Granitic Bodies Research Articles

Late Triassic U-bearing and barren granites in the Miao'ershan batholith, South China: Petrogenetic discrimination and exploration significance

The Miao'ershan uranium ore district is one of the most important granite-hosted uranium producers in South China. There are several Triassic granite plutons in the Miao'ershan batholith, but uranium ore deposits mainly occur within the Douzhashan granitic body. Precise zircon U–Pb dating indicated that these Triassic granite plutons were emplaced during 204 to 215Ma. The Douzhashan U-bearing granite lies in the central part of the Miao'ershan batholith, and has higher U contents (8.0 to 26.1ppm, average 17.0ppm) than the nearby Xiangcaoping granite (5.0 to 9.3ppm, average 7.0ppm) and the Yangqiaoling granite (6.4 to 18.3ppm, average 11.5ppm) in the south part of the batholith. The Douzhashan granite is composed of medium-grained two-mica granite, whereas the Xiangcaoping and Yangqiaoling granites are composed of porphyritic biotite granite. Both the Xiangcaoping and Douzhashan granites have high A/CNK ratios (>1.10), high (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (>0.720) and low εNd(t) values (−11.3 to −10.4), suggesting that they belong to strongly peraluminous S-type granites. The Douzhashan granite has low CaO/Na2O ratios, high Rb/Sr and Rb/Ba ratios, indicating a partial melting origin of clay-rich pelitic rocks. In contrast, the Xiangcaoping granite formed from clay-poor psammite-derived melt. The Yangqiaoling granite shows different geochemical characteristics with the Douzhashan and Xiangcaoping granites, indicating a different magma source. The Yangqiaoling granite has higher εNd(t) of −9.4 to −8.3 and variable A/CNK values from 0.98 to 1.19, suggesting a mixture source of meta-sedimentary rocks and meta-igneous rocks. Crystallization fractionation is not the main mechanism for U enrichment in the Douzhashan granite. We suggest that U-rich pelitic rock sources may be the key factor to generate peraluminous U-bearing granites in South China. Searching for those granites which are reduced, strongly peraluminous and were derived from U-rich pelitic rocks, is the most effective way for exploring granite-hosted U deposits.

Using remote sensing techniques and field-based structural analysis to explore new gold and associated mineral sites around Al-Hajar mine, Asir terrane, Arabian Shield

Modern earth resource satellites provide huge amounts of digital imagery at different resolutions. These satellite imageries are considered one of the most significant sources of data for mineral exploration. Image processing techniques were applied to the exposed rocks around the Al-Aqiq area of the Asir terrane in the southern part of the Arabian Shield. The area under study has two sub-parallel N–S trending metamorphic belts of green-schist facies. The first belt is located southeast of Al-Aqiq, where the Al-Hajar Gold Mine is situated. It is essentially composed of metavolcanics and metasedimentary rocks, and it is intruded by different plutonic rocks of primarily diorite, syenite and porphyritic granite. The second belt is located northwest of Al-Aqiq, and it is composed of metavolcanics and metasedimentary rocks and is intruded by granite bodies. The current study aimed to distinguish the lithological units, detect and map the alteration zones, and extract the major fault lineaments around the Al-Hajar gold prospect. Digital satellite imageries, including Landsat 7 ETM + multispectral and panchromatic and SPOT-5 were used in addition to field verification. Areas with similar spectral signatures to the prospect were identified in the nearby metamorphic belt; it was considered as a target area and was inspected in the field. The relationships between the alteration zones, the mineral deposits and the structural elements were used to locate the ore-bearing zones in the subsurface. The metasedimentary units of the target area showed a dextral-ductile shearing top-to-the-north and the presence of dominant mineralized quartz vein-system. The area to the north of the Al-Hajar prospect showed also sub-parallel shear zones along which different types of alterations were detected. Field-based criteria such as hydrothermal breccia, jasper, iron gossans and porphyritic granite strongly indicate the presence of porphyry-type ore deposits in Al-Hajar metamorphic belt that may proof promising for subsurface mining.

Paleoproterozoic continental crust generation events at 2.15 and 2.08 Ga in the basement of the southern Brasília Orogen, SE Brazil

New zircon U-Pb LA-ICP-MS data combined with Nd-Hf isotopes and whole-rock geochemistry provide constraints on timing and tectonic setting of Paleoproterozoic continental crust generation events in the basement of the Neoproterozoic southern Brasília Orogen, SE Brazil. The Paleoproterozoic basement, designated as the Pouso Alegre Complex, comprises mainly metatexitic tonalitic to granodioritic orthogneisses with lenses and boudins of metamafic rocks. Minor porphyroclastic granite bodies also occur. Two well-defined crystallization ages groups were recognized at 2.14–2.15Ga (6 samples; weighted average of 2146.7±6.6Ma) and 2.07–2.08Ga (5 samples; weighted average of 2078.7±6.7Ma). Inheritance of older zircon grains is almost absent. Whole-rock Nd data show juvenile signatures with TDM ages between 2.16 and 2.37Ga associated with positive ɛNd(t) values from +0.16 to +2.85. Zircon Hf LA-ICP-MS analysis yields positive ɛHf(t) values from +1.9 to +8.7. Whole-rock geochemical analyses show a wide range of SiO2 contents from 52 to 76wt% with felsic types predominating over mafic ones. The analyzed samples show high concentrations of Rb, Ba, Th, U and low Nb/La ratios, which are characteristics of subduction zone magmas and most of the samples show continental arc affinities. The geochemical signatures associated with the predominance of felsic rocks suggest a continental arc margin or an evolved accreted oceanic arc as the favored tectonic setting for the Pouso Alegre Complex. The Pouso Alegre Complex is interpreted as the southernmost and youngest recognized part of an arc complex emplaced at the southern edge of the São Francisco paleo-continent during the Paleoproterozoic. This part of the arc complex was deeply reworked by the collisional events related to the Neoproterozoic southern Brasília Orogen and its cratonic counterpart is the Mineiro Belt at the southern São Francisco craton. The Pouso Alegre Complex and the juvenile suites of the Mineiro Belt represent a major Paleoproterozoic continental crust generation event between 2.35 and 2.08Ga. This time period has not been recognized for extensive continental crust generation and preservation globally. However, it appears to be a major period of continental crust generation and preservation at the southern edge of the São Francisco paleo-continent.

Evidence from pseudomorphous β-quartz phenocryst for decompression of rock-forming and ore-forming processes in Shapinggou porphyry Mo deposit

The Shapinggou porphyry molybdenum (Mo) deposit, located in Jinzhai County, Anhui Province, China, is the largest in the Qinling-Dabie Mo Metallogenic Belt. The intrusive rocks in the Shapinggou Mo ore district formed in the Yanshanian can be divided into two stages based on zircon U-Pb dating and geochemical features. This study focuses on the late stage intrusions (quartz syenite and granite porphyry), which are closely genetically related to molybdenum mineralization. Petrographic observations identified two quartz polymorphs in the quartz syenite and granite porphyry, which were derived from the same magmatic sources and similar evolutionary processes. The quartzes were identified as a xenomorphic α-quartz within quartz syenite, while the quartz phenocrysts within the granite porphyry were pseudomorphous β-quartz, characterized by a hexagonal bipyramid crystallography. The pseudomorphous β-quartz phenocrysts within the granite porphyry were altered from β-quartz through phase transformation. These crystals retained β-quartz pseudomorph. Combined with titaniumin- zircon thermometry, quartz phase diagrams, and granitic Q-Ab-Or-H2O phase diagrams, it is suggested that the quartz syenite and granite porphyry were formed under similar magmatic origins, including similar depths and magmatic crystallization temperatures. However, the α-quartz within quartz syenite indicated that the crystallization pressure was greater than 0.7 GPa, while the original β-quartz within the granite porphyry was formed under pressures between 0.4 and 0.7 GPa. The groundmass of the granite porphyry which formed after the phenocryst indicated a crystallizing pressure below 0.05 GPa. This indicates that the granite porphyry was formed under repetitive and rapid decompression. The decompression was significant as it caused the exsolution of the ore-forming fluids, and boiling and material precipitation during the magmatic-fluid process. The volumetric difference during the phase transformation from β-quartz to α-quartz caused extensive fracturing on the granite porphyry body and the wall rocks. As the main ore-transmitting and ore-depositing structures, these fractures benefit the hydrothermal alteration and stockwork-disseminated mineralization of the porphyry deposit. It is considered that the pseudomorphous β-quartz phenocrysts of the porphyritic body are metallogenic indicators within the porphyry deposits. The pseudomorphous β-quartzes therefore provide evidence for the formation of the porphyry deposit within a decompression tectonic setting.

The Paleoproterozoic Singo granite in south-central Uganda revealed as a nested igneous ring complex using geophysical data

We used high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data and satellite gravity data to investigate the form of occurrence of the Paleoproterozoic Singo granite in west-central Uganda. This granitic body covers an area of ∼700 km2, intrudes Paleoproterozoic crystalline rocks and overlain by Paleoproterozoic-Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks, both of which belong to the Rwenzori terrane, and it is host to hydrothermally-formed economic minerals such as gold and tungsten. Our analysis provided unprecedented geometrical details of the granitic body and revealed the following: (1) the margins of the Singo granite are characterized by a higher magnetic signature compared to the interior of the granitic body as well as the surroundings. These anomalies are apparent in both the total magnetic field and horizontal derivative images and define eight overlapping ring features. (2) the depth continuation of these magnetic anomalies define outward but steeply-dipping features as indicated by the tilt images extracted from the airborne magnetic data. This is further supported by forward modeling of the magnetic and gravity data. (3) the Singo granite is characterized by relatively high and evenly-distributed equivalent concentration of Uranium (eU) and Thorium (eTh) compared to the surroundings and this is apparent in the Potassium (K)-eTh-eU radiometric ternary image. (4) the granitic body is defined by a gravity low anomaly that persisted to a depth of three km as shown by the Bouguer anomaly image and its five km upward continuation. We used these observations to identify this granitic body as a nested igneous ring complex and we refer to it as the Singo Igneous Ring Complex (SIRC). We further interpreted the eight ring structures as individual igneous ring complexes aligned in an E–W and NE–SW direction and these were developed due to repeated calderas collapse. Additionally, we interpreted the ring-shaped magnetic anomalies as due to hydrothermally-altered margins of the granite resulting from hot fluid circulation facilitated by the presence of concentric fracture zones that developed in association with the collapse of the calderas. We propose that the nested pattern of the SIRC was developed due to dominantly east and southwest migration of magma plumbing systems. Identifying the SIRC as a nested igneous ring complex has its importance in guiding future mineral exploration activities. Our study highlights the importance of high resolution geophysical data in mapping near surface igneous ring complexes, hence allowing for further examination of their magma plumbing systems.

複数の熱年代学的手法に基づいた江若花崗岩敦賀岩体の冷却・削剥史

In this study, multi-system thermochronology, i.e., fission-track (FT), K-Ar and U-Pb methods are used to identify the cooling and denudation history of the Tsuruga body of Kojaku granite, southwest Japan. Apatite FT age of 51.8 ± 6.5 Ma, zircon FT age of 70.4 ± 2.0 Ma, biotite K-Ar ages of 66.7–62.0 Ma, and zircon U-Pb age of 68.5 ± 0.7 Ma were obtained for granitic samples, whereas plagioclase K-Ar ages of 19.1–18.8 Ma and whole-rock K-Ar age of 19.0 ± 2.9 Ma were inferred for the basaltic dyke intruding into the granite. The zircon FT lengths are not significantly shorter than their initial lengths, implying rapid cooling at the zircon FT partial annealing zone (PAZ). On the other hand, the apatite FT length distribution shows a typical pattern for granitic pluton without reheating, indicating a slow cooling history at the apatite FT PAZ. Based on the results of these thermochronometric analyses, inverse thermal calculations using the FT data, and simple thermal conduction modeling of the granitic body, the cooling and denudation histories of the Tsuruga body are reconstructed: (1) the Tsuruga body intruded at ca. 68 Ma, late Cretaceous, at a depth of several kilometers, (2) rapidly cooled to below the zircon FT PAZ by heat conduction within a few million years or less, and (3) slowly cooled due to peneplanation during the past 50–60 million years. On the other hand, the whole-rock Rb-Sr age previously reported for the Kojaku body is younger than when the cooling curve of the Tsuruga body obtained by this study intersects with the closure temperature of the whole-rock Rb-Sr system. This may imply a time lag between the formation ages of these bodies, but more thermochronometric studies are required to draw a definitive conclusion. The K-Ar ages of the basaltic dyke are interpreted as its formation age, indicating that dyke intrusion was associated with the Green Tuff movement.

An Enigmatic Little Earthquake Swarm near Searsport, Maine

A swarm of 21 small earthquakes, with the largest being MLg 1.7, was recorded by regional seismic network monitoring from near Searsport, Maine, in April and May 2011. An additional five events were detected by two portable seismic instruments that were installed in the Searsport area for the later part of the swarm. Relative locations of the larger events of the swarm, computed in relation to a selected master event, showed that the swarm events extended for a distance of about 2.5 km and migrated from northeast to southwest. The events also became shallower toward the southwest. If the area of the swarm had ruptured in a single earthquake, the magnitude of the event would have been about M 5.1–5.5. The S‐P time of only about 0.34 s at one of the portable seismic stations for the detected events from the swarm indicates that the station was located about 2.7 km from the hypocenters, thus constraining the location of the southwest end of the swarm. The events took place within the Devonian Mount Waldo pluton, a granitic body that locally cuts northeast–couthwest‐oriented thrust faults that parallel the Norumbega fault zone. The trend of the swarm events is parallel to and on‐strike with the trend of a thrust fault mapped to the southwest of the Mount Waldo pluton. The seismic data suggest that the fault might be seismically active, although the modern seismotectonic relationship of the fault and the pluton is far from clear.

Zircon dating and mineralogy of the Mokong Pan-African magmatic epidote-bearing granite (North Cameroon)

We present the mineralogy and age of the magmatic epidote-bearing granite composing most of the Mokong pluton, in the Central Africa orogenic belt (North Cameroon). This pluton intrudes Neoproterozoic (~830 to 700 Ma) low- to high-grade schists and gneisses (Poli-Maroua group), and is crosscut or interleaved with bodies of biotite granite of various sizes. The pluton is weakly deformed in its interior, but solid-state deformation increases toward its margins marked by narrow mylonitic bands trending NNE–SSW. The magmatic epidote granitic rocks are classified as quartz monzodiorite, granodiorite, monzogranite, and syenogranite. They are medium- to coarse-grained and composed of K-feldspar + plagioclase + biotite + amphibole + epidote + magnetite + titanite + zircon + apatite. In these granites, the pistacite component [atomic Fe+3/(Fe3+ + Al)] in epidote ranges from 16 to 29 %. High oxygen fugacity (log ƒO2 − 14 to −11) and the preservation of epidote suggest that the magma was oxidized. Al-in hornblende barometry and hornblende–plagioclase thermometry indicate hornblende crystallization between 0.53 and 0.78 GPa at a temperature ranging from 633 to 779 °C. Zircon saturation thermometry gives temperature estimates ranging from 504 to 916 °C, the latter being obtained on samples containing inherited zircons. U/Pb geochronology by LA-ICP-MS on zircon grains characterized by magmatic zoning yields a concordia age of 668 ± 11 Ma (2σ). The Mokong granite is the only known occurrence magmatic epidote in Cameroon, and is an important milestone for the comparison of the Central Africa orogenic belt with the Brasiliano Fold Belt, where such granites are much more abundant.

Paleoproterozoic structural frame of the Yetti domain (Eglab shield, Algeria): Emplacement conditions of the Tinguicht late pluton from magnetic fabric study

The Tinguicht pluton is part of the ∼2.07 Ga post-collisional magmatic suites that intruded the Yetti Paleoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary series of the western part of the Eglab Shield (West African Craton). It represents one of the most recent units of these suites. This pluton, with a NW–SE elliptic shape, is unfoliated, and its deformational structures are practically restricted to fracturing and faulting. New structural, microstructural and aeromagnetic data are presented in order to analyze in particular the relationship between the Tinguicht pluton emplacement and the related NNW-SSE major mega-shear zone, separating the Yetti and Eglab domains. To constrain the context of the regional post-collisional evolution of the Eglab shield, a structural analysis was performed by mapping the magnetic structures (foliation and lineation) using AMS. The combination of the results of all the used approaches leads to a new and enriched image of this granitic pluton and of its tectonic emplacement context. The elliptic shape of the granitic body and the AMS strain pattern are consistent with the presence of a NNW-SSE major structure. NNW-SSE is also one of the major directions highlighted by the aeromagnetic data. This study thus evidences the role of the pre-existing major shear zones in controlling emplacement of post-collisional Paleoproterozoic plutons like Tinguicht, as shown for Drissa pluton in the Eglab domain earlier.

The Archean–Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (Brasil): Current models and open questions

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is a metallogenic district (Au, Fe, Mn) located at the southernmost end of the São Francisco craton in eastern Brazil. In this region, a supracrustal assemblage composed of Archean greenstone and overlying Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks occur in elongated keels bordering domal bodies of Archean gneisses and granites. The tectonomagmatic evolution of the Quadrilàtero Ferrífero began in the Paleoarchean with the formation of continental crust between 3500 and 3200 Ma. Although this crust is today poorly preserved, its existence is attested to by the occurrence of detrital zircon crystals with Paleoarchean age in the supracrustal rocks. Most of the crystalline basement, which is composed of banded gneisses intruded by leucogranitic dikes and weakly foliated granites, formed during three major magmatic events: Rio das Velhas I (2920–2850 Ma), Rio das Velhas II (2800–2760 Ma) and Mamona (2760–2680 Ma). The Rio das Velhas II and Mamona events represent a subduction-collision cycle, probably marking the appearance of a modern-style plate tectonic regime in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. Granitic rocks emplaced during the Rio das Velhas I and II events formed by mixing between a magma generated by partial melting of metamafic rocks with an end member derived by recycling gneissic rocks of older continental crust. After deformation and regional metamorphism at ca. 2770 Ma, a change in the composition of the granitic magmas occurred and large volumes of high-K granitoids were generated.The ca. 6000 m-thick Minas Supergroup tracks the opening and closure of a basin during the Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic, between 2600 and 2000 Ma. The basal sequence involves continental to marine sediments deposited in a passive margin basin and contain as a marker bed the Lake Superior-type Cauê Banded Iron Formation. The overlying sediments of the Sabará Group mark the inversion of the basin during the Rhyacian Minas accretionary orogeny. This orogeny results from the collision between the nuclei of the present-day São Francisco and Congo cratons, generated the fold-and thrust belt structure of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. Afterwards, the post- orogenic collapse resulted in the deposition of the Itacolomi Group and in the genesis of the dome-and-keel structure.In this paper, we review current knowledge about the 1500 Ma long-lasting tectonomagmatic and structural evolution of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero identifying the most compelling open questions and future challenges.

Asymmetric textural and structural patterns of a granitic body emplaced at shallow levels: The La Chinchilla pluton, northwestern Argentina

New mapping and a detailed structural study of the La Chinchilla stock, Sierra de Velasco, NW Argentina, suggest an asymmetrical shape of the pluton and provide strong evidence for its shallow emplacement depth. The pluton is a Lower Carboniferous monzogranite composed of K-feldspar, quartz, plagioclase and biotite. It exhibits an internal asymmetric textural zoning, defined by porphyritic granite in the southeastern region to equigranular granite in the northwestern region. The presence of subhorizontal dikes in the northwestern area, where the contacts dip shallowly, and subvertical dikes intruding the host rock nearby steep-dipping intrusive contacts in the southeastern region are compatible with an overall asymmetrical shape and internal structure of this pluton. Considering published crystallization ages, a dominant strain field occurring at around 12 Ma is inferred based on magmatic fabrics in the pluton and its host rock (the Huaco pluton), with a principal shortening direction oriented SW–NE, consistent with the general NW–SE strike of the body. Field evidence supports brittle fracturing and block displacement as the dominant emplacement mechanism, suggesting that magmatic stoping dominated during the late stage of the evolution of the magma chamber.

Geological setting and timing of the cassiterite vein type mineralization of the Kalima area (Maniema, Democratic Republic of Congo)

The Central African Mesoproterozoic Karagwe-Ankole belt in the Great Lakes area (DRCongo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania) forms a metallogenic province that hosts a variety of granite-related mineralization, which contains cassiterite, columbite-tantalite, wolframite/ferberite, spodumene and beryl. The Kalima area in the Maniema province of the DRCongo forms one of the most important areas for cassiterite mineralization in the eastern part of the DRCongo, even after many decades of exploitation. The mineralization dominantly consists of quartz veins that are hosted in Mesoproterozoic metasediments at the contact with granitic rocks of the Kalima granite (Avuanga and Yubuli) or directly crosscutting these granitic rocks (Atondo). Only limited – and mainly unmineralized pegmatites – have been described in the Lutshurukuru area. Mineralized quartz veins – and some granite bodies – intruded following the regional tectonic foliation or existing fracture zones, confirming the late-to post-tectonic origin of the fertile granite system. The emplacement of the quartz veins resulted in an alteration of the metasedimentary and granitic host-rocks, mainly resulting in muscovitization, tourmalinization and silicification. Cassiterite itself formed relatively late during vein formation and is associated with muscovite in fractures in or along the margins of the quartz veins.40Ar-39Ar age dating of muscovite of an unmineralized pegmatite from the Lutshurukuru area gave an excellent plateau age of 1024 ± 5.5 Ma, while the muscovite associated with mineralization gave plateau ages of 986 ± 5.3 Ma for the Atondo deposit and 992.4 ± 5.4 Ma for the Yubuli deposit. The rather large spread in ages between the supposed parental granite/pegmatite and quartz veins is interpreted to reflect different magmatic events in the evolution of a composite granite system, starting at ∼1020 Ma and ending with mineralized quartz vein formation at ∼990 Ma. The latter age corresponds with the U–Pb age reported for columbite-tantalite in the area (993 ± 1 Ma at Kamisuku), which could be interpreted as the primary formation age of a new generation of mineralized pegmatites in the Kalima area, or as the resetting age of the U–Pb system during the ∼990 Ma mineralizing event. Muscovite of a mineralized greisen sample of Avuanga gave a plateau age with relaxed constraints of 1010.3 ± 5.9 Ma, which has been interpreted as a partially resetting of muscovite formed at ∼1020 Ma age, during the ∼990 Ma event.

Implications of U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic analysis of detrital zircons for the depositional age, provenance and tectonic setting of the Permian–Triassic Palaeotethyan Karakaya Complex, NW Turkey

New zircon U–Pb age data, combined with Lu–Hf isotopic data, are presented here for sandstones of mainly arkosic composition from the Permian–Triassic Karakaya Complex. Predominantly, Carboniferous, Triassic and Devonian zircon age groups are recognised, most of which have a Late Triassic (Carnian–Norian) maximum depositional age. Carboniferous- and Devonian-aged zircon populations exhibit intermediate e Hf(t) values (−11 to +2), consistent with formation in a continental margin arc setting where juvenile mantle-derived magma mixed with (recycled) old crust of Palaeoproterozoic Hf model age. In contrast, the Triassic-aged zircon population exhibits higher e Hf(t) values (−5 to +4), consistent with mixing of juvenile mantle-derived melts with (recycled) old crust of Neoproterozoic Hf model age. Potential igneous source rocks for the sandstones of the Karakaya Complex exist in the Devonian and Carboniferous granitic rocks of the Sakarya continental basement to the north. Their e Hf(t) and corresponding model ages are nearly identical to the age-equivalent zircon populations within the Karakaya Complex sandstones. However, the Triassic granitic rocks of the Sakarya continental crust differ significantly in e Hf(t) and corresponding model age from the sandstones of the Karakaya Complex. Late Triassic sandstones from the Tauride continental unit to the south lack the dominant Late Palaeozoic and Triassic zircon populations of the Karakaya Complex sandstones. Triassic granitic bodies and intermediate-composition extrusive rocks in the Tauride continental unit also differ in e Hf(t) and corresponding Hf model ages from the Karakaya Complex sandstones. In addition, Late Triassic sandstones of the Kocaeli Triassic unit (Istanbul Terrane) in the north differ strongly from the Karakaya Complex sandstones in zircon population ages and e Hf(t). In the regional context, the new zircon age and lutetium–hafnium isotopic data are consistent with derivation of the Late Triassic Karakaya Complex sandstones from a Late Palaeozoic–Triassic continental margin arc located somewhere along the southern margin of Eurasia, although its exact position cannot be pinpointed at present owing to lack of suitable outcrop and comparable isotopic data.

Application of gravity and airborne magnetics to structural-magnetic mapping of the metamorphic massive Isla de la Juventud

In an attempt to contribute to the structural mapping of metamorphic massif Isla de la Juventud, with emphasis to acidic magmatism, gravitational-magnetometer data of the territory by means the processing technology Oasis Montaj are used. According to their findings, the presumed postmetamorphic granitic bodies of low density and magnetic susceptibility are located mainly in the central and southwestern part of the massif. On the flanks of Antiform Río Los Indios are mapped rocks of the high part of Cañada Formation, also with low density. The granitic bodies apparently were introduced through the system of longitudinal (synmetamorphic) and transverse (postmetamorphic) faults at the end of the multifolding and metamorphism process of the sequences of the massif, taking a dominant role the zones of longitudinal deep fractures of sublatitudinal direction in the central and southern part of the massif. Late regional dome structure is understand now within the meaning of morfoanticlinal uprising in the region, resulting from the exhumation of metamorphic massif. Does this mean that cracking generated during the evolution of this structure is not affected by acidic magmatism and in consequence for its specific metallogeny of rare and precious metals.

The Gondwana Orogeny in northern North Patagonian Massif: Evidences from the Caita Có granite, La Seña and Pangaré mylonites, Argentina

Structural analyses in the northern part of the North Patagonia Massif, in the foliated Caita Có granite and in La Seña and Pangaré mylonites, indicate that the pluton was intruded as a sheet-like body into an opening pull-apart structure during the Gondwana Orogeny. Geochronological studies in the massif indicate a first, lower to middle Permian stage of regional deformation, related to movements during indentation tectonics, with emplacement of foliated granites in the western and central areas of the North Patagonian Massif. Between the upper Permian and lower Triassic, evidence indicates emplacement of undeformed granitic bodies in the central part of the North Patagonian Massif. A second pulse of deformation between the middle and upper Triassic is related to the emplacement of the Caita Có granite, the development of mylonitic belts, and the opening of the Los Menucos Basin. During this pulse of deformation, compression direction was from the eastern quadrant.

Origin of peralkaline granites of the Jurassic Bokan Mountain complex (southeastern Alaska) hosting rare metal mineralization

The Jurassic Bokan Mountain complex (BMC), composed of arfvedsonite and/or aegirine-bearing peralkaline A-type granitic rocks, is a circular body about 3 km in diameter located in southeastern Alaska. Like many other highly fractionated granitic bodies, the BMC granites were affected by late magmatic or post-magmatic processes, which, however, did not modify the contents of major elements. The granitic rocks are distinctly enriched in high-field-strength elements (HFSEs), rare earth elements (REEs), Y, Th, and U but depleted in Ba, Sr, and Eu and have high positive ɛNd(T) values. Unlike the variations in the major elements, Sr and Ba, which can be accounted by fractional crystallization, the abundance of REE, Y, HFSE, U, and Th (the elements which are hosted in accessory phases) were modified by F-rich hydrothermal fluids. The BMC hosts significant rare metal mineralization related to the late-stage crystallization history of the complex involving late magmatic and/or post-magmatic fluids. The mineralization includes two types: (1) a U–Th deposit which was exploited at the former Ross-Adams mine and (2) REE and Y mineralization mostly hosted in felsic dikes. Thermodynamic modelling of granites and spatially associated mafic rocks using the programme Rhyolite-MELTS implies that the granites can be derived from the mafic rocks by fractional crystallization. It is suggested that such a process (i.e. derivation of peralkaline granitic magma from the alkali or transitional basaltic magmas derived by partial melting from a lithospheric source metasomatically enriched in rare metals) can be invoked for other peralkaline granitic rocks hosting rare metal deposits.

The Neoarchean transition between medium- and high-K granitoids: Clues from the Southern São Francisco Craton (Brazil)

Field observations, geochemical data and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb ages for orthogneisses and granitoids from the Southern São Francisco Craton (SE, Brazil) indicate a major change in the composition of the continental crust during the Neoarchean. The crystalline basement comprises fine-grained banded gneisses that are intruded by leucogranitic sheets and dikes, by large granitoid batholiths and by small granitic bodies closely associated with the host banded gneisses. Granites and gneisses have high silica content (70–76wt.%) and, based on their major and trace element composition are subdivided in medium- and high-K granitoids. The distinctive geochemistry between these rock-types reflects melting of different sources. Medium-K rocks have chemical affinity similar to rocks of the tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite series (TTGs): high Na2O, Al2O3 and Sr content, low heavy-rare earth content. However, their overall chemical features suggest mixing between two end-members: a magma generated by partial melting of metamafic rocks and a component derived by recycling TTG rocks of older continental crust. The composition of high-K granites is similar to that of late-Archean biotite and two-mica granites. These rocks cannot be generated by melting of TTGs, but rather require melting of Archean metasediments capable of producing large volumes of K2O-rich magmas. Medium-K rocks were volumetrically dominant during two earlier periods of magmatism and associated greenstone belt deposition (2920–2850 and 2800–2760Ma), while high-K rocks mark the final cratonization event and consolidation of the granitic crust of the craton between 2750 and 2720Ma. The relatively sharp transition between the two rock types reflects the onset of basin deposition during the Neoarchean followed by melting of the neo-formed basins at depth.

Alojamento do granito Lavras e a mineralização aurífera durante evolução de centro vulcano-plutônico pós-colisional, oeste do Escudo Sul-riograndense: dados geofísicos e estruturais

<p>A construção do granito Lavras é analisada mediante integração de dados geológicos, geofísicos e estruturais originais e compilados, em consonância com a evolução do centro vulcano-plutônico. Esse centro engloba o complexo intrusivo Lavras do Sul e a sequência traquiandesítica da Formação Hilário (604 - 590 Ma), ambos formados em posição de antepaís durante o período pós-colisional da Orogênese Dom Feliciano, no oeste do Escudo Sul-riograndense. A análise de estruturas rúpteis e lineamentos magnéticos indica que o vulcanismo teve início próximo ao colapso dessa orogenia, condicionado por sistemas transtensivos dextrais NW-SE a WNW-ESE que invertem para sinistrais com o relaxamento tectônico. A formação do complexo intrusivo, principiando com a intrusão subvulcânica do monzonito Tapera no norte, acompanhou a inversão no regime de <italic>stress</italic> regional ao longo de zona de falha N70-75°W que o seciona. Ao final, ocorreu o posicionamento do granito Lavras no sul, o qual possui dimensões modestas (325 km³) e forma tabular (comprimento - L: espessura - E ≈ 3:1) afinando para sul, como deduzido dos dados gravimétricos. Dois domínios composicional-estruturais, equivalentes aos granitos magnesianos centrais (granodiorito e monzogranito) e os ferrosos da borda (sienogranito e feldspato alcalino granito), são definidos pela trama ASM (anisotropia de suscetibilidade magnética). Tais dados, aliados aos de estruturas rúpteis, apontam um <italic>pluton</italic>multicíclico construído em dois eventos de ressurgência, envolvendo: (1) o lacólito central decorrente do alojamento do granodiorito sob a soleira de monzogranito; e (2) as intrusões anulares de granitos ferrosos, induzidas pela expansão do reservatório epizonal em razão da recarga com magmas máfico-ultramáficos lamprofíricos. O controle estrutural, a distribuição espacial e a associação com diques lamprofíricos corroboram o vínculo da mineralização aurífera com o último episódio de ressurgência em um centro vulcano-plutônico maduro.</p>

Deformation Evidences and Shear Zone in Marziyan Granitic Pluton, Azna, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone

Marziyan granitic pluton is one of the numerous intrusive bodies in Sanandaj-Sirjan structural zone. The pluton is composed of locogranite, granite and granodiorite and its contact metamorphic rocks are consisting of cordierite and andalusite schist. Tourmaline and garnet bearing locogranite, aplite, pegmatite, mylonite and injected migmatite are exposed in the metamorphic halo. The major minerals include quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, biotite as well as muscovite, tourmaline and garnet. Structural studies indicate the presence of shear zones, especially in the southeastern parts with NNW-SSE trend. Four types of microstructures are present in the region; 1) magmatic microstructures, 2) high temperature solid state microstructure, 3) low temperature solid state microstructure and 4) sub-mylonitic and mylonitic microstructure. All rocks of the region have been subjected to shear deformation which led the formation of S-C foliations and other sense of shear markers. The presence of asymmetric porphyroclasts and porphyroblast, biotite and feldspar kink bands, mica-fish mica and andalusite and domino and boudinaged structures of feldspar and tourmaline are evidences of ductile deformation in a contractional and dextral shear regime. All evidences indicate that high temperature solid state zones in greenschist facies to lower amphibolite conditions (300-500°C) have formed simultaneously with emplacement of granitic bodies. Low temperature solid state, sub-mylonitic and mylonitic zones developed following the emplacement of granitic bodies.

Integration of geophysical and geological data for delimitation of mineralized zones in Um Naggat area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

An integrated approach for geophysical, geological and mineralogical data was followed for Um Naggat area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, in order to delineate its mineralized zones. The albitized granites are well-defined on the Th- and U-channel images, by their anomalous shapes, reaching 150ppm and 90ppm respectively, beside low K content.Interpretations of the aeromagnetic maps delineated four regional structural trends oriented due NNW, NW, ENE and E–W directions. They are identified as strike-slip faults, which coincide well with field observations, where NW-trending faults cut and displace right laterally ENE-trending older ones. The interaction between these two strike-slip fault systems confining the albite granite is easily identified on the regional data presenting longer wavelength anomalies, implying deep-seated structures. They could represent potential pathways for migration of enriched mineralized fluids. Geochemically, albite granites of peraluminous characteristics that had suffered extensive post-magmatic metasomatic reworking, resulted into development of (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, U, Th, Sn) and albite-enriched and greisenized granite body of about 600m thick, and more than 3km in strike length. The albite granite is characterized by sharp increase in average rare metal content: Zr (830ppm), Hf (51ppm), Nb (340ppm), Ta (44ppm), and U (90ppm). Thorite, uranothorite, uraninite and zircon are the main uranium-bearing minerals of magmatic origin within the enclosing granite. However, with respect to Zr, Nb, and Ta, the albitized granite can be categorized as rare metal granite. The integration of airborne geophysical (magnetic and γ-ray spectrometric), geological, geochemical and mineralogical data succeeded in assigning the albite granite of Um Naggat pluton as a mineralized zone. This zone is characterized by its high thorium and uranium of hydrothermal origin as indicated by its low Th/U ratio, with rare metals mineralization controlled by two main structural trends in the NW- and ENE-directions.