New Rock Magnetic Analysis of Ultramafic Cores from the Oman Drilling
Project and Its Implications for Alteration of Lower Crust and Upper
Mantle
Abstract
Detailed rock magnetic analyses of ultramafic rock samples recovered
from the Wadi Tayin massif as part of the Oman Drilling Project provide
a unique opportunity to understand the magnetic properties of oceanic
lithosphere and its alteration since obduction. We examined 300 -
400-meter-long cores from 3 sites (BA1B, BA3A, and BA4A) that transected
the crust-mantle boundary. Serpentinization which produces a small
amount of magnetite from olivine alteration appears to play an important
role in shaping the magnetic signature of the rocks recovered from these
holes. Our investigation reveals new features which have not been
reported in previous studies of ophiolite largely based on surface rock
samples. It appears that when serpentinization reaches a certain point
(65%) a sharp increase in magnetic susceptibility occurs. In general,
the uppermost section (0 – 40 m) shows higher susceptibility than the
deeper part. Also, higher susceptibility is found in dunite-dominated
sections than those composed of harzburgite. Overall, our observations
indicate that mantle rocks of Semail ophiolite were produced by
multi-stage hydrothermal alterations.