Fluorine-bearing hydrogarnets from Blengsvatn,Bamble Sector,south Norway

Summary Hydrograndites (grossular-andradite) with up to 1.60 weight percent fluorine occur in altered parts of andesine-garnet-biotite-cummingtonite-hornblende rocks, Blengsvatn, Bamble Sector, south Norway. The garnets occur intergrown with secondary prehnite, pumpellyite, epidote and chlorite along biotite cleavage planes and formed through retrogradation of nearby plagioclase, almandine-rich garnet and hornblende. The conditions of formation are estimated at about 300°C and 1–2 kbar. The observed F/OH distribution at 300°C and calculated relatively low fHF/fH₂O ratios of 10^–5.84 to 10^–7.32 indicates that fluorine is more strongly partitioned relative to OH in hydrogarnet than coexisting biotite and cummingtonite. The low fHF/fH₂O ratios suggest that fluorinebearing hydrogarnets could be very common.

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Fluorhaltige Hydrogranate von Blengsvatn, Bezirk Bamble, Südnorwegen

Zusammenfassung Fluorhaltige Hydrograndite (Grossular-Andradit) mit bis zu 1,60 Gew.% Fluor kommen in umgewandelten Teilen von Andesin-Granat-Biotit-Cummingtonit-HornblendeGesteinen von Blengsvatn, Bezirk Bamble, Südnorwegen, vor. Die Granate treten verwachsen mit sekundärem Prehnit, Pumpellyit, Epidot und Chlorit längs Biotitspaltflächen auf und bildeten sich durch retrograden Abbav von benachbartem Plagioklas, Almandin-reichem Granat und Hornblende. Die Bildungsbedingungen werden auf ungefähr 300°C und 1–2 kbar geschätzt. Die beobachtete F/OH-Verteilung und die relativ niedrigen berechneten fHF/fH₂OQuotienten von 10^–5.84 bis 10^–7.32 weisen darauf hin, daß Fluor relativ zu OH stärker in Hydrogranat als in koexistierendem Biotit und Cummingtonit angereichert ist. Die fHF/fH₂O-Verhältnisse lassen vermuten, daß fluorhaltige Hydrogranate sehr verbreitet sein könnten.

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With 5 Figures     

Radioelement variation in the Levang granite-gneiss,Bamble region,south Norway

An investigation of the distribution of thorium, uranium and potassium across the Levang granite-gneiss shows a significant increase in thorium and uranium from north to south. Although the mean thorium and uranium concentrations are comparable to average granitic values quoted in the literature, potassium is lower. The relative enrichment of thorium and uranium thus appears to be related to Sveconorwegian metamorphism recorded in the rocks of the adjacent Portør Peninsula to the south. The Levang granite-gneiss has recorded only the Svecofennian metamorphic event of approximately 1616 m.y.     

Aluminous reaction textures in orthoamphibole-bearing rocks: the pressure–temperature evolution of the high-grade Proterozoic of the Bamble sector, south Norway

Aluminous reaction textures in orthoamphibole-bearing rocks from the Froland area, Bamble, south Norway, record the prograde pressure–temperature path of the high-grade Kongsbergian Orogeny (c. 1600–1500 Ma) and the low–mid amphibolite facies overprint during the Sveconorwegian Orogeny (c. 1100–1000 Ma). The rocks contain anthophyllite/gedrite, garnet, cordierite, biotite, quartz, andalusite, kyanite, Cr-rich staurolite, tourmaline, ilmenite, rutile and corundum in a variety of parageneses. The P–T path is deduced from petrographic observations, mineral chemistry and zoning, geothermometry and (N)FMASH equilibria. The results indicate the sequence of metamorphic stages outlined below. (a) An M₁ phase characterized by the presence of strongly deformed andalusite, gedrite and tourmaline. (b) An M₂ phase with the development of kyanite after andalusite and the growth of staurolite associated with strong Na–Al–Mg zoning in orthoamphibole, indicating an increase in pressure (4 8 kbar) and temperature (500° 650°C). (c) Pressure decrease at high P (6–7 kbar) and high T (600–700 °C) during M_3a with the production of cordierite ° Corundum between kyanite, staurolite and orthoamphibole and cordierite growth between corundum and orthoamphibole. (d) Temperature increase to 740 ± 60 °C and 7 kbar; static growth of garnet (M_3b) at the metamorphic climax (peak T). The heat supply necessary to explain the temperature increase between the M_3a and M_3b phases is correlated with synkinematic enderbitic–charnockitic and basic intrusions in the Arendal granulite facies terrain. (e) M_3b metamorphic conditions were followed by an initial isobaric cooling path (early M₄) and late-stage pressure decrease (late M₄). Early M₄ conditions of 6–7 kbar and 550–600 °C, assuming P_H2O < P_total are indicated by a retrograde talc–kyanite–quartz assemblage in late quartz–cordierite veins. Late M₄ conditions of 3–4 kbar and 420–530 °C are inferred from a kyanite–andalusite–chlorite–quartz assemblage in vein-cordierite. The M₁–M₃ stages are interpreted as being the result of the same metamorphic P–T path, which was caused by both tectonic and magmatic thickening. A prolonged crustal residence time is proposed for the Bamble sector before uplift during the later stages of M₄ occurred.     

Rare-earth and LIL element fractionation in high-grade charnockitic gneisses,south Norway

High-Fe, intermediate-acid, charnockitic gneisses in the Arendal-Tromøy area of the Svecofennian terrain of southeast Norway comprise two chemically contrasting zones - one with normal large-ion-lithophile (LIL) element characteristics, and the other IIL-deficint. The noramal -LiLL-deficient varitties also have low ΣEEE, commonly with positive Eu anomalies. The normal-LIL rocks are enriched in ?REE, exhibit fractionated patterns and have negative Eu anomalies. Modelling shows that both the LIL and REE patterns are consistent with an essentially primary fractionation process involving the separation of cumulus (LIL-deficient) phases from andesitic-dacitic magma emplaced directly under the high-grade conditions, with the normal-LIL rocks crystallising from the residual melt. This process is interpreted as a deep-seated component of the magma system which culminated in the emplacement of some higher level rapakivi granite late in the Svecofennian event. The model presented does not require anorthosite to be part of the same magma system.     

A radiometric study of polymetamorphism in the Bamble region,Norway

Metamorphism-induced parent-daughter isotopic rearrangement yields information concerning the nature and duration of metamorphism in the Bamble Area, Southern Norway. The thermal maximum of the Bamble Sveconorwegian metamorphism was reached at 1160–1200 m.y. ago, according to zircon and sphene U-Pb, and Rb-Sr whole rock results. Dating of post-kinematic pegmatites suggests that the major kinematic episodes took place not much more than 100 m.y. and that not until more than 200 m.y. after the thermal maximum had uplift and cooling resulted in closure of the K-Ar system in micas. Petrological considerations together with radiometric data on the Levang Gneiss Dome suggest that Rb-Sr whole rock samples show open and closed system behaviour under similar temperatures but possibly different . Variable recrystallization of zircon in the Levang Gneiss Dome (when taken with accompanying radiometric U-Pb data) appears to substantiate the idea that when = P _solid, resetting of both the U-Pb systems in zircon and Rb-Sr whole rock systems is greatly facilitated.     

Tectonic Dynamic Metallization of Silver-GoldHydrothermal Fluids in Proterozoic GneissTerrene Shear Zones, Suichang, Zhejiang, China

-,The well-known Suichang silvengold field is located inZhejiang Province of SOutheast China. It is the largest silver-gold deposit associated with copper and zinc in the Cathaysianmetallogenic province.There are a series of silver-gold dePOsits in the shear zonesof Proterozoic gneiss terrene, Suichang region. The volcanicapparatus at Mesozoic has complicated rpineralization. Respectively, there are two pieces of understanding on the origin ofore-formigg nuid: (l ) metamorphic fluid (Lia…     

Rare-earth element fractionation and petrogenetic modelling in charnockitic rocks,southwest Norway

Quantitative analysis of REE distribution in differentiated, clearly intrusive charnockites from southwest Norway, reveal extreme variation in both absolute abundances and fractionation patterns. The pyroxene-bearing, charnockitic facies show uniform REE patterns with slight enrichment of the light-REE (about 150x chondrites) and positive, neutral or negative Eu-anomalies. Subsequent amphibole-bearing, adamellitic facies show progressive, preferential enrichment of light-REE, reaching La-values higher than 500x chondrites, and increasingly negative Euanomalies. Finally, highly differentiated biotite-granites show a marked depletion of ight-REE, ending with chondrite-normalized La/Lu ratios about 1 and Eu/ Eu^* ratios less than 0.2.Using geochemical model calculation, relating major element variations between three main stages of differentiation in terms of refractory mineral assemblages, stepwise quantitative modelling of the REE distributions reproduces the observed changes, and support an origin of the charnockite series as progressively fractionated residual liquids.Close similarity with the REE patterns of charnockite-rapakivi suites elsewhere implies that these may constitute a series of co-magmatic rocks, derived from related more basic source magmas. The fact that the least differentiated members of the series, the charnockites, generally display remarkably uniform REE-patterns, suggests that they equilibrated with a refractory crystal fraction that produces a uniform, bulk partition coefficient. The present analysis suggests that this would be plagioclase and orthopyroxene in a ratio of about 41 and including minor apatite, which in turn points towards affinity with potentially plagioclase-rich cumulates.     

Orthopyroxene–sillimanite–sapphirine granulites from the Bamble granulite terrane, southern Norway

Silica-deficient sapphirine-bearing rocks occur as an enclave within granulite facies Proterozoic gneisses and migmatites near Grimstad in the Bamble sector of south-east Norway (Hasleholmen locality). The rocks contain peraluminous sapphirine, orthopyroxene, gedrite, anthophyllite, sillimanite, sapphirine, corundum, cordierite, spinel, quartz and biotite in a variety of assemblages. Feldspar is absent.
Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+ Mg) in the analysed minerals varies in the order: spinel > gedrite ≥ anthophyllite ≥ biotite > sapphirine>orthopyroxene > cordierite.
Characteristic pseudomorph textures indicate coexistence of orthopyroxene and sillimanite during early stages of the reaction history. Assemblages containing orthopyroxene-sillimanite-sapphirine-cordierite-corundum developed during a high-pressure phase of metamorphism and are consistent with equilibration pressures of about 9 kbar at temperatures of 750–800°C. Decompression towards medium-pressure granulite facies generated various sapphirine-bearing assemblages. The diagnostic assemblage of this stage is sapphirine-cordierite. Sapphirine occurs in characteristic symplectite textures. The major mineralogical changes can be described by the discontinuous FMAS reaction: orthopyroxene + sillimanite → sapphirine + cordierite + corundum.
The disequilibrium textures found in the Hasleholmen rocks are characteristic for reactions which have been in progress but then ceased before they run to completion. Textures such as reaction rims, symplectites, partial replacement, corrosion and dissolution of earlier minerals are characteristic of granulite facies rocks. They indicate that, despite relatively high temperatures (700–800° C), equilibrium domains were small and chemical communication and transport was hampered as a result of dry or H₂O-poor conditions.     

Phanerozoic magmatism in the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin and its connection with the Pangean supercontinent

Magmatic pulses in intraplate sedimentary basins are windows to understand the tectonomagmatic evolution and paleaoposition of the Basin.The present study reports the U-Pb zircon ages of mafic flows from the Cuddapah Basin and link these magmatic events with the Pangean evolution during late Carboniferous-Triassic/Phanerozoic timeframe.Zircon U-Pb geochronology for the basaltic lava flows from Vempalle Formation,Cuddapah Basin suggests two distinct Phanerozoic magmatic events coinciding with the amalgamation and dispersal stages of Pangea at 300 Ma(Late Carboniferous) and 227 Ma(Triassic).Further,these flows are characterized by analogous geochemical and geochronological signatures with Phanerozoic counterparts from Siberian,Panjal Traps,Emeishan and Tarim LIPs possibly suggesting their coeval and cogenetic nature.During the Phanerozoic Eon,the Indian subcontinent including the Cuddapah Basin was juxtaposed with the Pangean LIPs which led to the emplacement of these pulses of magmatism in the Basin coinciding with the assemblage of Pangea and its subsequent breakup between 400 Ma and 200 Ma.     

Growth mechanisms of metasomatic reaction veins in dolomite marbles from the Bergell Alps

Summary Tremolite and olivine reaction veins in dolomite marble inclusions in the Bergell granite formed by a crack-reaction-seal mechanism during the cooling history of the area. Brittle failure of stressed marble opened extension cracks that served as conduits for infiltrating silica-rich aqueous fluids. Reaction of the fluids at 450–550 °C with dolomite along the fracture walls resulted in partial replacement of dolomite by reaction products whose mineralogy was controlled mostly by temperature.Aqueous silica dissolved in the fluid in the central fracture was transported by diffusion from the fracture wall to the reaction front in the dolomite marble. The velocity of the replacement reaction'front in the marble itself was controlled by the slower of the two processes: the surface-reaction kinetics of the replacement reaction and the diffusion rate of silica to the reaction site.Reaction veins with very different reaction front morphologies occur. Tremolite veins always have straight reaction fronts parallel to the central fissure and formed at about 450°C. Olivine veins are typically bounded by highly irregular, wavy, undulating reaction fronts. O1 veins formed at about 550 °C. It is concluded that Trmolite-vein growth was controlled by surface-reaction kinetics, whereas diffusion kinetics controlled the growth of olivine veins. The difference in the morphology of the reaction front surface is probably a consequence of small scale texture variations in the deposited vein rock and associated porosity differences. Both types of veins formed in about 1000 years.

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Wachstumsmechanismen metasomatischer reaktionsadern in dolomit-marmoren der Bergeller Alpen

Zusammenfassung In triadischen Dolomitmarmorschollen im tertiären Bergeller Quarz-Diorit kommen eine große Anzahl von Tremolit- und Olivin-Reaktionsadern vor, welche sich durch Reaktion von 450–550 °C heißen silika-reichen Fluiden mit dem Dolomit gebildet haben. Entlang einer zentralen Extensionsspalte zirkulierendes Fluid korrodierte dabei den Dolomit des Nebengesteins und ersetzte diesen durch silikatisches Material. Von der zentralen Kluft wurde das gelöste Silika an den Reaktionsort diffusiv transportiert und dort via Lösungs-Fällungs-Reaktionen fixiert. Das Wachstum der Adern wurde durch die relativen Geschwindigkeiten der Diffusion und der Reaktion kontrolliert. Bei den Bergeller Adern kommt sowohl diffusions- als auch reaktions-kontrolliertes Wachstum vor. Die Morphologie der Reaktionsfront zeigt charakteristische Unterschiede zwischen ebenflächigen Tr- und stark undulierender O1-Adern. Diese Unterschiede sind wahrscheinlich auf stark unterschiedliche Gefüge der gebildeten Reaktionsprodukte und diese wiederum auf eine stark verschiedene, durch die Reaktionsstöchiometrie vorgegebene, modale Zusammensetzung der Adergesteine zurückzuführen. Die Bildungsdauer für typische Reaktionsadern kann mit etwa 1000 Jahren veranschlagt werden.

     

Premetamorphic lateritisation in Proterozoic metabasites of Rogaland,SW Norway

Heterogeneous layers of granulite facies metamorphic basites of the Proterozoic supracrustal Faurefjell Formation in Rogaland, S.W. Norway, display an extreme chemical variation. Within a single layer the bulk chemical composition gradually changes from approximately basaltic in basic granulites to alumina-iron-rich in granofelses. Component-ratios and composition-volume relations indicate open-system chemical reactions mainly involving the extraction of silica. Apparent enrichment in Fe, Ti, P, Al, Zr, Ni, Co, Zn, Y, Nb, Hf and REE and variations in resulting metamorphic mineral assemblages are related to premetamorphic progressive lateritisation of a basaltic protolith. The weathering generated a continuous chemical suite from SiO₂=48 wt%, Fe₂O₃=10 wt% and Al₂O₃=19 wt% in the basic granulites to 14 wt%, 40 wt% and 25 wt% in the Fe-Al granofelses. Metasomatism during diagenesis and during (very) high-grade metamorphism (1200–900 Ma) further perturbed the concentrations of relatively mobile elements Ca, Mg, K, Rb, Sr, Ba, Na and Li in the laterites without affecting the transition metal ratios. In particular, the REE did not fractionate differentially during the supracrustal and metasomatic alteration.     

A palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Early Proterozoic Malmani dolomite from Zwartkops,South Africa

The Malmani Subgroup northwest of Johannesburg consists of dolomite and chert with only minor clastic sediments.A precise upper intertidal to marginal supratidal analogy and the associated relationship of varied structures suggest that much of the succession represents a tidal flat to intertidal complex formed within differing semiprotected to protected conditions. The dolomites from these environments are recrystallized, reflecting a meteoric influence, and the cherts which are commonly developed within them are also related to prevailing lower pH's. This dolomitization is considered to have been enhanced by the influx of meteoric waters which however resulted in the dolomites having undersaturated iron-manganese ratios. Rare colour-banded dolomites containing columnar stromatolites are thought to represent more steeply shelving intertidal conditions than are normally encountered in the epeiric sea. These dolomites contain quartz crystals rather than chert, suggestive of a lower concentration of silica in the original alkaline solutions. The exposure is part of a very widespread carbonate unit, dated at ca. 2.250 m.y.Subtidal conditions in which large elongate stromatolitic domes developed can be related to a marine transgression across a basal clastic beach sand; and secondly to a progradational tidal flat seawards of which a talus breccia developed on a steepened slope leading down to the subtidal regime. These dolomites formed by interaction with marine waters saturated with respect to iron and manganese, while the absence of chert reflects persisting alkaline conditions.A dark chert-free dolomitic facies with high iron and manganese contents of saturated ratios is considered to have developed in an alkaline lagoonal environment behind a subaqueous bar that is now represented by an overlying thick oolitic unit.The succession contains numerous chert breccias with which shales are associated. The breccias represent subaerial exposure phenomena related to regressions which were followed by periods of short-lived terrigenous influx.     

Timing of Proterozoic magmatism in the Sunsas belt,Bolivian Precambrian Shield,SW Amazonian Craton

We present new U-Pb zircon and monazite ages from the Sunsas belt granitic magmatism in Bolivia,SW Amazonian Craton.The geochronological results revealed four major magmatic events recorded along the Sunsas belt domains.The older igneous event formed a granitic basement coeval to the Rio Apa Terrane(1.95-1.85 Ga)in the southern domain.The second magmatic episode is represented by 1.68 Ga granites associated to the Paraguá Terrane(1.69-1.66 Ga)in the northern domain.The 1.37-1.34 Ga granites related to San Ignacio orogeny represent the third and more pervasive magmatic event,recorded throughout the Sunsas belt.Moreover,magmatic ages of～1.42 Ga revealed that the granitogenesis asso-ciated to the Santa Helena orogeny also affected the Sunsas belt,indicating that it was not restricted to the Jauru Terrane.Lastly,the 1.10-1.04 Ga youngest magmatism was developed during the Sunsas oro-geny and represents the final magmatic evolution related to Rodinia assembly.Likewise,the 1.95-1.85 and 1.68 Ga inherited zircon cores obtained in the～1.3 Ga and 1.0 Ga granite samples suggest strong par-tial melting of the Paleoproterozoic sources.The 1079±14 Ma and 1018±6 Ma monazite crystallization ages can be correlated to the collisional tectono-thermal event of the Sunsas orogeny,associated to reac-tions of medium-to high-grade metamorphism.Thus,the Sunsas belt was built by heterogeneous 1.95-1.85 Ga and 1.68 Ga crustal fragments that were reworked at 1.37-1.34 Ga and 1.10-1.04 Ga related to orogenic collages.Furthermore,the 1.01 Ga monazite age suggests that granites previously dated by zir-con can bear evidence of a younger thermal history.Therefore,the geochronological evolution of the Sunsas belt may have been more complex than previously thought.     

Late Weichselian deglaciation in the Oslofjord area, south Norway

The older 'moraine lines' outside the Ra Moraine in the outer Oslofjord area have been correlated with events in Bohuslän, Sweden. Recent radiocarbon datings in the vicinity of the Ra Moraine and a radiocarbon dated sea-level curve for the Ski area show that the Ra Moraine was formed during the Early Younger Dryas, whereas the Ski Moraine was formed at the end of the Younger Dryas chronozone. An equidistant shoreline diagram together with a large number of marine limit observations have been used to establish the position of the glacier front during Late Younger Dryas and Early Preboreal chronozones. Reconnaissance mapping indicates a fairly regular recession with many short stops during the Bølling, Older Dryas and Allerød chronozones; at least two readvances to the Ra Moraine before 10,600 years B.P.; a rapid recession during the Middle Younger Dryas and a number of ice-front oscillations at the end of the Younger Dryas chronozone.     

印度南部元古代Cudappah盆地白云岩中的菱镁矿成矿作用及其构造-气候指示意义

Cudappah盆地是位于印度南部的一个元古代盆地,盆地中含有许多矿床,包括菱镁矿和滑石矿。该盆地发育于Chat活动带东部边缘,并发育沙质、粘土质和碳酸盐岩的多期重复沉积旋回。盆地可划分为四个次级盆地,即Papaghni、Nallamalai、Srisailam和Kurnool次级盆地。晶质菱镁矿床赋存于Papashni次级盆地的Vempalli组地层中。每个次级盆地很可能都沿着一系列裂谷中的断块发育,并且这些裂谷形成于中元古代的热事件。每个沉积旋回中发育有相似的沉积岩套表明,在盆地演化过程中具有相同的构造和气候环境。根据盆地中矿床(重晶石矿、菱镁矿和滑石矿)的产出,我们对每个次级盆地均提出了一个多期重复沉积旋回的演化模式,该旋回包括了从角砾岩到白云岩的变化。     

Uplift and cooling magnetisation record in the Bamble and Telemark terranes,Sveconorwegian orogenic belt,SE Norway,and the Grenville-Sveconorwegian loop

The ~ 1100 Ma Sveconorwegian orogenic belt comprises allochthonous terranes juxtaposed by major fault zones and emplaced against, and onto, the south-western margin of the Fennoscandian Shield. To resolve the magnetic signature acquired during post-orogenic uplift and cooling and evaluate wider correlations with the contemporaneous Grenville belt of North America, this study reports a regional palaeomagnetic study on a range of rock types from sectors of the medium-high metamorphic grade Bamble terrane (48 sites and 390 cores) and the adjoining medium-low grade Telemark terrane (33 and 240 cores) juxtaposed by an orogen-parallel (Porsgrunn- Kristiansand) fault zone with major vertical displacement. Magnetite and ilmeno-hematites are magnetic carriers with the latter more significant in the higher metamorphic grades. Magnetic intensities are stronger in the higher-grade terrane presumably due to the growth of metamorphic ferromagnets, but are an order lower than values predicted for the lower continental crust and indicate that an additional mechanism is responsible for high magnetisations in deep crust. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) largely reflects the NE–SW tectonic grain of the last stage of Sveconorwegian ductile deformation. The magnetisation record is filtered by excluding magnetisations possibly acquired during regional Mesozoic dyke emplacement, development of the Permo-Carboniferous Oslo Rift and Late Proterozoic magmatism. The remaining record is a dual polarity signature summarised by mean poles at 31.9°N, 50.9°E, (N = 191 components) in the Bamble terrane and at 34.2°N, 58.9°E (N = 151 components) in the Telemark terrane. However these means are non-Fisherian and embrace arcuate distributions of magnetic components acquired during protracted exhumation cooling of the orogen with the best-defined parts comprising clockwise trajectories correlating with each another but indicating that cooling in Telemark was more protracted; in each case directions of more shallow NW-direction tend to be derived from lower unblocking temperature components. The geochronological evidence indicates that regional temperatures had fallen to permit acquisition of magnetisation by ~ 950–900 Ma and the two swathes define the younger limb of a clockwise (Grenville-Sveconorwegian) APW loop embracing the approximate interval 940–850 Ma; the outward path of this loop (~ 1020–940 Ma) is probably at present recorded only in dyke swarms from the Finnish sector of the shield. Correlation of APW between Laurentia and Fennoscandia confirms that the two shields broke apart shortly after culmination of the Sveconorwegian orogeny when Fennoscandia rotated rapidly clockwise into a secondary configuration adjacent to the eastern margin of Laurentia; the Grenville and Sveconorwegian orogenic frontal zones formed in alignment were reoriented at a high angle to one another in a coupling that appears to have persisted during most of the remainder of Neoproterozoic times.     

Formation of monazite and xenotime inclusions in fluorapatite megacrysts, Gloserheia Granite Pegmatite, Froland, Bamble Sector, southern Norway

Xenotime and monazite inclusions in fluorapatite megacrysts from a granitic pegmatite, Gloserheia, Froland, Bamble Sector, southern Norway are described utilizing high contrast backscattered electron imaging of cross sections of a selection of fluorapatite crystals. Electron microprobe analysis is then used to further characterize the xenotime and monazite, as well as (Y+REE) normal and depleted regions in the fluorapatite. In the (Y+REE) normal regions Y₂O₃ ranges from 0.4 to 1.3 whereas it ranges from below the electron microprobe detection limit to around 0.4 in the depleted regions. Low Y values in monazite (X_Y?=?0.01?0.05) co-existing with xenotime indicates that inclusion formation in the originally (Y+REE)-enriched fluorapatite must have occurred below 300°C. Formation of the xenotime and monazite inclusions is attributed to fluid-aided coupled dissolution-reprecipitation processes during the later stages of subsolidus cooling of the pegmatite. The fluorapatite megacrysts are hypothesized to have under gone two major fluid-induced alteration events. The first occurred sometime after crystallization was complete at temperatures below 300°C and resulted in the initial formation of the xenotime and monazite inclusions. The second occurred at some later time as the product of a relatively limited fluid infiltration, also under T?<?300°C. This resulted in the formation of (Y+REE)-depleted regions along lattice and cleavage planes while at the same time promoting Ostwald ripening of the xenotime inclusions resulting in larger grains in the (Y+REE)-depleted areas.     

Petrology, geochemistry and tectonic settings of the mafic dikes and sills associated with the evolution of the Proterozoic Cuddapah Basin of south India

In this article we summarize the petrological, geochemical and tectonic processes involved in the evolution of the Proterozoic intracratonic Cuddapah basin. We use new and available ages of Cuddapah igneous rocks, together with field, stratigraphic, geophysical and other criteria, to arrive at a plausible model for the timing of these processes during basin evolution. We present petrological and geochronological evidence of dike emplacement along preferred lineament directions around the basin in response to stresses, which may have been responsible for the evolution of the basin itself. Basaltic dike intrusion started on the south Indian shield around 2400 Ma and continued throughout the Cuddapah basin evolution and sedimentation. A deep mantle perturbation, currently manifested by a lopolithic cupola-like intrusion under the southwestern part of the basin, may have occurred at the onset of basin evolution and played an important role in its development. Paleomagnetic, gravity and geochronological evidence indicates that it was a constant thermal source responsible for dike and sill emplacement between 1500 and 1200 Ma both inside and out-side the basin. Lineament reactivation in the NW-SE and NE-SW directions, in response to the mantle perturbation, intensified between 1400 and 1200 Ma, leading to the emplacement of several cross cutting dikes. Fe-Mg partition coefficients of olivine and augite and Ca-Na partition coefficient of plagioclase, calculated from the composition of these minerals and bulk composition of their host rocks, indicate that the dikes outside the Cuddapah basin are cumulates. The contemporary dikes may be related by fractional crystallization as indicated by a positive correlation between their plagioclase Ca# (atomic Ca/[Ca+Na]) and augite Mg# (atomic Mg/[Mg+Fe]). A few NW-SE and NE-SW cross cutting dikes of the period between 1400 and 1200 Ma, preserve petrographic evidence of episodic magmatic intrusive activity along preferred directions. Petrological reasoning indicates that a magmatic liquid reacted with a set of cross cutting dikes, intruding into one that was already solidified and altering the composition of the magma that produced the other dike. The Cuddapah basin tholeiites may be related by fractional crystallization at 5 kb and 1019-1154‡ C, which occurred in the lopolithic cupola near the southwestern margin of the basin. Xenolith bearing picrites, which occur near the periphery of the cupola, originated by the accumulation of xenoliths in the tholeiites. This is indicated by the composition of the olivine in the xenoliths (Fo_78.7-81.9), which are closely similar to calculated olivine compositions (Fo_77.8-78.3) in equilibrium with the tholeiites under the sameP-T conditions. It is inferred that fractionation in the cupola resulted in crystals settling on its walls. Hence, the xenolith-bearing sills occur at the periphery of the lopolithic body. The tholeiites both inside and outside the basin are enriched in incompatible elements compared to mid oceanic ridge basalts. The Ba, Rb and K contents of the Cuddapah and other Proterozoic Gondwana tholeiites indicate that a widespread metasomatic enrichment of the mantle source may have occurred between R∼2.9 and R∼2.7Ga. There may be local heterogeneity in the source of the Cuddapah tholeiites as indicated by different Ba/Rb, Ti/Zr, Ti/Y, Zr/Nb and Y/Nb in samples inside and outside the basin. Large-scale differences such as the low P₂O₅-TiO₂ and high P₂O₅-TiO₂ basaltic domains of the Jurassic Gondwana basalts, however, did not exist during the Proterozoic time period under consideration. Although we are beginning to understand the tectono-magmatic processes involved in the evolution of the Cuddapah basin, much work remains to be done to obtain a complete picture. Future research in the Cuddapah basin should focus on obtaining accurate ages of the igneous rocks associated with the evolution of the basin.