Evidence for textural and alteration changes in basaltic lava flows using variations in rock magnetic properties (ODP Leg 183)

Abstract

The different effects of cooling and alteration on magnetic properties, in single thick flows from subaerial and submarine eruptions, cored and logged during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 183 at Sites 1137 and 1140 (Kerguelen Plateau) are examined. Downhole logging data from both sites is supplemented by petrology and geochemistry of 32 samples from three subaerial lava flows at Site 1137 and two flows units at Site 1140, covering transects from fresh to highly altered basalts. Changes in magnetic properties have previously been observed in several ODP drill holes, which penetrate basaltic basement. In subaerial basalts, a typical trend is that of high magnetic susceptibility and natural remanent magnetization (NRM) values in the altered flow top, and lower values in the less-altered massive flow interior. In contrast, submarine lava flows display the opposite behavior in their magnetic properties. Altered pillow rims have lower susceptibility and NRM values than the fresh pillow interiors. It is concluded that rate of cooling and degree of alteration are the main factors influencing the magnetization and, hence, the distribution of iron oxides. The effects of low-temperature alteration are most noticeable in the distribution of more mobile elements, such as K. Consequently, the spectral gamma ray (SGR) log, which in basaltic basement is largely controlled by K concentration, is an excellent proxy to the downhole identification of alteration. The strong positive correlation observed for the subaerial basalts between the downhole total magnetic field (F tot) and SGR, suggest a potential link with alteration in the drilled sections. The alteration of the submarine basalts is not as pronounced and therefore no correlation is evident.