The palaeomagnetism of the Tertiary igneous complex of Ardnamurchan

Summary. Samples have been taken systematically through the intrusive sequence for the three centres which form the Tertiary central intrusive ring complex. Palaeomagnetic measurements show that all the units are reversely magnetized as are the earlier lavas – an extension of those of Mull and Morvern – which they intrude. This is in contrast to Mull, Skye and Arran, where the igneous sequences have been shown to span at least three polarity intervals, but is similar to Rhum where the only normal units are a few late dykes. Since Rhum and Ardnamuchan both lie on the dyke swarm which passes through Muck, the two complexes are considered to be closely related. If the Ardnamurchan central complex was formed in a single reversed interval the total duration of igneous activity was less than 3 Myr.     

Magnetic fabric and its significance in the Florianópolis dyke swarm, southern Brazil

Magnetic fabric was determined by applying the anisotropy from the low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) technique in 62 mafic dykes from the Mesozoic Florianópolis (Santa Catarina Island) dyke swarm, southern Brazil. These dykes cut the crystalline basement rocks, which are mainly Proterozoic. They are vertical or subvertical in dip and trend mainly NE, although NW-trending dykes are also found. Dykes are tholeiitic in composition and are geochemically similar to those from the Ponta Grossa swarm. Thicknesses vary from 0.3 to 60 m. Polished sections show that titanomagnetites carry the AMS in these dykes. Hysteresis parameters show that the magnetic minerals fall in the PSD range. Two types of magnetic fabric are recognized. Type I is characterized by K ₁- K ₂ parallel to the dyke wall, representing magma flow within the dykes; type II, with K ₁- K ₃ parallel to the dyke wall, was found in four dykes. Type I is found in 94 per cent of the dykes, and approximately 20 per cent of these have K ₁ inclinations of less than 30°, suggesting horizontal or subhorizontal flow. About 80 per cent have K ₁ inclinations of greater than 30°, due to inclined to vertical flow. The comparison of AMS studies from both the Florianópolis and the Ponta Grossa dykes suggests a source position closer to Santa Catarina Island than the Ponta Grossa arch.     

Palaeomagnetism and ages of dolerite dykes in Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Summary. Results of palaeomagnetic investigations of three dolerite dykes in Karimnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India are reported. The remanent magnetic directions of specimens from one dyke, called A, fall into two groups, one with a positive inclination and the other with a negative inclination, indicating two intrusions. For dykes B and C, the remanent magnetic directions show a negative inclination. The pole positions for all these dykes are close to those for the Gwalior Traps, whose age is 1830±200 Myr. It is inferred that these dykes were emplaced over a short span of time around the Gwalior Trap period, which may represent a phase of multiple igneous activity.     

3D seismic expression of fluid migration and mud remobilization on the Gjallar Ridge, offshore mid-Norway

This paper presents a three‐dimensional (3D) seismic analysis of sediment remobilization and fluid migration in a 2000‐km² area above the Gjallar Ridge located in the Vøring Basin, offshore Norway. Three distinct types of mounded structures have been identified as resulting from focused fluid/gas migration and associated mud remobilization and intrusion. Type A structures are gently mounded, and we infer that these structures formed because of in situ remobilization of Middle Eocene to Lower–Middle Oligocene fine‐grained sediments in response to fluid and minor sediment injection via deep‐seated normal faults. Type B structures comprise relatively steep‐sided mounds and are restricted to the pre‐Miocene interval. They are often located above narrow zones of discontinuous low‐amplitude reflections resembling gas chimneys. Some of the Type B structures are associated with stacked amplitude anomalies and possible mud volcanoes at the base Pleistocene indicating their long‐term significance as vertical fluid conduits. Type C structures comprise discrete mound features that seem to jack up the Top Palaeocene (Top Brygge) horizon. These are similar to hydrothermal mounds found elsewhere on the Norwegian Margin and associated with igneous sill intrusion during North Atlantic breakup. This study highlights the utility of 3D seismic data for mapping of fluid and sediment mobilization through time over large basinal areas.     

A STUDY OF THE PALAEOMAGNETISM OF THE PILANSBERG DYKES

i
A detailed study has been made of the remanent magnetization of five Pilansberg dykes, by means of measurements on oriented specimens of the rocks. Outcrops of the dykes prove to have suffered magnetic disturbance of their original thermo-remanent magnetization. Specimens from depths of a few thousand feet, taken in Witwatersrand gold mines, show highly consistent magnetisation of the basic parts of the dykes over considerable distances between sampling sites. The mean directions given by the five dykes agree well, and the mean direction from the five dykes gives a North-seeking magnetic pole with inclination +69.3 and azimuth N 24° E. Assuming thermo-remanent magnetisation by a geocentric dipole field, this places a North magnetic pole in latitude 71/2° N, longitude 421/ E at the time of intrusion of the dykes. The age of the dykes is uncertain, but is probably about 300 to 400 million years. Some of the specimens have been subjected to alternating magnetic fields in order to test the stability of their magnetisations. The basic specimens are found to be highly stable, being only slightly affected by fields of 100 to 300 oersteds. The possible implications of the results are discussed, in terms of hypotheses of polar wandering and continental drift.     

Palaeomagnetics and igneous activity of the area adjoining the south-westem margin of the Cuddapah basin, India

Summary. Fifty-six orientated samples were collected from 13 sites on five dolerite dykes (between lat.14°23°N, long.77°43'E and lat.14°08'N, long. 77°49'E), which adjoin the south-western margin of the Cuddapah basin in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. After af demagnetization, two dykes (five sites) striking ENE possess similar magnetic directions, (1) D = 57°, 1=-69° (K = 52, α₉₅= 7°) and (2) D = 71°, I = -72° ( K = 260, α₉₅= 5°). Again dykes (3) (three sites), and (4) (two sites) have similar strike (NE) and magnetic directions, D = 64°. I=-7 α( K = 142, α₉₅ = 8°) and D = 53°, I =-8° (K = 142, α₉₅= 6°) and dyke (5) (two sites) striking NW shows D = 320°, I = -34° ( K = 68, α₉₅= 13°). Remanent directions estimated from total field magnetic anomaly data agree well with these results. Synthesis of these data with 10 other published palaeomagnetic studies of Precambrian dolerite dykes on the Indian peninsula, suggest that these three systems of dykes adjoining the Cuddapah basin had been emplaced prior to the basin formation perhaps representing the initial thermal event responsible for the basin development and also that there have been at least three separate periods of dyke emplacement on this shield. The radiometric data, however, are very sparse and these periods cannot be dated with confidence.     

Palaeomagnetism of the Fishnish dykes, Mull, Scotland

summary . In Fishnish, eight dykes of E-W trend are all normally magnetized and all cut dykes of other trends. Normally magnetized dykes form a small minority of the dykes in the British Tertiary igneous province and this is the first reported incidence of a clearly defined group of a single polarity. The balance of the evidence - which is conflicting — favours the E—W dykes being contemporary with the later parts of the centre.     

Palaeomagnetism of nine dated Phanerozoic dykes in south-east Greenland

Summary Nine basic dykes were sampled near Angmagssalik, east Greenland. Specimens have been treated by alternating field demagnetization in 11 steps up to 3000 (peak) oersted (300 ml). The 'cleaned' direction at all sites is recognized after treatment at 150 oersted. All specimens are reversely magnetized. The mean of the site mean directions has declination = 182°.0, inclination =−66°.9, it = 45, α₉₅= 7°.7. This direction yields a palaeomagnetic pole (reversed) at 73°.4N, 139°.5E ( dp = 10°.7, dm = 12°.9) which is near, but significantly different from, that derived from lower Tertiary rocks in Greenland, namely 63°.2N, 184°.6E ( A ₉₅= 4°.5). K-Ar ages of the nine dykes, based upon whole-rock and mineral separates, range from mid-Tertiary to Cambrian. It is impossible to reconcile these ages with the palaeomagnetic results. The palaeomagnetic evidence, supported by geological inference, suggests that all nine dykes are members of the east Greenland lower Tertiary dyke swarm, designated THOL1, of probable age c. 52 Ma.
The difference between the poles given above can be explained by supposing that the sampling area has tipped about a horizontal axis directed along 013°/193°, the angle of rotation being 13° (± 11°) anti-clockwise, when the axis is viewed along 013°. This local effect could have been due to block faulting when the north-east Atlantic started to open, or may be attributed to upwarping of the coast due to the weight of the ice-cap inland.     

Detailed 3D seismic imaging of a fault zone beneath Lake Geneva, Switzerland

An efficient high‐resolution (HR) three‐dimensional (3D) seismic reflection system for small‐scale targets in lacustrine settings was developed. In Lake Geneva, near the city of Lausanne, Switzerland, the offshore extension of a complex fault zone well mapped on land was chosen for testing our system. A preliminary two‐dimensional seismic survey indicated structures that include a thin (<40 m) layer of subhorizontal Quaternary sediments that unconformably overlie south‐east‐dipping Tertiary Molasse beds and a major fault zone (Paudèze Fault Zone) that separates Plateau and Subalpine Molasse (SM) units. A 3D survey was conducted over this test site using a newly developed three‐streamer system. It provided high‐quality data with a penetration to depths of 300 m below the water bottom of non‐aliased signal for dips up to 30° and with a maximum vertical resolution of 1.1 m. The data were subjected to a conventional 3D processing sequence that included post‐stack time migration. Tests with 3D pre‐stack depth migration showed that such techniques can be applied to HR seismic surveys. Delineation of several horizons and fault surfaces reveals the potential for small‐scale geologic and tectonic interpretation in three dimensions. Five major seismic facies and their detailed 3D geometries can be distinguished. Three fault surfaces and the top of a molasse surface were mapped in 3D. Analysis of the geometry of these surfaces and their relative orientation suggests that pre‐existing structures within the Plateau Molasse (PM) unit influenced later faulting between the Plateau and SM. In particular, a change in strike of the PM bed dip may indicate a fold formed by a regional stress regime, the orientation of which was different from the one responsible for the creation of the Paudèze Fault Zone. This structure might have later influenced the local stress regime and caused the curved shape of the Paudèze Fault in our surveyed area.     

Fluid flow impact on slope failure from 3D seismic data: a case study in the Storegga Slide

Analysis of three‐dimensional (3D) seismic data from the headwall area of the Storegga Slide on the mid‐Norwegian margin provides new insights into buried mass movements and their failure mechanisms. These mass movements are located above the Ormen Lange dome, a Tertiary dome structure, which hosts a large gas reservoir. Slope instabilities occurred as early as the start of the Plio‐Pleistocene glacial–interglacial cycles. The 3D seismic data provide geophysical evidence for gas that leaks from the reservoir and migrates upward into the shallow geosphere. Sediments with increased gas content might have liquefied during mobilization of the sliding and show different flow mechanisms than sediments containing less gas. In areas where there is no evidence for gas, the sediments remained intact. This stability is inherited by overlying strata. The distribution of gas in the shallow subsurface (<600 m) may explain the shape of the lower Storegga headwall in the Ormen Lange area.     

Effect of the Cretaceous Serra Geral igneous event on the temperatures and heat flow of the Paraná Basin, southern Brazil

We investigate the effects of the cooling of intrusive and extrusive igneous bodies on the temperature history and surface heat flow of the Paraná Basin. The Serra Geral igneous event (130–135 Ma) covered most of this basin with flood basalts. Associated with this event numerous sills and dykes intruded the sediments and basement, and extensive underplating may have occurred in the lower crust and upper mantle beneath the basin. We develop an analytical model of the conductive cooling of tabular intrusive bodies and use it to calculate temperatures within the sediments as a function of time since emplacement. Depending on the thickness of these igneous bodies and the timing of sequential emplacement, the thermal history of a given locus in the basin can range from a simple extended period of higher temperatures to multiple episodes of peak temperatures separated by cooling intervals. The cooling of surface flood basalts, sills and dykes is capable of maintaining temperatures above the normal geothermal gradient temperatures for a few hundred thousand years, while large-scale underplating may influence temperatures for up to 10 million years. We conclude that any residual heat from the cooling of the Serra Geral igneous rocks has long since decayed to insignificant values and that present-day temperatures and heat flow are not affected. However, the burial of the sediments beneath the thick basalt cap caused a permanent temperature increase of up to 50°C in the underlying sediments since the beginning of the Cretaceous.     

Hatton Bank (northwest U.K.) continental margin structure

Summary. The continent-ocean transition near Hatton Bank was studied using a dense grid of single-ship and two-ship multichannel seismic (mcs) profiles. Extensive oceanward dipping reflectors in a sequence of igneous rocks are developed in the upper crust across the entire margin. At the landward (shallowest) end the dipping reflectors overlie continental crust, while at the seaward end they are formed above oceanic crust. Beneath the central and lower part of the margin is a mid-crustal layer approximately 5 km thick that could be either stretched and thinned continental crust or maybe newly formed igneous crust generated at the same time as the dipping reflector sequence. Beneath this mid-crustal layer and above a well defined seismic Moho which rises from 27 km (continental end) to 15 km (oceanic end) across the margin, the present lower crust comprises a 10–15 km thick lens of material with a seismic velocity of 7.3 to 7.4 km/s. We interpret the present lower crustal lens as underplated igneous rocks left after extraction of the extruded basaltic lavas, A considerable quantity of new material has been added to the crust under the rifted margin. The present Moho is a new boundary formed during creation of the margin and cannot, therefore, be used to determine the amount of thinning.     

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility investigations of the St Malo dyke swarm (Brittany, France): emplacement mechanism of doleritic intrusions

A high-quality aeromagnetic survey of northern Brittany (line spacing 250  m; flight elevation 150  m) has been used to delineate the Lower Carboniferous St Malo dyke swarm in detail. The dyke swarm fans at its northern and southern ends, and is affected by N60° sinistral transcurrent faults. After restoration of these offsets, the full structure trends in a N–S direction. Small dykes are not imaged, and only one-third of the swarm is evidenced by magnetism. Gravity and magnetic modelling shows that the swarm overlies a single N–S elongated magma chamber.
  The distribution of K _max inclinations of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) suggests that the dykes display a fanning magma flow in section. Computed K _max inclinations are usually shallower than the measured geological dips, probably because the flow becomes more disturbed as the dyke becomes shallower. We observe that the mean susceptibility values increase when the magma flow is steeper than about 70°.
  A detailed cross-section of St Briac dyke, which is part of the St Malo dyke swarm, reveals that the main carrier of magnetization is magnetite in the centre of the dyke and magnetite + maghaemite on its rims. The emplacement of the St Malo dyke swarm could have been contemporaneous with the N60° shearing which displaced the dyke swarm by about 20  km. The dyke swarm is cut at its southern end by an E–W-orientated fault which probably acted during Late Carboniferous times.     

Effect of the Cretaceous Serra Geral igneous event on the temperatures and heat flow of the Parana Basin, southern Brazil

We investigate the effects of the cooling of intrusive and extrusive igneous bodies on the temperature history and surface heat flow of the Parana Basin. The Serra Geral igneous event (130–135 Ma) covered most of this basin with flood basalts. Associated with this event numerous sills and dykes intruded the sediments and basement, and extensive underplating may have occurred in the lower crust and upper mantle beneath the basin. We develop an analytical model of the conductive cooling of tabular intrusive bodies and use it to calculate temperatures within the sediments as a function of time since emplacement. Depending on the thickness of these igneous bodies and the timing of sequential emplacement, the thermal history of a given locus in the basin can range from a simple extended period of higher temperatures to multiple episodes of peak temperatures separated by cooling intervals. The cooling of surface flood basalts, sills and dykes is capable of maintaining temperatures abovc the normal geothermal gradient temperatures for a few hundred thousand years, while large-scale underplating may influence temperatures for up to 10 million years. We conclude that any residual heat from the cooling of the Serra Geral igneous rocks has long since decayed to insignificant values and that present-day temperatures and heat flow are not affected. However, the burial of the sediments beneath the thick basalt cap caused a permanent temperature increase of up to 50°C in the underlying sediments since the beginning of the Cretaceous.     

Delineation of paleolakes in the Sinai Peninsula,Egypt, using remote sensing and GIS

Well-stratified lacustrine deposits of clay, silt, and marl occur within the rugged mountainous triangle of igneous and metamorphic rocks of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. These deposits occur only in two sites along Wadi Feiran channel (Feiran and El-Tarfa Oases), where very dense acidic dykes intersect their stream courses. Such dykes played an important role in damming water from torrential rainfall during the humid period to form lakes. The SRTM (90 m) data and high-resolution images (IKONOS) have been utilized to reconstruct the paleolakes in terms of shape, size and water volume. Results show that lake deposits are located where acidic dykes cross narrow channel of high sinuosity. At their former heights, the dykes dammed the surface runoff, thus, three local freshwater paleolakes formed behind them. GIS analysis shows that the largest of these paleolakes was formed in the area of Feiran Oasis. Two other smaller paleolakes were formed at El-Tarfa Oasis due to the presence of two pronounced acidic dykes.These lake deposits were derived mainly from El-Tih Plateau via Wadi El-Akhdar. Another source of these deposits could have been a thin sedimentary cap over the weathered granites northeast of Feiran basin.     

Early Tertiary palaeoenvironments and sedimentation in the NE Main Porcupine Basin (well 35/13–1), offshore western Ireland?evidence for global change in the Tertiary

Shell-Agip 35/13–1 well drilled 2445 m of Tertiary sediments in the Main Porcupine Basin situated offshore west of Ireland. Early Tertiary sediments and microfossils indicate a major cycle from deep-sea to marginal marine and terrestrial palaeoenvironments returning to deep water. By means of seismic and lithostratigraphy and petrophysical logs, three deltaic cycles can be distinguished within this major cycle. The microfaunal zonation indicates that these cycles are of late Palaeocene, early Eocene and mid/late Eocene age and, therefore, correlate broadly with the Thanet Cycle, London Clay Cycle and the Bracklesham Cycles of the Anglo-French type sections, although they are up to an order of magnitude thicker due to rapid basin subsidence. Three major unconformities can be distinguished together with a disconformity that becomes an unconformity in the North Porcupine Basin. These surfaces are associated with both local and regional tectonic and igneous events. Detailed microfossil and lithological analyses across the major unconformities allows a reasonable matching with the global sea-level curve and recognition of the major and medium sequence boundaries. Discrepancies during the late Eocene may relate to local faulting. The pattern of sedimentation reflects the restriction of North Atlantic circulation and the tendency to euxinic bottom conditions during the early Palaeogene. In the middle Thanetian these conditions invaded the shelf, an event recorded elsewhere in NW Europe. Discontinuous seismic reflectors indicate ‘chaotic’ sedimentation connected with more vigorous circulation and erosion in the early Oligocene. This was followed by a change to parallel bedded contourites and drifts after the cutting of the early Miocene unconformity. The study reveals the complex interplay of eustatic and oceanographic change with local and regional tectonics in the development of the basin.     

Collapse‐induced fluidization structures in the Lower Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit,Western Canada

Unique vertical fluidization structures from the Lower Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit in Western Canada are described. The multi‐metre long structures resulted from ascending Devonian karst aquifer waters injected into the overlying unconsolidated sands of the McMurray Formation (Aptian). The dissolution removal of 100–200 m of Middle Devonian salt beds caused the collapse and fragmentation of the 200 m of Upper Devonian limestones underlying the Cretaceous sands. Hypogene karst aquifer waters fingered upwards along the faults and fractures. Disintegrated muddy wall rock sourced hydroplastic mud flows along fractures in the limestone beds below the floor of the central Bitumount Trough. These dykes widened and lengthened collapse‐induced Upper Devonian fault blocks that differentially subsided due to salt dissolution. Conduits plugged by these mud flows diverted over‐pressured aquifer waters upwards along remaining open pipes, some of which vented on the trough floor. Aquifer waters injected into the McMurray sand and mud beds accumulated on the trough floor generated several types of collapse‐induced fluidization structures: (1) stronger aquifer flows mobilized sands into tens‐of‐metres high sand dykes consisting of multiple vertical pipes of fluidized sand contorted around and intertwined with fragmented muddy wall rock; (2) smaller aquifer jets resulted in 1–2 m high sand‐rich pillars on the trough floor; and (3) narrower high‐pressure jets flowed muddy waters along multi‐metre long, 3–5 cm wide, vertical pipes that cross‐cut and wrapped around fragmented in situ beds. The velocity gradient between these narrow but multi‐metre long water pipe flows and the ambient velocity in the surrounding sediments caused water infiltration to radiate outwards. This plugged porosity along the outer wall of the pipe, diminished drainage into the wall rock, and stabilized concentric growth ring depositions along the length of the pipe. These pipe fills appear as unique striped ribbon fabrics when viewed in longitudinal section.     

The British Tertiary igneous province: palaeomagnetism of the dyke swarm along the Sleat coast of Skye

Summary. A palaeomagnetic investigation has been made of a swarm of more than 400 dykes along the south coast of Skye, Scotland, by the Sound of Sleat.
Seven red lamprophyre dykes have palaeomagnetic directions inconsistent with Tertiary age, and not inconsistent with their previously held Caledonian age. The remaining 409 dykes have palaeomagnetic directions that are consistent with a Lower Tertiary age. We present evidence suggesting that the Tertiary dykes might have been emplaced during a short time, over which the geomagnetic polarity occupied as few as three polarity intervals (NRN or RNR).
Certain 'intermediate' directions of magnetization have also been found, and are presented here.     

The interplay between basement fabric,rifting, syn-rift folding,and inversion in the Rio do Peixe Basin,NE Brazil

The Rio do Peixe Basin is part of a series of aborted Cretaceous rifts formed within the Proterozoic Borborema Province, onshore NE Brazil in response to rifting between Africa and South America. The basin is remarkably well-imaged and comprises fault-bounded depocentres, the main ones being the NE-oriented Brejo das Freiras and the E–W-oriented Sousa half-grabens. These grabens and their bounding faults are influenced by Neoproterozoic basement shear zones and present a complex framework of secondary normal faults and folds. Recent workers also interpret large reverse faults and regional post-rift shortening driven by far-field stresses from the Andes. For those reasons, the basin represents an ideal setting to investigate the multiphase history of rift basins. We thus combine borehole-calibrated 2D and 3D seismic and magnetic data with section restoration and numerical modelling to investigate the architecture and evolution of this basin. We aim to understand: (i) the controls of the basement fabric in 3D fault architecture and kinematics and (ii) how syn-rift faults controlled the geometry and development of fault-related folds. By doing this, we also investigate the timing, kinematics, and magnitude of inversion in the basin to explore its multiphase history. We demonstrate that (i) the basement fabric controlled not only the strike of faults but also their geometry and polarity at depth, (ii) folds in the syn-rift sequence are attributed simply to syn-rift extension along stepped and/or curved faults, and (iii) inverted and/or reverse faults occur within the basin, but these are minor and appear to have formed during rifting. We explain this minor inversion by a change in plate kinematics related to the onset of the nearby transform margin to the north. These results have implications for understanding the 3D evolution of oblique grabens, the role of structural inheritance, and the recognition of inversion- versus extension-related folds in rift basins worldwide.     

Structural analysis of dyke emplacement directions as an aid to palaeomagnetic studies: an example from northern Chile

A major problem in palaeomagnetic studies of intrusive rocks lies in determining whether or not such rocks have been subjected to post-emplacement tilting. Structural analysis of dyke emplacement directions can be used to show the current attitude of the extension direction for the dyke swarm. If the original extension direction, at the time of emplacement, can be deduced from geological evidence, this then provides a field test for post-emplacement tilting of the dyke swarm and its host rocks. In the example given from northern Chile, we were able to make a palaeomagnetic study of and structurally analyse three successively younger dyke swarms that intrude similarly younging plutons. All three dyke swarms yielded extension directions close to horizontal but with markedly different azimuths. It is argued that the similarity in the plunge of the extension directions cannot be coincidental and that the dykes and their host plutons have not suffered significant post-emplacement tilting. This simple technique should be widely applicable in the assessment of post-emplacement tilting of dykes in palaeomagnetic studies.