Russian Journal of Earth Sciences
Vol. 4, No. 1, February 2002
Petrology of the Europe-largest Burakovka early paleoproterozoic layered
pluton (Southern Karelia, Russia)
A. V. Chistyakov, E. V. Sharkov, T. L. Grokhovskaya, O. A. Bogatikov,
G. N. Muravitskaya, and N. G. Grinevich
Abstract
The Burakovka layered pluton of basic and mafic rocks is the largest intrusive massif in the
Baltic Province composed of Si- and Mg-rich boninite-like rocks. The pluton consists of two individual bodies,
each having its own internal structure, and contacting each other in their apical parts, known as the Aganozero
and Shalozero–Burakovka bodies. Both bodies have a similar rock sequence including five differentiated zones
(upward): mafic rocks, pyroxenite, gabbro norite, pigeonite gabbro norite, and magnetite gabbro diorite (the
latter found only in the Shalozero–Burakovka body). Being generally similar to each other, these bodies differ
notably in the styles of their cumulate stratigraphy and, to a lesser extent, in composition.
22 Ma
(eNd=-3.22±0.13), and the latter, 2433
28 Ma
(eNd=-3.140.14). It is concluded that the Burakovka Pluton was a
long-lived magma center which developed above a local mantle plume, the origin of which had been associated with
the activity of a megaplume which had been responsible for the existence of the Baltic province throughout a
period of 200 million years.