Physical properties of Vilppula drill cores and petrographic analysis of associated breccias in Keurusselkä impact structure, central Finland

Abstract

The Mesoproterozoic deeply eroded Keurusselka impact structure in central Finland is situated within the ∼1860–1890 Ma Central Finland Granitoid Complex. An estimate for the original size of the structure is 30 km, yielding a 5 km wide central uplift with insitu shatter cones and shock metamorphic features in quartz. Petrophysical and rock magnetic properties of the three shallow drill cores (V-001, V-002 and V-003) in the vicinity of the central uplift are determined in order to assess the dimensions of the central uplifts magnetic anomalies. The drill core lithologies consist of schists (metagraywackes), metavolcanic rocks, gneisses and breccia. Petrophysical properties of the drill core rocks show average densities (D) of 2644–2752 kg/m3, susceptibilities (κ) of 160–761 × 10−6 SI and natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of 3–306 mA/m and Koenigsberger Q ratios of 0.1–10. Rock magnetic measurements with temperature dependence of susceptibility (κ-T) curves and hysteresis indicated mostly paramagnetic behaviour. However, a fraction of fine-grained ferromagnetic minerals (pyrrhotite and magnetite) was detected from all lithologies. Breccia veins cutting the parautochthonous subcrater floor show lower values of petrophysical properties (D, κ, NRM, Q) and this could be related to the impact event. Amphiboles and micas in the breccia are strongly altered and replaced by secondary chlorite. Chloritization may indicate widespread impact-induced hydrothermal alteration of the target rocks or it may be related to regional tectonic shearing. However, planar deformation features in quartz, found from shatter cones in the central uplift area, are decorated with fluid inclusions indicating that alteration by post-impact processes was present.