Probable Endogenic Origin of Conglomerate-type Rocks on the Southeastern Coast of the White Sea

Abstract

The southeastern coast of the White Sea and Kii Island incorporates outcrops of conglomerate-type rocks similar to boulder dikes filling tensile fractures in the early Precambrian basement of the platform. They are related to the southwestern flank of the Onega Graben representing the southeastern segment of the Onega–Kandalaksha paleorift. Genesis of these conglomerate-type rocks, previously considered sedimentary ones, is problematic. Special study of the cement of these rocks revealed that it has probably an endogenic nature. It is dominated by carbonate material replacing ultramafic volcanic glass. Carbonatization and analcime mineralization took place at the regressive stage of cement formation within a temperature range of 450–550°C with active release of H2O- and CO2-saturated fluids. Data on the isotopic composition (δ13C and δ18O) for carbonate material of cement from the brecciated rocks testify that the carbonatization was related to input of deep-seated carbon dioxide under subsurface environment. The studies carried out allow us to suppose that these rocks were formed as a result of consolidation of solid–gaseous suspensions inside fractures in the crystalline basement. Penetration of fluidized material along them produced dike-shaped bodies. Such rocks are recently called “fluidizates”. The sources of solid–gaseous suspension fluxes were basic magmas with a high content of volatiles. Discharge of gases from the magmas was caused by their decompression due to the appearance of tensile zones in lithosphere during rifting.