Magmatic lineations inferred from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility fabrics in Units 8, 9, and 10 of the Rum Eastern Layered Series, NW Scotland

The Eastern Layered Series of the Rum Layered Suite, NW Scotland, comprises a sequence of sixteen (30-150 m thick) cyclic units. The upper troctolite-olivine gabbro parts of each of these units exhibit small-scale modal layering and a pervasive, layer-parallel mineral lamination that is often associated with 'soft-sediment' deformation structures. A sporadic, macroscopic magmatic lineation measurable on mineral lamination surfaces is also observed in places. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) fabrics were studied in three of these cyclic units, (8, 9, and 10) in the northern part of the Eastern Layered Series. Magnetic fabrics measured in the troctolites and gabbros yield one dominant trend in which magnetic foliations parallel magmatic layering and magnetic lineations trend NW-SE and plunge gently. Magnetic fabrics measured for two detailed traverses through Unit 10 on the northern side of Hallival also yield one dominant trend, similar to that measured elsewhere in the Eastern Layered Series. However, toward the centre of Unit 10 in each traverse, magnetic lineations sometimes plunge approximately downdip (SW) on the magnetic foliation planes. The implications of these results are discussed with reference to previous textural and fabric observations on Rum. A model is suggested in which weak linear arrangements of cumulus olivine and plagioclase crystals are developed due to slumping and soft-sediment deformation of unconsolidated crystal mushes during central sagging of the Rum Layered Suite. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.