Interpretation of reflections from the central part of the Siljan Ring impact structure based on results from the Stenberg-1 borehole

Abstract

In 1984, 1985 and 1990, several multichannel seismic reflection profiles were shot over the Siljan Ring, a meteorite impact structure believed to have been formed approximately 360 Ma ago. The bedrock of the area consists mainly of gneisses and granites and the ring itself of Palaeozoic sedimentary rocks lying on top of granites. Dolerite dikes of different age and orientation have been mapped in the area. The existence of dolerite intrusions at depth has been verified through the drilling of two deep boreholes, Gravberg-1 and Stenberg-1. Interpretation of seismic data and borehole data from the Gravberg-1 borehole showed a strong correlation between high-amplitude subhorizontal reflections and dolerite sills. Geophysical and geological well-logging in the Stenberg-1 borehole showed the occurrence of dolerites in the borehole. Profile 4, running E-W across the borehole, has been reprocessed in order to improve the seismic image. Several thick dolerites below 5.7 km in the borehole correlate with high-amplitude reflectors on the seismic section. Both the logging data and the seismic interpretation suggest that these intrusions are subhorizontal and laterally continuous. Above 5.7 km in the borehole, the dolerites are thinner and are in some cases associated with fracture zones. On the seismic section at these depths there is a complex system of weaker dipping reflectors. Some of these dipping reflectors correlate with either fracture zones, thin dolerites or a combination of both.