Topaz–albite granites and rare-metal mineralization in the Limu District, Guangxi Province, southeast China

The topaz-albite granites of the Limu district are ultra-acidic, peraluminous, Li-F-Na-rich and Sn-Ta-Nb-mineralized. A distinct vertical zonation is developed in the granite stocks. There is an upward, systematic transition from leucocratic microcline-albite granite, through albite-microcline granite, topaz-albite granite, pegmatite stockscheider and layered pegmatite-aplite dikes, to K-feldspar-quartz veins and lepidolite-fluorite stringers in the country rocks. Snow-ball textures, homogeneous distribution of rock-forming and accessory minerals, disseminated mineralization, and melt inclusions in quartz, topaz, and albite are typical features indicative of their crystallization from the late stage Li-F-Na-rich and Sn-Ta-Nb-bearing residual granitic melts at a higher intrusion level. A comparison with rare-metal-bearing pegmatite, ongonite, topaz rhyolite and obsidian glass from other regions shows the worldwide existence of these specialized residual melts. Their emplacement and crystallization in a variety of geological environments result in the formation of a series of chemically similar rocks with different petrographic textures and mineral associations. The topaz-albite granites and associated mineralization in the Limu district provide a good example of highly evolved magmatic fractionation in the F-rich granite system and fluid/melt partitioning behavior of rare-metal elements during magmatic-hydrothermal evolution.     

The fluid regime of crystallization of water-saturated granitic and pegmatitic magmas: a physicochemical analysis

Miarolitic granite pegmatites are a unique natural object that makes it possible to study magmatic processes that lead to the formation of ore-forming media and systems. This paper summarizes modern views on phase transformations in aqueous silicate systems at parameters close to those of the transition from magmatic to hydrothermal crystallization. Comparison of phase diagrams and the results of study of pegmatite-forming media permits making conclusions about the crystallization of the water-saturated magmas of miarolitic granite pegmatites. The fluid regime of aqueous granite systems of simple composition, not enriched in fluxing components, is determined mainly by magma degassing or the supply of volatiles with flows of transmagmatic fluids. These processes cause the separation of essentially carbon dioxide or essentially hydrous fluid. During the evolution of such magmas, crystallization from silicate melt is separated in PT-space and, possibly, in time from the crystallization from aqueous or mixed carbon dioxide-aqueous super- and subcritical solutions. The evolution of chambers of water-saturated granitic and pegmatitic magma enriched in F, B, and alkali metals presupposes the formation of a heterogeneous mineral-forming medium in which crystallization occurs in the magmatic melt at high-temperature stages; as temperature decreases, crystallization can proceed in hydrous fluid, hydrosilicate, and/or hydrosaline liquids simultaneously. Hydrothermal crystallization can also take place in a heterogeneous medium consisting of aqueous solutions of different salinities and vapor or vapor-carbon dioxide gas mixture. The relationship between different fluid regimes during the evolution of volatile-saturated granitic and pegmatitic magmas determines the variety of postmagmatic rocks accompanying granite massifs.     

Significance of selective crystal entrainment and differential crystal-melt separation in petrogenesis of granites from the Tongbai orogen

Partial melting has been shown to be an important mechanism for intracrustal differentiation and granite petrogenesis. However, a series of compositional differences between granitic melt from experiments and natural granites indicate that the processes of crustal differentiation are complex. To shed light on factors that control the processes of crustal differentiation, and then the compositions of granitic magma, a combined study of petrology and geochemistry was carried out for granites (in the forms of granitic veins and parautochthonous granite) from a granulite terrane in the Tongbai orogen, China. These granites are characterized by high SiO₂ (>72 wt%) and low FeO and MgO (<4 wt%) with low Na₂O/K₂O ratios (<0.7). Minerals in these granites show variable microstructures and compositions. Phase equilibrium modelling using P–T pseudosections shows that neither anatectic melts nor fractionated melts match the compositions of the target granites, challenging the conventional paradigm that granites are the crystallized product of pure granitic melts. Based on the microstructural features of minerals in the granites, and a comparison of their compositions with crystallized minerals from anatectic melts and minerals in granulites, the minerals in these granitoids are considered to have three origins. The first is entrained garnets, which show comparable compositions with those in host granulites. The second is early crystallized mineral from melts, which include large plagioclase and K-feldspar (with high Ca contents) crystals as well as a part of biotite whose compositions can be reproduced by crystallization of the anatectic melts. The compositions of other minerals such as small grained plagioclase, K-feldspar and anorthoclase in the granites with low Ca contents are not well reconstructed, so they are considered as the third origin of crystallized products of fractionated melts. The results of mass balance calculation show that the compositions of these granites can be produced by mixing between different proportions of crystallized minerals and fractionated melts with variable amounts of entrained minerals. However, the calculated modal proportions of different crystallized minerals (plagioclase, K-feldspar, biotite and quartz) in the granites are significantly different from those predicted by melt crystallization modelling. Specifically, some rocks have lower modes of biotite and plagioclase, whereas others show lower K-feldspar modes than those produced by melt crystallization. This indicates that the crystallized minerals would be differentially separated from the primary magmas to form the evolved magmas that produce these granites. Therefore, the crystal entrainment and differential melt-crystal separation make important contributions to the composition of the target granites. Compared with leucogranites worldwide, the target granites show comparable compositions. As such, the leucogranites may form through the crystal fractionation of primary granitic magmas at different extents in addition to variable degrees of partial melting.     

The role of extensional tectonics at different crustal levels on granite ascent and emplacement: an example from Tuscany (Italy)

The role of regional extension on the rise and emplacement of granites in the crust is still debated. Pluton ascent and emplacement widely occurred in Tuscany (Italy) since late Miocene during the post-orogenic collapse of the inner Apennines, and are presently occurring in the geothermal areas of Amiata and Larderello. Tuscany offers a preferred test site to study the role of regional extension on pluton ascent and emplacement at different crustal levels. Ductile extension enhanced the segregation and ascent of granitic melts in the lower crust, controlling pluton emplacement in correspondence with the brittle–ductile transition. In the brittle crust, magma ascent occurred through subvertical faults and fractures compatible with the regional extension direction; pluton emplacement mainly occurred by means of roof lifting. The case of Tuscany suggests that the extensional structures enhance melt segregation and ascent in the ductile crust, but are not efficient alone to provide a pathway for the ascent of granitic magmas in the brittle-extending crust. The estimated magmatic strain rates due to pluton emplacement in the geothermal areas are much larger than the regional tectonic strain rates. This suggests that regional tectonics did not control magma emplacement in the brittle crust and explains why nontectonic processes (roof lifting) accommodated the space required for pluton emplacement.     

The role of discontinuous magma inputs in felsic magma and ore generation

For a long time, granites have been considered as passive bodies ascending under intrinsic negative density and viscosity contrasts with their host rocks. Chemical variations within a granitic body resulted from in situ differentiation and crystal fractionation. Since the mid 1980s, this global view has been significantly modified by (i) shifting melting from water-saturated conditions to fluid-absent reactions, (ii) increasing the role played by the mantle during granite generation, (iii) reassessing the rheology of partially molten rocks, (iv) demonstrating stepwise segregation and ascent of magmas by analogue and numerical models, (v) combining structural, geophysical and geochemical studies to reveal the internal structures in granitic plutons. It results that a granitic body is built up by a discontinuous accumulation of successive magma intrusions. The discontinuous nature of magma emplacement has also significant consequences for its ability to generate ore. The processes that lead to ore deposits are examined, with a brief review of the magmatic and fluid phases that concentrate ore forming elements. Examples are taken from crustal-derived granites and porphyry-type deposits. Those are considered as the two end-members of magmatic and hydrothermal ore deposits. The source characteristics of the magma, the emplacement mechanisms and magma mixing processes are the frame that controls the potential to carry base metals with the magma. The distribution of elements is controlled by diffusion, partition between minerals and melt, solubility and redox conditions. Variations of those parameters are examined by considering their activation energy which controls the exponential dependence with temperature. A characteristic length depending on the activation energy, temperature variation and time is estimated for a characteristic time lag of 30 ka. The intrusion of a magma into a magma chamber of similar composition, hence temperature, has few effects on diffusion, partition coefficient and redox conditions, because of a too low temperature contrast. The intrusion of a mafic magma into a felsic one induces a variation of 300 °C in both magmas. The characteristic length of diffusion may vary by up to two orders of magnitude, whereas the variation of partition coefficients is only one order of magnitude. The redox conditions are about 2.5 log unit in the mafic magma, but they can vary by 7 log units in the felsic magma. Hence, a strong decrease in δD values is observed in porphyry-type deposits. The effect is a removal of the elements with higher activation energy (W, Sn, Zr) from the mafic to the felsic magma. Deformation during the late stages of emplacement also controls ore formation.     

华北东部晚中生代区域伸展背景下同构造花岗岩体的起源与就位

花岗质岩浆的起源、迁移及就位是研究大陆岩石圈流变学特性的重要方面。然而,板内伸展背景下同构造花岗岩体的岩浆来源、就位机制和岩浆流动与区域应力场的关系等问题缺乏系统性的总结。晚中生代期间华北板块东部逐渐变为区域伸展体制,同时中浅部地壳形成一系列的韧性剪切带、变质核杂岩和拆离断层,这些伸展构造往往伴有同剪切变形的花岗岩体。因此,华北东部是系统研究板内伸展背景下同构造花岗岩体的最佳区域。本文选取多个典型的同构造花岗岩体,进行综合分析。通过归纳总结这些同构造岩体的岩石地球化学和年代学资料,发现多数同构造岩体具有多个岩浆源区,且较早就位的中性岩席(单元)往往来自壳幔混合岩浆或新生下地壳的部分熔融,而较晚的酸性岩席(单元)则主要来源于古老下地壳的部分熔融。这一特点反映了同伸展岩体岩浆源区由深至浅的演化规律,也揭示了区域伸展背景下源自地幔的流体和热量是触发地壳部分熔融的重要因素。通过分析岩浆就位过程中围岩和岩体中形成的定向及变形组构,发现华北东部同伸展岩体的就位模式可分为三大类:以扁平岩床或岩基形式就位于中部地壳的水平韧性剪切带内;岩浆以近直立运移的方式形成长轴平行拆离断层的岩基,就位于变质核杂岩核部或拆离断层下盘;岩浆就位于再活化的先存断裂,通过膨胀作用、挤压围岩获得就位空间并使围岩变形,形成类似底辟作用的就位方式。剪切应力和浮力是影响岩浆运移方向的重要力学参数。岩浆自源区上升的过程中浮力起着主要控制作用,就位于韧性剪切带时剪切应力起着控制作用,就位于浅部地壳的脆-韧性过渡带时浮力的作用再次凸显。     

Chronological and genetic relationships between intrusive rocks of the Berdyaush pluton,South Urals,in light of new U-Pb and Sm-Nd isotopic data

Geological observations in combination with previously published and new isotopic data allowed us to reconstruct the history of geological events that eventually gave rise to the formation of the Berdyaush pluton situated on the western slope of the South Urals: (1) emplacement of gabbro into Lower Riphean sedimentary rocks (1410–1390 Ma); an enriched mantle source of gabbro arising in the Archean or Paleoproterozoic; (2) formation of granitic melt in the lower crust; Archean TTG association subsequently enriched in K and correlative elements as a result of interaction with enriched mantle-derived magmas and related fluids was a magma source; mixing of mantle and crustal magmas in the course of their synchronous ascent with formation of hybrid intrusive rocks; injections of mafic and hybrid melts into incompletely solidified granite; fragmentation of such injections with the formation of melanocratic nodules; emplacement of basic dikes into the cooled granite—all these events took place 1410–1360 Ma ago; (3) discrete episodes of partial melting of enriched mantle source with waning intensity; formation of minor volumes of melt, which solidified under auto- and paraautochthonous conditions as local domains highly enriched in incompatible elements (1360–1270 Ma); (4) partial melting of those domains resulting in the formation of minor nepheline syenite intrusions (915–800 Ma), containing relict zircon grains dated at >1270 Ma; (5) injections of mantle-derived alkaline melt contaminated with crustal granitic material as microsyenite and syenite porphyry dikes (700–500 Ma ?). Thus, the Berdyaush pluton is a projection of a local domain of mantle and crustal magma generation, which periodically resumed its activity over almost a billion years.     

Formation by silicate–fluoride + phosphate melt immiscibility of REE-rich globular segregations within aplite dikes

Aplite dikes intruding the Proterozoic 1.42(±?3) Ga Longs Peak-St. Vrain Silver Plume-type peraluminous granite near Jamestown, Colorado, contain F, P, and rare earth element (REE)-rich globular segregations, with 40–46% REE, 3.7–4.8 wt% P₂O₅, and 5–8 wt% F. A combination of textural features and geochemical data suggest that the aplite and REE-rich globular segregations co-existed as two co-genetic liquids prior to their crystallization, and we propose that they are formed by silicate–fluoride?+?phosphate (+?S?+?CO₂) melt immiscibility following ascent, cooling, and decompression of what was initially a single homogeneous magma that intruded the granite. The REE distribution coefficients between the silica-rich aplites and REE-rich segregations are in good agreement with experimentally determined distribution coefficients for immiscible silicate–fluoride?+?phosphate melts. Although monazite-(Ce) and uraninite U–Th–Pb microprobe ages for the segregations yield 1.420(±?25) and 1.442(±?8) Ga, respectively, thus suggesting a co-genetic relationship with their host granite, ε_Nd1.42Ga values for the granites and related granitic pegmatites range from ??3.3 to ??4.7 (average ??3.9), and differ from the values for both the aplites and REE-rich segregations, which range from ??1.0 to ??2.2 (average ??1.6). Furthermore, the granites and pegmatites have (La/Yb)_N <50 with significant negative Eu anomalies, which contrast with higher (La/Yb)_N >100 and absence of an Eu anomaly in both the aplites and segregations. These data are consistent with the aplite dikes and the REE-rich segregations they contain being co-genetic, but derived from a source different from that of the granite. The higher ε_Nd1.42Ga values for the aplites and REE-rich segregations suggest that the magma from which they separated had a more mafic and deeper, dryer and hotter source in the lower crust or upper mantle compared to the quartzo-feldspathic upper crustal source proposed for the Longs Peak-St. Vrain granite.     

Contrasting styles of Sn-W mineralisation in peninsular Thailand and SW England

The Sn-W deposits of SW England and SE Asia are associated with crustally derived granitic rocks with late volatile-enriched (F, Li, B, P) differentiates. In peninsular Thailand, primary ores are principally pegmatitic, and hydrothermal vein systems are only locally important. In SW England, wolframite and cassiterite mainly occur in hydrothermal vein systems, and are associated with greisening and tourmalinisation; mineralised pegmatites are rare. These two styles of mineralisation are thought to arise because of differences in the character of late magmatic processes. In peninsular Thailand, late-stage tourmaline-bearing granitic rocks are enriched in B, but not Li and F, compared to earlier biotite granites. Similar late-stage granitic rocks occur also in SW England, but a later topaz granite, enriched in F, Li and P, also occurs. The Thai pegmatitic Sn-W deposits are thought to have formed by late magmatic crystallisation from an aqueous phase enriched in metals and derived by exsolution from a B and metal-rich magma, whereas the SW England mineralisation involved essentially post-magmatic hydrothermal processes. Complexing agents (especially F) and metals may have been derived from granitic or country rocks during hydrothermal circulation at the current level of emplacement.     

Magnetic fabric and emplacement of the post-collisional Pomovaara Granite Complex in northern Fennoscandia

The Proterozoic Pomovaara Granite Complex in northern Finland comprises three separate highly magnetic granite stocks. They are discordant, apparently unfoliated and according to isotope data, a significant Archaean component characterizes the source of these granites. The three stocks are aligned in an array parallel to major trans-crustal faults as interpreted from both aeromagnetic and gravity data. Their younger age of 1.8 Ga, compared to the main tectonic events at 1.9 Ga in northern Fennoscandia, indicates their post-collisional nature with respect to these events. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was studied together with magnetic, gravity and geological data in order to assess the emplacement mechanisms of the Pomovaara Granite Complex, and the possible tectonic control of fault systems on the ascent and emplacement of granitic magma. The orientation of magnetic fabrics within the granite stocks indicates that the direction of the original magma upwelling was from the SW, parallel to the major fault zones that controlled, at the crustal scale, the ascent of granite magmas. The predominant NW–SE orientations of the minimum magnetic axes of the magnetic ellipsoid and the elongate shapes of the stocks indicate compression normal to the deep fault trend during the crystallization of the granite magma.     

河南桐柏老湾花岗岩岩浆动力学与成矿

基于岩浆岩岩石学、流体动力学、热力学研究。本文计算了河南桐伯老湾花岗岩岩浆过程的上升速度、冷凝速度及岩浆熔体的密度、粘度、含水量等物理参数，探讨了熔体中晶体的成核密度和生长速度以及岩浆对流形式等动力学行为，并分析了它们与成矿作用的联系。研究表明，老湾花岗岩岩浆含水量为4．76％，在侵位的温度和压力下是饱和的，较高的水含量有利于矿化。老湾花岗岩熔体上升较快而冷却缓慢，晶体成核密度和生长速度较低，以挥发分为迁移形式的成分对流是熔体中成矿物质迁移、富集的主要方式。老湾花岗岩特殊的岩浆物理性质和动力学行为指示其岩浆作用与老湾金矿床的形成具有密切的成因联系。     

湖南瑶岗仙复式花岗岩岩石成因及与钨成矿关系

瑶岗仙复式花岗岩体位于南岭复杂构造带北端,赋存着大型瑶岗仙钨矿床。瑶岗仙花岗岩高硅、富碱,属于高钾钙碱性系列,为分异的S型花岗岩。系统的单颗粒锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb同位素年龄测定表明,瑶岗仙复式花岗岩体有多期成岩事件,分别为:170Ma形成的粗粒二云母花岗岩,162Ma形成的中细粒二云母花岗岩,157Ma形成的细粒白云母花岗岩,表明花岗质岩浆经历了多期脉动侵位。元素地球化学及Sr-Nd同位素特征表明,瑶岗仙花岗岩成岩物质来源于古元古代的泥质岩。瑶岗仙花岗岩成岩年龄为170~157Ma,处于燕山期陆内伸展-减薄的构造环境。瑶岗仙花岗岩的成岩事件与钨矿床成矿事件在时空上高度吻合,花岗岩岩浆经历了高度分离结晶并产生富挥发分的流体,表明花岗岩可能为岩浆期后热液阶段成矿作用提供了原始流体和物质来源。     

Petrogenesis of the Concordia Granite Gneiss and its relation to WMo mineralization in western Namaqualand, South Africa

The 1.1 Ga Concordia Granite Gneiss (CGG) is part of the late to postorogenic Spektakel Suite in the western Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex, South Africa. It intruded synkinematically, with respect to the main (D2) deformation event, into lower to middle crustal rocks and granite emplacement was more or less coeval with the peak of granulite-facies metamorphism ( > 800°C, 5 kbar). Several genetically related rock types, megacrystic garnet-bearing granite, minor aplitic leucogranites and pegmatites are distinguished. All varieties are SiO₂-rich (69–79 wt.%) peraluminous granites and show subalkaline-monzonitic magma characteristics. Geochemical differences in whole-rock chemistry between megacrystic granite and aplitic leucogranites (e.g., lower Al₂O₃, MgO, CaO, Ba, Zr; higher K₂O, Rb, Nb, W, Rb/Sr, Ga/Al) and the decrease of e.g., CaO, MgO, Fe₂O₃, Ba, Zr, Th/U with increasing SiO₂ in the megacrystic granites as well as the variation in Fe/Mn of magmatic garnets are best explained with crystal fractionation processes. Fractional crystallization of plagioclase produced potassium- and silica-rich residual melts characterised by very high Rb/Sr, Rb/Ba, U/Th, Mn/Fe ratios and higher concentration of W, Cu and Zn. Crystal fractionation processes also resulted in a relative LREE depletion and HREE enrichment (megacrystic granite: La/Lu)_cn = 8.87−31.67; aplitic leucogranite and pegmatites: La/Lu)_cn = 0.71−1.44) and evolution of pronounced negative Eu-anomalies. The crystallization sequence (near-solidus crystallization of biotite prior to alkali feldspar) suggests that the CGG magmas were H₂O-undersaturated over a long period of their evolution. Water saturation during late-stage crystallization is, however, indicated by coarse late-stage eutectic mineral textures, pegmatites and WMo-bearing siliceous rocks. Furthermore the economic potential of the CGG is supported by its geochemical signature (e.g., high U, Th contents) which is similar to evolved high heat production (HHP) granites. The granitic magmas are attributed to partial melting of peraluminous crustal source rocks and are tentatively interpreted as fractionated S-type granites. The WMo deposits represent vein-type and pegmatitic deposits genetically related to a deep-seated granitic system.     

Magmatic evolution of Li–F, rare-metal granites: a case study of melt inclusions in the Khangilay complex, Eastern Transbaikalia (Russia)

We report compositions of homogenized quartz-hosted melt inclusions from a layered sequence of Li-, F-rich granites in the Khangilay complex that document the range of melt evolution from barren biotite granites to Ta-rich, lepidolite–amazonite–albite granites. The melt inclusions are crystalline at room temperature and were homogenized in a rapid-quench hydrothermal apparatus at 200 MPa before analysis. Homogenization runs determined solidus temperatures near 550 °C and full homogenization between 650 and 750 °C. The compositions of inclusions, determined by electron microprobe and Raman spectroscopy (for H₂O), show regular overall trends of increasing differentiation from the least-evolved Khangilay units to apical units in the Orlovka intrusion. Total volatile contents in the most-evolved melts reach over 11 wt.% (H₂O: 8.6 wt.%, F: 1.6 wt.%, B₂O₃: 1.5 wt.%). Concentrations of Rb range from about 1000 to 3600 ppm but other trace elements could not be measured reliably by electron microprobe. The resulting trends of melt evolution are similar to those described by the whole-rock samples, despite petrographic evidence for albite- and mica-rich segregations previously taken as evidence for post-magmatic metasomatism.

Melt variation trends in most samples are consistent with fractional crystallization as the main process of magma evolution and residual melt compositions plot at the granite minimum in the normative Qz–Ab–Or system. However, melts trapped in the highly evolved pegmatitic samples from Orlovka deviate from the minimum melt composition and show compositional variations in Al, Na and K that requires a different explanation. We suggest that unmixing of the late-stage residual melt into an aluminosilicate melt and a salt-rich dense aqueous fluid (hydrosaline melt) occurred. Experimental data show the effectiveness of this process to separate K (aluminosilicate melt) from Na (hydrosaline melt) and high mobility of the latter due to its low viscosity and relatively low density may explain local zones of albitization in the upper parts of the granite.     

Diapiric emplacement in the upper crust of a granitic body: the La Bazana granite (SW Spain)

The ascent and emplacement of granites in the upper crust is a major geological phenomenon accomplished by a number of different processes. The active processes determine the final geometry of the bodies and, in some favourable cases, the inverse problem of deducing mechanisms can be undertaken by relying on the geometry of plutons. This is the case of the La Bazana granitic pluton, a small Variscan igneous body that intruded Cambrian rocks of the Ossa-Morena Zone (SW Iberian Massif) in the core of a large late upright antiform. The granite shows no appreciable solid-state deformation, but has a late magmatic foliation whose orientation, derived from field observations, defines a gentle dome. The regional attitude of the main foliation in the country rock (parallel to the axial plane of recumbent folds) is NW–SE, but just around the granite, it accommodates to the dome shape of the pluton. Flattening in the host rock on top of the granite is indicated by boudinaged and folded veins, and appears to be caused by an upward pushing of the magma during its emplacement. The dome-shaped foliation of the granite, geometrically and kinematically congruent with the flattening in the host rock, can be related in the same way to the upward pushing of the magma. The level of final emplacement was deduced from the mineral associations in the thermal aureole to be of 7–10 km in depth. Models of the gravity anomaly related to the granite body show that the granite has a teardrop–pipe shape enlarged at its top. Diapiric ascent of the magma through the lower middle crust is inferred until reaching a high viscous level, where final emplacement accompanied by lateral expansion and vertical flattening took place. This natural example suggests that diapirism may be a viable mechanism for migration and emplacement of magmas, at least up to 7–10 km in depth, and it provides natural evidence for theoretical discussion on the ability of magmatic diapirs to pierce the crust.     

近代花岗岩研究的回顾

近代花岗岩实验和地球化学的研究使花岗岩研究走向一个最终成因和在地构造环境变迁结合的动力学方向。     

Zr/Hf ratio as an indicator of fractionation of rare-metal granites by the example of the Kukulbei complex,eastern Transbaikalia

The concept of granitic melt fractionation as the main process in the concentration of rare elements in granites calls for the development of a reliable method to determine the evolutionary sequences of granite series. We propose to use for this purpose a zirconium-hafnium indicator, the Zr/Hf weight ratio in granitic rocks (Zaraisky et al., 1999, 2000). By the example of three classic regions of rare-metal deposits, eastern Transbaikalia, central Kazakhstan, and Erzgebirge (Czech Republic and Germany), it was empirically shown that the Zr/Hf ratio of granites decreases during the fractional crystallization of granite magmas in the sequence granodiorite → biotite granite → leucogranite → lithium-fluorine granite. The reason is the higher affinity of Hf compared with Zr to a granite melt. This implies that the crystallization and settling of accessory zircon will cause the progressive enrichment of Hf relative to Zr in the residual melt. As a result, the Zr/Hf ratio decreases regularly in the series of sequential phases of granite intrusion related to a single magma chamber from granodiorite to biotite granite, leucogranite, and Li-F granite (from 45-30 to 10-2). Our experimental investigations supported the preferential enrichment of haplogranite melt in Hf and zircon crystals in equilibrium with melt in Zr (T= 800°C and P = 1 kbar). The Zr/Hf indicator was tested by the example of the wellknown Kukulbei rare-metal granite complex of eastern Transbaikalia (J3), which is unique in the degree of fractionation of initial granite melt with the formation of three phases of granite emplacement and vein derivatives. An important feature of the complex is its “short” differentiation trend. It was supposed that the granite magma of the first phase is parental, and the later phases forming small intrusive bodies in large massifs of biotite granites of the first phase are sequential products of its crystallization differentiation in a magma chamber. The biotite granites of the first phase are barren. The leucocratic granites of the second phase are accompanied by tin-tungsten greisen deposits (e.g., Spokoininskoe), and the upper part of cupola-like stocks of Li-F amazonite granites of the third phase host apogranite-type tantalum deposits (Orlovka, Etyka, and Achikan). In addition to three granite phases, the Kukulbei complex includes dikes of ongonites, elvans, amazonite granites, and chamber miarolitic pegmatites. All of the granitic rocks of the complex have similar isotopic ages of 142± 0.6 Ma. The Zr/Hf ratio decreases systematically from phase 1 (40–25), to phase 2 (20–10), and phase 3 (10–2). The ongonites, elvans, and pegmatites have similar Zr/Hf ratios (15-5), falling between the ranges of leucocratic muscovite granites and Li-F granites. Compared with other granite series, the granitic rocks of the Kukulbei complex show specific petrographic and geochemical features: they are strongly enriched in Rb, Li, Cs, Be, Sn, W, Mo, Ta, Nb, Bi, and F but depleted in Mg, Ca, Fe, Ti, P, Sr, Ba, V, Co, Ni, Cr, Zr, REE, and Y. From the early to late intrusion phases, the degree of enrichment and depletion in these element groups increases regularly. This is accompanied by a significant decrease (from 40 to 2) in Zr/Hf, which can be used as a reliable indicator of genetic relations, degree of fractionation, and rare-metal potential of granites. Granites with Zr/Hf values lower than 25 are promising for prospecting for Sn, W, Mo, and Be greisen deposits, whereas the formation of Ta deposits requires Zr/Hf values lower than 10.     

Should felsic magmas be considered as tectonic objects,just like faults or folds?

Integrated studies that correlate gravity data with magmatic structures or geochemical analysis reveal that the organization of granitic plutons (shape and feeder) varies according to the tectonic regime (brittle or ductile) and type (extension, strike-slip or compression) under which magma was generated. Deformation clearly controls granite emplacement. It also has influence during the ascent, segregation of melt and indirectly during the phase of initial melting. Because of the contrast of viscosity between melt and its plastic matrix, strain partitioning develops during magma ascent that facilitates melt flow, which bears consequences for the chemical evolution of the magma. Fast rate of melt extraction out of the source may lead to chemical disequilibrium. At a larger scale, petrochemical zoning of plutons is described as a dynamic process that results from the competition between the rate of magma emplacement (the rate of the room provided by deformation) and the rate of magma delivery.     

The Petrological and Geochemical Evolution of Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granites from the Jabal Aja Complex, Northern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

New fieldwork, mineralogical and geochemical data and interpretations are presented for the rare-metal bearing A-type granites of the Aja intrusive complex(AIC) in the northern segment of the Arabian Shield. This complex is characterized by discontinuous ring-shaped outcrops cut by later faulting. The A-type rocks of the AIC are late Neoproterozoic post-collisional granites, including alkali feldspar granite, alkaline granite and peralkaline granite. They represent the outer zones of the AIC, surrounding a core of older rocks including monzogranite, syenogranite and granophyre granite. The sharp contacts between A-type granites of the outer zone and the different granitic rocks of the inner zone suggest that the AIC was emplaced as different phases over a time interval, following complete crystallization of earlier batches. The A-type granites represent the late intrusive phases of the AIC, which were emplaced during tectonic extension, as shown by the emplacement of dykes synchronous with the granite emplacement and the presence of cataclastic features. The A-type granites consist of K-feldspars, quartz, albite, amphiboles and sodic pyroxene with a wide variety of accessory minerals, including Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, allanite, fluorite, monazite, titanite, apatite, columbite, xenotime and epidote. They are highly evolved(71.3–75.8 wt% SiO_2) and display the typical geochemical characteristics of post-collisional, within-plate granites. They are rare-metal granites enriched in total alkalis, Nb, Zr, Y, Ga, Ta, REE with low CaO, MgO, Ba, and Sr. Eu-negative anomalies(Eu/Eu* = 0.17–0.37) of the A-type granites reflect extreme magmatic fractionation and perhaps the effects of late fluid-rock interactions. The chemical characteristics indicate that the A-type granites of the AIC represent products of extreme fractional crystallization involving alkali feldspar, quartz and, to a lesser extent, ferromagnesian minerals. The parent magma was derived from the partial melting of a juvenile crustal protolith with a mantle contribution. Accumulation of residual volatile-rich melt and exsolved fluids in the late stage of the magma evolution produced pegmatite and quartz veins that cut the peripheries of the AIC. Post-magmatic alteration related to the final stages of the evolution of the A-type granitic magma, indicated by alterations of sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene, hematitization and partial albitization.     

Metasomatic transformations of carbonate rocks observable in quarries of Riverside, California, United States

The results of skarn-forming processes at contacts of the multiphase Southern California Batholith with carbonate rocks accessible to study in quarries in Riverside, California, involve prograde metasomatic transformations of marmorized dolomites and calcareous rocks in contact with granitic melts and contaminated magmas. The processes of contact assimilation are proved to have been controlled by the emplacement of granitic melts overheated relative to subliquidus melts (with the overheated melts prone to approach the composition of granodiorite, syenite, and gabbro) into skarnified marbles. The degree of magma overheating was evaluated based on G.F. Smith’s data on linear melting temperature variations for anhydrous intrusive rocks with various SiO₂ concentrations (<750°C for granites and >1100°C for contaminated rocks, ΔT 350°). This corresponds to the thermal regime of the development of mineralogically contrasting hypabyssal skarn aureoles: magnesian at contacts with granite magmas and calcic at contacts with melts of high basicity. The peripheral parts of the aureoles ubiquitously contain preserved zones of forsterite calciphyres and periclase marbles, whereas skarns at mafic intrusions consist of high-temperature silicates of decreasing Mg contents: monticellite, merwinite, melilite, and spurrite. Prograde and retrograde mineralforming processes in the metasomatic rocks and their facies affiliation are analyzed, and the chemical composition of the minerals are examined. The Riverside skarn aureoles are compared with other compositionally contrasting skarn aureoles that developed in contacts with granite magmas and melts of increasing basisity.