Petrogenesis of Neoproterozoic Granitoids and Related Rocks from the Seychelles: the Case for an Andean-type Arc Origin

Abstract

compositions ( Nd 750 = +5·46 to −0·87; ISr 750 = 0·7021– The Seychelles islands consist of undeformed and unmetamorphosed, 0·7061) that can be modelled as basaltic magmas derived from metaluminous monzogranites and granodiorites of Neoproterozoic depleted mantle, variably contaminated (0–15%) by Archaean age (>750 Ma). Subsolvus, and lesser hypersolvus granitoids are silicic crust. All petrologic, petrographic, geochemical, isotopic and crosscut by coeval dolerite dykes, dominantly of olivine tholeiite chronologic data for Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks of the Seychelles, composition. Field relations suggest that mixing between granitoid coupled with palaeomagnetic data indicating its position at the and doleritic magmas generated a variety of minor intermediate margin of the Rodinia supercontinent at >750 Ma, are at least rocks that occur as irregular masses and enclaves; their compositions consistent with, if not suggestive of, a continental or Andean-type plot as linear arrays between those of dolerites and granitoids. Two arc setting. We argue, therefore, that the conventionally accepted groups of granitoids can be distinguished based on colour, chemistry notion of an extensional (i.e. rift or plume) setting for Seychelles and isotopic signature. Mahe Group granitoids are grey, with magmatism is vulnerable. relatively low incompatible element concentrations and primitive isotopic signatures that cluster at Nd 750 = +2·85 ± 0·17 and ISr 750 = 0·7031 ± 0·0008 (some samples with impossibly low ISr 180 ppm,