Geophysical interpretation of mantle magmatism in the Seiland province and adjacent Barents Sea: Implications for tectonic emplacement of the Kalak Nappe Complex

Abstract:

The Seiland Igneous Province (SIP) has an exposed area of more than 5500 km² and is the largest complex of mafic and ultramafic intrusions in northern Fennoscandia. The SIP had a massive plumbing system with deep-seated magmatic conduits that generated more than 25000 km³of igneous melts from the mantle through the continental lithosphere to the surface, at ca 560-570 Ma. The SIP is located within the Kalak Nappe Complex, a part of the Middle Allochthon of the North Norwegian Caledonides. The tectonic development, and movement from its original emplacement onto the Baltica craton is a matter of current debate. The SIP exhibits one of the most pronounced positive Bouguer gravity anomalies in northern Fennoscandia (approximately 100 mGal above background) and a clear magnetic signature. We have identified more than 10 distinct magnetic anomalies related to the Seiland Igneous Province. Here, a 3D gravity and magnetic model of the SIP integrating petrophysical data with gravity and aeromagnetic data is presented. The selected densities for the intrusive range from 2800 to 3400 kg m³, with an average density contrast to the host complex of approximately 400 kg m³. Magnetic susceptibility values, ranging from 0.004 SI to 0.2 SI, show a good correlation with the mapped ultramafic intrusions with few exceptions on the Øksfjord peninsula.

A multi-profile based 3D model (IGMAS+) shows the deeper structure of the SIP. Our model suggests an irregular shape with its lower boundary varying in depth from North to South from less than 3 km to 10 Km. Two deep roots have been identified located below Seiland and Sørøya islands, the first root slightly dipping southward with two branches in the upper part. The second root is approximately vertical and T- shaped. This model contributes to the understanding of the tectonic, magmatic and the paleogeographic evolution of the SIP and adds new insights to the study of the rich hydrocarbon basins of the Southern Barents Sea.