Gravity studies in the Carolina slate belt near the Haile and Brewer mines, north-central South Carolina

The Bouguer gravity map of part of the Carolina slate belt near the Haile and Brewer mines in South Carolina shows anomalies related to rock units. The most conspicuous of the anomalies coincide with coarse-grained granitic plutons. Mathematically calculated models using an iterative three-dimensional solution of the gravity anomalies show that these plutons are steep-sided intrusive bodies that constrict at depth to small pipes or roots. The plutons are emplaced in and are probably largely confined to a unit of volcaniclastic rocks. The volcaniclastic rocks are probably 6,000 m to 10,000 m thick and similar in composition to those exposed in the vicinity of the plutons.