Magnetic fabrics and rock magnetism of Proterozoic dike swarm from the southern São Francisco Craton, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Magnetic fabric and rock magnetism studies were performed on 32 mafic dikes of a Proterozoic dike swarm from the southern São Francisco Craton (SFC; Minas Gerais State, SE Brazil). Magnetic anisotropies were determined by applying anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anisotropy of remanent magnetization (ARM). The latter was performed imposing both anhysteretic (total (AAR) and partial pAAR)) and isothermal remanence magnetizations (AIRM). Partial anhysteretic remanence anisotropy was performed based on remanent coercivity spectra from a pilot specimen of each site. In most sites, AMS is dominantly carried by ferromagnetic minerals, however, in some sites, the paramagnetic contribution exceeds 70% of bulk susceptibility. Rock magnetism and thin section analysis allow classifying the dikes as non-hydrothermalized and hydrothermalized. Magnetic measurement shows that the mean magnetic susceptibility is usually lower than 5×10⁻³ (SI). Ti-poor titanomagnetites up to pure magnetite pseudo-single-domain (PSD) grain sizes carry the majority of magnetic fabrics for non-hydrothermalized dikes whereas coarse to fine grained Ti-poor titanomagnetites carry the majority of magnetic fabrics for hydrothermalized dikes.Three primary AMS fabrics are recognized which are coaxial with ARM fabric, except for two dikes, from both non-hydrothermalized and hydrothermalized dikes. Normal AMS fabric surprisingly is not dominant (31%). The parallelism between AMS, pAAR_0–30, pAAR_30–60 and pAAR_60–90 fabrics in the hydrothermalized dikes indicates that magnetic grains formed due to late-stage crystallization or to remobilization of iron oxides due to hydrothermal alteration after dike emplacement have acquired a mimetic fabric coaxial with the primary fabric given by coarse-grained early crystallized Ti-poor titanomagnetites. This fabric is interpreted as magma flow in which the analysis of K_max inclination permitted the inference that the dikes were fed by horizontal or subhorizontal fluxes (K_max<30°). Intermediate AMS fabric is the most important (41%) in the investigated swarm. It is interpreted as due to vertical compaction of a static magma column with the minimum stress along the dike strike. ARM determinations for these sites also remained intermediate except for two dikes. In one of them, AIRM fabric resulted in normal AMS fabric while for the other AAR fabric resulted in inverse AMS fabric. A combination of AMS and ARM fabrics suggest that magmatic fabric for both dikes were overprinted by some late local event, probably related to Brasiliano orogenic processes after dike emplacement. InverseInverse AMS fabric is a minority (four dikes). ARM determinations also remained inverse suggesting a primary origin for inverse AMS fabric.     

Magnetic Fabric Studies of High-Grade Metamorphic Rocks from the Juiz de Fora Complex,Ribeira Belt,Southeastern Brazil

Granulite from 66 sites along the Além-Paraiba dextral shear zone were collected for magnetic analyses. The rocks were affected by the Braziliano orogeny, which was responsible for the present structural pattern. Magnetic fabrics were determined applying anisotropy of low—field magnetic susceptibility (AMS, all sites) and anisotropy of remanence magnetization (ARM, in 21 sites). The ferromagnetic minerals are magnetite, titanohematite, and in some samples, minor pyrrhotite. Hysteresis curves show that both para— and ferromagnetic minerals are the carriers of AMS. Thus AMS is due to the preferred crystallographic orientation of paramagnetic matrix minerals and titanohematite, to the shape anisotropy of magnetite grains, or to a combination of all three. ARM was performed imposing both anhysteretic remanence (AAR) and isothermal remanence (AIRM). The AMS, AAR, and AIRM fabrics are coaxial and are tectonic in origin. Their parallelism indicates that both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals recorded the same metamorphic event. A passive—marker model is suggested for ferromagnetic minerals at the outcrop scale. The magnetic foliation is very close to the strike of the Além Paraíba shear zone, suggesting that this generated the local rock fabrics during the Braziliano orogeny.     

Magnetic fabrics and rock magnetism of Archaean and Proterozoic dike swarms in the southern São Francisco Craton, Brazil

Magnetic fabric and rock magnetism studies were performed on three mafic dike swarms (total of 38 dikes) from the southernmost part of the São Francisco Craton (SFC) (Minas Gerais State, SE Brazil). They cut Archaean granite–gneiss–migmatite and paleoprototerozoic terranes. These swarms are classified as basic–noritic (Sm–Nd age  2.65 Ga), basic (Rb–Sr age  1.87 Ga) and metamorphic (Rb–Sr age  1.87 Ga) suites, in which the second is the most important. Magnetic fabrics were determined by applying both anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anisotropy of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (AARM). In most sites magnetic susceptibility is dominantly carried by ferromagnetic minerals, however, in some sites the paramagnetic contribution exceeds 70% of bulk susceptibility. Mainly coarse to fine-grained Ti-poor titanomagnetite up to pure magnetite carry the magnetic fabrics.Three primary AMS fabrics are recognized which are all coaxial with the AARM fabric. Normal AMS fabric is dominant in the basic suite (16 of 20 analyzed dikes) and occurs in 4 and 3 dikes from the basic–noritic and metamorphic suites, respectively. This fabric is interpreted as a result of magma flow in which the analysis of K_max inclination permitted to infer that the majority of dikes were fed by inclined flows (30° < K_max < 60°), although 44% of dikes from the basic suite were fed by horizontal or sub-horizontal flows (K_max < 30°). Intermediate AMS fabric was found in 50% of dikes from the basic–noritic and metamorphic suites, but in only 2 dikes from the basic suite. It is interpreted as due to vertical compaction of a static magma column with the minimum stress along the dike strike. Inverse AMS fabric is a minority (2 dikes from each suite). The parallelism between AMS and AARM tensors for dikes with abnormal fabrics suggests a primary origin for them. Gyroremanent magnetization (GRM) effect was negligible for the majority of dikes, but it was found in two dikes from the basic suite with normal AMS fabric.Magnetic fabrics recognized for the three studied swarms do not depend on magnetic mineralogy, geochemical composition, dike strikes, nor the age of the swarms since the same magnetic minerals and magnetic fabric types are found in dikes from all suites. Inclined and horizontal flows allow us to infer the relative position of at least three magma sources (or magma chambers) from which the dikes were fed.     

Magnetic fabric study across the Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of 351 specimens from 51 sites across the Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone (ASRR) was measured to determine its magnetic fabric. Rocks range westward from core schistose gneiss, through low-grade schist, to Triassic sediment. Magnetic ellipticity analysis shows that 41 of 51 sites have an oblate compressional fabric and the other 10 sites have a prolate fabric. P_J value drops by 22.4% in the low-grade schist and by 27.4% in the Triassic sediment on average with respect to the gneiss, suggesting a rapid decrease of deformational intensity. The directions of principal susceptibilities are closely related to the deformation of the Ailao Shan–Red River shear zone. The susceptibility plane always coincides with the schistosity or cleavage plane. Most of the maximum susceptibility axes trend NW–SE. In the shear zone, the maximum susceptibility axes (K_max) are parallel to the lineation within the foliation plane. With increasing distance from the shear zone, there is a trend that they become parallel to the down-dip of reverse faults or cleavage. This indicates changes in deformation mode, inside and outside the shear zone. Within the shear zone, horizontal movement is dominant. Outside, shortening prevails. The overall minimum magnetic axes align NE–SW with subhorizontal to low dip angles, suggesting that the dominant shortening is NE–SW directed. Caution should be exercised when AMS is used to determine shear sense in strong shear zones because the angle between the minimum susceptibility axis (K_min) and pole of foliation is small, and also because the attitude of foliation varies from place to place. They result in unreliable or even wrong shear sense. Another important result is the axial ratio of magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid along the study section. With these data, it is possible to establish an axial ratio relationship between the finite strain ellipsoid and magnetic susceptibility ellipsoid for quantitative calculation of offset.     

Magnetic fabric variations in Mesozoic black shales, Northern Siberia, Russia: Possible paleomagnetic implications

A 28-m-long section situated on the coast of the Arctic Ocean, Russia (74°N, 113°E) was extensively sampled primarily for the purpose of magnetostratigraphic investigations across the Jurassic/Cretaceous boundary. The section consists predominantly of marine black shales with abundant siderite concretions and several distinct siderite cemented layers. Low-field magnetic susceptibility (k) ranges from 8 × 10^− 5 to 2 × 10^− 3 SI and is predominantly controlled by the paramagnetic minerals, i.e. iron-bearing chlorites, micas, and siderite. The siderite-bearing samples possess the highest magnetic susceptibility, usually one order of magnitude higher than the neighboring rock. The intensity of the natural remanent magnetization (M₀) varies between 1 × 10^− 5 and 6 × 10^− 3 A/m. Several samples possessing extremely high values of M₀ were found. There is no apparent correlation between the high k and high M₀ values; on the contrary, the samples with relatively high M₀ values possess average magnetic susceptibility and vice versa. According to the low-field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), three different groups of samples can be distinguished. In the siderite-bearing samples (i), an inverse magnetic fabric is observed, i.e., the maximum and minimum principal susceptibility directions are interchanged and the magnetic fabric has a distinctly prolate shape. Triaxial-fabric samples (ii), showing an intermediate magnetic fabric, are always characterized by high M₀ values. It seems probable that the magnetic fabric is controlled by the preferred orientation of paramagnetic phyllosilicates, e.g., chlorite and mica, and by some ferromagnetic mineral with anomalous orientation in relation to the bedding plane. Oblate-fabric samples (iii) are characterized by a bedding-controlled magnetic fabric, and by moderate magnetic susceptibility and M₀ values. The magnetic fabric is controlled by the preferred orientation of phyllosilicate minerals and, to a minor extent, by a ferrimagnetic fraction, most probably detrital magnetite. Considering the magnetic fabric together with paleomagnetic component analyses, the siderite-bearing, and the high-NRM samples (about 15% of samples) were excluded from further magnetostratigraphic research.     

Structural geometry and kinematics of the Ailao Shan shear zone: insights from integrated structural,microstructural, and fabric studies of the Yao Shan complex,Yunnan, Southwest China

ABSTRACT

The Yao Shan complex, a massif near the southern segment of the Ailao Shan–Red River (ASRR) shear zone, bears important information on the structural framework of the massif and the kinematics of ductile shearing along the ASRR shear zone. In this contribution, structural, microstructural, quartz c-axis fabric, magnetic fabric, and geochronologic data are used to determine the structural framework of the Yao Shan massif and its tectonic implications for the ASRR shear zone. The Yao Shan complex is characterized by an overall linear A-type antiform that contains a core of high-grade metamorphic rocks with Palaeoproterozoic to Mesozoic protoliths and a mantle of Permo-Triassic low-grade rocks. Both the high-grade metamorphic core and low-grade Permo-Triassic rocks have experienced progressive ductile shearing. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) results from 17 samples collected along the Xinjie–Pingbian section across the complex show that magnetic lineation (K_max) and foliation (K_max–K_int) are generally subparallel to the corresponding structural elements in the sheared rocks. The shape parameter E values of the magnetic ellipsoids are indicative of dominantly oblate and plane strain, but vary with protolith type and degree of strain among the various rock types. In agreement with the field and microstructural observations, the corrected degree of anisotropy (Pj) values reflect high shear strain in the core rocks and relatively low shear strain in the low-grade strata. A kinematic analysis based on structural and magnetic fabric data shows that both left- and right-lateral shear occurred during the deformation of the Yao Shan complex. Therefore, instead of being an element of the ASRR shear zone, the Yao Shan complex constitutes a crustal-scale inharmonic A-type fold with a fold axis parallel to the stretching lineation. Geochronologic data reveal that the folding occurred coevally with ductile shearing of the middle to lower crust between ca. 30 and 21 Ma.     

Magnetic fabric of Pleistocene continental clays from the hanging-wall of an active low-angle normal fault (Altotiberina Fault,Italy)

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) represents a valuable proxy able to detect subtle strain effects in very weakly deformed sediments. In compressive tectonic settings, the magnetic lineation is commonly parallel to fold axes, thrust faults, and local bedding strike, while in extensional regimes, it is perpendicular to normal faults and parallel to bedding dip directions. The Altotiberina Fault (ATF) in the northern Apennines (Italy) is a Plio-Quaternary NNW–SSE low-angle normal fault; the sedimentary basin (Tiber basin) at its hanging-wall is infilled with a syn-tectonic, sandy-clayey continental succession. We measured the AMS of apparently undeformed sandy clays sampled at 12 sites within the Tiber basin. The anisotropy parameters suggest that a primary sedimentary fabric has been overprinted by an incipient tectonic fabric. The magnetic lineation is well developed at all sites, and at the sites from the western sector of the basin it is oriented sub-perpendicular to the trend of the ATF, suggesting that it may be related to extensional strain. Conversely, the magnetic lineation of the sites from the eastern sector has a prevailing N–S direction. The occurrence of triaxial to prolate AMS ellipsoids and sub-horizontal magnetic lineations suggests that a maximum horizontal shortening along an E–W direction occurred at these sites. The presence of compressive AMS features at the hanging-wall of the ATF can be explained by the presence of gently N–S-trending local folds (hardly visible in the field) formed by either passive accommodation above an undulated fault plane, or rollover mechanism along antithetic faults. The long-lasting debate on the extensional versus compressive Plio-Quaternary tectonics of the Apennines orogenic belt should now be revised taking into account the importance of compressive structures related to local effects.     

AMS studies on a 450 km long 2216 Ma dyke from Dharwar craton,India:Implications to magma flow

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility(AMS)studies were carried out on a precisely dated(2216.0±0.9 Ma),450 km long N-S striking dyke in the Dharwar Craton,to determine the magma flow direction along the dyke length.In order to use the imbrication of the magnetic foliation,forty eight samples were collected from 13 locations along the length of the dyke.Magnetogranulometry studies show that AMS fabric is dominated by medium grained interstitial Ti-poor multidomain magnetite.The corrected anisotropy degree(P_j)of the samples was found to be low to moderate,between 1.007 and 1.072,which indicates primary magnetic fabric.The magnetic ellipsoid is either triaxial,prolate or oblate and clearly defines normal,intermediate and inverse magnetic fabrics related to magma flow during the dyke emplacement.The maximum susceptibility axes(K_(max))of the AMS tensor of the dyke is predominantly inclined at low angles(30°),with no systematic variation in depth along the N-S profile,indicating sub-horizontal flow even at mid crustal levels which could probably be governed by location of the focal region of the magma source(mantle plume?),flow dynamics together with the compressive stresses exerted by the overlying crust.     

Analysis of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in iron-oolitic beds: a potential tool for paleocurrent identification

A combined sedimentological, shape-preferred orientation and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis has been performed at the Arroyofrío Bed (Callovian–Oxfordian boundary level) in the locality of Moneva (Iberian Range, NE Spain). The Arroyofrío bed is a widespread iron-ooid limestone interval forming a condensed sequence. The present study has focused on the analysis of the potential presence of a preferred ooid orientation at the Arroyofrío bed. The obtained data show that ooids were originally ellipsoidal and had an imbricate disposition with respect to the bedding/lamination surface. The main ooid orientation within the bedding plane shows a NNE–SSW trend. Results of AMS analyses show a magnetic foliation parallel or slightly imbricated with respect to bedding and magnetic lineation parallel to the main ooid orientation. Magnetic mineralogy of studied samples shows that AMS is mainly controlled by magnetite with minor contributions of hematite and paramagnetic minerals (that can reach contributions of 35 %). The analyzed ooids show axial ratios between 1.4 and 2.8 (intrinsic anisotropy), while the anisotropy of their distribution shows lower anisotropies (e.g., Rs = 1.15) or very low values of the anisotropic magnetic parameters (e.g., P′ < 1.01). Sedimentary texture, matrix features, bioturbation and fossil content influenced both ooid main orientation and the magnetic fabric. Magnetic lineation and main orientation of long ooid axes are transverse to the inferred coastline in the studied area and parallel to the expected paleocurrent direction with respect to the Ejulve-Maestrazgo paleogeographic high. The direct correlation between AMS magnetic lineation and the ooid analysis permits to demonstrate that the paleocurrent imprint can be recorded by means of AMS despite the highly ferromagnetic context fabric and at coarse deposits. Obtained results support the interest and reliability of AMS to unravel paleocurrent imprints for paleogeographic reconstructions.     

Does AMS data from micaceous quartzite provide information about shape of the strain ellipsoid?

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) in micaceous quartzites with mean susceptibility (K _m) >50 × 10⁻⁶ SI units is known to be on account of the orientation distribution of the para/ferromagnetic minerals (e.g. micas, magnetite), which comprise the minor phase in the rocks. However, the strain in such deformed micaceous quartzites is dominantly accommodated by the quartz grains, which are the major phase in them. The objective of this paper is to explore the extent to which AMS data from micaceous quartzites provide information about the shape of the strain ellipsoid. AMS analysis of 3 quartzite blocks is performed, and the shape of the AMS ellipsoid is recorded to be oblate. From AMS data, the three principal planes of the AMS ellipsoid are identified in each block and thin sections are prepared along them. Quartz grain shape (aspect ratio, R _q), intensity of quartz and mica shape preferred orientation (κ_q and κ_mi, respectively) and 2D strain (E) recorded by quartz are measured in each section. R _q, κ_q, κ_mi and E are all noted to be minimum in the section parallel to the magnetic foliation plane as compared to the other two sections. This indicates that the quartz grains have oblate shapes in 3D and accommodated flattening strain, which is similar to the shape of the AMS ellipsoid. The role of mica in causing Zener drag and pinning of quartz grain boundaries is discussed. It is concluded that during progressive deformation, migration of pinned grain boundaries is inhibited. This causes enhanced recrystallization at the grain boundaries adjacent to the pinned ones, thus guiding the shape modification of quartz grains. A strong correlation is demonstrated between κ_q and κ_mi as well as κ_mi and E. It is inferred that fabric evolution of quartz was controlled by mica. Hence, the shape of the AMS ellipsoid, which is on account of mica, provides information about shape of the strain ellipsoid.     

Magnetic fabric development in a highly anisotropic magnetite-bearing ductile shear zone (Seve Nappe Complex,Scandinavian Caledonides)

Magnetite-bearing mylonitic garnet–micaschists close to the major suture between the Baltica and Iapetus terranes (Seve Nappe Complex, Scandinavian Caledonides) show very high anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) with corrected degree of anisotropy (P′) up to 4.8. Three different magnetic fabric types can be distinguished. They correspond to protomylonite (type I, P′ < 2), mylonite (type II, 2 < P′ < 3), and ultramylonite (type III, P′ > 3), respectively. The orientation of the ellipsoid axes from all applied magnetic fabric methods in this study is similar with shallow dips of the metamorphic foliation toward WSW and subhorizontal, mostly NW–SE trending mineral lineation. Differences between subfabrics were minimized under high shear strain as all markers tend to align parallel with the shear plane. The very high anisotropies and mostly oblate ellipsoid shapes of type III correlate with high magnetic susceptibility (k _mean up to 55 × 10⁻³ SI units) and are related to the concentration of magnetite aggregates with shape-preferred orientation. They show a distinct field dependence of magnetic susceptibility of up to 10% in the k _max-direction. We attribute this field dependence to a “memory” of high strains in the domain walls of the crystals acquired during synkinematic magnetite growth during shear zone fabric development at temperatures of 550–570°C.     

Fabrics of migmatites and the relationships between partial melting and deformation in high-grade transpressional shear zones: The Espinho Branco anatexite (Borborema Province,NE Brazil)

The Espinho Branco anatexite, located within a transcurrent, high-temperature shear zone in NE Brazil, was the subject of a comprehensive petrostructural study (Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility – AMS, Anisotropy of Anhysteretic Remanence – AAR, Electron Backscatter Diffraction – EBSD) to evaluate the compatibility of different fabrics with the kinematics of melt deformation. Magnetite dominates susceptibilities larger than 1 mSI and biotite displays [001] lattice directions consistent with AMS k₃ axes. In contrast, migmatites with a susceptibility lower than 0.5 mSI and no visible mesoscopic foliation provide crystallographic fabrics distinct from AMS and AAR. However, AAR remains consistent with the regional strain field. These results suggest that the correlation of field, AMS and crystallographic fabrics is not always straightforward despite the relatively simple organisation of the magnetic fabric in the anatexite. We conclude that AMS recorded the final stages of the strain field in the migmatite irrespective of its complex mesoscale structures and contrasting crystallographic fabrics.     

Fabric analysis of quartzites with negative magnetic susceptibility – Does AMS provide information of SPO or CPO of quartz?

We ask the question whether petrofabric data from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis of deformed quartzites gives information about shape preferred orientation (SPO) or crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of quartz. Since quartz is diamagnetic and has a negative magnetic susceptibility, 11 samples of nearly pure quartzites with a negative magnetic susceptibility were chosen for this study. After performing AMS analysis, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis was done in thin sections prepared parallel to the K₁K₃ plane of the AMS ellipsoid. Results show that in all the samples quartz SPO is sub-parallel to the orientation of the magnetic foliation. However, in most samples no clear correspondance is observed between quartz CPO and K₁ (magnetic lineation) direction. This is contrary to the parallelism observed between K₁ direction and orientation of quartz c-axis in the case of undeformed single quartz crystal. Pole figures of quartz indicate that quartz c-axis tends to be parallel to K₁ direction only in the case where intracrystalline deformation of quartz is accommodated by prism <c> slip. It is therefore established that AMS investigation of quartz from deformed rocks gives information of SPO. Thus, it is concluded that petrofabric information of quartzite obtained from AMS is a manifestation of its shape anisotropy and not crystallographic preferred orientation.     

Calcite strains, kinematic indicators, and magnetic flow fabric of a Proterozoic pseudotachylyte swarm, Minnesota River valley, USA

Near Granite Falls, Minnesota sub-parallel pseudotachylyte, mafic dikes, and calcite veins crosscut Archean granulite facies rocks in the Minnesota River valley adjacent to the north-dipping Yellow Medicine Shear Zone (YMSZ; N80°E) that separates the Montevideo and Morton tectonic terranes. The docking of these two Archean terranes occurred prior to intrusion of the 2.067 Ga Kenora-Kabetogama dike swarm as demonstrated by aeromagnetic anomalies (correlated with field exposures) that cross the YMSZ without offset. Tectonic adjustments along the YMSZ associated with the Penokean Orogeny ( 1.8 Ga) are likely responsible for pseudotachylyte formation.Pseudotachylyte is exposed in 22 sub-parallel veins ( N80°E, 90°) each less than 2 cm wide across an outcrop width of 45 m. The pseudotachylyte matrix is commonly banded, and contains crystal fragments (quartz, plagioclase, amphibole, rutile, apatite, ilmenite, ulvöspinel), magnetite microlites, flow banding swirls, amygdules (filled with calcite, ankerite and siderite), collapsed vesicles, and abundant lithic clasts. Pseudotachylyte formed in a number of phases. Kinematic reconstruction is complex, utilizing winged porphyroclasts, S-C structures in the country rock, and fault drag indicators along the pseudotachylyte zones. Dextral motion along the YMSZ is the most common observation. Mechanically twinned calcite within amygdules in the pseudotachylyte preserves horizontal shortening normal to the pseudotachylyte strike. Calcite veins are apparently contemporaneous with the pseudotachylyte; one set preserves twinning strains identical to the calcite amygdule strains, and the second set contains a horizontal, vein-parallel (N70°E) shortening strain. The pseudotachylyte contains a flow fabric, as determined by AMS techniques, that is a proxy for vertical flow (K_max is vertical). The Kenora-Kabetogama dikes, identified geochemically, are locally parallel to the pseudotachylyte and the adjacent YMSZ tectonic suture and preserve a vertical-to-horizontal, dike-parallel AMS fabric from east (Franklin) to west (Granite Falls). Hornblende andesite dikes (055°, 1.8 Ga) are not found south of the suture, are not associated with pseudotachylyte and have a different paleopole and AMS fabric.     

Oxide and sulphide minerals in highly oxidized, Rb-depleted, Archaean granulites of the Shevaroy Hills Massif, South India: Oxidation states and the role of metamorphic fluids

The Shevaroy Hills of northern Tamil Nadu, southern India, expose the highest-grade granulites of a prograde amphibolite facies to granulite facies deep-crustal section of Late Archaean age. These highly oxidized quartzofeldspathic garnet charnockites generally show minor high-TiO₂ biotite and amphibole as the only hydrous minerals and are greatly depleted in the incompatible elements Rb and Th. Peak metamorphic temperatures (garnet–orthopyroxene) and pressures (garnet–orthopyroxene–plagioclase–quartz) are near 750 °C and 8 kbar, respectively. Pervasive veinlets of K-feldspar exist throughout dominant plagioclase in each sample and show clean contact with orthopyroxene. They are suggested to have been produced by a low H₂O activity, migrating fluid phase under granulite facies conditions, most likely a concentrated chloride/carbonate brine with high alkali mobility accompanied by an immiscible CO₂-rich fluid. Silicate, oxide and sulphide mineral assemblages record high oxygen fugacity. Pyroxenes in the felsic rocks have high Mg/(Mg+Fe) (0.5–0.7). The major oxide mineral is ilmenite with up to 60 mole per cent exsolved hematite. Utilizing three independent oxygen barometers (ferrosilite–magnetite–quartz, ferrosilite–hematite–quartz and magnetite–hematite) in conjunction with garnet–orthopyroxene exchange temperatures, samples with XIlmHm>0.1 yield a consistent oxygen fugacity about two log units above fayalite stability. Less oxidized samples (XIlmHm<0.1) show some scatter with indications of having equilibrated under more reducing conditions. Temperature-f (O₂ ) arrays result in self consistent conditions ranging from 660 °C and 10^?16 bar to 820 °C and 10^?11.5 bar. These trends are confirmed by calculations based on the assemblage clinopyroxene–orthopyroxene–magnetite–ilmenite using the QUIlF program. In the most oxidized granulite samples (XIlmHm>0.4) pyrite is the dominant sulphide and pyrrhotite is absent. Pyrite grains in these samples have marginal alteration to magnetite along the rims, signifying a high-temperature oxidation event. Moderately oxidized samples (0.1no coexisting magnetite. Chalcopyrite is a common accessory mineral of pyrite and pyrrhotite in all the samples. Textures in some samples suggest that it formed as an exsolution product from pyrrhotite. Extensive vein networks of magnetite and pyrite, associated principally with the pyroxene and amphibole, give evidence for a pervasive, highly oxidizing fluid phase. Thermodynamic analysis of the assemblage pyrrhotite, pyrite and magnetite yields consistent high oxidation states at 700–800 °C and 8 kbar. The oxygen fugacity in our most oxidized pyrrhotite-bearing sample is 10^?12.65 bar at 770 °C. There are strong indications that the Shevaroy Hills granulites recrystallized in the presence of an alkali-rich, low H₂O-activity fluid, probably a concentrated brine. It cannot be demonstrated at present whether the high oxidation states were set by initially oxidized protoliths or effected by the postulated fluids. The high correspondence of maximally Rb-depleted samples with the highest recorded oxidation states suggests that the Rb depletion event coincided with the oxidation event, probably during breakdown of biotite to orthopyroxene+K-feldspar. We speculate that these alterations were effected by exhalations from deep-seated alkali basalts, which provided both heat and high oxygen fugacity, low a_H2O fluids. It will be of interest to determine whether greatly Rb-depleted granulites in other Precambrian terranes show similar highly-oxidizing signatures.     

Multicomponent magnetization in western Dolpo (Tethyan Himalaya, Nepal): tectonic implications

A palaeomagnetic study has been carried out in the Tethyan Himalaya (TH; the northern margin of Greater India). Twenty-six palaeomagnetic sites have been sampled in Triassic low-grade metasediments of western Dolpo. Two remanent components have been identified. A pyrrhotite component, characterized by unblocking temperatures of 270–335 °C, yields an in situ mean direction of D=191.7°, I=−30.9° (k=29.5, α₉₅=5.7°, N=23 sites). The component fails the fold test at the 99% confidence level (k_{in situ}/k_bed=6.9) and is therefore of postfolding origin. For reason of the low metamorphic grade, this pyrrhotite magnetization is believed to be of thermo-chemical origin. Geochronological data and inclination matching indicate an acquisition age around 35 Ma. The second remanence component has higher unblocking temperatures (>400 °C and up to 500–580 °C range) and resides in magnetite. A positive fold test and comparison with expected Triassic palaeomagnetic directions suggest a primary origin.The postfolding character of the pyrrhotite component, and its interpreted age of remanence acquisition, implies that the main Himalayan folding is older than 35 Ma in the western Dolpo area. This study also suggests that the second metamorphic event (Neo-Himalayan) was more significant in the Dolpo area than the first (Eo-Himalayan) one.A clockwise rotation of 10–15° is inferred from the pyrrhotite component, which is compatible with oroclinal bending and/or rotational underthrusting models. This rotation is also supported by the magnetite component, indicating that no rotation of the Tethyan Himalaya relative to India took place before 35 Ma.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and rock magnetic applications in the Deccan volcanic province based on some case studies

Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) as a tool has been explored here to investigate the nature of petrofabrics in Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) of west-central Indian region by representative sampling in typical pahoehoe and rubbly pahoehoe lava flows, dykes within flows, shear zone and the impact crater units. The rock magnetic analysis indicate varying degree of concentration of titanomagnetite compositions dominated by multi domain (MD) to pseudo single domain (PSD) grains favoring shape anisotropy of minerals that form primary fabrics. The pahoehoe type lava flows shows planar oblate fabrics without any preferred orientation of principle susceptibility axis (K₁) depicting crystal settling (of magnetic grains) as chief mechanism of fabric development. The rubbly pahoehoe type lava flow exhibit prolate fabrics with well clustered maximum susceptibility axis within horizontal to sub-horizontal planes depicting their response to viscosity shear. The dykes show well clustered K₁ parallel to it’s plane locked during rapid contractional cooling. The sampling at Lonar impact crater was unable to trace any clear fabric due to impact/shock induced deformation and rather preserve the primary fabrics. Further, the shear zone depict random fabrics demanding more detailed and systematic sampling in both the cases. The present investigation infer that the magnetic mineralogy and magnetic fabric variations in the DVP are controlled by the flow mechanism and style of cooling that is characteristic of the given flow unit or dyke and any secondary or superimposed fabric needs to be examined by critical sampling strategy. While more detailed attempts are required to establish the AMS as a tool to record various aspects including the flow dynamics and rate of effusion in the vast terrain of DVP; the present approach is useful to characterize and correlate the lava flow units and dyke occurrences.     

青海尕林格铁矿床矽卡岩矿物学及蚀变分带

尕林格矽卡岩型铁多金属矿床位于青海省西部祁曼塔格成矿亚带的中部.矿体处于花岗闪长岩与滩间山群白云质大理岩接触带内以及外接触带沿NWW向断裂构造破碎带分布的大理岩和蚀变安山岩内.从侵入接触带往东,蚀变岩石分带性明显,主要划分出3种含矿矽卡岩带:含Fe的镁质矽卡岩带,含Fe、Cu的钙质矽卡岩带,含Fe、Pb、Zn的锰-钙质矽卡岩带.镁质矽卡岩带的矽卡岩矿物主要包括镁橄榄石及其蚀变矿物蛇纹石、粒硅镁石、透辉石、斜绿泥石,有关的金属矿物主要为磁铁矿.钙质矽卡岩带的主要矽卡岩矿物有绿钙闪石、铁阳起石、钙铁辉石、铁叶绿泥石、磷灰石、中长石,有关的金属矿物为磁铁矿、磁黄铁矿和少量黄铜矿.与锰-钙质矽卡岩有关的矽卡岩矿物有锰钙铁辉石、钙铁榴石、钙铝榴石、铁镁绿泥石、绿帘石、硅灰石、磷灰石、钙长石等,金属矿物有方铅矿、闪锌矿、磁铁矿和磁黄铁矿.通过对矿物组合的研究,确定了不同矿物组合的生成关系,划分了成矿期次,分为矽卡岩期、退化蚀变期和金属硫化物期,矽卡岩期又分为早、晚2个阶段.矽卡岩早期生成的石榴子石的化学成分端员以钙铝榴石(Gro67～ 99)为主,辉石的成分端员以透辉石(Di96～ 98)为主;矽卡岩期晚期阶段石榴子石的化学成分端员以钙铁榴石(Ad78～98)为主,辉石的成分端员以钙铁辉石(Hd68～ 84)为主.与中国东部矽卡岩型矿床进行对比后发现,锰-钙质矽卡岩带是一种向锰质矽卡岩带过渡的类型,对于寻找与锰质矽卡岩有关的矿化类型具有指示意义.     

Emplacement of the Ardara pluton (Ireland): new constraints from magnetic fabrics, rock fabrics and age dating

The Ardara pluton as part of the Donegal batholith was intruded into Neoproterozoic metasediments and metadolerites at mid-crustal levels. The emplacement mechanism of the Ardara granite is very controversial, and mechanisms ranging from diapirism, ballooning and stoping followed by nested diapirism have been proposed. Magnetic fabrics, rock fabrics and K/Ar dating of micas are used here to constrain the emplacement history. The compositional zoning of the Ardara pluton is clearly reflected in the different bulk magnetic susceptibilities between the outer quartz monzodiorite and the central granodiorite, whereas the intervening tonalite is of intermediate nature. The magnetic carriers are characterized by the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS), thermomagnetic measurements and through high field analyses (HFA). The separation of the ferrimagnetic and paramagnetic contributions revealed that biotite and magnetite control the AMS in the quartz monzodiorite. Both minerals are oriented in such a way that their summed contribution is constructive and originates from the shape fabric of magnetite and the texture of biotite. Biotite is responsible mainly for the AMS in the tonalite and granodiorite. The magnetic foliation can be directly related to the macroscopic foliation and also to the D4 structures in the country rocks. The foliation is consistent with the geometry of the roughly circular shape and has a mostly steep to vertical dip. Towards the central granodiorite the magnetic foliation dies out, although plagioclase texture measurements indicate a weak magmatic shape fabric. With the exception of the tail, the K_max axes (magnetic lineation) vary from steeply to gently plunging. The so-called lineation factor is approximately 1.01 and therefore points to a less significant axial symmetry. These observations coincide with strain estimates on mafic enclaves that show a very consistent pattern of K ∼0 flattening strain. Texture analyses of biotite and quartz additionally support the observations made by the strain analyses and the magnetic fabric data. Microstructural investigations give evidence that the fabrics are associated with the emplacement over a range of temperatures from truly magmatic to high-temperature solid-state conditions. The age of the intrusion is still under discussion, but a new cooling age was determined by K/Ar dating of biotite at 403.7±8 Ma corresponding to a temperature range between 450 and 300°C. For a mylonite along the southern contact between the Ardara pluton and the country rock a K/Ar muscovite age of 378.8±7 Ma indicates a minimum age for the shear zone when the Ardara pluton must have already been cooled down below 350±50°C. Received: 28 January 1999 / Accepted: 28 December 1999     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) studies of Campanian–Maastrichtian sediments of Ariyalur Group,Cauvery Basin,Tamil Nadu,India: An appraisal to Paleocurrent directions

Oriented samples of sediments from Ariyalur Group, Cauvery Basin, south India, were studied for low field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements to unravel the magnetic fabrics and paleocurrent directions. The results of AMS parameters of the sediments indicate primary depositional fabrics for Sillakkudi, Ottakovil and Kallamedu sandstone formations and secondary fabric for Kallankurichchi limestone formation. The obtained low degree of anisotropy (P _j ), oblate shape AMS ellipsoid and distribution of maximum (K ₁) and minimum (K ₃) susceptibility axes on equal area projection confirm the primary sedimentary fabric for Sillakkudi, Ottakovil and Kallamedu Formations. In the case of ferruginous, lower arenaceous, Gryphaea limestone and upper arenaceous limestone beds of Kallankurichchi Formation have recorded more than one fabric. The observed AMS parameters like shape factor (T) (prolate to oblate), q value and random distribution of minimum (K ₃) and maximum (K ₁) susceptibility axes are supported for secondary fabrics in Kallankurichchi Formation as a result of post-depositional processes. Based on petrographic studies, it can be established that K ₁ AMS axis of biotite mineral could represent the flow direction. The established paleocurrent direction for Sillakkudi is NW–SE direction while Ottakovil and Kallamedu Formations recorded NE–SW direction. Overall the paleoflow directions observed for Ariyalur Group is NE–SW to NW–SE.