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How Structure and Stress Influence Kimberlite Emplacement

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Proceedings of 10th International Kimberlite Conference

Abstract

Combined field observations and numerical modeling provide further context for understanding the development of preferred pathways for kimberlite movement through the lithosphere. Kimberlite occurrences are often observed to be located on brittle structures and clustered along linear trends parallel to known structural trends. Direct structural control by means of magma migration up through the crust along brittle structures is likely in some specific cases, but kimberlite dykes are more often observed intruded into solid rock. We present a case study of the Kimberley district (South Africa) that includes two known kimberlite age populations. By systematically testing different stress orientations in two-dimensional (plan view) numerical models we can determine an equilibrated stress–strain state that was most likely present at the time of emplacement of each kimberlite group. The statistically quantified model results suggest that kimberlites are preferentially located in areas of relatively low mean horizontal stress on a sub-regional scale (approximately 100 km). The models also suggest that structures influence the local stress tensor such that the maximum horizontal compressive stress component may rotate into parallelism with the nearby major structures. The strike of a dyke is preferentially parallel to the maximum horizontal stress, and consequently sub-parallel to the nearby major structures. In this way, the structural architecture of the crust, in combination with regional boundary stress, imparts an indirect control over the intrusion trends. Calibrated structure-stress–strain models can be of practical use in kimberlite exploration, but may also be of use in determining tectonic paleostress conditions.

An erratum to this chapter can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1173-0_20

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Acknowledgments

The work discussed in this abstract was initiated by a research group within De Beers Exploration in 2004, with initial support from Nick Lightfoot, formerly of Itasca International Inc. (“Itasca”). The work follows earlier pioneering work by Nadine Edwards and Neil Ayres, as well as Anglo American research in the mid-1990s, and is summarized in a doctorate thesis (Barnett 2006). De Beers Exploration and Koidu Holdings are thanked for their support of work discussed in this abstract. The authors would like to thank Dr. Janine Kavanagh and Dr. Alison Rust for their input and comments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. De Beers Exploration, Johannesburg, South Africa

    W. Barnett & H. Jelsma

  2. SRK Consulting, Vancouver, Canada

    W. Barnett & A. Bloem

  3. School of Geological Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Berea, 4041, South Africa

    M. Watkeys

  4. OCTÉA Diamond Group, 5 Osborne Lane, Bedfordview, South Africa

    L. Freeman

Authors
  1. W. Barnett
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  2. H. Jelsma
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  3. M. Watkeys
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  4. L. Freeman
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  5. A. Bloem
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. Barnett .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    D Graham Pearson

  2. Dept of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Herman S Grütter

  3. School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Jeff W Harris

  4. Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Bruce A Kjarsgaard

  5. Finland Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Espoo, Finland

    Hugh O’Brien

  6. Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    N V Chalapathi Rao

  7. School of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol, United Kingdom

    Steven Sparks

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Barnett, W., Jelsma, H., Watkeys, M., Freeman, L., Bloem, A. (2013). How Structure and Stress Influence Kimberlite Emplacement. In: Pearson, D., et al. Proceedings of 10th International Kimberlite Conference. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1173-0_4

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