [[mugearite]] and [[hawaiite]] lava flows cut by a similarly aged WSW-ENE aligned [[dike (geology)|dyke]] of alkali [[olivine]] [[diorite]]. A later northwest–southeast aligned swarm of dykes of [[Palaeogene]] age intrude these rocks whilst several [[fault (geology)|geological faults]] run generally NW-SE.
There are limited outcrops of sedimentary rock in the east, these being of the Eileans Sandstone assigned to the Clyde Sandstone Formation of the Carboniferous age [[Inverclyde Group]].
A [[raised beach]] is developed along the lower-lying east coast of the island on which have accumulated marine deposits and blown sand. [[Glacial striation]]s betray the broadly north–south movement of a glacier over the island during the last ice age. Small pockets of [[peat]] have accumulated during the post-glacial period.<ref>British Geological Survey 2008. ''Dunoon and Millport'', Scotland sheet 29E with part of 21E. Bedrock and superficial deposits. 1:50,000. (Keyworth, Nottingham: BGS)</ref>