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

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

A gravity study of the precambrian rocks in the malumfashi area of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Gravity measurements in the Malumfashi area of Nigeria show large negative Bouguer anomalies ranging from — 33 mGal to — 65 mGal and free-air anomalies distributed about a mean of +15 mGal. A regional anomaly ranging from about −56 mGal in the southwestern part to about −44 mGal in the northeastern part of the area is tentatively correlated with a gradual thinning of the crust from southwest to northeast.Negative residual anomalies in the area correlate well with granite bodies thus confirming the acidic (low density) nature of the Older Granites. Positive residual anomalies of values up to about +12 mGal are associated with the schist bodies in the area. From two-dimensional modelling using approximate density values, it is estimated that the schists in the area vary in thickness from 4 to 5 km and the granite bodies have thicknesses of the order of 4 km.High-gravity gradients of up to 6 mGal/km at some contact areas between the schists and granitic bodies are attributed to sharp contacts and magmatic sloping is thought to be the most likely mode of emplacement of the granites in the area. The Bouguer anomalies observed over the schists have a maximum of only − 34 mGal. These values are considered too low to allow the existence of more mafic rocks at depth and the schists in the Malumfashi area are therefore believed to have evolved in an ensialic environment.     

Crustal structure of the western part of the Southern Granulite Terrain of Indian Peninsular Shield derived from gravity data

The Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) is composed of high-grade granulite domain occurring to the south of Dharwar Craton (DC). The structural units of SGT show a marked change in the structural trend from the dominant north–south in DC to east–west trend in SGT and primarily consist of different crustal blocks divided by major shear zones. The Bouguer anomaly map prepared based on nearly 3900 gravity observations shows that the anomalies are predominantly negative and vary between −125 mGal and +22 mGal. The trends of the anomalies follow structural grain of the terrain and exhibit considerable variations within the charnockite bodies. Two-dimensional wavelength filtering as well as Zero Free-air based (ZFb) analysis of the Geoid-Corrected Bouguer Anomaly map of the region is found to be very useful in preparing regional gravity anomaly map and inversion of this map gave rise to crustal thicknesses of 37–44 km in the SGT. Crustal density structure along four regional gravity profiles cutting across major shear zones, lineaments, plateaus and other important geological structures bring out the following structural information. The Bavali Shear Zone extending at least up to 10 km depth is manifested as a plane separating two contrasting upper crustal blocks on both sides and the gravity high north of it reveals the presence of a high density mass at the base of the crust below Coorg. The steepness of the Moyar and Bhavani shears on either side of Nilgiri plateau indicates uplift of the plateau due to block faulting with a high density mass at the crustal base. The Bhavani Shear Zone is manifested as a steep southerly dipping plane extending to deeper levels along which alkaline and granite rocks intruded into the top crustal layer. The gravity high over Palghat gap is due to the upwarping of Moho by 1–2 km with the presence of a high density mass at intermediate crustal levels. The gravity low in Periyar plateau is due to the granite emplacement, mid-crustal interface and the thicker crust. The feeble gravity signature across the Achankovil shear characterized by sharp velocity contrast indicates that the shear is not a superficial structure but a crustal scale zone of deformation reaching up to mid-crustal level.     

Emplacement depths and radiometric ages of Paleozoic plutons of the Neukirchen–Kdyn massif: differential uplift and exhumation of Cadomian basement due to Carboniferous orogenic collapse (Bohemian Massif)

The igneous complex of Neukirchen–Kdyn is located in the southwestern part of the Teplá–Barrandian unit (TBU) in the Bohemian Massif. The TBU forms the most extensive surface exposure of Cadomian basement in central Europe. Cambrian plutons show significant changes in composition, emplacement depth, isotopic cooling ages, and tectonometamorphic overprint from NE to SW. In the NE, the V epadly granodiorite and the Smr ovice diorite intruded at shallow crustal levels (<ca. 7 km depth) as was indicated by geobarometric data. K–Ar age data yield 547±7 and 549±7 for hornblende and 495±6 Ma for biotite of the Smr ovice diorite, suggesting that this pluton has remained at shallow crustal levels (T<ca. 350 °C) since its Cambrian emplacement. A similar history is indicated for the V epadly granodiorite and the Stod granite. In the SW, intermediate to mafic plutons of the Neukirchen–Kdyn massif (V eruby and Neukirchen gabbro, Hoher–Bogen metagabbro), which yield Cambrian ages, either intruded or were metamorphosed at considerably deeper structural levels (>20 km). The Teufelsberg ( ert v kámen) diorite, on the other hand, forms an unusual intrusion dated at 359±2 Ma (concordant U–Pb zircon age). K–Ar dating of biotite of the Teufelsberg diorite yields 342±4 Ma. These ages, together with published cooling ages of hornblende and mica in adjacent plutons, are compatible with widespread medium to high-grade metamorphism and strong deformation fabrics, suggesting a strong Variscan impact under elevated temperatures at deeper structural levels. The plutons of the Neukirchen area are cut by the steeply NE dipping Hoher–Bogen shear zone (HBSZ), which forms the boundary with the adjacent Moldanubian unit. The HBSZ is characterized by top-to-the-NE normal movements, which were particularly active during the Lower Carboniferous. A geodynamic model is presented that explains the lateral gradients in Cambrian pluton composition and emplacement depth by differential uplift and exhumation, the latter being probably related to long-lasting movements along the HBSZ as a consequence of Lower Carboniferous orogenic collapse.     

The 1.80–1.74-Ga gabbro–anorthosite–rapakivi Korosten Pluton in the Ukrainian Shield: a 3-D geophysical reconstruction of deep structure

The deep structure of the gabbro–anorthosite–rapakivi granite (“AMCG-type”) Korosten Pluton (KP) in the northwestern Ukrainian Shield was studied by 3-D modelling of the gravity and magnetic fields together with previous seismic data. The KP occupies an area of ca. 12,500 km² and comprises several layered gabbro-anorthositic intrusions enveloped by large volumes of rapakivi-type granitoids. Between 1.80 and 1.74 Ga, the emplacement of mafic and associated granitoid melts took place in several pulses. The 3-D geophysical reconstruction included: (a) modelling of the density distribution in the crust using the observed Bouguer anomaly field constrained by seismic data on Moho depth, and (b) modelling of the magnetic anomaly field in order to outline rock domains of various magnetisation, size and shape in the upper and lower crust. The density modelling was referred to three depth levels of 0 to 5, 5 to 18, and 18 km to Moho, respectively. The 3-D reconstruction demonstrates close links between the subsurface geology of the KP and the structure of the lower crust. The existence of a non-magnetic body with anomalously high seismic velocity and density is documented. Most plausibly, it represents a gabbroic stock (a parent magma chamber) with a vertical extent of ca. 20 km, penetrating the entire lower crust. This stock has a half-cylindrical shape and a diameter of ca. 90 km. It appears to be connected with a crust–mantle transitional lens previously discovered by EUROBRIDGE seismic profiling. The position of the stock relative to the subsurface outlines of the KP is somewhat asymmetric. This may be due to a connection between the magmatism and sets of opposite-dipping faults initially developed during late Palaeoproterozoic collisional deformation in the Sarmatian crustal segment. Continuing movements and disturbances of the upper mantle and the lower crust during post-collisional tectonic events between 1.80 and 1.74 Ga may account for the long-lived, recurrent AMCG magmatism.     

大别山南缘月山岩体构造变形特征及其地质意义

锆石U-Pb年龄表明鄂东月山岩体是一个古老花岗岩经后期重熔并于燕山中期(139Ma)侵入的花岗岩体,角闪石压力计得出侵位深度达24.5km.宏观构造、应变测量和石英C轴组构分析得出,月山岩体在深层侵位过程中受到NW-SE伸展和垂向挤压的区域应力作用.在南大别山分布众多类似岩体,从而表明在燕山中期,由NW-SE向的区域伸展体制控制南大别山的构造发展.      

Gravity interpretation of the Dharwar greenstone-gneiss-granite terrain in the southern Indian shield and its geological implications

The Dharwar craton in the southern Indian shield has a wide distribution of volcano-sedimentary sequences surrounded by a vast gneissic complex, both of which have been intruded by younger granites. A gravity anomaly map of this craton, compiled from all the available data, is analysed here to study the structures and depths of the greenstone belts, the mode of granite emplacements and the greenstone-gneiss-granite associations in general. The anomaly map is a mosaic of well-defined gravity highs and lows characterizing the dense volcano-sedimentary sequences and exposed and/or concealed granites respectively. Gravity modelling indicates that the Shimoga belt has a limited depth range of only 3–4 km while the Chitradurga and Sandur belts have greater depths of over 10 km. The structures inferred for the Dharwar formations are alternating bands of synclines, filled with dense schistose rocks, separated by anticlinal ridges of gneisses and granites.     

Comparison of gravity anomaly between mature and immature intra-oceanic subduction zones in the western Pacific

The western Pacific hosts major subduction systems such as Izu–Bonin–Mariana and Tonga–Kermadec, but also less conspicuous systems such as Yap, Mussau and Hjort trenches which constitute the young, incomplete, or ultraslow-member in the evolutionary spectrum of subduction zones. We used satellite-derived gravity data to compare well-developed and immature subduction systems. It is shown that at spatial resolution > 10–20 km or so, the satellite data have accuracy comparable to ship-board gravity measurements over intra-oceanic subduction zones. In the isostatic residual gravity anomaly map, the width of non-isostatically-compensated region of the mature subduction zones is much wider than that of immature ones. More importantly, when the gravitational attraction due to seafloor is removed, a large difference exists between the mature and immature subduction zones in the overriding plate side. Mature subduction zones exhibit broad low gravity anomalies of ~ 200–250 mGal centered at distances of 150–200 km from the trench which are not found over immature subduction zones. The cause of the broad low gravity anomalies over mature subduction zones is debatable due to lack of information on the deep crust and upper mantle structure and property. We discuss the following four causes: (1) serpentinization of the upper mantle beneath the forearc; (2) presence of partial melt in the mantle wedge caused by release of volatiles from the slab, frictional heating and distributed by mantle circulation; (3) difference in density structure between the overriding and subducting plates caused by difference in age and thermal structures with and without compositional stratification between crust and mantle; and (4) anomalous thickness of the arc not explained by isostasy. Our analysis suggests that serpentinization cannot explain the observed gravity anomaly which appears ~ 150–200 km from the trench. Although the extent and distribution of partial melt within the mantle wedge remain in question, to our best estimate, partial melting contributes little (< 50 mGal) to the total negative gravity anomaly. The difference in density structure reflecting temperature difference can only explain less than half of the low gravity anomaly. The sinking of lighter crustal material produces a large negative anomaly in the forearc but its location does not match the observed gravity anomaly. It appears that one cannot explain the total difference in gravity anomaly without invoking anomalous thickness of the arc. Although we could not identify the sole or combination of factors that give rise to the low gravity anomaly in mature subduction zones, the comparison of gravity anomalies between mature and immature subduction zones is likely to provide an important constraint for understanding the evolution and structure of subduction zones as more complementary evidences become available.     

Seismicity, gravity anomalies and lithospheric structure of the Andaman arc, NE Indian Ocean

The Andaman arc in the northeastern Indian Ocean defines nearly 1100 km long active plate margin between the India and Burma plates where an oblique Benioff zone develops down to 200 km depth. Several east-trending seismologic sections taken across the Andaman Benioff Zone (ABZ) are presented here to detail the subduction zone geometry in a 3-D perspective. The slab gravity anomaly, computed from the 3-D ABZ configuration, is a smooth, long-wavelength and symmetric gravity high of 85 mGal amplitude centering to the immediate east of the Nicobar Island, where, a prominent gravity “high” follows the Nicobar Deep. The Slab-Residual Gravity Anomaly (SRGA) and Mantle Bouguer Anomaly (MBA) maps prepared for the Andaman plate margin bring out a double-peaked SRGA “low” in the range of − 150 to − 240 mGal and a wider-cum-larger MBA “low” having the amplitude of − 280 to − 315 mGal demarcating the Andaman arc–trench system. The gravity models provide evidences for structural control in propagating the rupture within the lithosphere. The plate margin configuration below the Andaman arc is sliced by the West Andaman Fault (WAF) as well as by a set of sympathetic faults of various proportions, often cutting across the fore-arc sediment package. Some of these fore-arc thrust faults clearly give rise to considerably high post-seismic activity, but the seismic incidence along the WAF further east is comparatively much less particularly in the north, although, the lack of depth resolution for many of the events prohibits tracing the downward continuity of these faults. Tectonic correlation of the gravity-derived models presented here tends to favour the presence of oceanic crust below the Andaman–Nicobar Outer Arc Ridge.     

An analysis of the gravity field over north Singhbhum, Bihar, India

About seven hundred gravity stations were established 2–3 miles apart over the Precambrian terrain of Singhbhum that lies between latitude 22° 15′ to 23°°15′N and longitude 85° to 87°E. Bouguer anomalies ranging from +4 to −62 mGal are found in the area. The observed Bouguer anomaly map was analyzed into regional and residual components. The residual anomaly map shows an excellent correlation with geology. The Singhbhum granite batholith is associated with several gravity lows. The residual anomaly map outlines nine plutonic granitic masses within the Singhbhum batholith. Negative residuals are also observed over some intrusive granites outside the batholith. Residual gravity highs are noted over the Dalma hill as well as over the Dhanjori lava complex on the eastern part of the Singhbhum batholith.Two-dimensional models suggestive of subsurface configuration of several major geologic units in the area are presented. These indicate that some of the plutonic granites within the Singhbhum batholith are of relatively large dimensions. The basin containing the Iron Ore Group of rocks to the west of the batholith, as well as the basin containing Singhbhum Group of rocks outside the Copper Belt thrust, may have sedimentary thicknesses of the order of 6–7 km. The Dalma lavas attain their maximum thickness of about 2.5 km in the form of a syncline, underneath which the Singhbhum Group of rocks is also found to be the thickest. The Copper Belt thrust, a major Precambrian fracture around the Singhbhum batholith, is moderately north-dipping near the surface but possibly attains a steeper slope at depth. The thrust appears to be quite deep seated. A threedimensional computer-based model for the Dhanjori lava—gabbro complex on the eastern part of the Singhbhum batholith has been deduced. Maximum thickness of these basic rocks is found to exist underneath a thin cap of granophyre. The geological implication of these results is discussed.Variation in the regional anomalies seems to be attributable to a mass deficiency under the Singhbhum batholith. The batholith may extend subsurfacially towards the north across the Copper Belt thrust. The northern tip of the batholith probably became dissected along the line of intersection of the two orogenic trends in the area and subsided. Over this subsided part, the Singhbhum Group of rocks was deposited at a later stage. Gravity data suggest a fairly large amount of subsidence in the area.     

Incremental emplacement and syn-tectonic deformation of Late Triassic granites in the Qinling Orogen: Structural and geochronological constraints

Granitoids are important components of major orogenic belts, and provide important information about the regional geodynamic evolution. The emplacement mechanism of granite plutons and its relationship with regional tectonics has long been discussed, although it still remains debated. The Qinling Orogen within the Central China Orogen was marked by the emplacement of numerous Late Triassic granitic plutons. Although the petrology, geochemistry and geochronology of these intrusions have been addressed in various studies, their tectonic setting remains controversial, particularly since the structural aspects not been evaluated in detail. In this study, we attempt to reconstruct the emplacement process of the Late Triassic Dongjiangkou pluton in the South Qinling Belt. Field observations show extensive syn-plutonic deformations both in the pluton and its contact zones. Microstructural observations demonstrate that fabrics in the pluton were mainly acquired during submagmatic flow to high-T solid-state deformation. Zircon U–Pb ages reveal that the pluton is a composite intrusion which is composed of two juxtaposed small plutons with distinct ages (~210 Ma and ~200 Ma). Al-in-hornblende thermobarometer indicates that the pluton was formed at depths ranging from 4.7 km to 8.8 km, with an increasing depth trend from the inner unit to the outer unit. Distribution of the internal fabrics shows two concentric patterns which are concordant with pluton margins at the pluton scale and were probably induced by the regional sinistral transpression. Integrating these analyses, an incremental emplacement model is proposed for the syn-tectonic pluton. This model not only solves the ‘room problem’ but also accounts for the zoned petrological features of the pluton. Combined with previous studies, we suggest that the Late Triassic granite plutons in the Qinling Orogen were emplaced under a syn-collisional convergence setting, and that the granite magmatism was probably controlled by regional tectonics. Additionally, the incremental emplacement model may be a common mechanism for the Late Triassic granite plutons.     

Petrology and Li-Be-B geochemistry of muscovite-biotite granite and associated pegmatite near Yellowknife,Canada

Prosperous granite (Rb-Sr 2520±25 Ma) occurs as several plutons (1–380 km² outcrop area) in a thick succession of metamorphosed greywacke-mudstone of the Yellowknife Supergroup. The average mineral content of the Sparrow pluton (in vol.%) is quartz (32), plagioclase (31), K-feldspar (24), muscovite (9), biotite (3), and apatite (<1). Average trace-element concentrations (in ppm) are Li (140), Be (4), B (28), Zn (47), Rb (250), Sr (76), Zr (75) and Ba (360). The central portion of the pluton is slightly richer in K, Sr, and Ba than the margin. Li is concentrated in mica (Li in biotite/Li in muscovite=4.7), and Be and B in muscovite and plagioclase. Countless pegmatite dikes occur in the Sparrow pluton and in schist-hornfels to the east; the outer limit is marked by the cordierite isograd, 9 km from the granite contact. Dikes vary greatly in size (1 km to a few cm in length), in mineral content (quartz, albite, K-feldspar, muscovite, tourmaline, beryl, spodumene), in major element composition (especially the NaK ratio), and in trace-element content (Li 18–5000 ppm, Be 5–260 ppm, B 20–150 ppm). Compared with Prosperous granite, the pegmatite bodies are richer in P and Rb, and poorer in Ti, Fe, Mg, Zr, and Ba. Dikes rich in tourmaline, beryl, and spodumene occur in overlapping zones situated progressively farther from the centre of the Sparrow pluton. The composition of tourmaline is related to host rock; the highest concentrations of Fe and Zn occur in crystals from pegmetite and the highest concentrations of Mg and V occur in crystals from tourmalinized schist, while those from granite and quartz veins occupy on intermediate position. Complex compositional zoning is present in some tourmaline crystals in pegmatite. Estimates of temperature (500°–600° C) and pressure (2–4 kb) of granite emplacement, based on the distribution of andalusite and sillimanite in the contact rocks, suggest that the final stage of granite emplacement occurred at sub-solidus conditions. A vaportransport model is proposed to explain the widespread distribution of the pegmatite dikes and their extreme compositional variability. Some of the pegmatite constituents, including Li, Be, and B, were possibly derived from Yellowknife graywacke and mudstone.     

Regional thermo-rheological field related to granite emplacement in the upper crust: implications for the Larderello area (Tuscany,Italy)

We modelled thermo-rheological perturbations, related to the emplacement of a magmatic body in the upper crust. This approach was considered relevant for the areas characterized by elevated surface heat flow and chiefly for the geothermal fields. The numerical conductive thermal model applied to the Larderello geothermal area in Tuscany, allowed to constrain size, depth and timing of emplacement of the pluton. We inferred that the emplacement of a magmatic body, at a minimum depth of 3 km, having a horizontal extension of 14 km and a maximum thickness of 8 km, can reasonably reproduce the observed regional surface heat flow anomaly of the Larderello area, when 300 (± 100) kyr are elapsed from the magma emplacement. Even assuming an incremental growth, the first magma injection should not be older than 1 ± 0.3 Ma.

Results of the thermal model were used to set up a rheological model and to simulate the drifting of the brittle-ductile transition during the cooling of the pluton. A comparison with the K-horizon profile, a prominent seismic reflector in the Larderello area, was then performed. It was found that the K-horizon approximately corresponds with the pluton roof and with the current location of the brittle-ductile transition.     

Translation and the resolution of the pluton space problem

The Late Cretaceous Mono Creek granite has a pronounced NW–SE elongate shape, 60 km long by 10 km wide, characteristic of plutons from the eastern Sierra Nevada batholith. An 8 km-wide bulge exists on the NE side of this pluton, which exhibits evidence of forceful emplacement (or in-situ ballooning), such as deflection of metamorphic wallrock and igneous foliation, and the orientation of fracture patterns. Three-dimensional strain analysis indicates that wallrock strains do not provide enough volume to accommodate the emplacement of the bulge, a recurring problem in studies of plutonic terranes.We suggest that emplacement of the Mono Creek bulge was accommodated by all components of the three-dimensional displacement field—including translation, rotation, and pure strain (shape change)—of the surrounding units. Classical strain analysis only addresses the rotation and pure strain components, and is incapable of quantifying the translation component. However, our analysis suggests that translation plays the dominant role in the emplacement process. A shell model of translation of the surrounding igneous and metamorphic units is proposed for the Mono Creek bulge, which suggests that the translation component decreases dramatically away from the intrusion, consistent with the observed geology and finite strain analysis. We propose that translation is the solution to the recurring pluton `space' problem, either through tectonically controlled (passive) or magmatically controlled (active) movement of the wallrocks. Translation is generally the neglected component of the displacement field, but it may often be evaluated through judicious use of finite strain analysis and tectonic reconstruction.     

Age and emplacement of late-Variscan granites of the western Bohemian Massif with main focus on the Hauzenberg granitoids (European Variscides, Germany)

The Variscan Hauzenberg pluton consists of granite and granodiorite that intruded late- to postkinematically into HT-metamorphic rocks of the Moldanubian unit at the southwestern margin of the Bohemian Massif (Passauer Wald). U–Pb dating of zircon single-grains and monazite fractions, separated from medium- to coarse-grained biotite-muscovite granite (Hauzenberg granite II), yielded concordant ages of 320 ± 3 and 329 ± 7 Ma, interpreted as emplacement age. Zircons extracted from the younger Hauzenberg granodiorite yielded a ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb mean age of 318.6 ± 4.1 Ma. The Hauzenberg granite I has not been dated. The pressure during solidification of the Hauzenberg granite II was estimated at 4.6 ± 0.6 kbar using phengite barometry on magmatic muscovite, corresponding to an emplacement depth of 16-18 km. The new data are compatible with pre-existing cooling ages of biotite and muscovite which indicate the Hauzenberg pluton to have cooled below T = 250–400 °C in Upper Carboniferous times. A compilation of age data from magmatic and metamorphic rocks of the western margin of the Bohemian Massif suggests a west- to northwestward shift of magmatism and HT/LP metamorphism with time. Both processes started at > 325 Ma within the South Bohemian Pluton and magmatism ceased at ca. 310 Ma in the Bavarian Oberpfalz. The slight different timing of HT metamorphism in northern Austria and the Bavarian Forest is interpreted as being the result of partial delamination of mantle lithosphere or removal of the thermal boundary layer.     

Magmatic history and geophysical signature of a post-collisional intrusive center emplaced near a crustal-scale shear zone: the Plechý granite pluton (Moldanubian batholith,Bohemian Massif)

The Plechy pluton, southwestern Bohemian Massif, represents a late-Variscan, complexly zoned intrusive center emplaced near the crustal-scale Pfahl shear zone; the pluton thus provides an opportunity to examine the interplay among successive emplacement of large magma batches, magmatic fabric acquisition, and the late-Variscan stress field associated with strike-slip shearing. The magmatic history of the pluton started with the emplacement of the porphyritic Plechy and Haidmühler granites. Based on gravity and structural data, we interpret that the Plechy and Haidmühler granites were emplaced as a deeply rooted, ∼NE–SW elongated body; its gross shape and internal fabric (steep ∼NE–SW magmatic foliation) may have been controlled by the late-Variscan stress field. The steep magmatic foliation changes into flat-lying foliation (particularly recorded by AMS) presumably as a result of divergent flow. Magnetic lineations correspond to a sub-horizontal ∼NE–SW finite stretch associated with the divergent flow. Subsequently, the Třístoličník granite, characterized by steep margin-parallel magmatic foliation, was emplaced as a crescent-shaped body in the central part of the pluton. The otherwise inward-younging intrusive sequence was completed by the emplacement of the outermost and the most evolved garnet-bearing granite (the Marginal granite) along the southeastern margin of the pluton. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Heterogeneity in crustal structure across the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT): Inferences from an analysis of gravity and magnetic fields in the Periyar plateau and adjoining areas

The study region forms the western part of the Madurai block (southern block) and shares several lithological characteristics of the Proterozoic exhumed South Indian Granulite Terrain (SGT). The crustal structure of the area has been derived from gravity data, constrained partly by aeromagnetic data. The Bouguer anomaly map of the region prepared based on detailed gravity observations shows a number of features (i) the Periyar lineament separates two distinctly different gravity fields, one, a high gravity gradient tending to be positive towards the coast in south west and significant gravity lows ranging from − 85 to as low as − 150 mGal in the NE covering a large part of the Periyar plateau (ii) within the broad gravity low, three localised circular anomalies of considerable amplitude occur in the region of Munnar granite. A magnetic low region in the central part coincides with the area of retrogressed charnockites and the major lineaments suggestive of a genetic link and considerable downward extent. The crustal models indicate that the upper layer containing exhumed lower crustal rocks (2.76 gm/cc) is almost homogeneous, most part of the gravity field resulting from variations in intracrustal layers of decharnockitised hornblendic gneisses and granite bodies. Below it, a denser layer (2.85 gm/cc) of unknown composition exists with Moho depth ranging from 36 to 41 km. The structure below the region is compared with that of two other segments of the SGT from which it differs markedly. The Wynad plateau forming the western part of the Northern Block of the SGT is characterised by a heterogeneity due to the presence of contrasting crustal blocks on either side of the Bavali shear zone, possibly a westward extension of the Moyar shear zone and presence of high density material in the mid-to-lower crustal portions. The crust below the Kuppam–Palani transect has a distinctive four-layer structure with a mid-crustal low density layer. The differences in crustal structure are consistent with the different tectonic settings of the three regions discussed in the paper. It is suggested that the crustal structure below the Kuppam–Palani transect corridor is not representative of the SGT as a whole, an aspect of great relevance to intra-continental comparisons and trans-continental reconstructions of continent configurations of the Gondwanaland.     

Structural and magnetic fabric study of the Marimanha granite (Axial Zone of the Pyrenees)

The structural and magnetic fabric study of the Marimanha granite, Axial Zone of the Pyrenees, provides new data to characterize the zonation and the internal structure of the pluton. The Marimanha granite intrudes Cambro–Ordovician clastic rocks and Silurian–Devonian limestones and slates. The zonation of the low field magnetic susceptibility, consistent with the petrological zonation of the igneous body, indicates a concentric arrangement of rock types, with more basic compositions at the external areas. This pluton is characterized by a low susceptibility, and rock–magnetic studies indicate a majority of “paramagnetic” samples. Magnetic foliations strike parallel to petrographic contacts and to contours of zonation of magnetic susceptibility, and show a dominant NE–SW strike, steeply dipping towards the North. Locally, in the northern border of the pluton foliation directions become perpendicular to petrographic contacts and depict sigmoidal trajectories. Magnetic lineations are characterized by the predominance of NE–SW trends with shallow plunges to the NE and SW. These foliations and lineations are parallel to the slight elongation of internal petrographic zonation. Magnetic fabric within the granitoid body and internal elliptical shape of petrographic zonation, suggest an intrusion contemporary with a transpressional regime and NNW–SSE shortening, syntectonic with the late stages of the Variscan orogeny. These results are in accordance with anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility studies of others plutons in the Pyrenees. To explain the origin of the Marimanha granite we propose magma ascent through faults at depth and emplacement by ballooning in situ at the rheological boundary between Cambro–Ordovician and Siluro–Devonian metasediments.     

Intrusion of basaltic magma into a crystallizing granitic magma chamber: The Cordillera del Paine pluton in southern Chile

The Cordillera del Paine pluton in the southernmost Andes of Chile represents a deeply dissected magma chamber where mafic magma intruded into crystallizing granitic magma. Throughout much of the 10x15 km pluton, there is a sharp and continuous boundary at a remarkably constant elevation of 1,100 m that separates granitic rocks (Cordillera del Paine or CP granite: 69–77% SiO₂) which make up the upper levels of the pluton from mafic and comingled rocks (Paine Mafic Complex or PMC: 45–60% SiO₂) which dominate the lower exposures of the pluton. Chilled, crenulate, disrupted contacts of mafic rock against granite demonstrate that partly crystallized granite was intruded by mafic magma which solidified prior to complete crystallization of the granitic magma. The boundary at 1,100 m was a large and stable density contrast between the denser, hotter mafic magma and cooler granitic magma. The granitic magma was more solidified near the margins of the chamber when mafic intrusion occurred, and the PMC is less disrupted by granites there. Near the pluton margins, the PMC grades upward irregularly from cumulate gabbros to monzodiorites. Mafic magma differentiated largely by fractional crystallization as indicated by the presence of cumulate rocks and by the low levels of compatible elements in most PMC rocks. The compositional gap between the PMC and CP granite indicates that mixing (blending) of granitic magma into the mafic magma was less important, although it is apparent from mineral assemblages in mafic rocks. Granitic magma may have incorporated small amounts of mafic liquid that had evolved to >60% SiO₂ by crystallization. Mixing was inhibited by the extent of crystallization of the granite, and by the thermal contrast and the stable density contrast between the magmas. PMC gabbros display disequilibrium mineral assemblages including early formed zoned olivine (with orthopyroxene coronas), clinopyroxene, calcic plagioclase and paragasite and later-formed amphibole, sodic plagioclase, mica and quartz. The early formed gabbroic minerals (and their coronas) are very similar to phenocrysts in late basaltic dikes that cut the upper levels of the CP granite. The inferred parental magmas of both dikes and gabbros were very similar to subalkaline basalts of the Patagonian Plateau that erupted at about the same time, 35 km to the east. Mafic and silicic magmas at Cordillera del Paine are consanguineous, as demonstrated by alkalinity and trace-element ratios. However, the contemporaneity of mafic and silicic magmas precludes a parent-daughter relationship. The granitic magma most likely was derived by differentiation of mafic magmas that were similar to those that later intruded it. Or, the granitic magma may have been contaminated by mafic magmas similar to the PMC magmas before its shallow emplacement. Mixing would be favored at deeper levels when the cooling rate was lower and the granitic magma was less solidified.     

Space accommodation by roof lifting during pluton emplacement at Amiata (Italy)

The Amiata area is characterized by an uplift attributed to pluton emplacement during the Pliocene epoch. The shape of the buried pluton is constrained by gravity data. Fieldwork was carried out to identify possible deformations within the overburden, in order to evaluate the mechanism of emplacement. The attitudes of Lower Pliocene marine sediments, deposited immediately before the uplift, were measured also. The overall pattern of the deposits defines a dome, approximately 2.5 km high and 35 × 50 km wide. Consistency between these field data and the existing geophysical data suggests that the dome results from the emplacement of a laccolith-like intrusion which was responsible for lifting and flexuring the overburden. The Amiata case shows that roof lifting is a viable process by which space in the upper crust, to a depth of 7 km, can be accommodated during pluton emplacement.