Magneto-mineralogical characteristics of mafite-ultramafites of the Middle Bug River area and Holovaniv suture zone of the Ukrainian Shield (overview)
Authors: Shestopalova O. , Drukarenko V. 
Published: March 2023

Mafites and ultramafites manifest in the magnetic field as significant magnetic anomalies due to the high content of magnetite, titanomagnetite and iron-magnesium silicates. Studying the mineralogy and magnetic properties of Archean rocks formed deep in the lower crust and uplifted to the surface allows to understanding the sources of magnetic anomalies. Such rocks are known in the Ukrainian shield, in particular in the Middle Bug River region and in the Holovaniv suture zone (HSZ). We consider mafic-ultramafic assemblages of the rocks of this region, their mineral composition and magnetic characteristics, manifestations in the magnetic field, and the distribution of magnetic minerals. Several mafic-ultramafic associations of different ages, composed of effusive, sedimentary-effusive and intrusive formations, are recognized for the area the Pobuzkiy ore mining region. Most of them were transformed intensively by metamorphism of granulite (to eclogite) facies and by intense tectonic and diaphoretic processes. The main volcanics and volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks belong to the Tivriv stratum of the Paleoarchean Dniester-Bug and Neoarchaean Bug series. Mantle rocks were the protolith of the Tivriv stratum, which are similar in composition to oceanic basalts. The Pavliv stratum is considered as a part of the Dniester-Bug series. It is composed mainly of two-pyroxene crystal schists (sometimes amphibolized, often with significant magnetite content (up to 10 %)), magnetite-orthopyroxene crystal schists, and bodies of ferruginous quartzites. Both series contain gneiss complexes, as well as bodies of basite-hyperbasites. Mafic rocks are mainly represented by hornblende-pyroxene crystal schists and amphibolites. Ultramafite and mafit-ultramafite intrusive bodies were mapped in the central and northern parts of the HSZ where they are presented by rocks of the hyperbasite and gabbro-peridotite formations. The Holovaniv block of the HSZ is spatially coincident with the Holovaniv gravitational maximum and magnetic anomalies, which are probably caused by the rooting of mafit-ultramafits from the upper mantle along deep fault zones. Magnetic sources with increased magnetization were identified within the district of Haivoron. They are associated with pyroxene schists, gneisses, coarse-grained pyroxene schists, and ferruginous quartzites. The high values of magnetic parameters of the rocks of the Haivoron-Zavallya region are explained by the presence of eulysites and magnetite-hypersthene crystal schists. Within the area of occurence of charnockite-enderbite rocks, the magnetic field with increased intensity and a large-mosaic structure is observed. Differentiation of the magnetic properties of the rocks of the upper part of the Earth’s crust, the shape and low power of the sources indicate their possible primary magmatic formation in the form of massifs and dykes with further metamorphic transformations. Magnetite is the main magnetic mineral of mafite-ultramafites according to thermomagnetic analysis and ore microscopy. Several generations of magnetite are observed. Early generations (reliably magmatic) are present in the dark-colored minerals as point inclusions and emulsion discharges along fissures (disintegration structures of solid solutions). The increase of the amount of magnetite in all types of rocks is associated with superimposed secondary transformations. Redistribution of iron occurs in the recrystallization zones with the formation of clusters of secondary coarse-grained magnetite. According to the hypothesis, the magnetite of ferruginous quartzites has metamorphic origin, while the origin of the magnetite of iron-carbonate and iron-siliceous formations is a controversial issue. It depends on the determination of the genesis of the original substance.