Preliminary Magnetic Susceptibility Characteristics of the Bharati Promontory (Grovness Peninsula), Larsemann Hills, Prydz Bay Region, East Antarctica

Abstract

The coastal tract of the Prydz Bay region in the East Antarctica exposes Archean to Late Proterozoic magmatic and medium- to high grade (amphibolite – granulite facies) metamorphic rocks. The para- and ortho gneisses from the Bharati promontory (Grovness Peninsula) forming a part of the Larsemann Hills in the southern segment of Prydz Bay were investigated for magnetic characterization. In this small peninsula the upper amphibolite facies gneisses occur as NE-trending bands. The para-gneisses show a range of mineral assemblages (± cordierite ± sillimanite ±garnet) while ortho-gneiss mineralogy includes quartz, feldspar, biotite, garnet. All the lithological units in Bharati promontory contain ubiquitous magnetite, however, with wide variation in the volume proportions. This has resulted in a wide range in magnetic susceptibility (10−4 to 10−2 SI). Magnetic foliations show a correspondence with the general trend of lithounits (050° NE) and define a resulting geometry of mainly D1 and D2 foliations. The magnetic lineations show a preferred orientation with moderate easterly plunge (mean vector 093/36). The findings have implications for the magnetic field survey because such fabrics would impart a strong horizontal component of induced magnetization.