Using UAV-Based Photogrammetry Coupled with In Situ Fieldwork and U-Pb Geochronology to Decipher Multi-Phase Deformation Processes: A Case Study from Sarclet, Inner Moray Firth Basin, UK

Constraining the age of formation and repeated movements along fault arrays in superimposed rift basins helps us to better unravel kinematic history as well role inherited structures basin evolution. The Inner Moray Firth Basin (IMFB, western North Sea) overlies rocks Caledonian basement, pre-existing Devonian–Carboniferous Orcadian Basin, a regionally developed Permo–Triassic Sea system. IMFB rifting occurred mainly Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous. then experienced further regional tilting, uplift reactivation during Cenozoic. Devonian successions exposed onshore northwestern coast southeastern exposures at Sarclet preserve variety orientations structures. Their timing relationship structural development wider are poorly understood. In this study, drone airborne optical images used create high-resolution 3D digital outcrops. Analyses these coupled with detailed field observations U-Pb geochronology syn-faulting mineralised veins order constrain absolute populations decipher area. addition, findings help identify deformation associated earlier basin-forming events. This holistic approach helped characterise multiple events, including Late Carboniferous inversion structures, Permian minor fracturing, Jurassic–Early Cretaceous Cenozoic local inversion. We were also able isolate characteristic kinematics, rock developments mineralisation types related events