Northeastern Fennoscandian Shield Research Articles

The Tepsi Ultrabasic Intrusion, the Northern Part of the Lapland–Belomorian Belt, Kola Peninsula, Russia

The Tepsi ultrabasic body is located in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield close to the junction of the Serpentinite Belt–Tulppio Belt (SB–TB) with suites of the Lapland–Belomorian Belt (LBB) of Paleoproterozoic age. The body is a deformed laccolith that has tectonic contacts with Archean rocks. Its primary textures and magmatic parageneses are widely preserved. Fine-grained olivine varies continuously from Fo90.5 to Fo65.4. The whole-rock variations in MgO, Fe2O3, SiO2, and other geochemical data are also indicative of a significant extent of differentiation. Compositional variations were examined in the grains of calcic and Mg-Fe amphiboles, clinochlore, micas, plagioclase, members of the chromite–magnetite series, ilmenite, apatite, pentlandite, and a number of other minor mineral species. Low-sulfide disseminated Ni-Cu-Co mineralization occurred sporadically, with the presence of species enriched in As or Bi, submicrometric grains rich in Pt and Ir, or diffuse zones in pentlandite enriched in (Pd + Bi). We recognize two series: the pentlandite series (up to 2.5–3 wt.% Co) and the cobaltpentlandite series (~1 to ~8 apfu Co). The latter accompanied serpentinization. The two series display differences in their substitutions: Ni ↔ Fe and Co → (Ni + Fe), respectively. Relative enrichments in H2O, Cl, and F, observed in grains of apatite (plus high contents of Cl in hibbingite or parahibbingite), point to the abundance of volatiles accumulated during differentiation. We provide the first documentation of scheelite grains in ultrabasic rocks, found in evolved olivine-rich rocks (Fo77–72). We also describe unusual occurrences of hypermagnesian clinopyroxene associated with tremolite and serpentine. Abundant clusters of crystallites of diopside display a microspinifex texture. They likely predated serpentinization and formed due to rapid crystallization in a differentiated portion of a supercooled oxidized melt or, less likely, fluid, after bulk crystallization of the olivine. We infer that the laccolithic Tepsi body crystallized rapidly, in a shallow setting, and could thus not form megacycles in a layered series or produce a well-organized structure. Our findings point to the existence of elevated PGE-Au-Ag potential in numerous ultrabasic–basic complexes of the SB–TB–LBB megastructure.

Microstructural Deformation and the Age of Monazite-(Ce) from Diatectite Granite in the Jarva-Varaka Structure (Kola Region, Russia)

Microstructural deformation and the age of monazite (Ce) from diatectite granite of the presumably impact Jarva-Varaka structure in the Kola Region (northeastern Fennoscandian Shield) are presented. Biotite diatectite granite forms lenses in the aluminous gneisses of the Kola group hosting the 2.5-Ga-layered Jarva-Varaka Massif (JVM). A sample of biotite granite was collected northeast of the Jarva-Varaka Massif near the earlier described pseudotachylitic breccias. BSE images revealed primary domains in monazite grains with rhythmic euhedral zoning and secondary altered domains. Backscattered electron diffraction maps of monazite grains document the development of deformation twins along {100} and {001} and plastically deformed domains with a maximum misorientation of up to 10°. Newly formed areas of recrystallization (neoblasts) cut the twins and plastically deformed domains. Monazite yielded a U-Pb age of 2706 ± 10 Ma (ID-TIMS method), which defines the crystallization age of the host diatectite granite coeval to the 2.76–2.70 Ga metamorphism of the Kola gneisses. A similar age of 2734 ± 139 Ma (ThO2*–PbO isochron) was obtained for primary monazite domains by the chemical U-Th-total Pb isochron method (CHIME). Domains altered under late hydrothermal processes yield CHIME ages of 1796–1723 Ma. Monazite neoblastic domains are close to primary domains in chemical composition and yielded CHIME ages of 2550–2519 Ma, reflecting probably an influence of the JVM formation. The data obtained are insufficient to confirm the impact origin of the Jarva-Varaka structure, which requires further investigation.

Evolution of the neoarchean Kola alkaline granites, northeastern Fennoscandian Shield: insights from SHRIMP-II titanite and zircon U–Pb isotope and rare earth elements data

Abstract An U–Pb isotopic investigation combined with rare earth element data for titanites, zircons and coexisting accessories has been undertaken to gain insight into the formation of the Archean peralkaline granites of the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield and to test the stability of titanite during metamorphic and hydrothermal processes. The obtained set of isotope data shows that whereas more stable zircon retains a memory of the major episodes of granite evolution, the coexisting titanite provides additional information on crystallization, subsequent growth, cooling and alteration of the plutonic complexes. In addition to titanites formed at the magmatic stages of c. 2710 and c. 2650 Ma, the peralkaline granites contain titanite populations which have undergone major resetting at c. 1870 Ma during the burial metamorphism related to the Svecofennian orogeny and the 1760 Ma hydrothermal alteration near contemporaneous with regional metamorphism of c. 1780 Ma. The peralkaline granites which contain c. 2710 Ma titanites also include inherited titanite grains of an age of 2795 Ma. These data support the concept that the titanite can remain a closed system to Pb diffusion at temperatures of peralkaline granite melt (<800°C) as long as the crystals escape magmatic or metamorphic recrystallization.

Corona-Type Textures in Ultrabasic Complexes of the Serpentinite Belt, Kola Peninsula, Russia

For the first time, corona-type textures are described in ultrabasic rocks in three complexes of the Serpentinite Belt on the Kola Peninsula in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield. Three variants of the corona texture formed at different stages during the crystallization of a komatiitic, Al-undepleted melt emplaced in a subvolcanic setting. The first type crystallized at an early stage (Mg# Ol = 87) in a fine-grained harzburgite of the Chapesvara-I sill, with the following order in the corona: Ol → Opx → Cpx → Pl → Amp (aluminous sodic-calcic). The second type displays the sequence Opx → Cpx → Amp → Pl → Qz, which is observed in the orthopyroxenite zone in the Lotmvara-I sill. The third type involves a symplectitic corona in a plagioclase-bearing orthopyroxenite in the Lyavaraka complex, in which the inferred order is: Cpx → Amp (aluminous hornblende) + symplectitic Qz, formed in direct contact with grains of Pl. The corona-type textures occur in fresh rocks and are not related to regional metamorphism. They likely formed as consequences of two important factors: (1) rapid cooling, leading to unsteady conditions of crystallization in a shallow setting; and (2) an intrinsic enrichment in H2O and other volatiles in the parental magma, giving rise to fluid-saturated environments at advanced stages of crystallization. This was followed by a deuteric deposition of Amp rims as a result of the accumulation of H2O and reaction of H2O-bearing fluid with early grains of pyroxene and late plagioclase. The likely existence of a close relationship is suggested by the drusites of the Belomorian complex, which are coeval. In addition, unusual occurrences of lamellar inclusions of phlogopite and Al2SiO5 are documented, hosted by interstitial grains of plagioclase in the orthopyroxenite zone of the Lotmvara-I sill. These are attributed to crystallization from late portions of remaining melt enriched in Al, K, Na, H2O, and Cl, which is indicated by the recorded occurrence of chlorapatite in this association. Thus, our findings indicate the presence and abundance of intrinsic volatiles, Cl, F, CO2, and especially magmatic H2O, which were important to lower the liquidus, decrease the density and viscosity of the highly magnesian melt of Al-undepleted komatiite, thus enabling its transport from the mantle to a shallow level in the crust.

Complex shape of the Palaeoproterozoic Serpovidny refolded mega-sheath fold in northern Fennoscandia revealed by magnetic and structural data

The Serpovidny large-scale synform located in the Arctic zone of the north-eastern Fennoscandian Shield was studied with geological mapping and structural analysis, and its core with a ground detailed magnetic survey. This is a tight to isoclinal mega-sheath fold with the strongly thinned lower limb, almost undeformed upper limb, and the ՙcat's eye՚ core. The innermost rift-related sequence of the fold core is a synformal anticline, whilst limbs are composed of Palaeoproterozoic Keivy Group (metamorphosed redeposited products of mainly deep chemical weathering) and form a syncline. The Serpovidny mega-sheath fold formed during progressive non-coaxial, high strain deformation in simple shear/general shear regimes and a northward thrusting under mid-crustal conditions. This mega-sheath fold evolved from a NNE-verging anticline originated at the base of a nappe transported north-northeastwards from the Palaeoproterozoic Imandra-Varzuga Rift-Belt during the 1.9 Ga Lapland-Kola collisional orogeny. After a thrusting of this nappe onto the Keivy Group, one anticline plunged into these rocks and was transformed into the NNE-closing Serpovidny mega-sheath fold. Its geometric parameters and/or kinematic evolution are close to those of mega-sheath folds in Cretaceous rocks in the Oman Mountains, large-scale synformal anticlines in the Helvetic nappes in the Alps, and a Caledonian nappe in northwest Ireland.

Late Glacial and postglacial seismicity in the Northeastern Fennoscandian Shield: tectonic position and age of paleo-earthquakes near Murmansk

Earthquake-induced deformations located near Murmansk City were investigated for information on the age, tectonic position and spatial occurrence of paleo-earthquakes. The main earthquake-generating zone is identified to be the system of strike slip faults and reverse-oblique faults trending NNW along the Kola River valley. We used radiocarbon analysis and paleogeographic reconstructions and revealed three episodes of increased seismic activity: from 9500 to 10500 cal BP, from 892 to 1182 cal BP, and from 200 to 300 cal BP. Based on the peak ground velocity estimation method we suggest that an earthquakes with a maximum moment magnitude up to Mw ≈ 6.0–6.5 may have taken place in the studied area. The recorded location of seismogenic deformation near faults indicates area of strong Late Glacial and Holocene earthquakes occurring in the northern Kola Peninsula; this is also consistent with observations concerning the historical events of 1772 and 1873, which took place near the area.Combined with previous data on palaeoseismicity in Kola region, our studies indicate a longer lasting and more complex spatial and temporal history of postglacial seismicity in the Northeastern Fennoscandian Shield area. In contrast to the generally accepted opinion, strong seismic events occurred not only during the deglaciation period or immediately after it, but continued until the late Holocene and the last centuries. Glacial isostasy as a factor giving rise to stresses has become minimal by the present time, while the tectonic factor continues to be felt.

Neoarchean A-type acid metavolcanics in the Keivy Terrane, northeastern Fennoscandian Shield: Geochemistry, age, and origin

The Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics occupying 40% of the Keivy Terrane in the Arctic Region of the Fennoscandian Shield belong to mainly alkali-calcic and calc-alkaline series and are classified as peraluminous to metaluminous metadacites, metarhyodacites, metarhyolites and metatrachyrhyolites. Geochemical characteristics of most of these metavolcanics are very close or identical to those discriminative of A-type granites. Compositionally these rocks are similar and often identical to the Keivy A-type peralkaline granites. On variation plots and geochemical spider and discriminant diagrams the Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics and Keivy peralkaline granites share the same trends and patterns and fall into fields of post-orogenic, within-plate and A-type granites. A U–Pb (SHRIMP II) zircon age of the Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics is 2678 ± 7 Ma. The first thermal event recorded by the U–Pb isotope system of magmatic zircon occurred at ca. 1.90 Ga, an age corresponding to the termination of the Paleoproterozoic Lapland-Kola collisional orogeny. The youngest zircon generation is dated at 1805 ± 23 Ma ago and is assumed to have grown during metasomatic or hydrothermal alteration.The finding of relics of baddeleyite, a mineral crystallizing only in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks, in zircon from the Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics along with the chemical similarity of these metavolcanics and the Keivy peralkaline granites and their emplacement simultaneously with the Keivy gabbro-anorthosites 2.68–2.66 Ga ago, obviously suggests that these three types of rocks should have a common origin. Based on new data and existing tectonic models, the origin of the Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics as well as the Keivy peralkaline granites, gabbro-anorthosites and nepheline syenites is concluded to be linked with underplating by basaltic magma of the lower crust of the eastern Kola Province 2.68 Ga ago. This underplating led to anorogenic bimodal magmatism including the 2678 Ma Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics, the 2674–2663 Ma Keivy peralkaline granites, the 2674–2659 Ma Keivy gabbro-anorthosites, and the 2645 Ma Sakharjok nepheline syenites and subalkaline gabbro. The underplating also caused partial melting of the Mesoarchean continental crust and involvement of this older crustal component into felsic melts parental for the Lebyazhka acid metavolcanics and the Keivy peralkaline granites.

Geochronological and Geochemical Study of Zircon from Tourmaline-Muscovite Granites of the Archaean Kolmozero–Voronya Greenstone Belt: Insights into Sources of the Rare-Metal Pegmatites

In order to determine the U-Pb crystallization age of zircon from the tourmaline-muscovite granites of the Kolmozero–Voronya greenstone belt located in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield (Kola Peninsula), an isotope-geochronological study of the zircon grains was performed using a SHRIMP-RG microprobe. The belt is represented by the Archaean volcano-sedimentary rocks (2.9–2.8 Ga). Deposits of rare-metal pegmatites (Li and Cs with associated Nb, Ta, and Be) occur within the belt and on its margins. The age of the pegmatites within the belt was estimated at 2.7–2.6 Ga. Until now, there has been no generally accepted view on the genetic relation of the pegmatites with granite. Various authors have suggested that the pegmatites could potentially be associated with many type of granitoids within the region, i.e., plagiogranites, tonalites, amphibole-biotite granodiorites, microcline granites, alkaline granites, or muscovite-tourmaline granites. Zircon crystals from the muscovite-tourmaline granites are heterogeneous; they have less altered cores and strongly altered rims. The zircon cores are slightly enriched in U at a value of 173–1030 ppm, Th/U = 0.1–0.4. The zircons’ rims are heavily enriched in U at a value of 700–3300 ppm, Th/U = 0.03–0.08, indicating metasomatic processes. Zircon characteristics show that it crystallized from a melt enriched in a fluid phase. Fluid activity lasted after zircon crystallization as reflected in the irregular composition of the mineral and its rare earth element (REE) patterns that are typical of a metasomatic zircon. The computed zircon crystallization temperature in the tourmaline-muscovite granites is in the range of 650–850 °C. The discordant age calculated for five analyzed points of the zircon crystal cores is 2802 ± 13 Ma. The discordant age for four analyzed points of the zircon crystal rims is found to be 2728 ± 14 Ma. On the basis of the obtained isotope-geochronological data, we conclude that the tourmaline-muscovite granites located in the immediate vicinity of rare-metal pegmatite veins are the most probable source of matter for the pegmatites.

Significance of Baddeleyite for Paleoproterozoic PGE Deposits with Pt-Pd and Cu-Ni reefs (North-Eastern Fennoscandian Shield): New Results of U-Pb and LA-ICP-MS Studies

Baddeleyite is a significant mineral successfully applied in the U-Pb geochronology for the precise dating of mafic rocks from layered intrusions with the platinum group element (PGE) and Cu-Ni mineralization. The Fennoscandian Shield hosts several layered Pt-Pd, Co-Cr-Ni, and Ti-V occurrences in the Northern (Karelian) and Southern (Karelian-Finnish) belts. The aim of this study is to estimate the content and distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in baddeleyite and to calculate temperatures (Т, ̊С) of the U-Pb system closure and baddeleyite crystallization compared to zircon from Cu-Ni and Pt-Pd deposits in the north-eastern Fennoscandian Shield. For the first time, baddeleyite crystals from Cu-Ni (Monchepluton) and Pt-Pd (Monchetundra) reefs of the Monchegorsk ore area have been studied in situ by the laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to measure the U-Pb age of formation and the REE content.

The Origin and Evolution of Ore-Bearing Rocks in the Loypishnun Deposit (Monchetundra Massif, NE Fennoscandian Shield): Isotope Nd-Sr and REE Geochemical Data

The Monchetundra massif is located in the north-eastern Fennoscandian Shield and refers to Paleoproterozoic massifs of the East-Scandinavian Large Igneous Province. The general section of the massif comprises two parts, the lower norite-orthopyroxenite and the upper mafic zones. The lower zone is of great interest due to its associated industrial platinum group elements (PGE) mineralization. The structure and peculiar features of rocks in the lower zone were studied using a drill core from the borehole MT-70 in the south-eastern slope of the Monchetundra massif intersecting the ore zone 1 of the Loypishnun deposit (according to the CJSC Terskaya Mining Company data). A comparison of the barren and ore-bearing varieties of norites and pyroxenites in the Loypishnun deposit shows that the ore samples have the lowest negative εNd values, a relatively more differentiated distribution spectrum with the Light rare earth elements (LREE) dominating over the Heavy REE (HREE), Eu/Eu* ≥ 1, and a higher mean content of alkali and large-ion lithophile elements (Ba, Rb, and Cs). New geochemical data indicated an origin of magmas for rocks from a layered series in the Loypishnun deposit by a high degree of melting of a LREE-rich source with a low mean content of REE. Negative εNd values, low ISr values, and a marked negative Nb indicate that the crustal material affected the evolution of rocks in the lower zone of the massif more than in the upper zone. The formation of ore bodies in the Loypishnun deposit was governed by the crust-mantle interaction, magmatic differentiation, and association with the most differentiated varieties, and by further concentration of the ore at the late and post-magmatic stages in a highly permeable environment for fluids in the Monchetundra fault zone.

Thermochronology and Exhumation History of the Northeastern Fennoscandian Shield Since 1.9 Ga: Evidence From 40Ar/39Ar and Apatite Fission Track Data From the Kola Peninsula

AbstractResults from thermochronological studies have multiple applications to various problems in tectonics and landform evolution. However, up to now a lack of thermochronological data from the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield has complicated the interpretation of tectonothermal evolution of the region. Here, we use both new and previously published multimineral 40Ar/39Ar data (amphibole, mica, and feldspar) on the various Precambrian magmatic and metamorphic complexes to reconstruct the thermal history of NE Fennoscandia within the Kola Peninsula area in the interval 1900–360 Ma. Using the apatite fission track method as well as a numerical model of the heating‐cooling process of northeastern Fennoscandia's upper crust, we have reconstructed its thermal evolution for the interval 360–0 Ma. According to our model, since Lapland‐Kola orogenesis (1930–1905 Ma) northeastern Fennoscandia experienced a quasi‐monotonous cooling with the average rate of ~0.15 °C/Myr, which is equal to an exhumation rate of ~1–2 m/Myr. New apatite fission track data and time‐temperature modeling reveal a “hidden” endogenous thermal event in the NE Fennoscandia that took place between 360 and 300 Ma. This we attribute to an elevated geothermal gradient due to Baltica's drift over the African large low shear‐wave velocity province in the lowest mantle and/or thermal blanketing by insulating Devonian‐Carboniferous sedimentary/volcanic cover. Our model is further supported by evidence of Late Devonian‐Carboniferous rifting in the East and South‐Western Barents Basin, as well as various 360–300 Ma magmatic events within SW Fennoscandia and the Baltic countries.

Reconstructing the shape of large synformal folds based on the solution of the 2D non-linear magnetic inverse problem

This paper deals with a new approach to reconstructing the shape of a poorly-exposed synform that folds strongly magnetic layers. The approach is based on the solution of the 2D non-linear magnetic inverse problem in areas best suited for 2D modeling. The interpretation model consists of two parts: (i) a geometric model imitating a synform cross-section and (ii) a set of elementary layers of a fold characterized by anisotropic magnetic susceptibility. The main task is to determine the deepest point of magnetic layers and the direction and amount of their dip. It can be solved by a selection of optimal model parameters from a set of random numbers with a priory model constraints. The solution is an iterative process which defines intervals of geometrical model parameters that correspond to minimal values of the misfit between observed and modeled magnetic fields. The proposed approach is characterized by a stability of the determination of reference fold points' coordinates, which is sufficient to confidently answer a number of questions important for the geologist. These include: whether a synformal fold is upright, inclined or overturned, determining the depth of its trough line, which combined with the fold outline on the ground surface allows an evaluation of the hinge line curvature. As an example, the large Paleoproterozoic Serpovidny isoclinal synformal anticline in the Keivy terrane of the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield has been chosen. According to field observations, this synform is a giant sheath fold consisting of the poorly exposed strongly magnetic core and weakly magnetic limbs. The 3D morphology of the Serpovidny fold reconstructed using the new approach is shown to be very close to the geometry determined from field observations. Thereby, this study favors the conclusion based the sheath geometry of the Serpovidny isoclinal synformal anticline that an Alpine-type tectonics operated in the Paleoproterozoic.

A catastrophic holocene event in the lake bottom sediments of the Kola region (northeastern Fennoscandian shield)

Horizons with seismogenic sediments are revealed in the bottom sediments of the lake basins in the southwestern Kola Peninsula. In the borehole cores, they are represented by material that sharply differs from the overlying and underlying sediments: fragments of gyttia, siltstone, wood, sand, and peat that are embedded in the sapropelic matrix and look like breccia. These sediments reflect a strong catastrophic event from the Holocene that occurred 6000–5400 14C yr BP. The seismic events that happened in the middle Holocene in the northeastern Fennoscandian shield indicate a significant role of the tectonic component in the damping process of relaxation of the Earth’s crust in the unloading of the recent glacier cover.

Paleozoic tholeiitic magmatism of the Kola province: Spatial distribution, age, and relation to alkaline magmatism

This paper focuses on the occurrences of tholeiitic magmatism in the northeastern Fennoscandian shield. It was found that numerous dolerite dikes of the Pechenga, Barents Sea, and Eastern Kola swarms were formed 380–390 Ma ago, i.e., directly before the main stage of the Paleozoic alkaline magmatism of the Kola province. The isotope geochemical characteristics of the dolerites suggest that their primary melts were derived from the mantle under the conditions of the spinel lherzolite facies. The depleted mantle material from which the tholeiites were derived shows no evidence for metasomatism and enrichment in high fieldstrength and rare earth elements, whereas melanephelinite melts postdating the tholeiites were generated in an enriched source. It was shown that the relatively short stage of mantle metasomatism directly after the emplacement of tholeiitic magmas was accompanied by significant mantle fertilization. In contrast to other large igneous provinces, where pulsed intrusion of large volumes of tholeiitic magmas coinciding or alternating with phases of alkaline magmatism was documented, the Kola province is characterized by systematic evolution of the Paleozoic plume–lithosphere process with monotonous deepening of the level of magma generation, development of mantle metasomatism and accompanying fertilization of mantle materials, and systematic changes in the composition of melts reaching the surface.

Free hydrogen-hydrocarbon gases from the Lovozero loparite deposit (Kola Peninsula, NW Russia)

The Lovozero nepheline-syenite massif in the north-eastern Fennoscandian Shield, well-known to mineralogists and petrologists, is also interesting with its high contents of hydrogen-hydrocarbon gases in different forms of presence, which is untypical of magmatic rocks. The article systematizes and generalizes little known and unpublished data on the composition, location, character and scale (intensity) of the free gases (FG) emission within a major loparite deposit confined to the massif. СН4 and Н2 are dominant in the FG composition. The molecular weight distribution of hydrocarbon gas components corresponds to the classic Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution with a steep gradient. Carbon and hydrogen of the gases are characterized by rather heavy isotope compositions, becoming lighter from the transition of methane to ethane. The FG volume has been estimated as 0.2–1.6 m3 of gas per 1 m3 of undisturbed rock. The gas recovery of walls in underground workings has been up to 0.2 ml/min/m2 for СН4 and 0.5 ml/min/m2 for Н2 in several years after their heading. The discharge of some shot holes that characterizes the gas emission intensity (1.8–2 m deep and 40 mm in diameter) is up to 300 ml/min, but its 1–2 orders lesser values dominate. The discharge time in some sections varies from several days to 20 years. The overpressure of gases towards the air mainly does not increase 100 hPa, sometimes reaching 120 kPa. It has been defined, that FG distribute irregularly (at the distance of centimeters to hundreds of meters) and their composition and particularly emission intensity perform different temporal fluctuations. The abiogenic origin of FG has been proposed, with FG appearing as a mixture of gases in various proportions: (a) gases remaining in microfissures at the massif's consolidation after the capture by fluid inclusions and those lost during degassing and (b) gases occurred in mechanic-chemical reactions, partial emission and concentration of occluded and diffusely scattered gases under the unstable stress-strain mode of the rock mass. Combustible and explosive hydrogen-hydrocarbon FG can accumulate in the air of underground workings and cause accidents, disrupting the workflow. The background for using characteristics of spatial-temporal variations of the FG emission as precursors of dangerous geodynamic phenomena has been indicated.

Provenance of sandstones from Caledonian nappes in Finnmark, Norway: Implications for Neoproterozoic–Cambrian palaeogeography

U–Pb detrital zircon age spectra from four formations in the Laksefjord and Kalak nappe complexes, Finnmark Caledonides, northern Norway, show peaks ranging from Neoarchaean through Late Palaeoproterozoic to Late Mesoproterozoic. Together with an extensive database of palaeocurrent flow measurements indicating derivation of the sediments from source regions to the S-SE on the Fennoscandian Shield, the successions in the lower thrust sheets of the Kalak Nappe Complex and the entire Laksefjord Nappe Complex are inferred to be of Baltican origin. These results are contrary to a previous suggestion that the sandstone-dominated Middle Allochthon is exotic to Baltica.The lithostratigraphical successions in these two nappe complexes show a south to north progression from alluvial-fan conglomerates through extensive fluvial to shallow-marine facies into deeper-marine turbiditic sequences. This pattern reflects the palaeogeographic transition from the shallow platform to deep-basinal oceanic development recorded along the c. 2000km pre-Timanian passive margin of the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield.

Time of formation and genesis of yttrium-zirconium mineralization in the Sakharjok massif, Kola Peninsula

The Kola geotectonic province in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield accommodates a significant number of alkaline rock massifs differing in age. They are of mantle and mantle-crustal origin (alkali and nepheline syenites, carbonatites) and related to crustal sources (Neoarchean alkali granites). Among them, the Neoarchean Sakharjok nepheline syenite massif is related to the oldest intrusions of this kind bearing yttrium-zirconium mineralization. The crystallization of alkali syenite pertaining to the first intrusive phase of the intrusive Sakharjok massif is dated to 2645 ± 7 Ma, and this implies that this syenite postdated alkali granites (2.66–2.67 Ga). To date the yttrium-zirconium ore, we applied the local U-Pb method to zircon crystals occurring in the mineralized block hosted in nepheline syenite. The earliest fragments of zircon crystallized 1832 ± 7 Ma ago; the age of metamorphism is estimated at 1784 ± 13 Ma. These dates indicate the Paleoproterozoic age of the yttrium-zirconium mineralization, which was formed as a product of fluid reworking of the Neoarchean nepheline syenite of the Sakharjok massif.

The nature of the Conrad discontinuity with respect to the results of kola superdeep well drilling and the data of a deep geoelectrical survey

The problem of superdeep drilling of the continen� tal crust was stated for the first time at a meeting in Paris in 1962; the necessity of direct study by drilling of the physical nature of the deep geophysical boundaries found by surfacebased methods, first of all, by seismic survey, became clear. Approximately at the same time, two projects started in the United States—Moho and Apollo. The Moho project was aimed at reaching the most ancient rocks of the basaltic layer by drilling the oceanic crust from the R/V Glomar Challenger. The other project, the Apollo program, as is known, was related to landing humans on the Moon, lunar core sampling, and transportation back to the Earth. In turn, the Soviet Union launched two programs: the Lunokhod automated missions, which was intended to collect lunar core samples, and the superdeep conti� nental drilling program that included drilling of ten superdeep wells on the territory of the country. The Kola Superdeep Well SG�3 was part of this extensive research into the composition and structure of the Earth's interior. The location of the SG�3 drilling was determined by two points. The first point was the location of the ancient Archean rocks of the Earth's crust in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield resulting from a deep erosional cut; these rocks were exposed to a depth of about 10 km; they are represented, in partic� ular, by granitic gneisses of the Kola Series and Mur� mansk block (Fig. 1, 1 and 3, respectively). The sec� ond point, based on deep seismic sounding (DSS) data and the anomalously high position of the Conrad dis� continuity (K1), was identified in the area of Pech� enga, Kola Peninsula. The Conrad discontinuity was believed to be where the chemical (substantial) com� position of the Earth's crust changes: the upper gra� nitic gneiss layer of aluminumsilicate (siallic) rocks is replaced with a lower lying magnesian, basaltic (simaic) layer. The position of this boundary is usually attributed to a sharp growth of seismic wave velocity from 6.1 to 6.5 km/s. According to the DSS data, the K1 depth in the area of Pechenga is about 7 km (2)

Model of formation of the Khibiny-Lovozero ore-bearing volcanic-plutonic complex

The paper presents the results of a study of the large Paleozoic ore-magmatic system in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield comprising the Khibiny and Lovozero plutons, the Kurga intrusion, volcanic rocks, and numerous alkaline dike swarms. As follows from the results of deep drilling and 3D geophysical simulation, large bodies of rocks pertaining to the ultramafic alkaline complex occur at the lower level of the ore-magmatic system. Peridotite, pyroxenite, melilitolite, melteigite, and ijolite occupy more than 50 vol % of the volcanic-plutonic complex within the upper 15 km accessible to gravity exploration. The proposed model represents the ore-magmatic system as a conjugate network of mantle magmatic sources localized at different depth levels and periodically supplying the melts belonging to the two autonomous groups: (1) ultramafic alkaline rocks with carbonatites and (2) alkali syenites-peralkaline syenites, which were formed synchronously having a common system of outlet conduits. With allowance for the available isotopic datings and new geochronological evidence, the duration of complex formation beginning from supply of the first batches of melt into calderas and up to postmagmatic events, expressed in formation of late pegmatoids, was no less than 25 Ma.

Tracking lateral δ13Ccarb variation in the Paleoproterozoic Pechenga Greenstone Belt, the north eastern Fennoscandian Shield

The Kuetsjärvi Sedimentary Formation (KSF) records the global Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2200–2100Ma) positive δ13C excursion of sedimentary carbonates. This event is here called as the Lomagundi-Jatuli isotopic excursion. In this study, lateral δ13Ccarb variation in the KSF and local basinal factors amplifying global δ13Ccarb value were investigated and a secular δ13C curve for the KSF was constructed. Sedimentary carbonate samples from a new drillcore (Drillcore 5A) from the KSF were analysed for δ13C, δ18O and selected major and trace elements. The δ13C values of the samples vary from 5 to 8‰ (VPDB) and the δ18O values from −18 to −10‰ (VPDB). Most of the samples have retained their primary C isotopic composition, as they do not show correlation between the Mn/Sr ratios and the δ13C and δ18O values. The new results were compared to those previously obtained from another drillcore (Drillcore X) from the KSF (ca. 25km along strike from Drillcore 5A). Both cores show a similar kind of generally upward decreasing trend in δ13C, excluding some negative and positive spikes in Drillcore X and samples close to a contact with a Fe-picrite dyke in Drillcore 5A. A secular δ13C curve of the KSF was constructed based on the least altered δ13C data from the cores 5A and X. The secular δ13C curve of the KSF may represent the latest part of the Lomagundi-Jatuli isotopic excursion.