The petrology, geochemistry, and economic potential of the Musquodoboit batholith, Nova Scotia

Abstract

The Musquodoboit batholith of southwestern Nova Scotia is a massive, post-tectonic granitoid intrusion that was emplaced into the regionally deformed and metamorphosed Meguma Group metasedimentary rocks. The batholith is composed primarily of medium- to coarse-grained monzogranites into which two small (≈1 km2) porphyries and numerous dykes have been injected. All rocks contain quartz, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, muscovite, and biotite (with the exception of some leucocratic dykes). Cordierite is a major constituent in most monzogranitic rocks and also occurs in some leucocratic dykes. Andalusite and garnet 0are also present as accessory phases in some rocks.Major-element chemical analyses indicate that all rock types in the Musquodoboit batholith are peraluminous. Compositions resemble those of the eastern part South Mountain batholith; however, slightly higher concentrations of Al2O3 and P2O5 distinguish the Musquodoboit batholith from the central part of the South Mountain batholith. Major- and trace-element data indicate that magmatic differentiation has operated; however, the decrease in Σ 8 REE's, Th/U, and K/Rb from monzogranite to dyke rocks suggests that stripping by hydrothermal fluids has also occurred.Various field, petrographic, and geochemical data yield equivocal estimates of the economic potential of the Musquodoboit batholith.