The Role the Iapetus Ocean played in the formation of the Shetland Islands

Students at Anderson High School have been learning about the formation of different rocks and where these rocks can be found in the Shetland Islands. Many of the rocks found in the Shetland Islands were formed due to the opening and closing of the Iapetus Ocean. A section of this ocean floor can be seen in the eastern parts of Unst and Fetlar.  This is an ophiolite where part of ancient oceanic crust and upper part of mantle rocks has been uplifted and exposed above sea level. Shetland is one of the best places in the world to see one, as you can walk through the different layers of the ancient oceanic crust. Therefore, the students at Anderson High School have learnt about the importance of this ancient ocean and how the rocks tell the story of formation of the Shetland Islands.  Using the local geology has helped the students to understand complex concepts of plate tectonics.