Magnetic susceptibility logging of Chicxulub proximal impact breccias in the Santa Elena borehole: implications for emplacement mode

• Published in: Studia geophysica et geodaetica 2014, Vol.58 (1), p.100-120
• Main Authors: Urrutia-Fucugauchi, Jaime, Pérez-Cruz, Ligia, Campos-Arriola, Sara E., Escobar-Sánchez, Elia, Velasco-Villarreal, Miriam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric Sciences; Boreholes; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Geophysics; Geophysics/Geodesy; High temperature; Magnetic fields; Magnetic properties; Structural Geology
• ISSN: 0039-3169; 1573-1626
• DOI: 10.1007/s11200-013-0803-0

Magnetic susceptibility logging is used to study the impact breccias in the Chicxulub crater. The basic premise is that the high contrasts in magnetic properties can be used to characterize the breccias. The Santa Elena borehole was drilled 110 km radial distance from crater center and sampled a 172 m thick sequence of impact breccias, between 332 and 504 m depth. Breccia units are distinguished from differences in composition, size, and relative contents of clasts, type of matrix and textural and lithological assemblages, which can be resolved in the susceptibility logs. The whole-core log shows characteristic variation patterns with high, intermediate and low susceptibilities. High resolution logging of matrix and clasts records the heterogeneous nature of impactites, with higher variability at smaller spatial scales. Measurements confirm that diamagnetic susceptibilities characterize the carbonate clasts, high susceptibilities the basement granitic clasts and intermediate values the silicate melt-rich and silicate-poor matrix. Intermediate variable susceptibilities characterize breccias rich in melt particles. Correlation of matrix and clast logs with whole-core log shows that signal is controlled by the matrix. Logs for clast shows a discrete distribution with peaks of intermediate to high values, which correlate with large clast distributions. The ejecta blanket includes the fallback suevites rich in silicate melt particles and shocked minerals, the high temperature vapor deposits from ejecta curtain collapse and high velocity basal flows, and the carbonate rich deposits from lateral basal flows and secondary cratering. Late fallback suevites record minor turbulent conditions resulting from progressive cooling of the ejecta plume.