Kathryn Goodenough

Magmatism of the mid-Proterozoic Gardar Province, South Greenland: chronology, petrogenesis and geological setting

Abstract A lithospherically weak zone embracing the southern margin of the Greenland Archaean craton and the Ketilidian Julianehab batholith underwent repeated rifting during the interval 1350–1140 Ma, accompanying breakup of Palaeopangaea. The Gardar Province comprises the area affected by the faulting and asssociated alkaline magmatism. While an estimated 2–5 km of Proterozoic cover has been eroded, rift-fill successions have been preserved in early fault-bounded basins. The orientation of dyke swarms changed from WNW–ESE to nearly NE–SW during Gardar times. The principal swarms are inferred to occupy zones of lithospheric thinning and graben development. Central-type intrusive complexes, largely of syenites and nepheline syenites, reached shallow levels. The principal magmatic evolution was from transitional olivine basalt through to phonolites. Accompanying silica-oversaturated magma generation involved greater degrees of crustal assimilation. Anorthositic xenoliths in the Gardar intrusions imply the presence of an extensive anorthositic complex at depth, regarded as an integral part of the North American Proterozoic massif anorthosite association. The most primitive Gardar basalts are themselves relatively evolved, probably as a result of olivine±pyroxene fractionation during crustal underplating. The Gardar basic rocks are troctolitic with elevated Al 2 O 3 /CaO ratios: their incompatible element patterns suggest a significant input from lithospheric sources. The Ca-deficient nature of the Gardar basalts is attributed to an origin involving lithospheric mantle depleted by previous melting events. Trace element and isotopic signatures suggest considerable heterogeneity in the mantle sources which are ascribed to differential metasomatism of clinopyroxene-poor peridotite sources by small-fraction asthenospheric melts. The ultramafic lamprophyre/carbonatite association that recurred throughout the period is inferred to have originated from melting of metasomites deep within the lithospheric mantle. Affinities between the alkaline intrusions over an interval of >100 Ma characterize the Gardar as a coherent magmatic province and support the contention that the magmas are largely of lithospheric origin. The energy required to generate the very large requisite volumes of primitive magmas may have been supplied by successive mantle plumes. The Gardar magmatism pre- and post-dates the ∼1.27 Ga Mackenzie Igneous Events of North America but wholly pre-dates the ∼1.1 Ga Keweenawan magmatism associated with the Midcontinent Rift.

Geochemical evolution of the Ivigtut granite, South Greenland: a fluorine-rich "A-type" intrusion

Abstract The Ivigtut alkali granite stock lies within the Proterozoic Gardar alkaline igneous province of South Greenland. This small (300 m across) granite body once contained the worlds largest body of cryolite, now mined out. The granite surrounding the cryolite body has been extensively metasomatised by F- and CO 2 -rich fluids, leading to zonal enrichment in HFSE and REE. Variations in the Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd systematics of the granite can be correlated with the degree of metasomatism. Unaltered granites have highly variable initial 87 Sr / 86 Sr , and initial e Nd ratios of around −3, suggesting formation through crustal contamination of a mantle-derived magma. Metasomatised granites show higher initial e Nd ratios, which can be interpreted to suggest that the metasomatic fluid was derived from a mantle source.

Long-term memory of subduction processes in the lithospheric mantle: evidence from the geochemistry of basic dykes in the Gardar Province of South Greenland

The rift-related magmas of the Proterozoic Gardar Igneous Province were emplaced across the contact between the South Greenland Archaean craton and the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian mobile belt. It has been suggested that the geochemistry of Gardar intrusive rocks in the two areas varies across the craton margin and that this reflects a lithospheric control. However, comparison of the geochemical and isotopic signatures of basic and ultrabasic dykes from across the area shows that there is no systematic variation related to the age of the country rock. All the Gardar basic rocks are inferred to have been derived from the mantle, with relatively little crustal contamination. We suggest that the lithospheric mantle beneath the Gardar Province was enriched by slab-derived fluids during the Ketilidian orogeny (c. 1800 Ma). Subsequent melting of this mantle source was promoted during Gardar rifting when volatile-rich, small-degree melts from the asthenosphere were introduced into the lithospheric mantle, forming enriched metasomites. Ultrabasic lamprophyre dykes in the Gardar Province represent melts derived largely from these metasomites, whereas basaltic magmas were formed by larger-scale melting of the lithospheric mantle, inheriting a subduction-related signature. There is no evidence that the Gardar magmas were derived from a highly enriched lithospheric keel that had existed since craton formation.

Timing of regional deformation and development of the Moine Thrust Zone in the Scottish Caledonides: constraints from the U–Pb geochronology of alkaline intrusions

Abstract: The Moine Thrust Zone in the Scottish Highlands developed during the Scandian Event of the Caledonian Orogeny, and now forms the boundary between the Caledonian orogenic belt and the undeformed foreland. The Scandian Event, and the formation of the Moine Thrust Zone, have previously been dated by a range of isotopic methods, and relatively imprecise ages on a suite of alkaline intrusions localized along the thrust zone have provided the best age constraints for deformation. Recent British Geological Survey mapping has improved our understanding of the structural relationships of some of these intrusions, and this work is combined with new U–Pb dates in this paper to provide significantly improved ages for the Moine Thrust Zone. Our work shows that a single early intrusion (the Glen Dessarry Pluton) was emplaced within the orogenic belt to the east of the Moine Thrust Zone at 447.9 ± 2.9 Ma. A more significant pulse of magmatism centred in the Assynt area, which temporally overlapped movement in the thrust zone, occurred at 430.7 ± 0.5 Ma. Movement in the thrust zone had largely ceased by the time of emplacement of the youngest intrusions, the late suite of the Loch Borralan Pluton, at 429.2 ± 0.5 Ma, and the Loch Loyal Syenite Complex.

Carbonatites and lamprophyres of the Gardar Province – a ‘window’ to the sub-Gardar mantle?

Abstract Carbonatite magmas are considered to be ultimately derived from mantle sources, which may include lithospheric and asthenospheric reservoirs. Isotopic studies of carbonatite magmatism around the globe have typically suggested that more than one source needs to be invoked for generation of the parental melts to carbonatites, often involving the interaction of asthenosphere and lithosphere. In the rift-related, Proterozoic Gardar Igneous Province of SW Greenland, carbonatite occurs as dykes within the Igaliko Nepheline Syenite Complex, as eruptive rocks and diatremes at Qassiarsuk, as a late plug associated with nepheline syenite at Grønnedal-Íka, and as small bodies associated with ultramafic lamprophyre dykes. The well-known cryolite deposit at Ivittuut was also rich in magmatic carbonate. The carbonatites are derived from the mantle with relatively little crustal contamination, and therefore should provide important information about the mantle sources of Gardar magmas. In particular, they |are found intruded both into Archaean and Proterozoic crust, and hence provide a test for the involvement of lithospheric mantle. A synthesis of new and previously published major and trace element, Sr, Nd, C and O isotope data for carbonatites and associated lamprophyres from the Gardar Province is presented. The majority of Gardar carbonatites and lamprophyres have consistent geochemical and isotopic signatures that are similar to those typically found in ocean island basalts. The geochemical characteristics of the two suites of magmas are similar enough to suggest that they were derived from the same mantle source. C and O isotope data are also consistent with a mantle derivation for the carbonatite magmas, and support the theory of a cogenetic origin for the carbonatites and the lamprophyres. The differences between the carbonatites and lamprophyres are considered to represent differing degrees of partial melting of a similar source. We suggest that the ultimate source of these magmas is the asthenospheric mantle, since there is no geochemical or isotopic evidence for their having been derived directly from ancient, enriched sub-continental lithospheric mantle. However, it is likely that the magmas actually formed through a two-stage process, with small-degree volatile-rich partial melts rising from the asthenospheric mantle and being ‘frozen in’ as metasomites, which were then rapidly remobilized during Gardar rifting.

Polyphase Neoproterozoic orogenesis within the East Africa–Antarctica Orogenic Belt in central and northern Madagascar

Abstract Our recent geological survey of the basement of central and northern Madagascar allowed us to re-evaluate the evolution of this part of the East Africa–Antarctica Orogen (EAAO). Five crustal domains are recognized, characterized by distinctive lithologies and histories of sedimentation, magmatism, deformation and metamorphism, and separated by tectonic and/or unconformable contacts. Four consist largely of Archaean metamorphic rocks (Antongil, Masora and Antananarivo Cratons, Tsaratanana Complex). The fifth (Bemarivo Belt) comprises Proterozoic meta-igneous rocks. The older rocks were intruded by plutonic suites at c. 1000 Ma, 820–760 Ma, 630–595 Ma and 560–520 Ma. The evolution of the four Archaean domains and their boundaries remains contentious, with two end-member interpretations evaluated: (1) all five crustal domains are separate tectonic elements, juxtaposed along Neoproterozoic sutures and (2) the four Archaean domains are segments of an older Archaean craton, which was sutured against the Bemarivo Belt in the Neoproterozoic. Rodinia fragmented during the early Neoproterozoic with intracratonic rifts that sometimes developed into oceanic basins. Subsequent Mid-Neoproterozoic collision of smaller cratonic blocks was followed by renewed extension and magmatism. The global ‘Terminal Pan-African’ event (560–490 Ma) finally stitched together the Mid-Neoproterozoic cratons to form Gondwana.

The Laxford Shear Zone: an end-Archaean terrane boundary?

Abstract The Lewisian Gneiss Complex of northwestern Scotland consists of Archaean gneisses, variably reworked during the Proterozoic. It can be divided into three districts – a central granulite-facies district between districts of amphibolite-facies gneiss to the north and south. Recent work has interpreted these districts in terms of separate terranes, initiating a controversy that has implications for how Precambrian rocks are understood worldwide. The northern district of the Lewisian Gneiss Complex (the Rhiconich terrane) is separated from the central district (the Assynt terrane) by a broad ductile shear zone known as the Laxford Shear Zone. This paper reviews the geology of the Laxford Shear Zone, clarifying field relationships and discussing other evidence, to consider whether or not it does indeed represent a terrane boundary. A detailed review of field, geochemical and geochronological evidence supports the recognition of the separate Assynt and Rhiconich terranes. Mafic dykes (the Scourie Dyke Swarm) and granitoids, of Palaeoproterozoic age, occur on both sides of the Laxford Shear Zone and thus the terranes were most probably juxtaposed during the late Archaean to early Palaeoproterozoic Inverian event. Subsequently, the less-competent, more-hydrous amphibolite-facies gneisses of the Rhiconich terrane were affected by later Palaeoproterozoic (Laxfordian) deformation and partial melting, to a greater extent than the more-competent granulite-facies gneisses of the Assynt terrane.

The minor intrusions of Assynt, NW Scotland: early development of magmatism along the Caledonian Front

Abstract The Assynt Culmination of the Moine Thrust Belt, in the northwest Scottish Highlands, contains a variety of Caledonian alkaline and calc-alkaline intrusions that are mostly of Silurian age. These include a significant but little-studied suite of dykes and sills, the Northwest Highlands Minor Intrusion Suite. We describe the structural relationships of these minor intrusions and suggest a classification into seven swarms. The majority of the minor intrusions can be shown to pre-date movement in the Moine Thrust Belt, but some appear to have been intruded duringthe period of thrusting. A complex history of magmatism is thus recorded within this part of the Moine Thrust Belt. New geochemical data provide evidence of a subduction-related component in the mantle source of the minor intrusions.

A review of the potential for rare earth element resources from European red muds: examples from Seydişehir, Turkey and Parnassus-Giona, Greece

Abstract Rare-earth elements (REE) are viewed as ‘critical metals’ due to a complex array of production and political issues, most notably a near monopoly in supply from China. Red mud, the waste product of the Bayer process that produces alumina from bauxite, represents a potential secondary resource of REE. Karst bauxite deposits represent the ideal source material for REE-enriched red mud as the conditions during formation of the bauxite allow for the retention of REE. The REE pass through the Bayer Process and are concentrated in the waste material. Millions of tonnes of red mud are currently stockpiled in onshore storage facilities across Europe, representing a potential REE resource. Red mud from two case study sites, one in Greece and the other in Turkey, has been found to contain an average of ~1000 ppm total REE, with an enrichment of light over heavy REE. Although this is relatively low grade when compared with typical primary REE deposits (Mountain Pass and Mount Weld up to 80,000 ppm), it is of interest because of the large volumes available, the cost benefits of reprocessing waste, and the low proportion of contained radioactive elements. This work shows that ~12,000 tonnes of REE exist in resources existing across Europe as a whole.

The internal structure of the Moine Nappe Complex and the stratigraphy of the Morar Group in the Fannichs – Beinn Dearg area, NW Highlands

Synopsis The Morar Group, the lowest group of the early Neoproterozoic Moine Supergroup in the Scottish Highlands, forms a >5 km thick metamorphosed siliclastic sequence, recently interpreted to form part of a Grenvillian (c. 1000 Ma) foreland basin. New mapping has elucidated the structure and stratigraphy of the Morar Group in the Fannich–Beinn Dearg area, where the Morar Group occurs in a single coherent thrust sheet (Achness Thrust Sheet), over 70 km long, 20 km wide, and up to 10 km thick. Within this thrust sheet, the strata are folded by two very large, west-vergent and west-facing cylindroidal anticline-syncline pairs that deform the overlying Sgurr Beag Thrust. The lowest long limb is parallel with and grades into the ductile Moine Thrust and Achness Thrust at its base. Low strain zones in steep limbs contain well preserved sedimentary structures. Reconstruction of the stratigraphical architecture shows five formations of metasandstone (psammite), alternating with meta-siltstone (semipelite). Large-scale lateral variations in the lowest metasandstone package are capped by a possible flooding surface of semipelite, followed by more metasandstone. The deformation history shows foreland-propagation of both deformation and metamorphism, from NNW-directed transport on the Sgurr Beag Thrust to WNW-directed transport on the Achness Thrust and Moine Thrust.