J. Gregory Shellnutt

Longevity of the Permian Emeishan mantle plume (SW China): 1 Ma, 8 Ma or 18 Ma?

After the formation of the ~ 260 Ma Emeishan large igneous province, there were two volumetrically minor magmatic pulses at ~ 252 Ma and ~ 242 Ma, respectively. Alkaline mafic dykes intruding both 260 Ma and 252 Ma felsic plutons in the Panxi region, southwestern China, have compositions similar to the Emeishan flood basalts. One dyke is dated using the SHRIMP zircon U–Pb technique at 242 ± 2 Ma, ~ 18 Ma younger than the start of Emeishan magmatism. The dykes have enriched light rare earth element patterns (La/YbN = 4.4–18.8) and trace element patterns similar to the Emeishan flood basalts and average ocean-island basalts. Some trace element ratios of the dykes (Zr/Nb = 3.8–8.2, La/Nb = 0.4–1.7, Ba/La = 7.5–25.6) are somewhat similar to EM1 source material, however, there are differences. Their eNd values (eNd = +2.6 and +2.7) and I Sr ( I Sr = 0.704542 and 0.704554) ratios are indicative of a mantle source. Thus Emeishan magmatism may have lasted for almost 20 Ma after the initial eruption. However, geological evidence precludes the possibility that the post-260 Ma magmatic events were directly related to Emeishan magmatism, which began at and ended shortly after 260 Ma. The 252 Ma plutons and 242 Ma dykes represent volumetrically minor melting of the fossil Emeishan plume-head beneath the Yangtze crust. The 252 Ma magmatic event was likely caused by post-flood basalt extension of the Yangtze crust, whereas the 242 Ma event was caused by decompressional melting associated with the collision between the South China and North China blocks during the Middle Triassic.

Three Fe-Ti oxide ore-bearing gabbro-granitoid complexes in the panxi region of the Permian Emeishan large igneous province, SW China

The Permian (∼260 Ma) Emeishan large igneous province of SW China contains three nearly identical gabbro-granitoid complexes that host giant Fe-Ti oxide deposits. The Fe-Ti oxide deposits are within the lower portions of evolved layered gabbroic intrusions and are spatially and temporally associated with A-type granitic plutons. The 264 ± 3 Ma Taihe layered gabbroic intrusion hosts a large magmatic Fe-Ti oxide deposit and is coeval with the Taihe peralkaline, A-type granitic pluton, which is dated at 261 ± 2 Ma. Within the A-type granitic pluton are microgranular enclaves, which have compositions intermediate between the gabbro and host granite. Primitive mantle-normalized incompatible element plots show corresponding reciprocal patterns between the mafic and felsic rocks. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns show Eu-anomalies changing from positive (Eu/Eu* = 1.5 to 5.9) in the gabbroic intrusion to negative in the enclaves (Eu/Eu* = 0.4 to 0.6) and granites (Eu/Eu* = 0.2 to 0.5). Whole rock εNd(T) values of the gabbroic intrusion (εNd(T) = +2.5 to +3.3) are similar to those of the enclaves (εNd(T) = +1.0 to 2.0) and granite (εNd(T) = +1.5 to +1.9) whereas the zircon εHf(T) values of the gabbro (εHf(T) = +8.1 ± 0.8) are indistinguishable from those of the granites (εHf(T) = +9.2 ± 1.0), suggesting that the parent magmas for all rock types originated from the same mantle source. Geochemical modeling indicates that the gabbros and granites can be generated by fractional crystallization of a common parental magma similar to high-Ti Emeishan flood basalt. The compositional jump from the gabbro to the enclaves is attributed to the crystallization of Fe-Ti oxide minerals. The results of this study and other studies suggest that the magmatic conditions (for example, pressure, composition, fO2), which led to the formation of at least three Fe-Ti oxide bearing gabbro-granitoid complexes, were relatively common during the development of the Emeishan large igneous province.

Mineralogy from three peralkaline granitic plutons of the Late Permian Emeishan large igneous province (SW China): evidence for contrasting magmatic conditions of A-type granitoids

The Emeishan large igneous province contains a diverse assemblage of igneous rocks including mildly peralkaline granitic rocks of A-type affinity. The granitic rocks from the Panzhihua, Baima and Taihe plutons are temporally, spatially and chemically associated with layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions. Electron microprobe analyses of the major and accessory minerals along with major and trace element data were used to document the magmatic conditions of the three peralkaline plutons. The amphiboles show magmatic/subsolidus trends and are primarily sodic-calcic in composition ( i.e ., ferrorichterite or richterite). Sodic ( i.e ., riebeckite-arfvedsonite) amphiboles are restricted to the Panzhihua and Taihe plutons. The amphiboles from the Panzhihua and Taihe granites are very similar in composition whereas amphiboles from the Baima syenites have higher MgO wt% and lower FeOt wt% and TiO2 wt%. Whole-rock Zr saturation temperature estimates indicate the initial average magma temperatures were ~940 ± 21 °C for the Panzhihua pluton, ~860 ± 17 °C for the Baima pluton, and ~897 ±14 °C for the Taihe pluton. The initial Fmelt(wt%) values were calculated to be 1.1 ± 0.1, 0.8±0.1 and 1.1±0.1 wt% for the Panzhihua, Baima and Taihe plutons, respectively. The estimated Fmelt(wt%) values are higher than what can be accounted for in the Panzhihua and Taihe plutons and indicate that they may have lost F during crystallization. In contrast the Fmelt(wt%) value for the Baima pluton can be accounted for. The presence of titanite +magnetite +quartz in the Baima syenites indicates oxidizing f O2 conditions whereas the presence of aenigmatite and ilmenite in the Panzhihua and Taihe granites indicate that they were relatively reducing. Although the Atype granitoids formed by the same processes ( i.e ., fractional crystallization of mafic magmas), their differences in major element and mineral chemistry are likely related to a combination of initial bulk magma composition and magmatic oxidation state.

Origin of peralkaline granites of the Jurassic Bokan Mountain complex (southeastern Alaska) hosting rare metal mineralization

Abstract The Jurassic Bokan Mountain complex (BMC), composed of arfvedsonite and/or aegirine-bearing peralkaline A-type granitic rocks, is a circular body about 3 km in diameter located in southeastern Alaska. Like many other highly fractionated granitic bodies, the BMC granites were affected by late magmatic or post-magmatic processes, which, however, did not modify the contents of major elements. The granitic rocks are distinctly enriched in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs), rare earth elements (REEs), Y, Th, and U but depleted in Ba, Sr, and Eu and have high positive ɛNd(T) values. Unlike the variations in the major elements, Sr and Ba, which can be accounted by fractional crystallization, the abundance of REE, Y, HFSE, U, and Th (the elements which are hosted in accessory phases) were modified by F-rich hydrothermal fluids. The BMC hosts significant rare metal mineralization related to the late-stage crystallization history of the complex involving late magmatic and/or post-magmatic fluids. The mineralization includes two types: (1) a U–Th deposit which was exploited at the former Ross-Adams mine and (2) REE and Y mineralization mostly hosted in felsic dikes. Thermodynamic modelling of granites and spatially associated mafic rocks using the programme Rhyolite-MELTS implies that the granites can be derived from the mafic rocks by fractional crystallization. It is suggested that such a process (i.e. derivation of peralkaline granitic magma from the alkali or transitional basaltic magmas derived by partial melting from a lithospheric source metasomatically enriched in rare metals) can be invoked for other peralkaline granitic rocks hosting rare metal deposits.

Multiple mantle sources of the Early Permian Panjal Traps, Kashmir, India

The Early Permian Panjal Traps of northern India are the volcanic remnants of continental rifting that led to the formation of the Neotethys Ocean and the ribbon-like continent Cimmeria. The Traps are one of at least five major mafic eruptions of flood basalts during the Late Palaeozoic however their origin and petrogenesis are poorly constrained. Basalts from the Kashmir Valley were collected and analyzed for chemical and isotopic (Sr, Nd) compositions in order to characterize their mantle source and evaluate the petrogenetic processes related to opening of the Neotethys Ocean. Samples collected from the eastern side (Guryal Ravine, Pahalgam, PJ3) of the Kashmir Valley are chemically similar to mildly alkaline to tholeiitic, within-plate flood basalts. The TiO2 contents (TiO2 = 0.8 to 3.1 wt.%), La/YbN values (La/YbN = 1.8 to 6.1) and εNd(t) values (εNd(t) = −5.3 to +1.3) along with partial melt modeling indicates that the basalts were likely derived from a spinel peridotite source. In contrast, samples collected from the western side (PJ4) of the Kashmir Valley (Buta Pathri) are more primitive in composition and show evidence for clinopyroxene fractionation. The basalts from the western side of the Kashmir Valley have higher Mg# (Mg# = 60 to 78) values and εNd(t) values (εNd(t) = +0.3 to +4.3) suggesting they were derived by slightly higher amounts of partial melting and from a more depleted spinel peridotite source. The changing bulk composition of the basalts from ‘enriched OIB-like’ on the eastern side to ‘depleted MORB-like’ compositions on the western side is likely due to the changing nature of the Panjal rift from a nascent continental setting to one transitioning to a mature ocean basin. In comparison to Pangaean and post-Pangaean flood basalt provinces, the Panjal Traps are more chemically similar to the flood basalts from the post-Pangaean provinces that are associated with plate separation.

High-Mg andesite genesis by upper crustal differentiation

Abstract: Whereas arc magmas typically undergo early degassing-induced crystallization and viscous stagnation at mid-crustal levels, hotter and less hydrous melts that are associated with elevated surface heat flux may experience delayed crystallization at shallower levels. Using MELTS modelling, we demonstrate here that high-Mg andesites, which have been regarded as particularly hydrous primary melts generated in equilibrium with mantle peridotite, can form by crystal fractionation from low-H2O primitive arc basalts in the upper crust. This is consistent with many characteristics previously attributed to their primary origin, including forsteritic olivines that contain chromite inclusions and lack significant reaction rims, and Cr-rich pyroxenes. Supplementary material: Mineral compositional variations and partition coefficients are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18428.

Resolving discordant U–Th–Ra ages: constraints on petrogenetic processes of recent effusive eruptions at Tatun Volcano Group, northern Taiwan

Abstract U–Th–Ra isotope analyses of whole rocks and mineral separates were conducted in order to perform isochron dating of three morphologically young lavas from Tatun volcano, northern Taiwan (from Mt Cising, the Shamao dome and the Huangzuei volcano). The data do not yield tight U–Th isochrons, indicating open-system magmatic processes. However, crystallization ages of two samples can be constrained: namely, less than about 1370 years for the Shamao dome, based on 226Ra–230Th disequilibrium in magnetite, and less than approximately 70 ka (but potentially Holocene) for a Huangzuei flow, based on 238U–230Th disequilibrium in plagioclase. Discordant Ar–Ar, 238U–230Th and 226Ra–230Th ages are best explained by young lavas having inherited some crystals from older lithologies (crystal mushes or rocks), and indicate that the above ages represent maxima. Our study provides the first evidence of effusive volcanism at the Tatun Volcano Group in Late Holocene times. All separates from the Shamao dome and Huangzuei volcano are in 234U–238U equilibrium. Minerals in the Mt Cising sample are in 234U–238U disequilibrium, despite the 234U–238U equilibrium of the whole rock. We interpret this as uptake of a hydrothermally altered, old crystal cargo into fresh melt prior to eruption. A different dating approach will thus be required to constrain the eruption age of Mt Cising. Supplementary material: Ar–Ar plateaus from Mt Cising and the Shamao dome, reproduced from Lee (1996), are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18817

Late Permian mafic rocks identified within the Doba basin of southern Chad and their relationship to the boundary of the Saharan Metacraton

The Doba gabbro was collected from an exploration well through the Cretaceous Doba basin of southern Chad. The gabbro is composed mostly of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and Fe–Ti oxide minerals and displays cumulus mineral textures. Whole-rock 40 Ar– 39 Ar step-heating geochronology yielded a Late Permian plateau age of 257 ± 1 Ma. The major and trace elemental geochemistry shows that the gabbro is tholeiitic in composition and has trace element ratios (i.e. La/Yb N > 7; Sm/Yb PM > 3.4; Nb/Y > 1; Zr/Y > 5) indicative of a basaltic melt derived from a garnet-bearing mantle source. The moderately enriched Sr–Nd isotopes (i.e. I Sr = 0.70495 to 0.70839; ɛNd (T) = −1.0 to −1.3) fall within the mantle array (i.e. OIB-like) and are similar to other Late Permian plutonic rocks of North-Central Africa (i.e. I Sr = 0.7040 to 0.7070). The enriched isotopic composition of the Doba gabbro contrasts with the more depleted compositions of the spatially associated Neoproterozoic post-Pan-African within-plate granites. The contrasting Nd isotope composition between the older within-plate granites and the younger Doba gabbro indicates that different mantle sources produced the rocks and thus may mark the southern boundary of the Saharan Metacraton.

Generation of calc-alkaline andesite of the Tatun volcanic group (Taiwan) within an extensional environment by crystal fractionation

The Pliocene–Pleistocene northern Taiwan volcanic zone (NTVZ) is located within a trench-arc–back-arc basin and oblique arc–continent collision zone. Consequently the origin and tectonic setting of the andesitic rocks within the NTVZ and their relation to other circum-Pacific volcanic island-arc systems is uncertain. Rocks collected from the Tatun volcanic group (TTVG) include basaltic to andesitic rocks. The basalt is compositionally similar to within-plate continental tholeiites whereas the basaltic andesite and andesite are calc-alkaline; however, all rocks show a distinct depletion of Nb-Ta in their normalized incompatible element diagrams. The Sr-Nd isotope compositions of the TTVG rocks are very similar and have a relatively restricted range (i.e. ISr = 0.70417–0.70488; εNd(T) = +2.2 to +3.1), suggesting that they are derived directly or indirectly from the same mantle source. The basalts are likely derived by mixing between melts from the asthenosphere and a subduction-modified subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) source, whereas the basaltic andesites may be derived by partial melting of pyroxenitic lenses within the SCLM and mixing with asthenospheric melts. MELTS modelling using a starting composition equal to the most primitive basaltic andesite, shallow-pressure (i.e. ≤1 kbar), oxidizing conditions (i.e. FMQ +1), and near water saturation will produce compositions similar to the andesites observed in this study. Petrological modelling and the Sr-Nd isotope results indicate that the volcanic rocks from TTVG, including the spatially and temporally associated Kuanyinshan volcanic rocks, are derived from the same mantle source and that the andesites are the product of fractional crystallization of a parental magma similar in composition to the basaltic andesites. Furthermore, our results indicate that, in some cases, calc-alkaline andesites may be generated by crystal fractionation of mafic magmas derived in an extensional back-arc setting rather than a subduction zone setting.

An evaluation of crustal assimilation within the Late Devonian South Mountain Batholith, SW Nova Scotia

The Late Devonian South Mountain Batholith (SMB) of southwestern Nova Scotia is the largest batholith in the Appalachian Orogen of Eastern North America and contains economic deposits of U and Sn. The SMB comprises at least 11 individual plutons, which range in composition from granodiorite to biotite monzogranite, leucomonzogranite and leucogranite. Previous studies have suggested that a combination of fractional crystallization, assimilation of Meguma Supergroup country rocks and an influx of magmatic fluids contributed to the chemical evolution of the SMB. The amount of crustal assimilation is estimated to be as high as 33%. MELTS modelling assuming a starting composition of granodiorite with H 2 O = 4 wt%, pressure = 4 kbar (~12 km) and f O 2 = FMQ can reproduce the chemical evolution observed in the SMB. However, some leucogranites likely require an additional component (e.g. hydrothermal fluids) to explain their alkali metal enrichment (e.g. Na, K, Rb). Zircon saturation thermometry estimates indicate the Salmontail Lake and Scrag Lake granodiorite plutons had high minimum initial temperatures of 823 ± 6°C and 832 ± 2°C, respectively, which are similar to low zircon-inheritance granitoids. The TiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 and alkali-lime ratios of the surrounding country rocks and the leucogranites indicate the amount of crustal assimilation is likely to be between 10% and 20%. Our findings suggest the granodiorites of the SMB were likely produced by partial melting of the sub-Meguma Supergroup (e.g. Avalon terrane) lower crust caused by the contemporaneous injection of high temperature mafic to ultramafic magmas.