| title: | Magmatic processes in the lithosphere: a combined field, laboratory and modeling study |
|---|---|
| reg no: | ETF6749 |
| project type: | Estonian Science Foundation research grant |
| subject: |
1.10. Geology |
| status: | accepted |
| institution: | Institute of Geology at Tallinn Technical University |
| head of project: | Alvar Soesoo |
| duration: | 01.01.2006 - 31.12.2009 |
| description: | In recent decades, the crystalline basement of Estonia has been insufficiently studied and too little use has been made of modern physical and chemical methods in the investigation of the earth’s crust. The main goals of the present project are as follows: (1) using high-resolution methods of geochemical and physical microanalysis in the study of the properties, origin and evolution of Fennoscandian crystalline rocks. To achieve this aim the following studies will be carried out: (a) the age, timing and extent of melting processes, geochemical and isotope composition of the Estonian Precambrian basement, incl. granulite complexes; (b) shoshonitic magmatism in Fennoscandia (incl. Estonia) – temporal and spatial relations, evolution history in the context of Svecofennian post- and late orogenic, and anorogenic rapakivi magmatism in Fennoscandia. For that purpose, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr and U-Th-Pb isotope systems but also trace elements (REE), but also in different parts of minerals (a new approach) will be analyzed. The methods to be used include high-resolution ICP-MS and TIMS, and laser-ablation techniques; (2) Central to the proposal is the integration of different methods: geochemical and numerical modeling, analogue modeling and field observations. Experiments with rock analogues will focus on the microscopic distribution and segregation of melt during progressive melting, while other experiments will investigate the larger scale processes of transport and accumulation and the non-linear dynamics and system characteristics of transport and accumulation. Both lines of research are linked by numerical modeling, where chemical and mechanical modeling techniques will be combined to systematically investigate the physics and chemistry of magma segregation, accumulation and transport. The results obtained enable us: (1) elucidation of age relations between main blocks of the Estonian crystalline basement and possible correlation with the Fennoscandian complexes; (2) elucidation of spatial-temporal relations of shoshonitic magmatism, geochemistry of parental magma, explanation of the formation of magma, evolution and possible relations with the shoshonitic zone known on the Baltic Shield; (3) elucidation of the essence and extent of melting processes in the northern part of the Baltic–Belarussian granulitic belt; its geochronology; (4) application of the geochemical information derived by means of modern physico-chemical methods in forecasting potential metallogenesis of the Estonian basement. The training of MSc and PhD candidates allows the theoretical knowledge and practical experience obtained through using modern methods to be introduced in Estonia. This is also in good agreement with the main trends of the EU research and development policy. |
| project group | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no | name | institution | position | |
| 1. | Tarmo Kiipli | |||
| 2. | Alvar Soesoo | Tallinna Tehnikaülikooli Geoloogia Instituut | ||