The magmatic evolution of the Seiland province, and Caledonian plate boundaries in northern Norway

Abstract

The synorogenic intrusive activity of the eastern part of the Seiland province evolved from tholeiitic basalt low in K and Ti, through high-K calc-alkaline magmas and possible transitional basalt, to alkaline olivine basalt and picrite; finally, highly differentiated alkaline magmas and carbonatites were emplaced. For intrusive rocks with equivalent SiO 2 contents, K 2O, K 2O + Na 2O and K 2O/Na 2O increased with time, and the degree of iron enrichment in basaltic suites dimished. The western part of the province shows no equivalent evolution, tholeiitic magmas being emplaced at the same time as calc-alkaline magmas to the east. The magmatism is believed to have stemmed from a diapiric complex established in the mantle above a Benioff zone dipping to the east beneath the deforming Andean-type margin of the Baltic plate. Tectonic shortening of the continental edge and rearward movement of the underthrust plate relative to the asthenosphere resulted in migration of the plate junction, steepening of the seismic zone, and increasing depth to the magmagenetic region.