Traps of the Morkoka River Basin and their morphology as response to the possible presence of kimberlites

Abstract

The traps in outcrops of the middle course of the Morkoka River were formed in three stages and implementation phases. Each subsequent introduction phase of the basite melt was distinguished by its petrogeochemical features, degree of crystallization of the magmatic melt, and density. An unusual form of intrusion introduction in the second phase (crushing of the sill and the introduction of an early intrusion into the rocks) was revealed. During the formation of kimberlite diatremes, the carbonate rocks containing them became denser and thermoelastic stress fields associated with the magnetoelastic Villari effect arose. As a result, the so-called “protective shield” was formed around the kimberlites. A comparison of the trap sill behavior of the Morkoka River with the similar behavior of traps near kimberlites (Komsomolskaya and Morkoka tubes) suggests the presence of an unknown kimberlite body under traps in this area.