The Birthplace of Granite - Mechanisms controlling the evolution of granite magma within the source

Abstract

Granite magmas form deep in the crust and are transferred to upper crustal levels where they are exposed as granites. This thesis investigates the early stages of this process, by studying outcrops on Kangaroo Island in South Australia that provide exposures of former deep crust. The thesis shows how mixing between different magmas, the presence of water during melting and chemical disequilibrium can influence the final composition of a granite. These results add to the current understanding of the evolution of granite magmas and the differentiation of continental crust.