Nature of the crust in Maine, USA: evidence from the Sebago batholith

Abstract

Neodymium and lead isotope and elemental data are presented for the Sebago batholith (293±2 Ma), the largest exposed granite in New England. The batholith is lithologically homogeneous, yet internally heterogeneous with respect to rare earth elements (REE) and Nd isotopic composition. Two-mica granites in the southern/central portion of the batholith (group 1) are characterized by REE patterns with uniform shapes [CeN/YbN (chondrite normalized) = 9.4–19 and Eu/Eu* (Eu anomaly) = 0.27–0.42] and ɛNd(t) = −3.1 to −2.1. Peripheral two-mica granites (group 2), spatially associated with stromatic and schlieric migmatites, have a wider range of total REE contents and patterns with variable shapes (CeN/YbN = 6.1–67, Eu/Eu* = 0.20–0.46) and ɛNd(t) = −5.6 to −2.8. The heterogeneous REE character of the group 2 granites records the effects of magmatic differentiation that involved monazite. Coarse-grained leucogranites and aplites have kinked REE patterns and low total REE, but have Nd isotope systematics similar to group 2 granites with ɛNd(t) = −5.5 to −4.7. Rare biotite granites have steep REE patterns (CeN/YbN = 51–61, Eu/Eu* = 0.32–0.84) and ɛNd(t) = −4.6 to −3.8. The two-mica granites have a restricted range in initial Pb isotopic composition (206Pb/204Pb = 18.41–18.75; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.60–15.68; 208Pb/204Pb = 38.21–38.55), requiring and old, high U/Pb (but not Th/U) source component. The Nd isotope data are consistent with magma derivation from two sources: Avalon-like crust (ɛNd>−3), and Central Maine Belt metasedimentary rocks (ɛNd<−4), without material input from the mantle. The variations in isotope systematics and REE patterns are inconsistent with models of disequilibrium melting which involved monazite.