The Tellnes ilmenite deposit (Rogaland, South Norway): magnetic and petrofabric evidence for emplacement of a Ti-enriched noritic crystal mush in a fracture zone

Abstract

The Tellnes ilmenite deposit, a world class titanium deposit, occurs in the Åna–Sira anorthosite (Rogaland anorthosite province, South Norway). It is mainly made up of an ilmenite-rich norite that has been previously interpreted as injected in a crystal mush state, in a weakness zone of the enclosing anorthosite. This emplacement mechanism has produced a faint orientation in the ore due to the flow of the mush. The internal flow structure of the orebody is studied here using the low-field anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) method. Partial anhysteretic remanent magnetization (pAARM) indicates that coarse magnetite is the main mineral responsible for the magnetic fabric. Parallelism of the magnetic fabric with the shape-preferred orientation of the ore-forming minerals is checked using image analysis (IA) from oriented sections (intercept method). Interpretation of the AMS data verified by pAARM and IA, provides information on the magmatic foliation and lineation. Emplacement flow of the ilmenite norite crystal mush occurred in the direction of the orebody, parallel to its walls, and with an average SE 18° plunge. The feeder zone was likely situated below a network of veins on the SE end of the orebody. The sickle-shaped outcrop of the deposit suggests a transcurrent, dextral opening of a WNW–ESE-striking weakness zone across the anorthosite pluton.