Emplacement of ultramafic-carbonatite intrusions along reactivated North American mid-continent rift structures

Abstract

Understanding the various emplacement pathways of ultramafic‑carbonatite intrusive complexes and mapping of their global distribution are in an early stage. Discerning the pattern of their emplacement can reveal information about earth's dynamics and guide exploration for associated economic deposits. Here we apply multiple spatial analysis methods and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to assess the correlation between outcrops of ultramafic‑carbonatite intrusives and regional craton-scale fractures and assign targets for further exploration. Kernel density cluster, two-point azimuth, and the Fry method two-dimension spatial analyses are applied to 58 known outcrops of intrusives in the Avon Volcanic District (AVD), southeast Missouri USA. The results of the spatial analysis show linear trends among the outcrops with three primary orientations: northwest, northeast, and east-west and a strong correlation with regional fault zones. SAR data processing and analysis guided by the spatial results reveals rhombic lineament patterns with sides that parallel the northwest-northeast emplacement patterns of the AVD. These rhombic structures are related to possible extensional stepover duplexes, likely formed during Precambrian North American plate rifting along transfer faults. Reactivation of the Precambrian structures during high angle dip slip and wrench faulting that was penecontemporaneous with emplacement of the AVD in the Devonian likely provided pathways for the mantle-derived intrusives. These findings can guide exploration efforts and help us understand the emplacement of a unique intracontinental intrusive complex.