Geochemistry, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting of the Almogholagh batholith in the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, western Iran

Abstract

The Almogholagh batholith in the northern Sanandaj-Sirjan magmatic–metamorphic zone comprises three intrusive bodies (gabbroic diorite, quartz syenite, and quartz monzonite) that were generated during the northeastward subduction of Neo-Tethys beneath the Iranian sector of the Eurasian plate. These bodies intruded at different time phases and are related to post-collision magmatism. The quartz syenite and quartz monzonite rocks with specifications of metaluminous, generally ferroan, alkalic to alkali-calcic types, high content of Na2O + K2O, Zr, Ce, Ga, Y, Nb, Ta, and rare earth elements, and depleted in Eu, Sr, and Ti show borderline characteristics between A1 and A2 types granitoids but with more affinity to A2 type. The gabbroic dioritic rocks show borderline specifications between A1 and I types rocks but with more affinity to I type. Distinctive spiked peak patterns in spider diagrams accompanied by (La/Yb)CN values equal to 2.44 to 6.11 and a Ba/La ratio >3 indicate the magmatism activity in the volcanic arc environment. The characteristics (Ba/Rb)PN < 1, (Ba/Th)PN < 1, and Th/Ta ratio from 3.18 to 8.42 suggest the magmatism activity of the continental margin setting. The specifications of post-collision magmatic activities, 143Nd/144Nd > 0.512638 in some samples, εtNd > 0, εtSr > 0, and high content of Nb, Ta, and Zr (589 ppm) demonstrate the involvement of the mantle source, subducted slab fluids, high flux of mantle-derived halogen-rich volatiles, and contamination within the crust during the petrogenesis of intrusions. After the initial collision, the operation of minor subduction (with slab break-off) or foundering of the lithospheric mantle (delamination) occurred because of asthenospheric upwelling and heat flows in the mantle in the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone. Stretch and local disruptions were created by these heat flows; simultaneously, magma was formed and ascended upward.