Publication Date:
2016-10-27
Description:
The Seiland Igneous Province (SIP) is the largest complex of mafic and ultramafic intrusions in northern Fennoscandia intruded at ca . 580–560 Ma. The depth extent and the deep structure of the SIP are mainly unknown apart from three profiles modelled by gravity and refraction seismic data. Utilizing 3-D gravity modelling, a complex model of the deep subsurface structure of the SIP has been developed. The structure is presented in a multiprofile model ranging from the surface to the Moho. The mafic/ultramafic rocks of the SIP are modelled with densities of 3100 and 3300 kg m –3 , the surrounding rocks by densities of 2700 and 2900 kg m –3 for upper and lower crust, respectively. This density model explains the pronounced positive Bouguer gravity anomaly of up to 100 mGal above background. Its minimum volume is estimated from the subsurface model to 17 000 km 3 and as such we revise downwards the earlier estimations of 25 000 km 3 . The new subsurface model suggests that most of the SIP has a thickness between 2 and 4 km. An area with roots in an annular pattern is found and two deep-reaching roots have been identified located below the islands of Seiland and Sørøy. The depth of these roots is estimated to approximatively 9 km. The SIP is presently interpreted to be in the Caledonian Kalak Nappe Complex and the roots depth constrains its minimum thickness which is larger than earlier estimated. Furthermore, the rather undisturbed shape of the annular root pattern indicates that the SIP has not been subjected to strong tectonic reworking during the Caledonian orogeny.
Keywords:
Gravity, Geodesy and Tides
Print ISSN:
0956-540X
Electronic ISSN:
1365-246X
Topics:
Geosciences
Published by
Oxford University Press
on behalf of
The Deutsche Geophysikalische Gesellschaft (DGG) and the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS).