Gold mineralization patterns in relation to the lithologic and tectonic evolution of the Chibougamau mining district,Quebec, Canada

The Chibougamau mining camp, a major gold producer, has so far produced a total of 1,050 mt of gold at an average grade of 1.85 g/tonne. In contrast to a general tendency to group the deposits as vein type with varying compositions, this paper demonstrates the strong influence of regional lithologic and tectonic evolution of the area on the gold mineralization patterns. A syn-volcanic period of mineralization comprises both the volcanogenic massive sulphide and disseminated mineralization, and the subsequent epithermal mineralization. The latter is also associated with evolving volcanic landforms and syn-volcanic intrusions. The emplacement of the typical Archean lode-gold deposits and later Cu-Au deposits of uncertain origin coincides with the syn-deformational (Kenoran) period. The spatial relationship between the east-west-trending shear zones and a north-east-trending fault system is shown to be a possible mechanism for generating added dilatancy during the gold mineralizing phase. A late-to-post Kenoran shear system controlled the emplacement of the last major phase of gold mineralization within a stratiform intrusion.     

Large-scale melt-depletion in granulite terranes: an example from the Archean Ashuanipi Subprovince of Quebec

This study uses field, petrographic and geochemical methods to estimate how much granitic melt was formed and extracted from a granulite facies terrane, and to determine what the grain‐ and outcrop‐scale melt‐flow paths were during the melt segregation process. The Ashuanipi subprovince, located in the north‐eastern Superior Province of Quebec, is a large (90 000 km²) metasedimentary terrane, in which > 85% of the metasediments are of metagreywacke composition, that was metamorphosed at mid‐crustal conditions (820–900 °C and 6–7 kbar) in a late Archean dextral, transpressive orogen. Decrease in modal biotite and quartz as orthopyroxene and plagioclase contents increase, together with preserved former melt textures indicate that anatexis was by the biotite dehydration reaction: biotite + quartz + plagioclase = melt + orthopyroxene + oxides. Using melt/orthopyroxene ratios for this reaction derived from experimental studies, the modal orthopyroxene contents indicate that the metagreywacke rocks underwent an average of 31 vol% partial melting. The metagreywackes are enriched in MgO, CaO and FeO_t and depleted in SiO₂, K₂O, Rb, Cs, and U, have lower Rb/Sr, higher Rb/Cs and Th/U ratios and positive Eu anomalies compared to their likely protolith. These compositions are modelled by the extraction of between 20 and 40 wt %, granitic melt from typical Archean low‐grade metagreywackes. A simple mass balance indicates that about 640 000 km³ of granitic melt was extracted from the depleted granulites. The distribution of relict melt at thin section‐ and outcrop‐scales indicates that in layers without leucosomes melt extraction occurred by a pervasive grain boundary (porous) flow from the site of melting, across the layers and into bedding planes between adjacent layers. In other rocks pervasive grain boundary flow of melt occurred along the layers for a few, to tens of centimetres followed by channelled flow of melt in a network of short interconnected and structurally controlled conduits, visible as the net‐like array of leucosomes in some outcrops. The leucosomes contain very little residual material (< 5% biotite + orthopyroxene) indicating that the melt fraction was well separated from the residuum left in situ as melt‐depleted granulite. Only 1–3 vol percentage melt remained in the melt‐depleted granulites, hence, the extraction of melt generated by biotite dehydration melting in these granulites, was virtually complete under conditions of natural melting and strain rates in a contractional orogen.     

Enrichment of Rare Earth Elements during magmatic and post-magmatic processes: a case study from the Loch Loyal Syenite Complex, northern Scotland

Concern about security of supply of critical elements used in new technologies, such as the Rare Earth Elements (REE), means that it is increasingly important to understand the processes by which they are enriched in crustal settings. High REE contents are found in syenite-dominated alkaline complexes intruded along the Moine Thrust Zone, a major collisional zone in north-west Scotland. The most northerly of these is the Loch Loyal Syenite Complex, which comprises three separate intrusions. One of these, the Cnoc nan Cuilean intrusion, contains two mappable zones: a Mixed Syenite Zone in which mafic melasyenite is mixed and mingled with leucosyenite and a Massive Leucosyenite Zone. Within the Mixed Syenite Zone, hydrothermal activity is evident in the form of narrow altered veins dominated by biotite and magnetite; these are poorly exposed and their lateral extent is uncertain. The REE mineral allanite is relatively abundant in the melasyenite and is extremely enriched in the biotite–magnetite veins, which have up to 2 % total rare earth oxides in bulk rock analyses. An overall model for development of this intrusion can be divided into three episodes: (1) generation of a Light Rare Earth Element (LREE)-enriched parental magma due to enrichment of the mantle source by subduction of pelagic carbonates; (2) early crystallisation of allanite in melasyenite, due to the saturation of the magma in the LREE; and (3) hydrothermal alteration, in three different episodes identified by petrography and mineral chemistry, generating the intense enrichment of REE in the biotite–magnetite veins. Dating of allanite and titanite in the biotite–magnetite veins gives ages of c. 426 Ma, overlapping with previously published crystallisation ages for zircon in the syenite.     

鲁西蒙阴地区含金刚石金伯利岩的岩浆侵入序列及成矿模式

鲁西蒙阴地区是我国金刚石原生矿重要产地之一,其含金刚石金伯利岩命名为常马庄单元。本文对该区金伯利岩地质特征进行了梳理,按岩石命名原则对该地区含金刚石金伯利岩不同岩石类型进行了重新划分和命名,共划分了细斑微粒金伯利玢岩类、粗斑细微粒金伯利玢岩类和含碎屑细斑或中细斑微粒金伯利玢岩类3个岩石类型和13个亚类型,同时首次从早至晚划分了细斑微粒金伯利玢岩类→含围岩角砾中细斑微粒金伯利玢岩类→粗斑细微粒金伯利玢岩类的侵入序列。通过对前人研究资料的综合分析并结合野外实地考察认为:以前套用南非金伯利岩型金刚石原生矿中心式火山喷发型成矿模式作为蒙阴地区含金刚石金伯利岩的成矿模式不符合该区实际地质特征。提出了该区金刚石金伯利岩新的成矿模式为中心式—裂隙式复合潜火山隐爆岩浆序次侵入充填型岩浆侵入角砾岩筒及其伴生的岩脉、岩床模型。     

Sources of continental magmatism adjacent to the late Archean Kolar Suture Zone,south India: distinct isotopic and elemental signatures of two late Archean magmatic series

 Conspicuous Nd, Sr and Pb isotopic differences exist between the Archean gneiss terranes adjoining the suture at the Kolar Schist Belt, south India. These gneisses, which are the deformed equivalents of plutonic and volcanic rocks, have known or inferred igneous ages of 2630 to 2530 Ma. Initial isotopic ratios of Nd, Sr and Pb suggest that metaplutonic gneisses west of the Kolar Schist Belt were emplaced into, and variably contaminated by, an evolved continental crust that formed prior to 3200 Ma. Felsic metaigneous gneisses that occur as slivers on the western margin of the schist belt have an isotopic character similar to that of the metaplutonic rocks on the same side of the Kolar Schist Belt. On the east side of the Kolar Schist Belt the isotopic evidence suggests that the 2530 Ma granitic gneisses were not derived from or contaminated by an older continental crust. Their source probably evolved with a Nd isotopic composition similar to that of typical Archean mantle, but became light rare earth element enriched after 2900 to 2700 Ma. The inferred tectonic setting for the west side of the Kolar Schist Belt is an Andean continental magmatic arc. For the east side of the Kolar Schist Belt, a possible Phanerozoic analog is an evolved island arc, such as Japan. Received: 24 June 1994/Accepted: 9 January 1995     

Geochemistry of ultramafic and calc-llkaline lamprophyres from the Lac Shortt area,Quebec

Summary Petrographic and geochemical data are presented for the Lac Shortt lamprophyre dyke swarm. The primary mineralogy in all samples has been largely destroyed either by alteration at the time of emplacement or by subsequent metamorphism. Most of the dykes are ultramafic lamprophyres. Extended trace element plots (ETP) for these dykes feature a characteristic double dome pattern, with one dome extending between Sr and Zr and the other between Zr and Yb. One ultramafic dyke was selected for detailed study. The ETP and rare earth element (REE) curves for the analyses of this dyke are essentially parallel, indicating the relative immobility of both groups of elements during the subsequent events. Significant correlation coefficients between the high field strength elements using phosphorus as representative of these elements, and the major element concentrations suggests that these were also relatively immobile. Pearce plots and principal component analyses reveal that olivine and apatite fractionation controlled the chemical variation across the control dyke. A plot of Nb anomalies against silica for Precambrian ultramafic and cafe-alkaline lamprophyres reveals two clear groupings—the former has no such anomalies in contrast to the latter which possesses this feature. A calc-alkaline lamprophyre dyke from the Lac Shortt Mine features significant Nb depletion on ETP suggesting that magmas with low Si0₂ content Si0₂ = 35.85 weight and chondrite normalized La = 1458) may be related to this catagory of lamprophyre.

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Geochemie von ultramaftschen und kalkalkalinen Lamprophyren aus dem Lac Shorn Gebiet, Quebec

Zusammenfassung Petrographische and geochemische Daten für den Lac Shortt Lamprophyr-Schwarm werden vorgelegt. Die primare mineralogische Zusammensetzung in allen Proben ist großteils entweder durch Umwandlung zur Zeit der Platznahme oder durch anschließende Metamorphose zerstört worden. Bei den meisten Gängen handelt es sich um ultramafische Lamprophyre. Extended trace element plots (ETP) für diese Gänge zeigen ein charakteristisches Double Dome Pattern, wobei ein Dom sich zwischen Sr und Zr und der andere zwischen Zr und Yb erstreckt. Ein ultramafischer Gang wurde für detaillierte Untersuchungen ausgewählt. Die ETP und seltenen Erdenkurven (REE) für die Analysen dieses Ganges sind im wesentlichen parallel, und weisen auf die relative Immobilität beider Elementgruppen während der anschließenden geologischen Entwicklung hin. Signifikante Korrelationskoeffizienten zwischen den Elementen großer Feldstärke, wobei Phosphor als repräsentativer Vertreter benützt wurde, und den Hauptelementgehalten zeigt, daß auch diese relativ immobil waren. Pearces Plots und Analysen der Hauptkomponenten zeigen, daß Olivin und Apatit-Fraktionierung die chemische Variation über einen Gang bestimmt. Ein Plot von Nb Anomalien gegen Kieselsäure für präkambrische ultramafische und kalkaline Lamprophyre zeigt daß diese in einer Gruppe vorhanden sind, in der anderen fehlen. Ein kalk-alkaliner Lamprophyrgang aus der Lac Shortt Mine zeigt signifikante Nb-Verarmung bei ETP; dies weist darauf hin, daß Magmen mit niedrigem Si0₂-Gehalt Si0₂ = 35,85 Gew.% und chondrit-normalisiertes La = 1458) mit dieser Art von Lamprophyren in Beziehung gesetzt werden können.

     

Shawinigan nickel-copper property — A case history of a reconnaissance geochemical discovery in the Grenville Province of Quebec,Canada

Study of an area in the southern Grenville of Quebec, by a stream sediment reconnaissance survey, outlined a previously unknown nickel-copper occurrence. Both reconnaissance and detail soil surveys were employed to define the sources of the stream sediment anomalies. A rock geochemical survey was carried out along with the detail soil survey. Some of the soil and rock geochemical anomalies were drilled and in all cases low-grade nickel-copper mineralization was encountered.     

冀东黄柏峪—羊崖山地区太古宙岩浆作用和变质作用——SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年

报道了冀东黄柏峪—羊崖山地区太古宙变质辉长岩、黑云斜长片麻岩、片麻状二长花岗岩、片麻状富钾花岗岩等不同类型变质岩浆岩(8个样品)的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年结果。首次发现3.1Ga二长花岗岩,黑云斜长片麻岩形成时代约为3.0Ga。变质辉长岩的侵入时代很可能为新太古代晚期,存在少量3.2~3.6Ga捕获锆石。几乎所有岩石样品都记录了约2.5Ga的变质锆石年龄。结合前人资料认为,(1)冀东地区新太古代晚期构造热事件十分发育,被认为与地幔软流圈上涌导致的岩浆板底垫托有关;(2)冀东地区中太古代以前的陆壳物质广泛分布,黄柏峪—羊崖山地区很可能存在一古老陆核。     

Mantle processes in an Archean orogen: Evidence from 2.67 Ga diamond-bearing lamprophyres and xenoliths

The world's oldest diamond deposits occur in 2.67 Ga dikes and heterolithic breccias emplaced into greenstone belts of the Wawa and Abitibi Subprovinces, southern Superior Province, Canada. Thousands of white to yellow microdiamonds and macrodiamonds to 5 mm in width have been recovered by non-contaminating fusion techniques. The host rocks exhibit petrographic and compositional features that are characteristic of post-Archean minettes and spessartites of the calc-alkaline or shoshonitic lamprophyre clan. Based on chemical trends and petrographic evidence, host rocks that contain more than 16 wt.% MgO represent lamprophyre magmas that entrained cumulate olivine, probably at the base of the crust. Breccia bodies that are tens of metres wide at the two localities are somewhat atypical of late Archean lamprophyre occurrences in the Superior Province and owe their size to optimum conditions for magma ascent that were required to preserve the diamonds. Abundant altered ultramafic xenoliths occur in the host rocks. The majority of xenoliths studied (10 of 14) display uniform major element compositions similar to websterite cumulate suites derived from crystal fractionation processes at the base of post-Archean volcanic arcs. The xenoliths display highly variable trace element abundances that are characteristic of cryptic metasomatism associated with the flux of an oxidised fluid above a subduction zone.

The tectonic setting of the deposits and the nature of the host rocks indicate that the diamonds may be derived from the asthenospheric wedge and subducted slab at shallow depths (100 to 160 km) rather than the deep keels of Archean cratons associated with traditional diamond deposit types. Models of low-temperature Phanerozoic diamond formation in active subduction zones, or rapid uplift and emplacement of peridotite massif occurrences, can be adapted to the Archean deposits. The stability field of diamonds in most Phanerozoic subduction scenarios, however, may be too deep to be accessed by the lamprophyric magmas. In contrast, shallow subduction, as invoked for the distinctive occurrence of adakitic (slab-melt) type rocks in the southern Superior Province, could generate two different diamond stability windows at sufficiently shallow depths to account for their presence in lamprophyric magmas.

The multiple requirements imposed on Archean tectonic models by occurrences of diamonds in hydrous shoshonitic rock types (spessartite and minette lamprophyres), along with distinctively metasomatised xenoliths, strongly favour plate tectonic subduction models of orogeny. Evidence of slightly earlier mantle plumes, such as 2.7 Ga komatiites, only strengthens the need for a subduction-driven low-temperature thermal anomaly in the Archean mantle prior to lamprophyric magmatism.     

西藏班公湖地区晚白垩世构造体制由挤压向伸展的转换:来自岩浆岩的证据

班公湖蛇绿混杂岩带内分布着一系列小型斜长花岗斑岩和花岗闪长岩岩体,锆石U-Pb年龄分别为97.4±1.1Ma和91.94±0.78Ma,具埃达克质岩特征,高SiO₂、Al₂O₃和Sr,低Y和Yb,Sr/Y>35,轻重稀土分异明显,亏损Nb、Ta和Ti,Cr和Ni含量很低,推测为玄武质岩浆底侵加厚下地壳部分熔融形成。辉石闪长岩脉分布于南侧日土花岗岩内,推测年龄为80~76Ma,岩石地球化学显示亏损Zr、Hf、Ti、Y等高场强元素,富集大离子亲石元素,且具较高的Sc、Y、Cr、Co、HREE和Mg#值(>40),源区为经过熔体交代的上地幔。结合前人资料,本文认为班公湖地区在97~92Ma仍处于持续碰撞造山、地壳加厚过程中;92Ma之后,构造体制从碰撞期的挤压转变为碰撞后的板内伸展;80~76Ma,板内的伸展进一步加剧。     

Late Archean magmatic complexes of the Azov terrane,Ukrainian Shield: Geological setting,isotopic age,and sources of material

Geochemical, isotopic-geochemical, and geochronological information was obtained on magmatic rocks from the Saltychan anticlinorium in the Azov domain of the Ukrainian Shield. The rocks affiliate with the calc-alkaline series and a high-Mg series. The rocks of these series notably differ in concentrations of trace elements and REE and range from gabbro to granodiorite-quartz diorite in composition. The NORDSIM ionprobe U-Pb zircons ages of rocks belonging to the Obitochnen Complex and having both elevated and normal mg# correspond to 2908–2940 Ma. The Osipenkovskaya intrusion has an age of 2855 ± 19 Ma. The most alkaline North Obitochnen intrusion was emplaced in the Proterozoic, at 2074 ± 11 Ma. The age of the amphibolite metamorphism of the host gneisses is reliably dated at 3120–3000 Ma. The model Sm-Nd ages of the intrusive rocks do not exceed 3150 Ma. According to geochemical evidence, the parental melts of the magmatic rocks were derived from mantle domains variably enriched in lithophile elements. The results obtained by studying the Sm-Nd isotopic system corroborate the conclusion drawn from geochemical evidence that most of the melts were derived from the mildly enriched mantle, practically without involvement of ancient crustal material. The mantle became enriched in LREE at approximately 3000 Ma, which corresponds to the age of metamorphism of the supracrustal rocks. This process was separated from the derivation of the melts by a time span of 70–80 Ma. The relative age of the intrusive rocks and their variable composition can be most adequately explained by a contribution of heat and material from a plume to the derivation of the parental melts of these rocks.     

Geochronology of Late Cenozoic volcanism in the area of Van Lake,Turkey: An example of development dynamics for magmatic processes

An isotope-geochronological study has been performed to examine the products of Late Cenozoic collision volcanism on the northern coast of Van Lake, Turkey. We obtained 45 new K-Ar dates, based on which the principal time characteristics of volcanic activity in the region have been determined. The total duration of magmatic activity in the area of the northern coast of Van Lake has lasted ∼15 myr; it has had an expressed discrete nature, when periods of intense volcanic activity alternated with lasting breaks in eruptions. Four stages of Neogene-Quaternary volcanism have been identified: Middle Miocene (15.0–13.5 myr), Late Miocene (10–9 myr), Pliocene (5.8–3.7 myr), and Quaternary (1.0–0.4 Ma). The average duration of the stages has been 1–2 myr; the stages were separated from each other with periods of inactivity of approximately equal lengths (∼3 myr). For each of the Pliocene and Quaternary stages, three additional phases of volcanism have been identified, which were separated from each other with short time intervals (a few hundred thousand years). The last burst of volcanic activity in the area in question took place ∼400 ka; similar to Quaternary volcanism in general, it was not characterized by a high intensity. An important result of the studies performed was to confirm the existence of a separate Middle Miocene stage of collision volcanism for the Caucasian-Anatolian Segment of the Alpine Fold Belt. The data generated allow concluding that Neogene-Quaternary volcanism in this portion of the belt started much earlier (∼15 Ma) than assumed by the majority of the previous researchers.     

Generation and metamorphism of new crust in magmatic arcs: a case study from northern Chile

In a deep section of the Jurassic Andean arc, coastal Cordillera of northern Chile, south of Antofagasta, basic magmas from a mantle source accreted large masses of crust in an early stage of arc development. These gabbroic intrusions were isochemically metamorphosed at moderate pressures (≤ 5 kbar) and high temperatures (∼ 800°C) into uniform garnet-absent dino+ortho-pyroxene gneisses (granulites). Subsequently they were partly transformed into amphibolites ( T ≤ 700°C) during tectonically controlled access of fluid without major changes in whole rock chemistry. Locally migmatization occurs in the amphibolites. The metamorphic unit was diversified by enduring magmatic activity in the form of chemically distinct gabbroic and quartz dioritic intrusions. Formation and composition of continental crust might be a typical example for the deeper plutonic sections of this continental magmatic arc.     

Geophysical and hydrogeologic investigation of groundwater in the Karoo stratigraphic sequence at Sawmills in northern Matabeleland,Zimbabwe: a case history

Geophysical and hydrogeological investigations have been carried out around Sawmills in Zimbabwe, Africa. The investigations are components of a larger investigation to assess the groundwater potential of the Karoo sedimentary basin with regards to supplying water to Bulawayo City. The Sawmills area was selected due to the availability of borehole logs indicating favourable stratigraphy for groundwater availability and due to the high yields from the aquifers measured from these boreholes. Data collected using two geophysical methods are presented here: transient electromagnetic (TEM) and continuous vertical electrical sounding (CVES) data. The data have also been processed using laterally constrained inversion (LCI). Because the CVES provides greater detail in the shallow subsurface, whereas TEM is more effective at depth, a more accurate image of the entire subsurface profile is provided based on using both methods. The results suggest that LCI of CVES and TEM data, in the subsurface at the required depths at Sawmills, is able to provide a substantially more accurate image of the subsurface than either method alone. The hydrogeological interpretation of the geophysical data is valuable for determining the depth to and thickness of the potential aquifer horizon(s) and for identifying the position of potential recharge zones.     

Origin of Middle Cambrian and Late Silurian potassic granitoids from the western Kunlun orogen,northwest China: a magmatic response to the Proto-Tethys evolution

This paper presents new SHRIMP zircon U–Pb chronology, major and trace element, and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of two Early Paleozoic granitic plutons (Yierba and North Kudi) from the western Kunlun orogen, in attempt to further constrain the Proto-Tethys evolution. SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating shows that the Yierba pluton was emplaced in the Middle Cambrian (513?±?7 Ma) and the North Kudi pluton was emplaced in the Late Silurian (420.6?±?6.3 Ma). The Yierba pluton consists of quartz monzodiorite, quartz monzonite and granodiorite. These granitoids are metaluminous and potassic, with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7072–0.7096, ε_Nd (T) of ?0.2 to ?1.6 and ε_Hf (T) (in-situ zircon) of ?1.2. Elemental and isotopic data suggest that they were formed by partial melting of subducted sediments, with subsequent melts interacting with the overlying mantle wedge in an oceanic island arc setting in response to the intra-oceanic subduction of Proto-Tethys. The North Kudi pluton consists of syenogranite and alkali-feldspar granite. These granites are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous and potassic. They show an affinity of A₁ subtype granite, with initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7077–0.7101, ε_Nd (T) of ?3.5 to ?4.0 and ε_Hf (T) (in-situ zircon) of ?3.9. Elemental and isotopic data suggest that they were formed by partial melting of the Precambrian metamorphic basement at a shallow depth (<30 km) during the post-orogenic regime caused by Proto-Tethyan oceanic slab break-off. Our new data suggest that the subduction of the Proto-Tethyan oceanic crust was as early as Middle Cambrian (～513 Ma) and the final closure of Proto-Tethys was not later than Late Silurian (～421 Ma), most probably in Middle Silurian.     

Geophysical survey for geological hazards assessment of Wadi Thuwal area, KSA: a case history

Magnetic and seismic methods have been used in this study as complementary methods to each other to construct a geologic hazard map for Wadi Thuwal area. Magnetic interpretation for deep-seated geologic structures has involved reduction to pole algorithm and downward continuation techniques. It showed that there are three major fault trends: NE-SW and NNE-SSW, NW-SE, and N-S. Furthermore, shear zone has been found close to Harrat Thuwal, which was confirmed by the seismic method. Seismic method revealed three lithologic layers where the depth of the bedrock was found to be ranging between 9?m at the southeastern part of the study area and 24?m at its northern part. It showed also five major fault trends: NW-SE, ENE-WSW, NE-SW, and nearly E-W. Supported by the surface geology, magnetic and seismic results showed that the Wadi Thuwal area can be divided into three zones on the basis of geologic hazards, depending on the presence of geologic features such as faults. It is recommended that before any development plan in Wadi Thuwal area, the delineated hazard zonation should be taken into account.     

Petrogenesis and paleotectonic history of the Wild Bight Group,an Ordovician rifted island arc in central Newfoundland

The Wild Bight Group (WBG) is a sequence of early and middle Ordovician volcanic, subvolcanic and epiclastic rocks, part of the Dunnage Tectonostratigraphic Zone of the Newfoundland Appalachians. A detailed geochemical and Nd-isotopic study of the volcanic and subvolcanic rocks has been carried out to determine the geochemical characteristics of the rocks, interpret their palcotectonic environments and constrain their petrogenetic history. The lower and central stratigraphic levels of the WBG contain mafic volcanic rocks with island-arc geochemical signatures, including LREE-enriched are tholeiites with _Nd(t) =-0.1 to +2.2 (type A-I), LREE-depleted arc tholeiites with _Nd(t) =+5.6 to +7.1 (type A-II) and an unusual suite of strongly incompatible-element depleted tholeiites in which _Nd(t) ranges from-0.9 to +4.6 and is negatively correlated with¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd (type A-III). High-silica, low-K rhyolites occur locally in the central part of the stratigraphy, associated with mafic rocks of arc affinity, and have _Nd(t) =+4.7 to +5.4. The upper stratigraphic levels of the WBG dominantly contain rocks with non-arc geochemical signatures, including alkalic basalts with _Nd(t) =+4.6 to +5.5 (type N-I), strongly LREE- and incompatible element-enriched tholeiites that are transitional between alkalic and non-alkalic rocks with _Nd(t) =+4.4 to +7.0 (type N-II) and rocks with flat to slightly LREE-enriched patterns and _Nd(t) =+5.1 to +7.4 (type N-III). Rocks with non-arc and arc signatures are locally interbedded near the stratigraphic type of the WBG. Nd-isotopic data in the type A-I and A-II rocks are generally compatible with mixing/partial melting models involving depleted mantle, variably contaminated by a subducted crustally-derived sediment. The petrogenesis of type A-III rocks must involve source mixing and multi-stage partial melting, but the details are not clear. The geochemistry and Nd isotope data for types N-I, N-II and N-III rocks are compatible with petrogenetic models involving variable partial melting of a source similar to that postulated for modern oceanic island basalts. Comparison of the WBG with modern analogues suggests a 3-stage developmental model: stage 1) island-arc volcanism (eruption of type mafic volcancs); stage 2) arc-rifting (continued eruption of type A-I, A-I, eruption of types A-II and A-III mafic volcanics and high-silica, low-K rhyolites); and stage 3) back-arc basin volcanism (continued minor eruption of type A-I basalts, eruption of types N-I, N-II, N-III basalts). Stages 1 and 2 volcanism involved partial melting of subduction contaminated mantle, while stage 3 volcanism utilized depleted-mantle sources not affected by the subducting slab. This model provides a basis for interpreting coeval sequences in central Newfoundland and a comparative framework for some early Paleozoic oceanic volcanic sequences elsewhere in the Appalachian orogen.