Cumulatic Diorites Related to Post-Collisional, Brasiliano/Pan-African Mafic Magmatism in the Vila Nova Belt, Southern Brazil

Abstract

The Capivaras Diorite, in the Vila Nova region, NW of the Sul-rio-grandense Shield, is composed of six NE- to NNE-oriented rock bodies of late-tectonic emplacement relative to the D3 deformation phase which forms subvertical high-strain zones in basement gneiss sequences. Within these intrusive bodies, a shape foliation is present, generally parallel to contacts and displaying a local solid-state deformational component. The internal structure of the Capivaras Diorite main intrusion is marked by a zone of intense flow and mingling, characterized by strong shape foliation and layers of variable texture and composition, which result from cumulative processes, heterogeneous flow and interaction of coeval, compositionally contrasting magmas. The central part of this intrusion is texturally homogeneous and slightly foliated, even though cumulative processes have remained important during its formation. Along the contact with basement gneisses, fine-grained diorites are found, which are considered to be compositionally close to the parental magma of the Capivaras Diorite. This magma has a mildly alkaline affinity and shows moderate to high contents of Zr, Ti and P. Highly-fractionated REE patterns, low Nb contents, as well as high contents of K, Sr, Ba, and Rb, are suggestive of its provenance from mantle sources which have been previously affected by subduction processes, such as those of mature magmatic arcs or post-collisional settings. Magmatic evolution was controlled by cumulative processes and gave origin to pyroxene orthocumulates, plagioclase-pyroxene orthocumulates, pyroxene adcumulates, and more rarely plagioclase adcumulates. The cumulative origin of these rocks is indicated by field, textural and geochemical features, which are distinct from those of crystallized liquids. The compositional diversity of cumulates has led to the generation of compositionally different melts. The early-formed pyroxene cumulates have caused Ca, Al, Na, Ba, and Sr enrichment in the magmatic liquid, leading to plagioclase crystallization and accumulation. Coarse-grained mafelsic cumulates were formed during the late stages of magmatic crystallization, due to volatile enrichment of the intercumulus liquid. Considering geological relations, as well as tectonic and compositional features of the Capivaras Diorite, it is interpreted as part of Neoproterozoic magmatism related to the post-collisional stage of Brasiliano/Pan-African Orogenic Cycle in southern Brazil.