Estimate of influence of U-Th-K radiogenic heat on cooling process of granitic melt and its geological implications

The U-Th-~(40)K concentrations of granite are on 1―2 orders of magnitude greater than those of basal- tic-ultrabasic rocks. Radiogenic heat of a granitic melt has significant influence on the cool- ing-crystallization period of the melt. In this paper we derived a formula to calculate prolongation period (tA) of cooling-crystallization of a granitic melt caused by radiogenic heat. Calculation using this for- mula and radioactive element concentrations (U=5.31×10-6; Th=23.1×10-6; K=4.55%) for the biotite adamellite of the Jinjiling batholith shows that the tA of the adamellite is 1.4 times of the cooling period of the granitic melt without considering radiogenic heat from the initial temperature (Tm=960℃) to crystallization temperature (Tc=600℃) of the melt. It has been demonstrated that the radiogenic heat produced in a granitic melt is a key factor influencing the cooling-crystallization process of the granitic melt, and is likely one of the reasons for inconsistence between emplacement ages and crystallization ages of many Meso-Cenozoic granitoids.

Estimate of influence of U-Th-K radiogenic heat on cooling process of granitic melt and its geological implications

The U-Th-⁴⁰K concentrations of granite are on 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than those of basaltic-ultrabasic rocks. Radiogenic heat of a granitic melt has significant influence on the cooling-crystallization period of the melt. In this paper we derived a formula to calculate prolongation period (t _A) of cooling-crystallization of a granitic melt caused by radiogenic heat. Calculation using this formula and radioactive element concentrations (U=5.31×10⁻⁶; Th=23.1×10⁻⁶; K=4.55%) for the biotite adamellite of the Jinjiling batholith shows that the t _A of the adamellite is 1.4 times of the cooling period of the granitic melt without considering radiogenic heat from the initial temperature (T _m=960°C) to crystallization temperature (T _c=600°C) of the melt. It has been demonstrated that the radiogenic heat produced in a granitic melt is a key factor influencing the cooling-crystallization process of the granitic melt, and is likely one of the reasons for inconsistence between emplacement ages and crystallization ages of many Meso-Cenozoic granitoids. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40372036 and 40221301)