Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and magnetic properties of obsidians: volcanic implications

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), hysteresis and thermomagnetic curves of two sets of obsidians with contrasting bulk compositions are reported in this work. The cooling and deformation history of one of those obsidians is perfectly known, as these specimens were produced in the laboratory using material from a basaltic lava flow. The other samples are occurrences of a more silicic composition and for which the AMS has been documented to have a close relationship with the distribution of microlites. The results of our measurements indicate that although the deformation and cooling histories of the lava might influence the exact composition of the ferromagnetic fraction, the relationship between the AMS and the deformation history does not seem to be altered. Furthermore, the results of this work indicate that the AMS can be associated to a population of ferromagnetic minerals of a submicroscopic size, despite of which it can be very well defined and yield large degrees of anisotropy. It is suggested that the AMS associated to such population of small grains might indeed be the origin of the AMS of other igneous rocks that have an optically observable fraction of mineral grains, although until present it had been overlooked in most instances. Use of tests designed to identify the contribution of a superparamagnetic fraction (SP) in the magnetic properties of a rock can help us to identify the presence of such a SP-related AMS in other cases.     

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.     

Composite magnetic anisotropy fabrics: experiments, numerical models and implications for the quantification of rock fabrics

Magnetic fabrics from rocks with multiple mineral-preferred orientations may have anisotropy ellipsoids whose shape and orientation arise from the addition of two or more component fabrics. Our numerical models and experiments demonstrate that such composite magnetic fabrics do not directly reflect the shapes and/or orientations of the individual mineral fabrics and we provide criteria for the recognition and interpretation of composite fabrics in natural rocks. These criteria include:

1. (1) the orientation of the maximum susceptibility axis is located at the intersection of two planar fabrics, and

2. (2) the shape of the susceptibility ellipsoid changes from oblate to prolate and the degree of anisotropy decreases, as the relative intensity of two planar component fabrics becomes equal and as the angle between the planar fabrics increases.

Composite magnetic fabrics are observed in the shales and slates of the Martinsburg Formation, Lehigh Gap, Pennsylvania. Modeling of the AMS (anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility) and ARMA (anhysteretic remanent magnetization anisotropy) behavior constrains the relative degree of anisotropy of the bedding-parallel and cleavage-parallel fabrics. In particular, ARMA model results allow a good estimate of magnetite fabric strength.

We conclude that, in the presence of composite magnetic fabrics, quantitative measures of finite strain in deformed rocks are limited by the ability to accurately determine the degree of anisotropy and relative susceptibility of each component fabric. Such determinations require knowledge of the mineral(s) that are responsible for the measured magnetic fabric and their behavior during deformation.     

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in biotite, muscovite and chlorite single crystals

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) of single crystals of biotite, muscovite and chlorite has been measured in order to provide accurate values of the magnetic anisotropy properties for these common rock-forming minerals. The low-field AMS and the high-field paramagnetic susceptibility are defined. For the high-field values, it is necessary to combine the paramagnetic deviatoric tensor obtained from the high-field torque magnetometer with the paramagnetic bulk susceptibility measured from magnetization curves of the crystals. This leads to the full paramagnetic susceptibility ellipsoid due to the anisotropic distribution of iron cations in the silicate lattice. The ellipsoid of paramagnetic susceptibility, which was obtained for the three phyllosilicates, is highly oblate in shape and the minimum susceptibility direction is subparallel to the crystallographic c-axes. The anisotropy of the susceptibility within the basal plane of the biotite has been evaluated and found to be isotropic within the accuracy of the instrumental measurements. The degree of anisotropy of biotite and chlorite is compatible with previously reported values while for muscovite the smaller than previously published values. The shape of the chlorite AMS ellipsoid for all the samples is near-perfect oblate in contrast with a wide distribution of oblate and prolate values reported in earlier studies. Reliable values are important for deriving models of the magnetic anisotropy where it reflects mineral fabrics and deformation of rocks.     

Some remarks on fabric overprints and constrictional AMS fabrics in igneous rocks

During the ascent, emplacement and post-emplacement deformation of igneous rocks, two or more phases of deformation that overprint each other are often depicted. These overprints, when magnetic minerals are present, are recorded in magnetic fabric. In this contribution, overprints are studied by means of numerical modeling, following several basic scenarios common to igneous rocks. Biotite and amphibole that occur often together in igneous rocks are considered as carriers of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility. Modeling shows that (1) a constrictional fabric with a low degree of anisotropy as commonly recorded in magmatic rocks may result from a deformation overprint and not necessarily from an extensional/transtensional regime, and (2) that the constrictional AMS fabrics originates from orthogonal superimposition of a deformation event on an AMS fabric inherited from earlier magma emplacement history. Therefore, the interpretation of a constrictional fabric must be performed with caution. Numerical modeling may provide a suitable help in strengthening the interpretation of real magnetic fabric data.     

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.     

Modelling relationship between bulk susceptibility and AMS in rocks consisting of two magnetic fractions represented by ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals — Implications for understanding magnetic fabrics in deformed rocks

Measurement of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) has become an important tool for Structural Geological analysis in the past few decades. In the past, AMS data have been used for petrofabric analysis of deformed rocks as well as for gauging strain. However, the AMS of some rocks can be carried by both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic minerals. Separating effects of these mineral groups on the rock’s AMS is difficult because of expensive and commercially less available instrumentation. On the other hand, instrumentation is available in most rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic laboratories for resolving bulk susceptibility into ferromagnetic and paramagnetic components. Mathematical modelling was made of the relationship between bulk susceptibility and AMS. If the contribution of the ferromagnetic or the paramagnetic fraction to the rock susceptibility is dominant (let us say higher than 80%), the resultant AMS is relatively near to the AMS of the dominating fraction in all aspects, the degree of AMS, shape parameter and orientation of principal susceptibilities. In the interpretation of the AMS of rocks with dominating one fraction, the resolution of the AMS into paramagnetic and ferromagnetic components is not necessary, the resolution of bulk susceptibility into components is sufficient that can be made using the instrumentation available in most rock magnetic and palaeomagnetic laboratories.     

The use of the anisotropy of magnetic remanence in the resolution of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility into its ferromagnetic and paramagnetic components

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is often controlled by both ferromagnetic (sensu lato) and paramagnetic minerals. The anisotropy of magnetic remanence (AMR) is solely controlled by ferromagnetic minerals. Jelínek (Trav. Geophys. 37 (1993)) introduced a tensor derived from the isothermal AMR whose normalized form equals the normalized susceptibility tensor provided that the ferromagnetic fraction is represented by multi-domain magnetite. The present paper shows the close correlation between these tensors for a collection of strongly magnetic specimens containing multi-domain magnetite. In addition, acceptable correlation between the tensors was also found for a collection of specimens containing single-domain magnetite. A new method is developed for the AMS resolution into ferromagnetic and paramagnetic components using the AMR. Some examples are presented of this resolution in mafic microgranular enclaves in granodiorite and in gneisses of the KTB borehole.     

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.     

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.     

Deciphering viscous flow of frictional melts with the mini-AMS method

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is widely used to analyze magmatic flow in intrusive igneous bodies including plutons, sills and dikes. This method, owing its success to the rapid nature of measurements, provides a proxy for the orientation of markers with shape anisotropy that flow and align in a viscous medium. AMS specimens typically are 25 mm diameter right cylinders or 20 mm on-a-side cubes, representing a volume deemed statistically representative. Here, we present new AMS results, based on significantly smaller cubic specimens, which are 3.5 mm on a side, hence∼250 times volumetrically smaller than conventional specimens. We show that, in the case of frictional melts, which inherently have an extremely small grain size, this small volume is in most cases sufficient to characterize the pseudotachylyte fabric, particularly when magnetite is present. Further, we demonstrate that the mini-AMS method provides new opportunities to investigate the details of frictional melt flow in these coseismic miniature melt bodies. This new method offers significant potential to investigate frictional melt flow in pseudotachylyte veins including contributions to the lubrication of faults at shallow to moderate depths.     

基于航空重磁特征对突泉盆地构造的认识

为获取突泉盆地航空物探基础地质资料,为油气调查评价提供参考,中国国土资源航空物探遥感中心在该盆地开展了1:10万航空重磁综合调查工作。利用最新的航空重磁资料及实测岩石物性数据,对突泉盆地及其邻区重磁异常特征进行研究,分析航空重磁异常与地层展布、断裂活动、岩浆岩体的分布关系,重点探讨盆地的基底性质。结果表明,研究区航空重力异常与航磁异常在强度、范围、形态、梯度和走向等方面具有一定的规律性,该区断裂体系分布与重磁场特征明显相关,NNE-NE向、NW向及NE向3组断裂明显控制盆地沉积岩体及岩浆岩体的展布,盆地基底由下古生界浅变质岩系和前古生界中等变质岩系构成。     

Preferred mineral orientation of a chloritoid-bearing slate in relation to its magnetic fabric

A regional analysis of the anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility on low-grade metamorphic, chloritoid-bearing slates of the Paleozoic in Central Armorica (Brittany, France) revealed very high values for the degree of anisotropy (up to 1.43). Nonetheless, high-field torque magnetometry indicates that the magnetic fabric is dominantly paramagnetic. Chloritoid's intrinsic degree of anisotropy of 1.47 ± 0.06, suggests that chloritoid-bearing slates can have a high degree of anisotropy without the need of invoking a significant contribution of strongly anisotropic ferromagnetic (s.l.) minerals. To validate this assumption we performed a texture analysis on a representative sample of the chloritoid-bearing slates using hard X-ray synchrotron diffraction. The preferred orientation patterns of both muscovite and chloritoid are extremely strong (∼38.6 m.r.d. for muscovite, 20.9 m.r.d. for chloritoid) and display roughly axial symmetry about the minimum magnetic susceptibility axis, indeed suggesting that chloritoid may have a profound impact on the magnetic fabric of chloritoid-bearing rocks. However, modeling the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility by averaging single crystal properties indicates that the CPO of chloritoid only partially explains the slate's anisotropy.     

Magnetic fabric in folded sills and lava flows. A case study in the Permian basalts of the Anayet Massif (Pyrenean Axial Zone, Spain)

The shallow intrusive bodies and lava flows emplaced within the Permian upper red unit in the Anayet Massif, represent a magmatic episode that occurred about 255 Ma (Saxonian) in the Pyrenean Axial Zone (northern Spain). Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements, in both igneous bodies and their host rocks, allow us to infer the existence of magnetic fabrics of tectonic origin linked to the main cleavage-related folding episode. The relationship between the susceptibility axes and the field structures is the criterion that permits to differentiate normal from inverse magnetic fabrics in the igneous samples. The structural interpretation of all AMS data taken from the igneous bodies and sedimentary host rocks, is in accordance with a folding model which include: (i) flattening associated with cleavage formation during fold amplification in incompetent layers (host pelites), responsible for a magnetic lineation at high angles with respect to the regional folding axis and (ii) buckling in competent (conglomerates and igneous bodies) levels, responsible for a magnetic lineation parallel to the regional fold axes.     

Using AMS combined with mineral shape preferred orientation analysis to understand the emplacement fabrics of the Apiaí gabbro-norite (Ribeira Belt,SE Brazil)

The Apiaí gabbro-norite is a massive fine-grained Neoproterozoic intrusion emplaced in a core of synformal structure that deforms low-grade marine metasedimentary rocks of the Ribeira Belt of south-eastern Brazil. The lack of visible magmatic layering or any internal fabric has been a major limitation in deciding whether the emplacement occurred before or after the regional folding. To assist in the tectonic interpretations, we combine low-field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and silicate shape preferred orientation (SPO) to reveal the internal structure of the mafic intrusion. Magnetic data indicate a mean susceptibility of about 10⁻² SI and a mean anisotropy degree (P) of about 1.08, essentially yielded by titanomagnetite. The magnetic and silicate foliations for P ≥ 1.10 are parallel to each other, while the lineations tend to scatter on the foliation plane, in agreement with the dominant oblate symmetry of the AMS and SPO ellipsoids. For lower P values, the magnetic and silicate fabrics vary from coaxial to oblique, and for P ≤ 1.05, their shapes and orientations can be quite distinct. The crystal size distribution (CSD) of plagioclase for P > 1.05 is log linear, in agreement with a bulk simple crystallisation history. These results combined show that for a strong SPO, corresponding to a magnetic anisotropy above 1.10, AMS is a reliable indicator of the magmatic fabric. They indicate that the Apiaí gabbro-norite consists of sill-like body that was inclined gently to the north by the regional folding.     

The Variscan Millares granite (central Pyrenees): Pluton emplacement in a T fracture of a dextral shear zone

This work deals with the magnetic susceptibility and its anisotropy (AMS) in the Variscan Millares pluton in the Central Pyrenees. The zonation of low-field magnetic susceptibility is consistent with the concentric arrangement of rock-types, with more basic compositions at the external areas. Magnetic foliations defined from AMS strike NE-SW and dip gently towards the NW. Magnetic foliations are mainly perpendicular and oblique to the elongation of the pluton in map view (NW-SE) and show a concentric pattern at the central part, where the more acid rocks crop out. Magnetic lineations are scattered between NW-SE and NE-SW and plunge shallowly to the N. In map view magnetic lineations are distributed in domains normal to the elongation of the pluton. The contours of P' (degree of magnetic anisotropy) are oriented NE-SW and bands of oblate and prolate ellipsoids alternate perpendicular to the elongation of the pluton in map view. P' is between 1.009 and 1.055 in 93% of the specimens. Such low values are currently recorded in granites having magmatic fabrics and for which the anisotropy is mainly carried by biotite. The attitude of the magnetic foliation and the magnetic lineation, the geometry of the pluton, and their relationship with the host-rock structure suggest an intrusion contemporary with a transpressional regime, syntectonic with the late stages of the Variscan orogeny.     

Asymmetrical magnetic fabrics in the Egersund doleritic dike swarm (SW Norway) reveal sinistral oblique rifting before the opening of the Iapetus

The 616 ± 3 Ma (Ediacaran) Egersund doleritic dike swarm cuts across the Rogaland anorthosite province and its granulitic country rocks, in SW Norway. The structure of eight out of eleven main dikes of the swarm was investigated using the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) technique. Thermomagnetic data and values of the bulk magnetic susceptibility reveal a magnetic mineralogy dominated by Ti-poor titanomagnetite. Magnetic fabric and global petrofabric are coaxial, except in sites strongly affected by hydrothermal alteration, as demonstrated through image analysis. Asymmetrical dispositions of the magnetic foliation and lineation support the existence of a syn-emplacement, sinistral strike-slip shearing resolved on dike walls. Such asymmetrical fabrics are attributed to a transtension tectonic regime, in a context of oblique extension during the continental rifting phase which preceded the opening of the Iapetus Ocean along the SW margin (present-day orientation) of Baltica.     

The relationships of thrust and shear deformations in the southern part of the Polar Urals as indicated by petromagnetic data

Based on the petromagnetic characteristics of rocks that crop out within the Main Ural Fault zone (MUF) and Voykar–Synya ophiolites the multistage pattern of deformation processes in the study areas has been established. An analysis of the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of rock minerals detected the orientation, which allows us to reveal magnetic orientations in minerals recorded as a results of thrust (overthrust) and strike-slip deformations at an early stage of the evolution of the Ural orogenic belt. The main axes of the ellipsoid of anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) associated with regional thrusting, namely, the main stage of formation of the structure of the Urals, have rarely been revealed. This is evidence that thrust petrofabrics are almost completely veiled by superimposed shear deformations.     

Superposed folding of a blind thrust and formation of klippen: results of anisotropic magnetic susceptibility studies from the Lesser Himalaya

The rocks of the Garhwal Lesser Himalaya have undergone a weak superimposed deformation, hence linear and planar structures are either absent or poorly developed. This puts a severe limitation on application of conventional methods of finite strain determination in understanding the deformation pattern. However, the geometry, orientation, and distribution of magnetic susceptibility strain ellipses clearly reveal the effects of early and superposed deformations in the area. The orientation patterns of the ellipses also help to identify reversal of displacement along an oblique fault ramp during the superposed deformation. The Hrouda double plot reveals a combination of lateral shortening and simple shear, thereby suggesting a small translation along the klippe detachment thrust. The study has important implications for understanding the structural evolution of the Lesser Himalayan klippen, because the earlier models, in the absence of the relevant data, are based on assumptions concerning thrust displacement. The present field studies and the AMS data favour an alternate model for the structural evolution of the Lesser Himalayan klippen, that lie in the core of the Mussoorie Syncline. The model explains structural features and outcrop patterns as due to a combination of fault bifurcation, back thrusts, pop-up, and subsequent superposed deformation. The klippen lie over their roots and are described as pop-up klippen.     

Crystallographic and magnetic preferred orientation of hematite in banded iron ores

The crystallographic preferred orientation of hematite in banded iron ores and the orientation of both the measured and the calculated principal susceptibility axes are strongly related. The maximum susceptibility is aligned with the lineation and the pole of the foliation coincides with the minimum susceptibility, although there are often distinct differences between the measured and calculated values of the susceptibilities. A wide variety of configurations of c-axis pole figures modeled by varying the parameters of the Bingham distribution and Bingham–Mardia-distribution reveal that quite different c-axis patterns of hematite ores may have the same anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) parameters. Large deviations between calculated and experimental AMS-data should initiate further investigations to resolve a probably unnoticed heterogeneity of the fabric. The present investigations show that the structural analysis of the preferred orientation of hematite ores by means of the rather inexpensive and fast magnetic method must be accompanied by the more expensive but unambiguous determination of preferred orientation by x-ray and neutron diffraction experiments in order to accomplish a complete and sound interpretation.