The primitive lavas of Roccamonfina volcano,Roman region,Italy: new constraints on melting processes and source mineralogy

Within a large collection of lavas from the Roccamonfina volcano are rocks which represent the most mafic samples yet recorded from Roccamonfina and which are amongst the least differentiated lavas found in the Roman co-magmatic region as a whole. These rocks extend both high-K and low-K series to more primitive values. However, petrographic and geochemical considerations rule out a primary origin, and even these mafic samples appear to record the effects of repeated episodes of fractional crystallization and hybridization. Relatively potassic samples from the low-K series are apparently transitional between low-K and high-K series, as previously delineated. However, these intermediate-K samples are not transitional in their Sr isotopic composition, suggesting that there is no continuum between low-K and high-K magma source regions. Rather, the compositional range within the low-K series appears predominantly to reflect variation in the degree of melting of a common mantle source. Analysis of the low-K series data, using an inverse method suggests a source containing amphibole and garnet, and indicates that these phases were consumed during the melting processes responsible for the low-K series magmas. The role of amphibole is further indicated by the association of low K₂O with elevated Rb concentration and, for example, higher Ce/Yb. Such variations are taken to reflect the consumption of high K/Rb amphibole during the initial phase of partial melting.     

Relative contributions of crust and mantle to generation of Oligo-Miocene medium-K calc-alkaline I-type granitoids in a subduction setting—a case study from the Nabar Pluton,central Iran

The Nabar pluton with the age of Oligo-Miocene located northwest of Isfahan, the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt, is composed of gabbro, gabbro diorite, diorite, quartz diorite, tonalite, and quartz monzonite. These rocks contain plagioclase, quartz, alkali-feldspar, magnesiohornblende, actinolite, tremolite-hornblende, actinolite-hornblende, anthophyllite, biotite, and Na-poor pyroxene. Application of the Al-in-hornblende barometry indicates pressures of 2–2.15 kbar, whereas the clinopyroxene barometry shows a pressure of 5 kbar. The temperature (i.e., 750–800°C) is estimated using the amphibole-clinopyroxene thermometry in a dioritic sample. Magmatic water content was greater than 10% at the time of formation of dioritic rocks in the Nabar pluton. Based on chemistry of mafic minerals and geochemical data, the Nabar plutonic complex comprises medium-K, calc-alkaline, and I-type granitoid. The rocks are characterized by enrichment of lithophile elements (LILEs) and depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSEs). The Nabar rocks have weak concave-upward rare earth element (REE) patterns, suggesting that amphibole played a significant role in their generation during magma segregation. Low (Al₂O₃/(FeO + MgO + TiO₂) and (Na₂O + K₂O)/(FeO + MgO + TiO₂) ratios, and the patterns of trace and rare earth elements suggest that these rocks formed along a destructive plate margin and were derived from a lower crustal source. The magma probably formed by partial melting of lower crustal protoliths (amphibolites). Lower crust contamination with magma derived from partial melting of the upper mantle has an important role in the formation of this intrusive body, and a fractional crystallization of melts in higher crustal levels generated this spectrum of rock types. Mantle-derived gabbroic magmas emplaced into the lower crust are the most likely heat sources for partial melting.     

Petrogenesis of Kejie Granite in the Northern Changning-Menglian Zone, Western Yunnan: Constraints from Zircon U-Pb Geochronology, Geochemistry and Hf Isotope

The Kejie pluton is located in the north of the Changning-Menglian suture zone. The rock types are mainly biotite-granite. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating indicates that the Kejie pluton emplaced at about 80–77 Ma, Late Cretaceous. The Kejie pluton samples are characterized by high SiO2(71.68%–72.47%), K2O(4.73%–5.54%), total alkali(K2O + Na2O = 8.21%–8.53%), K2O/Na2O ratios(1.36–1.94) and low P2O5(0.13%–0.17%), with A/CNK of 1.025–1.055; enriched in U, Th, and K, depleted in Ba, Nb, Sr, Ti, P and Eu. They are highly fractionated, slightly peraluminous I-type granite. The two samples of the Kejie pluton give a large variation of εHf(t) values(-5.04 to 1.96) and Hf isotope crustal model ages of 1.16–1.5 Ga. Zircon Hf isotopes and zircon saturation temperatures of whole-rock(801°C–823°C) show that the mantle-derived materials maybe have played a vital role in the generation of the Kejie pluton. The Kejie pluton was most likely generated in a setting associated with the eastward subduction of the neo-Tethys ocean, where intrusion of mantle wedge basaltic magmas in the crust caused the anatexis of the latter, forming hybrid melts, which subsequently experienced high-degree fractional crystallization.     

兴蒙造山带南缘东段和龙地区Ⅰ型花岗岩锆石U-Pb定年、地球化学特征及其地质意义

本文对兴蒙造山带南缘东段和龙地区八家子岩体和勇新岩体进行了岩相学、地球化学、LA-ICP-MS U-Pb定年和Sr-Nd同位素研究,以便制约该区的区域构造演化。锆石测年结果显示,八家子石英闪长岩结晶年龄为257.8±0.9Ma,形成于晚二叠世早期,勇新二长花岗岩的结晶年龄为243.2±1.1Ma和238.5±2.8Ma,形成于中三叠世。八家子石英闪长岩为钠质钙碱系列、偏铝质的Ⅰ型花岗岩类,富集轻稀土(LREEs)和大离子亲石元素(LILEs,Cs、Ba、K和Sr),亏损重稀土(HREEs)和高场强元素(HFSEs,Nb、Ta和P),结合Sr-Nd同位素特征显示其为壳源成因,形成于俯冲环境下,是玄武质下地壳部分熔融的产物。勇新二长花岗岩富硅、铝和钾,为高钾钙碱性系列、偏铝质-弱过铝质的Ⅰ型花岗岩,富集轻稀土(LREEs)及大离子亲石元素(LILEs,Cs、K、Sr),亏损重稀土(HREEs)和高场强元素(HFSEs,Nb、Ta、P和Ti),结合Sr-Nd同位素特征显示其为壳源成因,形成于同碰撞环境下,是玄武质下地壳部分熔融的产物。花岗岩的侵位反映了研究区晚二叠世早期古亚洲洋板块俯冲于华北克拉通之下,中三叠世华北克拉通与兴凯地块碰撞拼合,说明古亚洲洋应闭合于晚二叠世末期-早三叠世期间。     

Petrochemistry and petrology of I-type granitoids in an arc setting: the composite Torul pluton, Eastern Pontides, NE Turkey

The Upper Cretaceous Torul pluton, located in the Eastern Pontides, is of sub-alkaline affinity and displays features typical of volcanic arc granitoids. It is a composite pluton consisting of granodiorite, biotite hornblende monzogranite, quartz monzodiorite, quartz monzonite and hornblende biotite monzogranite. The oldest syenogranite (77.9 ± 0.3 Ma) and the youngest quartz diorite form small stocks within the pluton. Samples from the granodiorites, biotite hornblende monzogranites, quartz monzodiorites, quartz monzonites and hornblende biotite monzogranites have SiO₂ between 57 and 68 wt% and display high-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous to peraluminous characteristics. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are fractionated (La_cn/Lu_cn = 6.0?14.2) with pronounced negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.59–0.84). Initial ?_Nd(i) values vary between ?3.1 and ?4.1, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values between 0.7058 and 0.7072, and δ¹⁸O values between +4.4 and +7.3‰. The quartz diorites are characterized by relatively high Mg-number of 36–38, low contents of Na₂O (2.3–2.5 wt%) and SiO₂ (52–55 wt%) and medium-K calc-alkaline, metaluminous composition. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are relatively flat [(La/Yb)_cn =  2.8–3.3; (Tb/Yb)_cn =  1.2] and show small negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.74–0.76). Compared to the other rock types, radiogenic isotope signatures of the quartz diorites show higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7075–0.7079) and lower ?_Nd(i) (–4.5 to –5.3). The syenogranites have high SiO₂ (70–74 wt%) and display high-K calc-alkaline, peraluminous characteristics. Their REE patterns are characterized by higher La_cn/Lu_cn (12.9) and Eu/Eu* (0.76–0.77) values compared to the quartz diorites. Isotopic signatures of these rocks [?_Nd(i) =  ?4.0 to ?3.3; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) =  0.7034?0.7060; δ¹⁸ O =  + 4.9 to + 8.2] are largely similar to the other rock types but differ from that of the quartz diorites. Fractionation of plagioclase, hornblende, pyroxene and Fe–Ti oxides played an important role in the evolution of Torul granitoids. The crystallization temperatures of the melts ranged from 800 to 900°C as determined from zircon and apatite saturation thermometry. All these characteristics, combined with low K₂O/Na₂O, low Al₂O₃/(FeO_T + MgO + TiO₂), and low (Na₂O + K₂O)/(FeO_T + MgO + TiO₂) ratios suggest an origin through dehydration melting of mafic lower crustal source rocks.     

Early Carboniferous High Ba‐Sr Granitoid in Southern Langshan of Northeastern Alxa: Implications for Accretionary Tectonics along the Southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Voluminous granitoids are widely distributed in the Langshan region, northeast of the Alxa block, and record the evolutionary processes of the southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Dabashan pluton was emplaced into the Paleoproterozoic Diebusige complex. Early Carboniferous zircon LA-ICP MS U-Pb ages were from 327 Ma to 346 Ma. The Dabashan pluton can be classified as monzogranite and syenogranite, and exhibits high K2O contents and K2O/Na2O ratios, which reveal a high-K calc-alkaline nature. The samples display strongly fractionated REE patterns, and are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE). The Dabashan plutons display unusually high Ba (823–2817 ppm) and Sr (166–520 ppm) contents and K/Rb ratios (315–627), but low Rb/Ba ratios (0.02–0.14), and exhibit fertile zircon Hf isotopic compositions [εHf(t)=?14 to ?20], which are comparable to those of typical high Ba–Sr granitoids. Based on the geochemical compositions of the samples, we suggest that subducted sediments and ancient crustal materials both played important roles in their generation. Basaltic melts were derived from partial melting of subcontinental lithophile mantle metasomatized by subducted sediment-related melts with residual garnet in the source, which caused partial melting of ancient lower crust. Magmas derived from underplating ascended and emplaced in the middle–upper crust at different depths. The resultant magmas experienced some degree of fractional crystallization during their ascent. Given these geochemical characteristics, together with regional tectonic, magmatic, and structure analysis data, an active continental margin environment is proposed for the generation of these rocks.     

The role of the crust in the magmatic evolution of the island of Lipari (Aeolian Islands,Italy)

Volcanic rocks on the island of Lipari show the entire range of Sr, Nd, Pb isotopic compositions displayed by other islands in the Aeolian archipelago. The rapid isotopic evolution of subaerial volcanic rocks on Lipari towards crustal values together with the appropriate isotopic composition of the neighbouring Calabrian crust (Serre) indicate that many geochemical characteristics observed in the lavas can be attributed to contamination and mixing with crustal materials and melts. Interpretation of the data is complicated by the fact that underplating onto the crust-mantle boundary and the specific lithologies present in the crustal section differ underneath each individual sector of the island. In the central and northern parts of the island, metapelitic rocks were incorporated to provide the more radiogenic Sr isotopic compositions of some lavas. The products from M. Guardia in the southern part of Lipari, where activity is restricted to the last 30–40 ka, bear geochemical similarities to the island of Vulcano, where it is proposed that considerable remobilization of the crust took place in the presence of mafic mantle-derived melts. On Lipari the petrogenetic processes of magma mixing and assimilation dominate over fractional crystallization, and the observed increase of K₂O over Na₂O can be correlated with contributions from metapelitic crustal lithologies. It is suggested that the variability in isotopic composition and the budget of alkalis (Na₂O versus K₂O) in the lavas can be explained by invoking a heat source from an intruding asthenospheric MORB-type mantle into a cooler lithospheric crust/mantle during the opening of the Tyrrhenian basin.     

Experimental phase and melting relations of metapelite in the upper mantle: implications for the petrogenesis of intraplate magmas

We performed a series of piston-cylinder experiments on a synthetic pelite starting material over a pressure and temperature range of 3.0–5.0 GPa and 1,100–1,600°C, respectively, to examine the melting behaviour and phase relations of sedimentary rocks at upper mantle conditions. The anhydrous pelite solidus is between 1,150 and 1,200°C at 3.0 GPa and close to 1,250°C at 5.0 GPa, whereas the liquidus is likely to be at 1,600°C or higher at all investigated pressures, giving a large melting interval of over 400°C. The subsolidus paragenesis consists of quartz/coesite, feldspar, garnet, kyanite, rutile, ±clinopyroxene ±apatite. Feldspar, rutile and apatite are rapidly melted out above the solidus, whereas garnet and kyanite are stable to high melt fractions (>70%). Clinopyroxene stability increases with increasing pressure, and quartz/coesite is the sole liquidus phase at all pressures. Feldspars are relatively Na-rich [K/(K + Na) = 0.4–0.5] at 3.0 GPa, but are nearly pure K-feldspar at 5.0 GPa. Clinopyroxenes are jadeite and Ca-eskolaite rich, with jadeite contents increasing with pressure. All supersolidus experiments produced alkaline dacitic melts with relatively constant SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents. At 3.0 GPa, initial melting is controlled almost exclusively by feldspar and quartz, giving melts with K₂O/Na₂O ~1. At 4.0 and 5.0 GPa, low-fraction melting is controlled by jadeite-rich clinopyroxene and K-rich feldspar, which leads to compatible behaviour of Na and melts with K₂O/Na₂O ≫ 1. Our results indicate that sedimentary protoliths entrained in upwelling heterogeneous mantle domains may undergo melting at greater depths than mafic lithologies to produce ultrapotassic dacitic melts. Such melts are expected to react with and metasomatise the surrounding peridotite, which may subsequently undergo melting at shallower levels to produce compositionally distinct magma types. This scenario may account for many of the distinctive geochemical characteristics of EM-type ocean island magma suites. Moreover, unmelted or partially melted sedimentary rocks in the mantle may contribute to some seismic discontinuities that have been observed beneath intraplate and island-arc volcanic regions.     

滇西“三江”地区临沧花岗岩基中三叠世碱长花岗岩的发现及其意义

在野外调研的基础上,对滇西“三江”地区临沧花岗岩基中勐库碱长花岗岩体的年代学、岩石学和地球化学开展了较系统的研究。结果显示,勐库岩体的锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年龄为236.2±3.7 Ma,表明岩体应形成于中三叠世,而非前人认为的新生代。全岩主、微量元素,Sr同位素和锆石微量元素特征显示岩体属于S型花岗岩系列,来自于与临沧花岗岩基相类似的地壳沉积物源区的部分熔融,并经历了高程度的结晶分异作用。以勐库岩体为代表的碱长花岗岩与临沧花岗岩基形成时代一致,表明碱长花岗岩应为临沧花岗岩基的重要组成部分。除已报道的黑云母二长花岗岩类和黑云母花岗闪长岩类外,临沧花岗岩基还应包括较广泛分布的碱长花岗岩类。本文同时揭示,由于临沧花岗岩基中以勐库岩体为代表的碱长花岗岩并非早前认为的新生代岩体,“三江”南段特别是临沧地块前人划分的新生代岩体分布范围和规模可能需要重估。     

Petrology and geochemistry of late archaean granitoids in the northern part of Eastern Dharwar Craton,Southern India: Implications for transitional geodynamic setting

The results of field, petrographic and geochemical work of the granitoids of Hutti-Gurgunta area in the northern part of Eastern Dharwar Craton (EDC) is presented in this paper. This crustal section comprises polyphase banded to foliated TTG gneisses, middle amphibolite facies Gurgunta schist belt and upper greenschist facies Hutti schist belt and abundant granite plutons. The focus of the present study is mainly on basement TTG gneisses and a granite pluton (∼ 240 sq km areal extent), to discuss crustal accretion processes including changing petrogenetic mechanism and geodynamic setting. The TTGs contain quartz, plagioclase, lesser K-feldspar and hornblende with minor biotite while the granite contain quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar and hornblende. Late stage alteration (chloritisation, sericitisation and epidotisation) is wide spread in the entire area. A huge synplutonic mafic body which is dioritic to meladioritic in composition injects the granite and displays all stages of progressive mixing and hybridization. The studied TTGs and granite show distinct major and trace element patterns. The TTGs are characterized by higher SiO₂, high Al₂O₃, and Na₂O, low TiO₂, Mg#, CaO, K₂O and LILE, and HFS elements compared to granite. TTGs define strong trondhjemite trend whilst granite shows calc-alkaline trend. However, both TTGs and granite show characteristics of Phanerozoic high-silica adakites. The granite also shows characteristics of transitional TTGs in its high LILE, and progressive increase in K₂O with differentiation. Both TTGs and granite define linear to sub-linear trends on variation diagrams. The TTGs show moderate total REE contents with fractionated REE patterns (La/Yb_N =17.73–61.73) and slight positive or without any significant Eu anomaly implying little amount of amphibole or plagioclase in residual liquid. On the other hand, the granite displays poor to moderate fractionation of REE patterns (La/Yb_N = 9.06–67.21) without any significant Eu anomaly. The TTGs have been interpreted to be produced by low-K basaltic slab melting at shallow depth, whereas the granite pluton has been formed by slab melting at depth and these melts interacted with peridotite mantle wedge. Such changing petrogenetic mechanisms and geodynamic conditions explain increase in the contents of MgO, CaO, Ni and Cr from 2700 Ma to 2500 Ma granitoids in the EDC.     

Mafic–intermediate plutonic rocks of the Salmas area,northwestern Iran: their source and petrogenesis significance

The Salmas area, in the northernmost part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone of Iran, contains a crystalline mafic–intermediate complex that intrudes into the Precambrian metamorphic basement complex and is composed of gabbroic and gabbrodiorite cumulates and fine-grained non-cumulate gabbronorites and diorites. These rocks have fine- to coarse-grained texture and are mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxenes, and amphibole. Major element geochemistry indicates that the pluton has a low-K with tholeiitic affinity. Variations of major and trace elements on Harker diagrams, including negative correlations MgO, Fe₂O₃, CaO, and Co and positive correlations Na₂O, K₂O, Rb, Ba, and La, with increasing SiO₂ and chondrite-normalized REE patterns, suggest that fractional crystallization of gabbroic rocks could have played a significant role in the formation of evolved rocks. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns are not fractionated (La_N /Lu_N = 1.3–5.4) and display strong Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.15–1.76) in cumulate rocks, which we attributed to cumulus plagioclase. Sr and Nd isotopic ratios vary from 0.704698 to 0.705866 and from 0.512548 to 0.512703, respectively. Gabbronorites with high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, and high MgO, Ni, and Cr contents indicate that they were generated from relatively primitive magmas. We used petrogenetic modelling to constrain sources. Trace element ratio modelling indicates that the gabbroic rocks were generated from a spinel-peridotite source via 5–20% degrees of fractional melting at a depth of ～52 km. Major and REE modelling shows that the diorites are the products of fractional crystallization of gabbronorites.     

东昆仑东段可日正长花岗岩年龄和岩石成因对东昆仑中三叠世构造演化的制约

可日岩体位于东昆仑造山带东段东昆北构造带,岩性为含暗色微粒包体正长花岗岩。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb同位素定年结果显示寄主岩和暗色微粒包体的结晶年龄分别为231.58±0.49Ma和232.6±2.3Ma。可日正长花岗岩主体为弱过铝质中钾钙碱性I型花岗岩,具有较高的SiO_2含量(72.06%~74.49%)和Na_2O/K_2O(1.00~1.35)、Nb/Ta(15.4~27.9)比值,较低的值(14~31)和Rb/Ba(0.10~0.46)比值,富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),亏损高场强元素(HFSE)。岩体为巴颜喀拉地块同东昆仑地块碰撞后,板片断离持续作用产生的镁铁质熔体底侵中下地壳使其部分熔融的结果。暗色微粒包体同寄主岩具有相近的结晶年龄、较细粒度、含有寄主岩捕获晶、针状磷灰石,显示包体是镁铁质岩浆注入寄主岩快速冷却的产物。由于寄主岩分离结晶,残留熔体与包体的浓度梯度差导致元素扩散,使两者具有物质交换。东昆仑东段晚古生代-早中生代幔源岩浆对花岗质岩浆的影响是一个持续的过程,从俯冲阶段早期流体交代地幔熔融,到俯冲阶段后期板片断离,然后同碰撞阶段板片断离的持续影响,再到后碰撞阶段加厚地壳的拆沉作用,由于地球动力学体制不同,导致幔源岩浆影响的大小和特征不同。可日岩体年龄及岩石成因显示东昆仑地区在232Ma左右处于同碰撞阶段。     

The Pikes Peak batholith,Colorado front range,and a model for the origin of the gabbro—anorthosite—syenite—potassic granite suite

This study of the Pikes Peak batholith includes the mineralogy and petrology of quartz syenite at West Creek and of fayalite-bearing and fayalite-free biotite granite near Mount Rosa; major element chemistry of the batholith; comparisons with similar postorogenic, intracratonic, sodic to potassic intrusives; and genesis of the batholith.The batholith is elongate in plan, 50 by 100 km, composite, and generally subalkalic. It was emplaced at shallow depth 1,040 m. y. ago, sharply transects its walls and may have breached its roof. Biotite granite and biotite—hornblende granite are predominant; quartz syenite, fayalite granite and riebeckite granite are present in minor amounts.Fayalite-bearing and fayalite-free quartz syenite, fayalite-biotite granite and riebeckite granite show a well-defined sodic differentiation trend; the less sodic fayalite-free granites exhibit a broader compositional range and no sharp trends.Crystallization was largely at P_H2O < P_total; P_H2O approached P_total only at late stages. Aplite residual to fayalite-free biotite granite in the north formed at about 1,500 bars, or 5 km depth. Feldspar assemblages indicate late stages of crystallization at about 720°C. In the south ilmenite and manganian fayalite indicate f_O2 of 10^?17 or 10^?18 bars. Biotite and fayalite compositions and the ‘granite minimum’ imply completion of crystallization at about 700°C and 1,500 bars. Nearby fayalite-free biotite granite crystallized at higher water fugacity.All types of syenite and granite contain 5–6% K₂O through a range of SiO₂ of 63–76%. Average Na₂O percentages in quartz syenite are 6.2, fayalite granite 4.2, and fayalite-free granite 3.3 MgO contents are low, 0.03–0.4%; FeO averages 1.9–2.5%. FeO/Fe₂O₃ ratios are high. Fluorine ranges from 0.3 to 0.6%.The Pikes Peak intrusives are similar in mode of emplacement, composition, and probably genesis to rapakivi intrusives of Finland, the Younger Granites of Nigeria, Cape Ann Granite and Beverly Syenite, Mass., and syenite of Kungnat, Greenland, among others — allowing for different levels of erosion. A suite that includes gabbro or basalt, anorthosite, quartz syenite, fayalite granite, riebeckite granite, and biotite and/or hornblende granites is of worldwide occurrence.A model is proposed in which mantle-derived, convecting alkali olivine basaltic magma first reacts with K₂O-poor lower crust of granulite facies to produce magma of quartz syenitic composition. The syenitic liquid in turn reacts with granodioritic to granitic intermediate crust of amphibolite facies to produce the predominant fayalite-free biotite and biotite-hornblende granites of the batholith. This reaction of magma and roof involves both partial melting and the reconstitution and precipitation of refractory phases, as Bowen proposed. Intermediate liquids include MgO-depleted and Na₂O-enriched gabbro, which precipitated anorthosite, and alkali diorite. The heat source is the basaltic magma; the heat required for partial melting of the roof is supplied largely by heats of crystallization of phases that settle out of the liquid — mostly olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase.     

The petrogenetic characterization of intermediate and silicic charnockites in high-grade terrains: a case study from southern India

Large charnockite massifs occur in some of the Precambrian high-grade terrains like the southern Indian granulite terrain. The Cardamom Hill charnockite massif from the Madurai Block, southern India, consists of an intermediate type and silicic type, with the intermediate type showing similarities to high-Ba−Sr granitoids with low K₂O/Na₂O ratios and the silicic type showing similarities to high-Ba–Sr granitoids with high K₂O/Na₂O ratios. Within the constraints imposed by near basaltic composition of the most mafic samples and their relatively high concentrations of both compatible and incompatible elements, comparison with recent experimental studies on various source compositions, and trace- and rare-earth-element modeling, the distinctive features of the intermediate charnockites can be best explained in terms of assimilation–fractional crystallization (AFC) models involving interaction between a mantle-derived basaltic magma and lower crustal materials. Silicic charnockites on the other hand are high temperature melts of moderately hydrous basaltic magmas. A two-stage model which involves an initial partial melting of hydrous basaltic magma and later fractionation explains the geochemical features of the silicic charnockites, with the fractionation stage most probably an open system AFC. It is suggested that for massifs showing spatial association of intermediate and silicic charnockites, a model taking into account their compositional difference in terms of the effect of variations in the conditions (e.g., temperature, water fugacity) that prevailed, can account for plausible petrogenetic scenarios.     

Geochemical exploration of a Precambrian Batholith, source of a Cu-W mineralization of the tourmaline breccia in Southern Finland

The Hämeenkyrö batholith is a round-shaped plutonic body of an areal size of 147 km². It is composed of calc-alkaline to alkaline rocks that intruded previously metamorphosed Svecofennian volcanogenic and sedimentary schists 1860 Ma ago. The Cu-W bearing tourmaline breccia of the Ylörvi deposit occurs in metavolcanic rocks close to the eastern contact of the batholith.The average sampling density in the batholith was 1 sample per km², and 175 samples were analyzed for Cu, Au, Ag, Ni, Pb, Co, Zn, S by AAS for SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, FeO, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na₂O, K₂O, As, Sn and P by X-ray fluorescence. Mo and W were determined colorimetrically. Barth mesonorms were calculated for each sample and the rock type was determined according to Streckeisen's classification. Element distributions are displayed on contour maps.The rock types of the batholith exhibit an asymmetric concentric arrangement, the order from the center towards the margin being alkali-feldspar granite, syenogranite, monzogranite, quartz monzonite, quartz syenite, alkali-feldspar, quartz syenite, syenite and alkali-feldspar syenite. Anomalously high Cu, As, Sn, S, K₂O and Na₂O contents have been found at the eastern margin of the batholith in a N—S-trending zone, which is characterized by hydrothermal alteration phenomena, propylitization, tourmalinization and scapolitization. Three anomalous areas have been defined within this zone, one of them is associated with the Ylöjärvi deposit and the other two are regarded as exploration targets.     

Zircon U-Pb age and Hf-O isotope insights into genesis of Permian Tarim felsic rocks,NW China: Implications for crustal melting in response to a mantle plume

Deciphering the contribution of crustal materials to A-type granites is critical to understanding their petrogenesis. Abundant alkaline syenitic and granitic intrusions distributed in Tarim Large Igneous Province, NW China, offer a good opportunity to address relevant issues. This paper presents new zircon Hf-O isotopic data and U-Pb dates on these intrusions, together with whole-rock geochemical compositions, to constrain crustal melting processes associated with a mantle plume. The ∼280 Ma Xiaohaizi quartz syenite porphyry and syenite exhibit identical zircon δ¹⁸O values of 4.40 ± 0.34‰ (2σ) and 4.48 ± 0.28‰ (2σ), respectively, corresponding to whole-rock δ¹⁸O values of 5.6‰ and 6.0‰, respectively. These values are similar to mantle value and suggest an origin of closed-system fractional crystallization from Tarim plume-derived melts. In contrast, the ∼275 Ma Halajun A-type granites have higher δ¹⁸O values (8.82–9.26‰) than the mantle. Together with their whole-rock ε_Nd(t) (−2.0–+0.6) and zircon ε_Hf(t) (−0.6–+1.5) values, they were derived from mixing between crust- and mantle-derived melts. These felsic rocks thus record crustal melting above the Tarim mantle plume. At ∼280–275 Ma, melts derived from decompression melting of Tarim mantle plume were emplaced into the crust, where fractional crystallization of a common parental magma generated mafic-ultramafic complex, syenite, and quartz syenite porphyry as exemplified in the Xiaohaizi region. Meanwhile, partial melting of upper crustal materials would occur in response to basaltic magma underplating. The resultant partial melts mixed with Tarim plume-derived basaltic magmas coupled with fractional crystallization led to formation of the Halajun A-type granites.     

The Northeast Kingdom batholith,Vermont: magmatic evolution and geochemical constraints on the origin of Acadian granitic rocks

Five Devonian plutons (West Charleston, Echo Pond, Nulhegan, Derby, and Willoughby) that constitute the Northeast Kingdom batholith in Vermont show wide ranges in elemental abundances and ratios consistent with major crustal contributions during their evolution. The batholith consists of metaluminous quartz gabbro, diorite and quartz monzodiorite, peraluminous granodiorite and granite, and strongly peraluminous leucogranite. Contents of major elements vary systematically with increasingSiO<₂ (48 to 77 wt.%). The batholith has calc-alkaline features, for example a Peacock index of 57, and values for K<₂O/Na₂O (<1), K/Rb (60–350), Zr/Hf (30–50), Nb/Ta (2–22), Hf/Ta (up to 10), and Rb/Zr (<2) in the range of plutonic rocks found in continental magmatic ares. Wide diversity and high values of minor- and trace-element ratios, including Th/Ta (0.5–22), Th/Yb (0–27), Ba/La (0–80), etc., are attributed to intracrustal contributions. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of metaluminous and relatively mafic intrusives have slightly negative slopes (La/Yb_cn<10) and negative Eu anomalies are small orabsent. The metaluminous to peraluminous inter-mediate plutons are relatively enriched in the light REE (La/Yb_cn>40) and have small negative Eu anomalies. The strongly peraluminous Willoughby leucogranite has unique trace-element abundances and ratios relative to the rest of the batholith, including low contents of Hf, Zr, Sr, and Ba, low values of K/Rb (80–164), Th/Ta (<9), Rb/Cs (7–40), K/Cs (0.1–0.5), Ce/Pb (0.5–4), high values of Rb/Sr (1–18) low to moderate REE contents and light-REE enriched patterns (with small negative Eu anomalies). Flat REE patterns (with large negative Eu anomalies) are found in a small, hydrothermally-altered area characterized by high abundances of Sn (up to 26 ppm), Rb (up to 670 ppm), Li (up to 310 ppm), Ta (up to 13.1 ppm), and U (up to 10 ppm). There is no single mixing trend, fractional crystallization assemblage, or assimilationscheme that accounts for all trace elementvariations from quartz gabbro to granite in the Northeast Kingdom batholith. The plutons originated by mixing mantle-derived components and crustal melts generated at different levels in the heterogeneous lithosphere in a continental collisional environment. Hybrid rocks in the batholith evolved by fractional crystallization and assimilation of country rocks (<50% by mass), and some of the leucogranitic rocks were subsequently disturbed by a mild hydrothermal event that resulted in the deposition of small amounts of sulfide minerals.     

Fractional crystallization of high-K arc magmas: biotite- versus amphibole-dominated fractionation series in the Dariv Igneous Complex,Western Mongolia

Many studies have documented hydrous fractionation of calc-alkaline basalts producing tonalitic, granodioritic, and granitic melts, but the origin of more alkaline arc sequences dominated by high-K monzonitic suites has not been thoroughly investigated. This study presents results from a combined field, petrologic, and whole-rock geochemical study of a paleo-arc alkaline fractionation sequence from the Dariv Range of the Mongolian Altaids. The Dariv Igneous Complex of Western Mongolia is composed of a complete, moderately hydrous, alkaline fractionation sequence ranging from phlogopite-bearing ultramafic and mafic cumulates to quartz–monzonites to late-stage felsic (63–75 wt% SiO₂) dikes. A volumetrically subordinate more hydrous, amphibole-dominated fractionation sequence is also present and comprises amphibole (±phlogopite) clinopyroxenites, gabbros, and diorites. We present 168 whole-rock analyses for the biotite- and amphibole-dominated series. First, we constrain the liquid line of descent (LLD) of a primitive, alkaline arc melt characterized by biotite as the dominant hydrous phase through a fractionation model that incorporates the stepwise subtraction of cumulates of a fixed composition. The modeled LLD reproduces the geochemical trends observed in the “liquid-like” intrusives of the biotite series (quartz–monzonites and felsic dikes) and follows the water-undersaturated albite–orthoclase cotectic (at 0.2–0.5 GPa). Second, as distinct biotite- and amphibole-dominated fractionation series are observed, we investigate the controls on high-temperature biotite versus amphibole crystallization from hydrous arc melts. Analysis of a compilation of hydrous experimental starting materials and high-Mg basalts saturated in biotite and/or amphibole suggests that the degree of K enrichment controls whether biotite will crystallize as an early high-T phase, whereas the degree of water saturation is the dominant control of amphibole crystallization. Therefore, if a melt has the appropriate major-element composition for early biotite and amphibole crystallization, as is true of the high-Mg basalts from the Dariv Igneous Complex, the relative proximity of these two phases to the liquidus depends on the H₂O concentration in the melt. Third, we compare the modeled high-K LLD and whole-rock geochemistry of the Dariv Igneous Complex to the more common calc-alkaline trend. Biotite and K-feldspar fractionation in the alkaline arc series results in the moderation of K₂O/Na₂O values and LILE concentrations with increasing SiO₂ as compared to the more common calc-alkaline series characterized by amphibole and plagioclase crystallization and strong increases in K₂O/Na₂O values. Lastly, we suggest that common calc-alkaline parental melts involve addition of a moderate pressure, sodic, fluid-dominated slab component while more alkaline primitive melts characterized by early biotite saturation involve the addition of a high-pressure potassic sediment melt.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of the Late Triassic Longtan pluton in South China: termination of the crustal melting and Indosinian orogenesis

The Indosinian orogeny is recorded by Triassic angular unconformities in Vietnam and South China and by widely occurring granitoids in the Yunkai-Nanling and the Xuefengshan belts of South China. The Longtan pluton in the northwestern part of the Xuefengshan belt is a typical high-K, calc-alkaline, I-type granitoid, which can shed light on the relationship between the Indosinian tectonic and magmatic activity in the region. Three precise zircon U–Pb ages yielded a mean of 218 ± 0.8 Ma, which is taken as the age of crystallization. The pluton consists of both granodiorite (64.59–68.01 % SiO₂ and 3.25–4.22 % K₂O) and granite (70.49–71.80 % SiO₂ and 4.07–4.70 % K₂O). The granodiorites are characterized by relatively high Mg# (54–57), low contents of Na₂O (3.2–4.3 wt%), low abundances of incompatible elements (LILE, Nb and P), high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7175–0.7184) and negative ε_Nd(t) (?9.98 to ?9.72). REE patterns show moderate fractionation ((La/Yb)_cn = 8.07–18.80) with negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.62–0.86). Compared with the granodiorite, the granite has a wider range of Mg# (49–59), lower contents of Na₂O (2.8–4.2 wt%), higher initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7232–0.7243) and more negative ε_Nd(t) (?12.07 to ?11.24) values. REE patterns are relatively flat ((La/Yb)_cn = 14.73–29.37) with smaller negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.48–0.63). The granodiorite has lower K₂O/Na₂O and Al₂O₃/(MgO + FeO_Tot) values than the granite. Based on major and trace element geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopes, we interpret the Longtan granodioritic magma to have been derived by partial melting of interlayered Proterozoic metabasaltic to metatonalitic source rocks, whereas the granite was probably derived from a mixture of Proterozoic metagraywackes and metaigneous rocks. Field, petrographic and geochemical evidence indicate that partial melting and fractional crystallization were the dominant mechanism in the evolution of the pluton. The Longtan granodiorites and granites are petrologically and geochemically similar to typical Indosinian varieties and are considered to have been produced in a similar manner. The Indosinian granitoids in the region show a magmatic peak age of ~238 Ma from the Yunkai-Nanling belt in the southeast and a magmatic peak age of ~218 Ma of the Xuefengshan belt to the northwest. These early and late magmatic episodes of the Indosinian granitoids also display slight variations of regular compositions, ε_Nd(t) values and T _DM ages. Thus, we propose a syncollisional extension model that Indosinian granitoids were generated by decompressional partial melting of crustal materials triggered by two extensions during collision of the Indochina and South China blocks. The Longtan pluton in the northwesternmost part of the orogenic belt marks the termination of the Indosinian magmatism and orogenesis.     

Petrology, geochemistry and zircon age for redwitzite at Abertamy, NW Bohemian Massif (Czech Republic): tracing the mantle component in Late Variscan intrusions

A small body of mafic texturally and compositionally varied igneous intrusive rocks corresponding to redwitzites occurs at Abertamy in the Western pluton of the Krušné hory/Erzgebirge granite batholith (Czech Republic). It is enclosed by porphyritic biotite granite of the older intrusive suite in the southern contact zone of the Nejdek-Eibenstock granite massif. We examined the petrology and geochemistry of the rocks and compared the data with those on redwitzites described from NE Bavaria and Western Bohemia.The redwitzites from Abertamy are coarse- to medium-grained rocks with massive textures and abundant up to 2 cm large randomly oriented biotite phenocrysts overgrowing the groundmass. They are high in MgO, Cr and Ni but have lower Rb and Li contents than the redwitzites in NE Bavaria. Compositional linear trends from redwitzites to granites at Abertamy indicate crystal fractionation and magma mixing in a magma chamber as possible mechanisms of magma differentiation. Plots of MgO versus SiO₂, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, FeO, CaO, Na₂O, and K₂O indicate mainly plagioclase and orthopyroxene fractionation as viable mechanisms for in situ differentiation of the redwitzites.The porphyritic biotite monzogranite enclosing the redwitzite is the typical member of the early granitic suite (Older Intrusive Complex, OIC ) with strongly developed transitional I/S-type features. The ages of zircons obtained by the single zircon Pb-evaporation method suggest that the redwitzites and granites at Abertamy originated during the same magmatic period of the Variscan plutonism at about 322 Ma.The granitic melts have been so far mainly interpreted to be formed by heat supply from a thickened crust or decompression melting accompanying exhumation and uplift of overthickened crust in the Krušné hory/Erzgebirge due to a previous collisional event at ca. 340 Ma. The presence of mafic bodies in the Western pluton of the Krušné hory/Erzgebirge batholith confirms a more significant role of mantle-derived mafic magmas in heating of the sources of granitic melts than previously considered.