Different Types Of Granitoids Research Articles

Trace element composition of zircon from granitoids of the Neoarchean alkaline province of the Kola Peninsula

Research subject. Zircon from granitoids of the A- and I-types of the Neorchean Kola alkaline province of the Baltic (Fennoscandian) shield. Aim. To determine the trace element composition of zircon in order to characterize the conditions of its formation in different types of granitoids. To use these data, along with the available results of U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf isotope composition of the studied zircon crystals, to assess the amount of mantle and core matter in the protolith composition and the effect of crystallization conditions on the rare element composition of zircon. Materials and Methods. 50 zircon crystals from 5 samples of the main types of granitoids of the province were studied. Concentrations of trace elements were determined using a Cameca IMS-4f ion microprobe (NF FTIAN, Yaroslavl). Points for analysis were selected using optical and cathodoluminescent images. The size of the crater did not exceed 20 µm, the relative measurement error for the predominant part of the elements was set at 10–15%, the threshold for detecting elements was 10 ppb. Results. There are two main types of zircon of Neoarchean age – zircon-1 and zircon-2, formed, respectively, at the magmatic and autometasomatic stages of crystallization, zircon-4 in inclusions in zircon-1, and Paleoproterozoic zircon-3 of metamorphic genesis. The average isotopic composition of Hf in zircon-1 and zircon-2 of different arrays varies slightly, with the amount of mantle component (Xm) ranging from 23 to 30%, which may indicate a relatively constant and significantly core composition of their protoliths. Conclusions. The change in the trace element composition of Neoarchean zircons was controlled mainly by the composition of protoliths and redox crystallization conditions. Under reducing conditions, the greatest chemical activity was acquired by light (La-Nd) lanthanides, for which a direct dependence on the Ce/Ce* value was established. For heavy lanthanides with similar ion sizes relative to Zr+4, crystallochemical factors were more important and a decrease in the dependence of heavy lanthanide concentrations in zircon on Ce/ Ce* was determined.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Triassic Granitoids in the Ela Mountain Area of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt is located in the western part of the Central Orogenic Belt of China, with a large number of Triassic igneous rocks parallel to the Paleo-Tethys ophiolite belt, which provides a large amount of geological information for the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. The granitoids studied in this paper are located in the Ela Mountain area in the eastern part of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt. Zircon U-Pb dating results show that these different types of granitoids were crystallized in the Triassic. The 247.5 Ma porphyritic granites from Zairiri (ZRR) displayed calc-alkaline I-type granite affinities, with the zircon εHf(t) values being mainly positive (−0.5 to + 3.8, TDM2 of 1309–1031 Ma), indicating that they are derived from the partial melting of the juvenile crust and mixed with ancient crustal components. The 236.8 Ma Henqionggou (HQG) granodiorites and 237.5 Ma Daheba (DHB) granodiorites are high-K calc-alkaline I-type granite, and both have mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs), showing higher and more varied Mg# (39.73–62.73), combined with their negative Hf isotopes (εHf(t) = −2.6 to −1.6, TDM2 = 1430–1369 Ma), suggesting that their primary magmas were the products of partial melting of the Mesoproterozoic lower crust that mixed with mantle-derived rocks. The 236.4 Ma DHB porphyritic diorites showed characteristics of high-K calc-alkaline I-type granitoids, with moderate SiO2 contents, medium Mg# values (40.41–40.65), with the Hf isotopes (εHf(t) = −2.9 to −0.5; TDM2 = 1451–1298 Ma) indistinguishably relative to contemporaneous host granodiorites and MMEs. The petrographic and geochemical characteristics indicate that the porphyritic diorites are the product of well-mixed magma derived from the Mesoproterozoic lower crust and lithospheric mantle. Based on the results of this paper and previous data, the chronology framework of Late Permian–Triassic magmatic rocks in the eastern part of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt was constructed, and the magmatic activities in this area were divided into three peak periods, with each peak representing an extensional event in a particular tectonic setting, for example, P1 (slab roll-back in subduction period; 254–246 Ma), P2 (slab break-off in transition period of subduction and collision; 244–232 Ma), P3 (delamination after collision; 230–218 Ma).

The influence of oceanic anoxic events on convergent margin magmas

In general, the arc magmas are oxidized, forming magnetite-series granitoids. However, there are also ilmenite-series granitoids at convergent margins. The mechanism that controls the formation of different types of granitoids remains obscure. Here we show that the temporal distributions of ilmenite-series granitoids in Japan have a good correlation with oceanic anoxic events (OAEs). The subduction of OAE sediments with high contents of organic matters releases reducing fluids/melts into the mantle wedge, leading to the formation of ilmenite-series granitoids. This is supported by sulfur isotope compositions and high concentrations of organic gas of the ilmenite-series granitoids in Japan. The temporal correlation between OAEs and Il-series granitoids suggests that the OAE sediments was predominantly distributed within short distances (<2000 km) along the coast. Considerable amount of organic matters are recycled back to the surface during plate subduction, and thus have major influences on carbon recycling, and climate changes, as well as oxygen fugacity of convergent margin magmas and associated mineralizations.

Comparison of petrological and geochemical characteristics of three different types of Eocene copper-gold mineralization in eastern Iran

The Maherabad, Qaleh Zari, and Hired deposits in eastern Iran are porphyry (Cu-Au)-, Iron oxide copper–gold (IOCG)-, and reduced intrusion-related gold system (RIRGS)-type mineralization, respectively. They are located within the Lut block magmatic assemblage, which is the main metallogenic province in eastern Iran. The mineral assemblages and paragenesis of the deposits indicate that highest log fO2 and log fS2 contents belong to the Qaleh Zari deposit. In contrast, the lowest values of oxygen and sulphur fugacity are related to the RIRGS system in the Hired deposit. The Maherabad mineralization has moderate log fO2 and log fS2 contents relative to the Qaleh Zari and Hired deposits.Geochemically, these three deposits are related to different types of granitoids, which occurred within the short time interval from 37 to 41 Ma. The Maherabad and Qaleh Zari intrusions are related to oxidized magnetite-series granitoids, whereas the mineralization at Hired deposit is related to the reduced ilmenite-series granitoids. Magnetite-series intrusive rocks at Hired are barren. Intrusive bodies in the three studied sites are metaluminous, high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic, and formed in a volcanic arc setting. However, there are distinct differences in the radiogenic isotopic composition, content of some elements and elemental ratios reflecting the effect of different sources in the formation of intrusions. The reduced granite of the Hired deposit has the lowest Eu/Eu* of <0.7, P + Sr < 1000 ppm, and Sr/Y < 20 associated with (La /Yb)N < 12. Crustal contamination played an important role in magma evolution (87Sr/86Sri = 0.70627 and −εNd(t) = -2.60). P + Sr and Sr/Y contents in the productive oxidant magnetite-series intrusive rocks, such as the Maherabad and Qaleh Zari deposits, are more than 1500 ppm and 35, respectively. On this basis, petrological characteristic, geochemical indicator elements and mineral assemblage and paragenesis can be used for discrimination of productive and barren intrusions in the three different deposit types studied in this research. This can be used as an exploration criteria for the hydrothermal deposits associated with different magmatic intrusions in some areas.

Episodic crustal growth in the Tanzania Craton: evidence from Nd isotope compositions

ABSTRACT The analysis of available Nd isotope data from the Tanzania Craton places important constraints on the crust-mantle separation ages, and events marking juvenile crustal addition and crustal recycling. Nd model ages date the oldest crust extraction to 3.16 Ga in the Tanzania Craton, although a rock record of such antiquity is yet to be found there. The most significant period of juvenile crustal addition as well as crustal recycling is 2.7–2.6 Ga. The Nd isotopes of mafic samples show that chemical heterogeneity existed in the mantle beneath the Tanzania Craton, with some samples originating from significantly depleted mantle, and most samples originating from the mixture of primitive mantle and depleted mantle. The Nd isotope section reveals significant differences in Nd isotopes between the north craton and central craton; compared to the north craton, the central craton yields a Nd model age that is approximately 100 Ma older, and its eNd(t) values are more negative, indicating that the two parts of the craton have different mantle source regions. Different types of granitoids are distributed in the Tanzania Craton, such as high-K and low-Al granite, calc-alkaline granite, peraluminous granite and transitional types of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites (TTGs). Most of the granitoids formed later than the mafic rocks in syn-collision and post-collision events.

Two different types of granitoids in the Suyunhe large porphyry Mo deposit, NW China and their genetic relationships with molybdenum mineralization

The Suyunhe large porphyry Mo deposit (∼0.57Mt molybdenum), located in the West Junggar, NW China, is the largest known porphyry Mo deposit in Xinjiang. Granitoids in this deposit are mainly characterized by three closely spaced intrusive centers (known as stocks I, II and III respectively). The stocks I and III mainly consist of barren granodiorite porphyry and tonalite porphyry, whereas the stock II is mainly composed of fertile monzonitic granite porphyry and granite porphyry. Based on detailed major and trace element, and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses, two distinct compositional groups can be identified. The first group of high-silica end-members (HSE) is characterized by high SiO2 (mostly >75wt%), low MgO (0.07–0.69wt%) and Mg# (0.19–0.36), significant Eu depletion in the chondrite-normalized diagram, and low Sr/Y and La/Yb, as well as noticeably negative anomalies of Ba, Sr, P and Ti in the primitive mantle-normalized diagram. The second group of low-silica end-members (LSE), however, displays adakite-like features with lower SiO2 (<75wt%), higher MgO (0.52–1.32wt%) and Mg# (0.32–0.52; mostly >0.4), and higher Sr/Y (mostly >20) and La/Yb (>8). The depleted Sr–Nd isotopic characteristics (εNd(T)=3.5–6.4 and Isr=0.7026–0.7055) and young two-stage model ages of HSE and LSE indicate that they were both derived from partial melting of juvenile lower crust that might be triggered by asthenosphere upwelling subsequent to a slab rollback event. However, the depths of initial melting might be different. The current evidence demonstrates that HSE in the Suyunhe deposit formed by partial melting of juvenile crust at depths of less than ∼33km with a plagioclase residue, whereas that for LSE occurred at depths of >40km where a garnet residue existed and the crust was thickened. The lower source depth, as well as subsequently strong plagioclase fractionation, results in the absence of adakite-like characteristics in HSE.The Ce4+/Ce3+and EuN/EuN∗ ratios in zircons of HSE are much lower than ore-forming intrusions from porphyry Cu deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, but noticeably higher than barren intrusions from the Lachlan fold belt and ore-bearing intrusions from small-intermediate porphyry Mo deposits from the East Qinling–Dabie and the Nanling metallogenic belts, China, indicating that neither too high nor too low oxygen fugacities are favorable for large porphyry Mo deposits. Based on previous studies of adakitic rocks in the world, adakite-like LSE in the Suyunhe deposit are believed to have higher oxygen fugacities, and thus be less fertile than HSE. We finally suggest that adakites and adakite-like rocks are unproductive for porphyry Mo deposits.

Formation and emplacement of two contrasting late-Mesoproterozoic magma types in the central Namaqua Metamorphic Complex (South Africa, Namibia): Evidence from geochemistry and geochronology

The Namaqua Metamorphic Complex is a Mesoproterozoic low-pressure, granulite facies belt along the southern and western margin of the Kaapvaal Craton. The NMC has formed between ~1.3 and 1.0Ga and its central part consists essentially of different types of granitoids intercalated with metapelites and calc-silicate rocks. The granitoids can be subdivided into three major groups: (i) mesocratic granitoids, (ii) leucocratic granitoids and (iii) leucogranites. The high-K, ferroan mesocratic granitoids (54–75wt% SiO2) have a variable composition ranging from granitic to tonalitic, and contain biotite and/or hornblende or orthopyroxene. They are strongly enriched in REE and LILE, indicating A-type chemical characteristics, and are depleted in Ba, Sr, Eu, Nb, Ta and Ti. The leucocratic granitoids and leucogranites (68–76wt% SiO2) differ from the other group in having a granitic or slightly syenitic composition containing biotite and/or garnet/sillimanite. They have lower REE and MgO, FeOt, CaO, TiO2, MnO concentrations, but higher Na2O and K2O contents. Compositional variations in mesocratic granitoids indicate their formation by fractional crystallization of a mafic parental magma. Leucocratic granitoids and leucogranites lack such trends, which suggests melting of a felsic crustal source without subsequent further evolution of the generated magmas. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the mesocratic granitoids are consistent magmatic differentiation of a mantle derived, hot (>900°C) parental magma. The leucocratic granitoids and leucogranites granites were formed from low-temperature magmas (<730°C), generated during fluid-present melting from metasedimentary sources.New U-Pb zircon ages reveal that both magma types were emplaced into the lower crust within a 30–40 million years interval between 1220–1180Ma. In this time period the crust reached its thermal peak, which led to the formation of the leucocratic granitoids and leucogranites. A prolonged period of relatively high crustal temperatures is followed by a second heat pulse at ~1100Ma, that was intense enough to facilitate zircon growth in the older plutons and it produced a younger granite suite. The crust cools down below amphibolite facies conditions after a further 100 million years. The prolonged high-temperature history is best compatible with steady and long-lasting heat transfer from mantle sources, suggesting a continental back-arc situation as the most likely setting of the NMC in the late Mesoproterozoic.

Potential of thermal emissivity for mapping of greenstone rocks and associated granitoids of Hutti Maski Schist belt, Karnataka

Abstract. In the present study, different temperature-emissivity separation algorithms were used to derive emissivity images based on processing of ASTER( Advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer) thermal bands. These emissivity images have been compared with each other in terms of geological information for mapping of major rock types in Hutti Maski schist Belt and its associated granitoids. Thermal emissivity images are analyzed conjugately with thermal radiance image, radiant temperature image and albedo image of ASTER bands to understand the potential of thermal emissivity in delineating different rock types of Archaean Greenstone belt. The emissivity images derived using different emissivity extraction algorithms are characterised with poor data dimensionality and signal to noise ratio. Therefore, Inverse MNF false-colour composites(FCC) are derived using bands having better signal to noise(SNR)ratio to enhance the contrast in emissivity. It has been observed that inverse-MNF of emissivity image; which is derived using emissivity-normalisation method is suitable for delineating silica variations in granite and granodioritic gneiss in comparison to other inverse- MNF-emissivity composites derived using other emissivity extraction algorithms(reference channel and alpha residual method). Based on the analysis of ASTER derived emissivity spectra of each rocks, band ratios are derived(band 14/12,band 10/12) and these ratios are used to delineate the rock types based on index based FCC image. This FCC image can be used to delineate granitoids with different silica content. The geological information derived based on processing of ASTER thermal images are further compared with the image analysis products derived using ASTER visible-near-infrared(VNIR) and shortwave infrared(SWIR) bands. It has been observed that delineation of different mafic rocks or greenstone rocks(i.e. separation between chlorite schist and metabasalt) are better in SWIR composites and these composites also provide comparable results with thermal bands in terms of delineation of different types of granitoids.

Zircon morphology, geochronology and trace element geochemistry of the granites from the Huangshaping polymetallic deposit, South China: Implications for the magmatic evolution and mineralization processes

The Huangshaping polymetallic deposit is a large-scale deposit located in the central Nanling region, South China. Different types of mineralization have been classified in the area, which are attributed to three types of granitoids from the composite granitic pluton: quartz porphyry, granophyre and granite porphyry. In order to study the magmatic genesis and evolutionary process, as well as constrain the crystallization and mineralization events, 100 zircon separates from different intrusive stages of the pluton have been analyzed for trace element contents and U–Pb isotopic concentrations. The results show that zircons from the Huangshaping granitoids are enriched in Th, U, Hf, Ti, REE and other trace elements, indicating hydrothermal fluid alteration and transformation. Additionally, there is a large variation between different types of granitoids in terms of trace element concentrations. Compared to the zircons from the quartz porphyry and the granophyre, zircons from the granite porphyry are more enriched in Th, U, Hf, Ti, and P but strongly depleted in Eu. This suggests that the magma that formed the granite porphyry possessed higher temperatures, possibly experienced stronger crystal fractionation and originated from a more evolved, complex magmatic source region with higher degree of crustal maturity. Combined with characteristics of crystal morphology and internal texture, hydrothermal zircons were distinguished from magmatic zircons in each granitoid to reveal mineralization processes. The U–Pb geochronology results show that there are two major stages of mineralization: ~190Ma weak Cu (Pb, Zn) mineralization related to the quartz porphyry and the granophyre, and ~155Ma strong W, Sn (Mo, Pb, Zn) mineralization associated with the granite porphyry. Compositions of these hydrothermal zircons suggest that the earlier stage mineralization could be close to single, relatively cold, reduced and quickly ascended fluids, whereas the later stage might be related to hot, oxidized, strongly fractionated and highly evolved, mixed fluids. This study also indicates that hydrothermal zircons from typical composite granitic plutons could be a good tool to reveal the multi-stage magmatic and mineralization process in middle to late Jurassic South China.

Gallium and germanium geochemistry during magmatic fractionation and post-magmatic alteration in different types of granitoids: a case study from the Bohemian Massif (Czech Republic)

Abstract Contents of Ga and Ge in granites, rhyolites, orthogneisses and greisens of different geochemical types from the Bohemian Massif were studied using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of typical whole-rock samples. The contents of both elements generally increase during fractionation of granitic melts: Ga from 16 to 77 ppm and Ge from 1 to 5 ppm. The differences in Ge and Ga contents between strongly peraluminous (S-type) and slightly peraluminous (A-type) granites were negligible. The elemental ratios of Si/1000Ge and Al/1000Ga significantly decreased during magmatic fraction: from ca. 320 to 62 and from 4.6 to 1.2, respectively. During greisenization, Ge is enriched and hosted in newly formed hydrothermal topaz, while Ga is dispersed into fluid. The graph Al/Ga vs. Y/Ho seems to be useful tool for geochemical interpretation of highly evolved granitoids.

Zircon/rock partition coefficients of REEs, Y, Th, U, Nb, and Ta in granitic rocks: Uses for provenance and mineral exploration purposes

The trace element composition of magmatic zircon is highly variable even within the same grain, and its study is complicated by the abundance of microinclusions, metamict portions, and strong compositional zoning, among other factors. To contribute to the understanding of the geochemistry of trace elements in zircon, we determined the rare earth, Y, Nb, Ta, Th, and U contents in zircon grains by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) with the use of cathodoluminescence and backscattered MEV images. Zircon/rock partition coefficients were determined in nine different types of granitoids and compared with experimental and natural data. The obtained data are comparable with those reported by other authors. By using the partition coefficient, we estimated the composition of the host granitoids based on the zircon grain composition, which was interpreted as evidence that the patterns of the trace elements in zircon grains are controlled by the liquid composition at the moment of crystallization. A new set of partition coefficients for REEs, Y, Nb, Ta, Th, and U is suggested for provenance and exploratory studies: La 0.8, Ce 1.7, Pr 2.1, Nd 3.4, Sm 9.8, Eu 7.9, Gd 24, Tb 37, Dy 69, Ho 117, Er 167, Tm 281, Yb 379, Lu 437, Nb 1.6, Ta 2.9, Th 27, U 177, and Y 109. Trace element diagrams (Eu*/Eu vs. Yb, Nb vs. Th, and (Y/200+Lu/10+Nb) vs. Nb/Ce) are proposed for discriminating zircon from different types of granitoids, particularly for A-type, I-type and shoshonitic rocks. The trace element patterns of zircon are useful as a tool for mineral exploration studies because they often reproduce the patterns of mineralized granites.

Geology and metamorphic zonation of the Ryoke Metamorphic Belt on Kasado-jima Island, SW Japan

The Cretaceous low-pressure/high-temperature Ryoke Metamorphic Belt contains abundant Ryoke and San-yo Granitoids that intruded to various crustal depths during or after formation of the belt. To clarify the tectono-metamorphic history of the belt, it is necessary to evaluate the thermal effects of the intrusion of the different types of granitoids. The geology of Kasado-jima Island, SW Japan, consists of metasedimentary rocks, massive biotite granite, and migmatitic biotite tonalite. The granite and tonalite occur in the central and southern areas of the island, respectively. Within the central area, granite intrudes metasedimentary rocks and cuts across bedding-parallel schistosity within the metapelites; this indicates that intrusion of the granite postdates Ryoke metamorphism. In contrast, tonalite in the southern area was emplaced parallel to the schistosity. On the basis of the field occurrences and petrographic characteristics of these granitoids, we correlate the biotite tonalite and biotite granite with the Older Ryoke and San-yo Granitoids, respectively. Based on the paragenesis of schistosity-forming minerals within metapelites, we identify two mineral zones in the island: the biotite and cordierite zones. The biotite zone is characterized by a mineral assemblage of muscovite + biotite ± garnet, and the cordierite zone is characterized by the assemblage muscovite + biotite + K-feldspar + cordierite or garnet. On the basis of mineral chemistry, we estimate peak metamorphic conditions for the biotite and cordierite zones to be ∼ 470 °C (reference pressure: 200 MPa) and ∼ 550 °C at 250 MPa, respectively. In the central part of the island, a contact aureole adjacent to the biotite granite is identified by the occurrence of randomly oriented muscovite and very large dendritic cordierite porphyroblasts. These randomly oriented porphyroblasts may have formed under a high degree of supersaturation associated with the thermal perturbation of the shallow intrusion of the biotite granite into cooler crust. In the southern area, most metamorphic minerals are of similar size, and their long axes are aligned to form a schistosity; this indicates a small degree of thermal perturbation and/or a high strain rate. These observations indicate that the biotite tonalite on Kasado-jima Island, as a deep-seated granitoid, was related to regional low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism.

Properties of wave velocity for two types of granitoids at high pressure and temperature and their geological meaning

The wave velocity for two types of granitoids was measured using the analytic method of full-wave vibration at high pressure and high temperature. The laws of velocity changes for them differ with the pressure boost and temperature rise, and the velocity change of S-type is more violent than that of I-type. The “softening point” of compressional wave velocity (V μ) is also revealed during the measurement for two types of granitoids imitating the pressure and temperature at a certain depth. But the depth of “softening”, Vp after “softening” and the percentage of Vp’s drop around the “sofrening point” for two types of granitoids are obviously different. The depth of “softening” is 15 km approximately and Vp after “softening” is 5.62 km/s for S-type granitoid. But for I-type granitoid the depth of “softening” is 26 km approximately and Vp after “softening” is 6. 08 km/s. Through careful analysis of rock slices after the experiment, it was found that the “softening” of elastic-wave velocity is caused by the partial melting of granite. Combined with the results of geophysical prospecting, these results suggest that the low-velocity layers developing in the interior of Earth crust are related to thc partial melting of different types of granitoids. The formation of the low-velocity layer in the upper-middle Earth crust is closely related to the development of S-type granitoid, but that in the lower Earth crust is closely related to the development of I-type granitoid.

Systematics of internal zircon morphology in major Variscan granitoid types

The internal morphologies of zircon crystals from different types of granitoids (alkaline, calcalkaline and anatectic) are revealed by cathodoluminescence imaging and are described in terms of growth rates of the crystal faces relative to each other. Zircons in the alkaline granitoids are characterized by high and constant growth rates of {010} relative to the pyramidal forms and by symmetric grwoth of {011}. Zircons in the calcalkaline and anatectic granitoids are characterized by fluctuating or gradually decreasing relative growth rates of {010}, by asymmetric and highly variable growth of {011}, and by a tendency of {110} to become grwoth-inhibited. Corrosion events are interspersed during zircon growth in the calcalkaline magmas. In the calcalkaline and anatectic magmas, a discontinuity breaks the morphological evolution at late stages of crystallization. The discontinuity coincides with a sharp drop in cathodoluminescence. The growth behaviour of each crystal form is analysed and compared with predictions made by the periodic bond chain (PBC) theory. It is argued that the relative growth rate of {010} depends on supersaturation, that the growth rates of {011} faces are changed in response to different ratios of adsorbing cations (Na, K, Al), and that {110} faces become growth-inhibited by the adsorption of H2O or trace elements enriched in the residual liquid. Morphological and chemical discontinuities at late stages of crystallization are reasonably explained by the formation of larger growth units (from smaller ionic entities) in the residual liquid. Important factors controlling the zircon morphology in different types of granitoids are: high cooling rates (alkaline magmas), magma mixing (calcalkaline magmas), enrichment of H2O and trace elements in residual liquids (calcalkaline and anatectic magmas), and the major element chemistry of the magma, possibly the ratio of Na and K to Al (agpaicity).

Outline of the geology of magmatic and metamorphic units between Gebel Uweinat and Bir Safsaf (SW Egypt/NW Sudan)

Abstract The Uweinat basement uplift system extends from Gebel Uweinat in the west to Bir Safsaf in the east underlying an area of roughly 40,000 km 2 in which crystalline rocks arc exposed. The distribution of the basement rocks was mapped by means of field traverses combined with an interpretation of Landsat satellite images. General foliation trend is NE-SW in the Uweinat area changing to NNE-SSW in northern direction and to WNW-ESE in the Gebel Kamil area. In the eastern part (Bir Safsaf) it is NW-SE. Metamorphic rocks are migmatites and granitic to granulitic gneisses with subordinate amounts of amphibolite and marble. Low grade metamorphic rocks were found only in the southern area (NW Sudan). Plutonic rocks include different types of granitoids and dykes, volcanic rocks are alkali olivine basalt, phonolite, trachytes, and rhyolites. All age data for the area are compiled and together with three newly obtained ages (673 ± 65 m.y., migmatites, 431 ± 33, granite, 216 ± 5, rhyolite) it can be shown that magmatic activity occurred in several periods during the Phanerozoic. Some of the magmatic rocks are concentrated along fracture zones.