Rb−Sr and Ar−Ar systematics of Malani volcanic rocks of southwest Rajasthan: Evidence for a younger post-crystallization thermal event

A new Rb−Sr age of 779±10 Ma has been obtained for a suite of andesite-daciterhyolite from the Malani Igneous Province of southwestern Rajasthan, dated earlier at 745±10 Ma by Crawford and Compston (1970). The associated basalts may be slightly younger than the felsic volcanics and have a mantle source. The felsic volcanics on the other hand were most probably derived by fractional crystallization of a crustal magma (Srivastavaet al 1989a, b).⁴⁰Ar−³⁹Ar systematics of three samples viz., a basalt, a dacite and a rhyolite show disturbed age spectra indicating a thermal event around 500–550 Ma ago. This secondary thermal event is quite wide-spread and possibly related to the Pan-African thermo-tectonic episode observed in the Himalayas and south India.     

Sequence of magmatic events in the Late Paleozoic of Transbaikalia,Russia (U-Pb isotope data)

The Late Paleozoic intrusive rocks, mostly granitoids, totally occupy more than 200,000 km² on the territory of Transbaikalia. Isotopic U-Pb zircon dating (about 30 samples from the most typical plutons) shows that the Late Paleozoic magmatic cycle lasted for 55–60 m.y., from ~330 Ma to ~275 Ma. During this time span, five intrusive suites were emplaced throughout the region. The earliest are high-K calc-alkaline granites (330–310 Ma) making up the Angara–Vitim batholith of 150,000 km² in area. At later stages, formation of geochemically distinct intrusive suites occurred with total or partial overlap in time. In the interval of 305–285 Ma two suites were emplaced: calc-alkaline granitoids with decreased SiO₂ content (the Chivyrkui suite of quartz monzonite and granodiorite) and the Zaza suite comprising transitional from calc-alkaline to alkaline granite and quartz syenite. At the next stage, in the interval of 285–278 Ma the shoshonitic Low Selenga suite made up of monzonite, syenite and alkali rich microgabbro was formed; this suite was followed, with significant overlap in time (281–276 Ma), by emplacement of Early Kunalei suite of alkaline (alkali feldspar) and peralkaline syenite and granite. Concurrent emplacement of distinct plutonic suites suggests simultaneous magma generation at different depth and, possibly, from different sources. Despite complex sequence of formation of Late Paleozoic intrusive suites, a general trend from high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline and peralkaline granitoids, is clearly recognized. New data on the isotopic U-Pb zircon age support the Rb-Sr isotope data suggesting that emplacement of large volumes of peralkaline and alkaline (alkali feldspar) syenites and granites occurred in two separate stages: Early Permian (281–278 Ma) and Late Triassic (230–210 Ma). Large volumes and specific compositions of granitoids suggest that the Late Paleozoic magmatism in Transbaikalia occurred successively in the post-collisional (330–310 Ma), transitional (305–285 Ma) and intraplate (285–275 Ma) setting.     

Ar/Ar age and geochemistry of the post-collisional Miocene Yamadağ volcanics in the Arapkir area (Malatya Province), eastern Anatolia, Turkey

The Neogene Yamadağ volcanics occupy a vast area between Sivas and Malatya in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. These volcanic rocks are characterized by pyroclastics comprising agglomerates, tuffs and some small outcrops of basaltic–andesitic–dacitic rocks, overlain upward by basaltic and dacitic rocks, and finally by basaltic lava flows in the Arapkir area, northern Malatya Province. The basaltic lava flows in the Arapkir area yield a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of 15.8 ± 0.2 Ma, whereas the dacitic lava flows give ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages ranging from 17.6 through 14.7 ± 0.1 to 12.2 ± 0.2 Ma, corresponding to the Middle Miocene. These volcanic rocks have subalkaline basaltic, basaltic andesitic; alkaline basaltic trachyandesitic and dacitic chemical compositions. Some special textures, such as spongy-cellular, sieve and embayed textures; oscillatory zoning and glass inclusions in plagioclase phenocrysts; ghost amphiboles and fresh biotite flakes are attributable to disequilibrium crystallization related to magma mixing between coeval magmas. The main solidification processes consist of fractional crystallization and magma mixing which were operative during the soldification of these volcanic rocks. The dacitic rocks are enriched in LILE, LREE and Th, U type HFSE relative to the basaltic rocks. The basaltic rocks also show some marked differences in terms of trace-element and REE geochemistry; namely, the alkaline basaltic trachyandesites have pronounced higher HFSE, MREE and HREE contents relative to the subalkaline basalts. Trace and REE geochemical data reveal the existence of three distinct magma sources – one subalkaline basaltic trachyandesitic, one alkaline basaltic and one dacitic – in the genesis of the Yamadağ volcanics in the Arapkir region. The subalkaline basaltic and alkaline basaltic trachyandesitic magmas were derived from an E-MORB type enriched mantle source with a relatively high- and low-degree partial melting, respectively. The magmatic melt of dacitic rocks seem to be derived from an OIB-type enriched lithospheric mantle with a low proportion of partial melting. The enriched lithospheric mantle source reflect the metasomatism induced by earlier subduction-derived fluids. All these coeval magmas were generated in a post-collisional extensional geodynamic setting in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey.     

Petrogenetic Appraisal of Early Palaeozoic Granitoids of Kinnaur District, Higher Himachal Himalaya, India

The Early Palaeozoic felsic magmatism of Kinnaur district is represented by more-or-less equivalent Akpa granitoids (477±29 Ma) and Rakcham granitoids (453±9 Ma), which form an integral part of the Central Crystalline Zone in the southern portion of the Tethys Himalayan Tectogen. Both, Akpa granitoids (AG) and Rakcham granitoids (RG), intrude the rocks of the Vaikrita Group. Substantially low magnetic susceptibility values (c = 0.016-0.187 × 10⁻³ SI) of these Early Palaeozoic granitoids suggest their nature similar to as ilmenite series (reduced-type) granitoids emplaced in a syn-collisional tectonic setting. The modal compositions of AG mainly correspond to two-mica (muscovite-biotite) monzogranite belonging to the granitoids generated by crustal fusion. Based on mineral assemblage (Ms+Bt+Tur+Ap), associated skarn-type tungsten mineralization, occurrence of metasedimentary enclaves, and whole-rock geochemistry (SiO₂ = 70.75-72.95 wt.%, TiO₂ = 0.02-0.17 wt.%, K₂O/Na₂O = 1.05-2.32, molar A/CNK = 0.93 to 1.33, CIPW corundum 0.17 to 3.82 wt.%, Av. Sr = 304ppm, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7206±0.00235), the AG can be typically characterized as peraluminous (S-type) granite as similarly noted for RG. Higher Rb/Sr ratio and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.737±0.002 of RG compared to that of AG however indicate involvement of relatively more crustal component in generation of RG. The AG is enriched in Ba and light rare earth elements (LREE). The chondrite normalized REE patterns of AG appear weakly fractionated (La_N/Lu_N= 1.06-6.43) and show pronounced negative Eu-anomaly (Eu_N/Eu^* = 0.03). The AG and RG represent typical S-type granite suites that largely evolved due to differential degree of anatexis (partial fusion) of sedimentary protoliths, prior to Caledonian but after the Pan-Indian thermal orogenic event.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of the Triassic rhyolites in the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt,northern Tibetan Plateau

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt(EKOB),which is in the northern part of the Greater Tibetan Plateau,contains voluminous Late Triassic intermediate-felsic volcanic rocks.In the east end of the EKOB,we identified highly differentiated peralkaline-like Xiangride rhyolites(～209 Ma)that differ from the wide-spread andesitic-rhyolitic Elashan volcanics(～232-225 Ma)in terms of their field occurrences and min-eral assemblages.The older,more common calc-alkaline felsic Elashan volcanics may have originated from partial melting of the underthrust Paleo-Tethys oceanic crust under amphibolite facies conditions associated with continental collision.The felsic Elashan volcanics and syn-collisional granitoids of the EKOB are different products of the same magmatic event related to continental collision.The Xiangride rhyolites are characterized by elevated abundances of high field strength elements,especially the very high Nb and Ta contents,the very low Ba,Sr,Eu,P,and Ti contents;and the variably high 87Sr/86Sr ratios(up to 0.96),exhibiting remarkable similarities to the characteristic peralkaline rhyolites.The primitive magmas parental to the Xiangride rhyolites were most likely alkali basaltic magmas that underwent pro-tracted fractional crystallization with continental crust contamination.The rock associations from the early granitoids and calc-alkaline volcanic rocks to the late alkaline basaltic dikes and peralkaline-like rhyolites in the Triassic provide important information about the tectonic evolution of the EKOB from syn-collisional to post-collisional.We infer that the transition from collisional compression to post-collisional extension occurred at about 220 Ma.     

Geochemistry of intrusive rocks associated with the Latir volcanic field,New Mexico,and contrasts between evolution of plutonic and volcanic rocks

Plutonic rocks associated with the Latir volcanic field comprise three groups: 1) 25 Ma high-level resurgent plutons composed of monzogranite and silicic metaluminous and peralkaline granite, 2) 23–25 Ma syenogranite, and alkali-feldspar granite intrusions emplaced along the southern caldera margin, and 3) 19–23 Ma granodiorite and granite plutons emplaced south of the caldera. Major-element compositions of both extrusive and intrusive suites in the Latir field are broadly similar; both suites include high-SiO₂ rocks with low Ba and Sr, and high Rb, Nb, Th, and U contents. Moreover, both intermediateto siliciccomposition volcanic and plutonic rocks contain abundant accessory sphene and apatite, rich in rare-earth elements (REE), as well as phases in which REE's are essential components. Strong depletion in Y and REE contents, with increasing SiO₂ content, in the plutonic rocks indicate a major role for accessory mineral fractionation that is not observed in volcanic rocks of equivalent composition. Considerations of the rheology of granitic magma suggest that accessory-mineral fractionation may occur primarily by filter-pressing evolved magmas from crystal-rich melts. More limited accessory-mineral crystallization and fractionation during evolution of the volcanic magmas may have resulted from markedly lower diffusivities of essential trace elements than major elements. Accessory-mineral fractionation probably becomes most significant at high crystallinities. The contrast in crystallization environments postulated for the extrusive and intrusive rocks may be common to other magmatic systems; the effects are particularly pronounced in highly evolved rocks of the Latir field. High-SiO₂ peralkaline porphyry emplaced during resurgence of the Questa caldera represents non-erupted portions of the magma that produced the Amalia Tuff during caldera-forming eruption. The peralkaline porphyry continues compositional and mineralogical trends found in the tuff. Amphibole, mica, and sphene compositions suggest that the peralkaline magma evolved from metaluminous magma. Extensive feldspar fractionation occurred during evolution of the peralkaline magmas, but additional alkali and iron enrichment was likely a result of high halogen fluxes from crystallizing plutons and basaltic magmas at depth.     

Malani Rhyolites — A Review

The late Proterozoic Malani bimodal volcanics constitute the largest suite of anorogenic acid volcanics in India. The volcanism took place during 745±10 Ma ago, succeeding the granitic activity of Abu pluton and ceased before the onset of Marwar sedimentation.On the basis of field evidences, three stages of igneous activity have been recognised. Volcanics of the first stage are mostly basalt with occasional andesite or trachybasalts. These are subsequently covered by the voluminous outpouring of peralkaline and peraluminous rhyolite, basalt, dacite and trachyte flows. The third stage ceased with the outburst of ash flow deposits.The dominant felsic volcanics are rhyolites and rhyodacites spread over an area of about 31, 000 km². The other rock types associated with rhyolite are trachytes, dacites, pitchstone, welded tuff, vitric, lithic and crystal ash, ignimbrite, obsidian, pyroclastic slates, agglomerate, volcanic breccia and volcanic conglomerates. Majority of the acid volcanics are high potassic and a few are calcalkaline or low potassic in composition.Feldspar geothermometry suggests the temperature of equilibrium to be above 650°C. Similar results were obtained by magnetite-ulvospinel geothermometry. Oxygen fugacity is estimated to be about 10⁻¹⁸ under FMQ-Ni-NiO buffer conditions.Malani volcanism was essentially under terrestrial conditions, although deposition by aqueous conditions are also indicated. The volcanic eruptions have been through fissures, shield volcanoes and central cones. The volcanism was triggered in an extensional tectonic regime of continental crust, where geotherm was raised by the repeated influx of basic magma. The initial basaltic magma was possibly generated at deeper depth by ‘hot spot’ activity. This magma while migrating upwards supplied additional heat for the partial melting of lower sialic crust resulting in the generation of felsic magma. The crustal extension has helped in the upward advancement of the felsic magma.     

Magmatic and tectonic history of Jurassic ophiolites and associated granitoids from the South Apuseni Mountains (Romania)

The Jurassic ophiolites in the South Apuseni Mountains represent remnants of the Neotethys Ocean and belong to the East Vardar ophiolites that contain ophiolite fragments as well as granitoids and volcanics with island-arc affinity. New U–Pb zircon ages, and Sr and Nd isotope ratios give insights into their tectono-magmatic history. The ophiolite lithologies show tholeiitic MOR-type affinities, but are occasionally slightly enriched in Th and U, and depleted in Nb, which indicates that they probably formed in a marginal or back-arc basin. These ophiolites are associated with calc-alkaline granitoids and volcanics, which show trace element signatures characteristic for subduction-enrichment (high LILE, low HFSE). Low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.703836–0.704550) and high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0.512599–0.512616) of the calc-alkaline series overlap with the ratios measured in the ophiolitic rocks (0.703863–0.704303 and 0.512496–0.512673), and hence show no contamination with continental crust. This excludes a collisional to post-collisional origin of the granitoids and is consistent with the previously proposed intra-oceanic island arc setting. The new U–Pb ages of the ophiolite lithologies (158.9–155.9 Ma, Oxfordian to Early Kimmeridgian) and granitoids (158.6–152.9 Ma, latest Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian) indicate that the two distinct magmatic series evolved within a narrow time range. It is proposed that the ophiolites and island arc granitoids formed above a long-lived NE-dipping subduction zone. A sudden flip in subduction polarity led to collision between island arc and continental margin, immediately followed by obduction of the ophiolites and granitoids on top of the continental margin of the Dacia Mega-Unit. Since the granitoids lack crustal input, they must have intruded the Apuseni ophiolites before both magmatic sequences were obducted onto the continental margin. The age of the youngest granitoid (~153 Ma, Late Kimmeridgian) yields an estimate for the maximum age of emplacement of the South Apuseni ophiolites and associated granitoids onto the Dacia Mega-Unit.     

He–Ar and Nd–Sr isotopic compositions of late Pleistocene felsic plutonic back arc basin rocks from Ulleungdo volcanic island, South Korea: Implications for the genesis of young plutonic rocks in a back arc basin

We report analyses of noble gases and Nd–Sr isotopes in mineral separates and whole rocks of late Pleistocene (< 0.2 Ma) monzonites from Ulleungdo, South Korea, a volcanic island within the back arc basin of the Japan island arc. A Rb–Sr mineral isochron age for the monzonites is 0.12 ± 0.01 Ma. K–Ar biotite ages from the same samples gave relatively concordant ages of 0.19 ± 0.01and 0.22 ± 0.01 Ma. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar yields a similar age of 0.29 ± 0.09 Ma. Geochemical characteristics of the felsic plutonic rocks, which are silica oversaturated alkali felsic rocks (av., 12.5 wt% in K₂O + Na₂O), are similar to those of 30 alkali volcanics from Ulleungdo in terms of concentrations of major, trace and REE elements. The initial Nd–Sr isotopic ratios of the monzonites (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70454–0.71264, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.512528–0.512577) are comparable with those of the alkali volcanics (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70466–0.70892, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.512521–0.512615) erupted in Stage 3 of Ulleungdo volcanism (0.24–0.47 Ma). The high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of the monzonites imply that seawater and crustally contaminated pre-existing trachytes may have been melted or assimilated during differentiation of the alkali basaltic magma.A mantle helium component (³He/⁴He ratio of up to 6.5 RA) associated with excess argon was found in the monzonites. Feldspar and biotite have preferentially lost helium during slow cooling at depth and/or during their transportation to the surface in a hot host magma. The source magma noble gas isotopic features are well preserved in fluid inclusions in hornblende, and indicate that the magma may be directly derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle metasomatized by an ancient subduction process, or may have formed as a mixture of MORB-like mantle and crustal components. The radiometric ages, geochemical and Nd–Sr isotopic signatures of the Ulleungdo monzonites as well as the presence of mantle-derived helium and argon, suggests that these felsic plutonic rocks evolved from alkali basaltic magma that formed by partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the back arc basin located along the active continental margin of the southeastern part of the Eurasian plate.     

Mineralogy, geochemistry and petrogenesis of the recent magmatic formations from Mbengwi, a continental sector of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), Central Africa

The Mbengwi recent magmatic formations consist of volcanics and syenites belonging to the same magmatic episode. Lavas form a bimodal basanite-rhyolite alkaline series with a gap between 50 and 62?wt.% SiO₂. Mafic lavas (basanite-hawaiite) are sodic while felsic rocks (trachyte-rhyolite-syenites) are sodi-potassic, slightly metaluminous to peralkaline. The geochemical and isotopic characteristics (0.7031?<?(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_initial?<?0.7043; 1.03?<?ε_Ndi?<?5.17) of these rocks are similar to those of other rocks from the CVL. The main differentiation process is fractional crystallization with two trends of fractionation. Their Rb/Sr isochron age of 28.2?Ma, almost similar to 27.40?±?0.6?Ma?K/Ar age obtained in a trachyte from neighboring Bamenda Mountains system, precludes any local age migration of an hypothetic hotspot. Mafic lavas have OIB features displaying an isotopic signature similar to that of HIMU mantle source different from FOZO known as source of most parental magmas along the CVL.     

Origin and evolution of post-collisional magmatism: Coeval Neoproterozoic calc-alkaline and alkaline suites of the Sinai Peninsula

Two Late Neoproterozoic post-collisional igneous suites, calc-alkaline (CA) and alkaline–peralkaline (Alk), widely occur in the northernmost part of the Arabian–Nubian Shield. In Sinai (Egypt) and southern Israel they occupy up to 80% of the exposed basement. Recently published U–Pb zircon geochronology indicates a prolonged and partially overlapping CA and Alk magmatism at 635–590 Ma and 608–580 Ma, respectively. Nevertheless in each particular locality CA granitoids always preceded Alk plutons. CA and Alk igneous rocks have distinct chemical compositions, but felsic and mafic rocks in general and granitoids from the two suites in particular cannot be distinguished by their Nd, Sr and O isotope ratios. Both suites are characterized by positive ε_Nd(T) values, from + 1.5 to + 6.0 (150 samples, 28 of them are new analyses), but predominance of juvenile crust in the region prevents unambiguous petrogenetic interpretation of the isotope data. Comparison of geochemical traits of felsic and mafic rocks in each suite suggests a significant contribution of mantle-derived components to the silicic magmas. Model calculation shows that the alkaline granite magma could have been produced by partial (~ 20%) melting of rocks corresponding to K-rich basalts. Material balance further suggests that granodiorite and quartz monzonite magmas of the CA suite could form by mixing of the granite and gabbro end-members at proportions of 85/15. In the Alk suite, alkali feldspar and peralkaline granites have evolved mainly by fractional crystallization of feldspars and a small amount of mafic minerals from a parental syenogranite melt. Thus the protracted, 20 m.y. long, contemporaneous CA and Alk magmatism in the northern ANS requires concurrent tapping of two distinct mantle sources. Coeval emplacement of CA and Alk intrusive suites was described in a number of regions throughout the world.     

新疆尼勒克县布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩的~(40)Ar-~(39)Ar年龄和地球化学特征

本文在西天山尼勒克县布谷拉地区厘定出了具有构造指示意义的超钾质岩浆岩,它侵位在石炭纪大哈拉军山组地层中,出露面积约为0.02km2,在空间上该类岩石与铜的矿化异常带或矿化带紧密共生。布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩具有典型的斑状结构,斑晶以钾长石、橄榄石、辉石为主,偶见白榴石残留体或假象。造岩矿物及岩石化学组成特征显示,布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩为斜长白榴岩类超钾质岩浆岩。布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩微量元素蛛网图表现为Nb-Ta、Zr-Hf、Ti的负异常和Pb的正异常,暗示该超钾质岩浆岩形成于造山阶段。微量元素地球化学特征显示,布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩是含金云母的石榴石尖晶石二辉橄榄岩部分熔融的产物,其形成深度介于70～80km狭窄的范围内。布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩的40Ar-39Ar有效坪年龄为274.2±1.6Ma,等时线年龄为274.3±4.4Ma,表明该类岩石形成于早二叠世。布谷拉超钾质岩浆岩的地球化学特征及40Ar-39Ar定年研究结果显示,在早二叠世至少阿吾拉勒山的东段仍处于造山演化阶段。     

西藏东南部察隅地区德玛拉岩群的同位素年代学研究及其意义

青藏高原冈底斯地块东南部的德玛拉岩群为一套角闪岩相变质岩系,一直被认为是前寒武纪变质基底,但并没有可靠的年代学证据。论文对采自其中的黑云角闪片岩和黑云母石英片岩进行了锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年和黑云母³⁹Ar-⁴⁰Ar定年,测试表明,黑云角闪片岩原岩锆石U-Pb年龄为217.1Ma,由黑云母³⁹Ar-⁴⁰Ar获得的变质年龄为22.3Ma,黑云母石英片岩中碎屑锆石主要为岩浆成因,年龄范围主要集中在520~600Ma和900~1100Ma,黑云母³⁹Ar-⁴⁰Ar变质年龄为16.3Ma和22.3Ma。上述结果虽不能完全否定西藏东南部察隅地区前寒武纪基底变质岩系的存在,但至少说明现今的德玛拉岩群中还包含有遭受中生代岩浆侵入的古生代沉积岩,它们在新生代经历了变质和岩浆作用的再造,是一套变质杂岩。     

Geochemistry and Rb-sr geochronology of associated proterozoic peralkaline and subalkaline anorogenic granites from Labrador

Anorogenic granites of middle to late Proterozoic age in the Davis Inlet — Flowers Bay area of Labrador are subdivided on the basis of petrology and geochemistry into three coeval suites. Two of these are high-temperature anhydrous hypersolvus granites: a peralkaline aegirine-sodic-calcic to sodic amphibole-bearing suite and a non-alkaline fayalite-pyroxene-bearing suite. The third is a group of non-alkaline subsolvus hornblende-biotite-bearing granites. Associated with the hypersolvus peralkaline suite is a group of genetically related syenites and quartz syenites. The granites cut ca. 3,000 Ma old Archaean gneisses as well as Elsonian layered basic intrusions of the Nain Complex. One of these, a crudely layered mass which ranges in composition from gabbro to diorite and monzonite, appears to be related to the syenites. The peralkaline granites and some of the syenites are extremely enriched in the high field-strength elements such as Y, Zr, Nd, as well as Rb, Ga and Zn, and have low abundances of Ba, Sr and most of the transition elements. In contrast, the non-alkaline hypersolvus and subsolvus granites do not show the same degree of enrichment. Concentration of the highly charged cations in the peralkaline suite is believed to be the result of halogen-rich fluid activity during fractionation of the magma. The sodic evolution trend in the peralkaline suite is reflected mineralogically by the development of aegirine and aegirine-hedenbergite solid solutions, and by a spectacular amphibole compositional range from katophorite through winchite, richterite, riebeckite to arfvedsonite and ferro eckermannite. Accessory phases which are ubiquitous in these rocks include aenigmatite, astrophyllite, fluorite, monazite and zircon. The non-alkaline hypersolvus granites typically contain iron-rich phases such as fayalite, eulite, ferrosilite-hedenbergite, and annite rich biotite. In the subsolvus granites, amphiboles range in composition from edenite through common hornblende to actinolite and also coexist with annite-rich biotite.Whole-rock and mineral isotopic data for the different suites yield isochrons that are within error of ca. 1,260 Ma, but they have variable initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of the syenites and peralkaline granites (0.7076±11) is significantly lower than the initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of the subsolvus granites (0.7138±22). These isotopic data provide further confirmation of the importance of a late Elsonian alkaline event in Labrador which can be correlated with Gardar igneous activity in south Greenland. The petrogenesis of the peralkaline suite is interpreted to reflect the effects of fractionation of anhydrous phases from mantle derived basic magma which was contaminated during ascent by radiogenic partial melts of crustal derivation. The non-alkaline hypersolvus and subsolvus granites are interpreted as crustal melts which formed under conditions of variable in response to the same thermal event, and which subsequently experienced feldspar fractionation during crystallization.     

Petrogenesis and evolution of late Mesozoic granitic magmatism in the Hohhot metamorphic core complex,Daqing Shan,North China

Late Mesozoic granitoid plutons of four distinct ages intrude the lower plate of the Hohhot metamorphic core complex along the northern margin of the North China craton. The plutons belong to two main groups: (1) Group I, deformed granitoids (148 and 140 Ma subgroups) with high Sr, LREE, and Na₂O, low Y and Yb contents, high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, weak or no Eu anomalies, low Rb/Ba ratios, similar initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.7064–0.7071) and low Mg^# (<37 mostly, 100?×?molar MgO/MgO + FeO _t ); (2) Group II, non-deformed granitoids (132 and 114 Ma subgroups) with low Sr, relatively low Na₂O, high Y and Yb contents, pronounced negative Eu anomalies, high Rb/Ba ratios, and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.7098–0.7161). The two groups share geochemical similarities in ?_Nd(t) (–11.3 to –15.4) and T _DM2 ages (1.85–2.18 thousand million years) as well as Hf isotopic ratios in zircons. Geochemical modelling (using the MELTS code) suggests that similar sources but different depths of magma generation produced the early, high-pressure low-Mg adakitic granitoids and late, low-pressure granitoids with A-type characteristics. The early granitoids likely represent a partially melted, deep-seated, thickened lower continental crust that involved a minor contribution from young materials, whereas the later group partially melted at shallower depths. This granitic magmatic evolution coincided with the tectonic transition from crustal contraction to extension.     

An isotopic study on the volcanics of the Rooiberg Group: age implications and a potential exploration tool

Many geochronological studies on silicic magmatic rocks associated with the Bushveld Complex (rhyolitic lavas of the Rooiberg Group and granites of the Lebowa Granite Suite) have shown evidence of open-system behaviour of the Rb-Sr and Pb-Pb isotopic systems until 1600–1000 Ma, many hundreds of million years after crystallisation of these rocks. This pervasive open-system behaviour has been attributed to sustained hydrothermal circulation driven by the high heat productivity of the Bushveld granites. New Sr and Pb isotopic data are presented for basaltic to rhyolitic volcanics from the Rooiberg Group of the Transvaal Sequence in the Dullstroom-Loskop Dam area of the eastern Transvaal. These data show little evidence of open-system behaviour after about 1950 Ma and many sample suites retain ages which could reflect the formation of the Rooiberg Group i.e. older than 2070 Ma. It is argued that this preservation is due to the absence of fractionated, fluid/vapour-rich Bushveld granites in the immediate vicinity of the volcanic occurrences. Rooiberg Group volcanics with extensively perturbed Rb-Sr and particularly Pb-Pb isotopic systems reflect the action of granite-derived hydrothermal fluids. As a consequence, the isotope systematics in these volcanics could prove a useful exploration tool for sites of granite-derived metal deposits.     

Circum-Caribbean Granitoids: Characteristics and Origin

Caribbean granitoids occur among a series of widespread magmatic arcs that developed during a period of major oceanic plate convergence and subduction that began in Late Cretaceous time. Evaluation of Caribbean granitoids reveals that two main suites of granitoids are widespread. Low-K granitoids, including gabbro, diorite, quartz diorite, tonalite, and trondhjemite, comprise one of these suites. The second main type is distinctly more potassic and consists primarily of quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite, but also includes monzodiorite, quartz monzonite, and granite. Both groups contain rocks that are transitional to the other group. The granitoids are part of an extensive Caribbean calc-alkaline assemblage that includes low-K, medium-K, and high-K rocks. Island-arc tholeiitic and normal-K calc-alkalic compositions reflect geochemical continua within the orogenic granitoids. The granitoids (including low-K rocks) lie within the calc-alkaline field on FeO^T/MgO and AFM diagrams. Alkali-lime indices generally correlate with potassium content, the low-K varieties being calcic (tholeiitic) and the higher K rocks being calc-alkalic.

Rare-earth-element concentrations range from fairly primitive compositions having flat patterns and abundances of ～10 to 30 times chondrites to more evolved types that show mild enrichment in the light rare earths and typically are normal calc-alkaline. Mean initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are commonly between 0.703 and 0.704. These low ratios are consistent with a mantle source in which assimilation of old sediments is not a factor. Limited isotopic and trace-element data suggest, instead, that the granitoids formed by partial melting in the mantle wedge and that at least some of the melting was accompanied by the addition of an aqueous fluid phase that was derived from the subducted oceanic plate.

Normative An-Ab-Or compositions are consistent with the presence of two groups of Caribbean granitoids. The group that is low in normative Or follows fractional crystallization vectors of parent magmas that typically are depleted in incompatible elements. The second group has higher normative Or and fractionates toward more enriched incompatible-element compositions. Normative compositions also indicate that there are temporal relations between the intrusive and extrusive rocks of Puerto Rico. Granitoids and lavas of Middle Cretaceous (125 to 100 Ma) and Early Tertiary (65 to 35 Ma) age are geochemically primitive types that display only limited degrees of mantle enrichment. In contrast, intrusive and extrusive rocks of Late Cretaceous age (100 to 65 Ma) show a wide range of incompatible-element concentrations, reflecting varying degrees of mantle enrichment.     

Structural geology of the Mesozoic Miers Bluff Formation and crosscutting Paleogene dikes (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) – Insights into the geodynamic history of the northern Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula has been part of a magmatic arc since at least Jurassic times. The South Shetland Islands archipelago forms part of this arc, but it was separated from the Peninsula following the Pliocene opening of the Bransfield Strait. Dikes are widespread throughout the archipelago and are particularly accessible on the Hurd Peninsula of Livingston Island. The host rocks for the dikes are represented by the Miers Bluff Formation, which forms the overturned limb of a large-scale fold oriented 63/23 NW. The orientation of minor structures indicates a fold axis oriented NNE–SSW (24/0). Structural analysis of the dikes and their host rocks shows that the tectonic regime was similar to other parts of the archipelago and that only minor changes of the stress field occurred during dike emplacement.Based on crosscutting field relationships and geochemical data, six early Paleocene to late Eocene intrusive events can be distinguished on Hurd Peninsula. In contrast to calc-alkaline dikes from other parts of the South Shetland Islands, the majority of the Hurd Peninsula dikes are of tholeiitic affinity. Nd and Pb isotope data indicate a significant crustal component, particularly during initial magmatic activity.Plagioclase ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and whole rock K–Ar ages show that dike emplacement peaked during the Lutetian (48.3 ± 1.5, 47.4 ± 2.1, 44.5 ± 1.8 and 43.3 ± 1.7 Ma) on Hurd Peninsula and also further northeast on King George Island. Dike intrusion continued on Livingston Island at least until the Priabonian (37.2 ± 0.9 Ma). The type of magma sources (mantle, slab, crust and sediment) did not change, though their relative magmatic contributions varied with time.During Cretaceous and Early Paleogene times, the Antarctic Peninsula including the South Shetland Islands was situated southwest of Patagonia; final separation from South America occurred not before the Eocene. Thus, the geological evolution of Livingston Island is related as much to the development of Patagonia as of Antarctica, and needs to be considered within the history of southernmost South America.     

Petrogenesis of mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) in the oligocene-miocene granitoid plutons from northwest Anatolia,Turkey

Mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) in host granitoids can provide important constraints on the deep magmatic processes. The Oligocene-Miocene granitoid plutons of the NW Anatolia contain abundant MMEs. This paper presents new hornblende Ar-Ar ages and whole-rock chemical and Sr-Nd isotope data of the MMEs from these granitic rocks. Petrographically, the MMEs are finer-grained than their host granites and contain the same minerals as their host rocks (amphibole + plagioclase + biotite + quartz + K-feldspar), but in different proportions. The Ar-Ar ages of the MMEs range from 27.9 ± 0.09 Ma to 19.3 ± 0.01 Ma and are within error of their respective host granitoids. The MMEs are metaluminous and calc-alkaline, similar to I-type granites. The Sr-Nd isotopes of MMEs are 0.7057 to 0.7101 for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and 0.5123 to 0.5125 for ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, and are similar to their respective host granitoids. These lithological, petrochemical and isotopic characteristics suggest that the MMEs in this present study represent chilled early formed cogenetic hydrous magmas produced during a period of post-collisional lithospheric extension in NW Anatolia. The parental magma for MMEs and host granitoids might be derived from partial melting of underplated mafic materials in a normally thickened lower crust in a post-collisional extensional environment beneath the NW Anatolia. Delamination or convective removal of lithospheric mantle generated asthenospheric upwelling, providing heat and magma to induce hydrous re-melting of underplated mafic materials in the lower crust.     

Neoproterozoic subductions and differential exhumation of western Hoggar (southwest Algeria): new structural, petrological and geochronological evidence

The western terranes exposed east of the Pan-African suture in western Hoggar (southwest Algeria), are reexamined in the light of new structural, petrologic and by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar laser probe data on metamorphic micas and amphiboles. To the north, the Tassendjanet nappe includes the Paleoproterozoic basement, its Mesoproterozoic cover and mafic rocks representing the roots of a ca. 680 Ma arc overlain by Late Neoproterozoic andesites and volcanic greywackes. The nappe preserved at rather shallow crustal level in the east was emplaced southward (D_1a) to southeastward (D₂). In the south, two metamorphic suites are distinguished. The Tideridjaouine–Tileouine high-pressure metamorphic belt (T=550–600 °C, P=1.4–1.8 GPa) represents a slab of subducted continental material exposed along the western edge of the In Ouzzal granulite unit interpreted as a microcontinent. Differential exhumation of tectonic slices from the high-pressure belt occurred around 615–600 Ma through a system of west-directed recumbent folds (D_1b). The Egatalis high grade belt in the west was intruded by syn-metamorphic gabbro–norite bodies. It includes unretrogressed low-pressure granulite facies rocks (T around 750–800 °C, P0.45 GPa) cooled at a rate of 15°/m.y. between 600 and 580 Ma, and followed by the emplacement of several late-kinematic granitic plutons. Final exhumation of the low-pressure, high-temperature metamorphic rocks, that are not found as pebbles in the molasse, took place in the Late Cambrian. The early and relatively fast cooling of the high-pressure and high-temperature metamorphic rocks of the southern part of the Tassendjanet terrane is at variance with the slow cooling of central Hoggar where repeated magmatic activity as young as Late Cambrian occurred [Lithos 45 (1998) 245].