Granodioritic Magma Research Articles

The role of H2O on the extraction of melt from crystallising magmas

The segregation and accumulation of felsic melts, from crystallising crustal magma reservoirs, is essential for the chemical evolution of the crust and is a phenomenon preceding some of the largest eruptions on Earth. The physical properties of residual melt and magma and the time over which the conditions remain appropriate for melt extraction are important factors controlling the efficiency of melt extraction and the distribution of melt in magma reservoirs. Here we focus on the initial water content (H2Oi) of magma as it affects both the physical properties of the residual melt and the timescales at which conditions remain appropriate for melt extraction during progressive magma crystallisation. We use rhyolite-MELTS simulations to evaluate the physical evolution of crystallising granodioritic (or dacitic) hydrous magma (i.e. ≥1 wt.% H2Oi) at shallow depth at 200 MPa. To constrain the solidification timescales of reservoirs containing magmas with initially different water content, we perform 2.5D thermal modelling. We combine these results with calculations of melt extraction velocity by compaction and hindered settling to identify the optimal conditions at which melt segregation occurs. These calculations suggest that hydrous felsic magmas that attain water saturation after 40 wt.% crystallisation (rheological locking point) are best suited for melt extraction. Once water-saturation is achieved, the rate of release of latent heat of crystallisation and with it the time magma spends within a given temperature interval increases while the viscosity of the residual liquid and crystal–liquid density contrast remain favourable for melt segregation. We first test our findings on the Takidani pluton (Japan) because it shows evidence of residual melt segregation from crystallising magma, and is associated with caldera-forming eruptions. We finally generalise our results to crustal magma reservoirs containing hydrous felsic magmas. Our results suggest that if segregation starts at rheological locking (i.e. crystallinity of 40–50 wt.%) upper crustal reservoirs of ≥100 km3 granodioritic (i.e. dacitic) magma with >2 wt.% H2Oi can produce large melt-rich caps at the top of partially crystallised magma reservoirs in few hundreds to few thousands of years. The formation of separate melt lenses becomes more likely when segregation of melt starts at crystallinities >0.6. Our results suggest that H2Oi plays an important role in modulating the distribution of eruptible melt in upper crustal reservoirs. Reservoirs of felsic and water-poor magma (<2 wt.% H2Oi) tend to be associated with the formation of isolated pockets of crystal-poor and eruptible magma, which could account for the often-observed geochemical heterogeneity of the products of large caldera-forming eruptions in the Snake River Plane. The limited dimensions of these eruptible magma pockets make their detection by geophysical methods challenging.

Arc related dioritic–granodioritic magmatism from southeastern Peninsular Malaysia and its tectonic implication

In Peninsular Malaysia, Late Cretaceous (95-76 Ma) plutons are found within the Eastern Belt. Their compositions are diverse, ranging from biotite granite, hornblende granodiorite, diorite, and gabbro. The Aur Pluton is the easternmost body and is exposed in the Johore Archipelago, southeast of Peninsular Malaysia. The rock types vary from diorite, quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite. Ar-Ar stepheating age of the diorite and zircon U/Pb age of the granodiorite yielded ages of 77.9 ± 2 Ma and 79 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively. The overall major and trace element trends are consistent with two magmatic pulses, i.e., diorite-quartz monzodiorite and granodiorite. The diorite-quartz monzodiorites are characterized by high Fe2O3 (6.7–8.3 wt.%), CaO (5.5–7.6 wt.%), MgO (2.9–4.1 wt.%) and high but variable Sr concentrations (570–1300 ppm). The granodiorites have significantly higher total alkali content (8.49–8.91%), with high K2O concentrations (3.8–4.6%) and low Fe2O3 (4.7–6.5%), CaO (2.7–3.9%) and MgO (1.4–2.0%) concentrations. Low Nb/U and distinct Pb anomalies suggest that both rock types are likely derived from the crust. Furthermore, elevated LREE and trace element contents for the granodiorites, e.g., FTh (10–20 ppm), Pb (10–30 ppm), and U (2–5 ppm), also indicate that upper crustal components are involved in the magma generation. The dioritic rocks are chemically classified as calc-alkaline volcanic arc (VAG) rocks, but they also have field relationships and mineralogies typically associated with an active continental margin (ACM).

Geochemical and isotopic evidence for magma mixing/mingling in the Marshenan intrusion: Implications for juvenile crust in the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Arc, Central Iran

The 20.5 Ma Marshenan intrusion, situated to the north‐east of Isfahan City, comprises a small part of the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA). According to the field and microscopic observations, the study area is composed of two major units: intermediate‐mafic and felsic magmatic rocks. The felsic units include spheroidal to ellipsoidal mafic microgranular enclaves ranging in size from a few millimetres to meters in size. These enclaves are composed of monzodiorite and gabbroic diorite, whereas the felsic and intermediate‐mafic rocks mainly consist of granite, granodiorite, diorite, and rarely gabbro on the basis of both mineralogical and chemical compositions. Enclaves are characterized by a microgranular texture and also reveal some special types of disequilibrium textures, for example, anti‐rapakivi, poikilitic K‐feldspar, skeletal amphibole, acicular apatite, sieve textures, spongy cellular textures in plagioclase, small lath‐shaped plagioclase in large plagioclase phenocrysts, large quartz phenocrysts in enclaves, and mafic clots. These features along with crenulated and occasionally diffuse contacts with the host granite and megacrysts of host feldspar in enclaves, implied that the enclaves have been injected as magmas to form globules into host granodioritic magma and underwent rapid cooling (quenching). They are mostly calc‐alkaline and metaluminous and show strong enrichment of LILEs and LREEs and depletion in HFSEs with negative Eu. The whole rock 87Sr/86Sr(i) and εNd(T) for the host intermediate‐mafic and felsic rocks vary from 0.70528 to 0.70555 and −0.7 to 1.7 and for the enclaves from 0.70526 to 0.70552 and −0.05 to 1.39. Sr–Nd isotope modelling results, in combination with young Nd model ages, indicate their “juvenile” character and suggest their derivation from source rocks or magmas separated from the upper mantle. It probably originates by partial melting of a juvenile lower crust (70–80%) with variable amounts of old lower crust (30–20%), involving mantle components. It is believed to have resulted from intense basaltic underplating and subsequent remelting that took place during the Early Miocene related to the Neo‐Tethys subduction processes. It resulted from a change in the geodynamic regime, including breakoff/rollback of the subducted slab and subsequent regional extension. Moreover, it suggests that new crustal growth during the Meso‐ to Neoproterozoic is an important mechanism in the early development of the central UDMA.

Late Mesozoic–early Cenozoic intermediate–acid intrusive rocks from the Gerlache Strait area, Antarctic Peninsula: Zircon U–Pb geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic implications

This paper reports zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock chemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of intermediate-acid intrusive rocks from the Gerlache Strait area, Antarctic Peninsula. These intrusive rocks can be divided into three groups. Group #1 has an emplacement age of ca. 117 Ma, and is further subdivided according to K2O contents into High-K (HKS) and Low-K (LKS) Subgroups. The HKS monzogranites are weakly peraluminous, and yield εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of +0.9 to +2.3 and +0.1 to +2.3, respectively, with corresponding model Nd ages (TDMNd) of 766–471 Ma, indicating that they were derived from the partial melting of dominantly early Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic juvenile basaltic materials with minor involvement of sediments. In contrast, the LKS granodioritic magma was derived from partial melting of early Paleozoic juvenile basaltic materials with εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of +10.3 to +12.5 and +5.4 to +5.5, respectively, and corresponding TDMNd ages of 548–500 Ma. Group #2 consists of granite porphyry that formed at ca. 82 Ma and is characterized by positive values of εHf(t) (+5.1 to +8.1) and εNd(t) (+1.9 to +3.1) with weakly peraluminous chemistry and corresponding TDMNd ages of 712–548 Ma, suggesting that it was generated from partial melting of dominantly Neoproterozoic juvenile basaltic materials with minor involvement of sediments. Group #3 comprises dioritic–granodioritic rocks that were emplaced at ca. 62–54 Ma. These rocks have Mg# values of 39–46, and εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of +6.7 to +12.2 and +3.6 to +7.2, respectively, with corresponding TDMNd ages of 529–307 Ma, indicating that they were derived from partial melting of Paleozoic juvenile basaltic materials with minor injection of mantle materials. Spatially, the lithology of these plutons roughly changes from acid to intermediate from east to west, concomitant with increasing εHf(t) and εNd(t) values and decreasing initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and TDMNd ages. This trend reflects changes in source characteristics from a Gondwana affinity to a juvenile crust affinity. Overall, the southeast-to-northwest migration of magmatism in the northern Antarctic Peninsula since the Mesozoic may have been related to retreating subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate.

Petrogenesis and mineralization of the porphyry and skarn mineralization-related Husite intrusion in the Boluokenu metallogenic belt, Western Tianshan Orogenic Belt, NW China

Many porphyry and skarn Cu (Fe, Mo, Au, Zn) deposits have been discovered along the western Tianshan Orogenic Belt within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Generally, these Cu polymetallic deposits are considered to be linked to porphyries that formed in an arc setting, e.g., in a continental magmatic arc and island magmatic arc, but an agreement on their source region has not been reached. The Husite granitic complex and associated Kekesala skarn Fe-Cu deposit from the Boluokenu metallogenic belt provide significant insights into a comprehensive study of the ore-forming porphyries in Boluokenu. The ore-forming porphyries are mainly granodiorites and belong to calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline series. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating on the granodiorites yields ages of 368 Ma. The trace element compositions of the granodiorites are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE) and heavy rare earth elements (HREE), and slightly negative Eu anomalies and are similar to rocks that form in a continental arc setting. These rocks also show large variations in their εHf (t) (+4.1 to +9.7) and Mg# (38–69) values, alongside low Ba/Th (4–230) and high Th/Yb (3.77–7.41) and Th/La (0.21–0.71) ratios, suggesting that the granodiorite magma originated from the partial melting of mafic lower crust with a mantle wedge component and involved signals of subduction-zone sediments and fluids. The Husite mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) exhibit high Mg# (50–62), MgO (3.25–6.93 wt%) and low SiO2 (48.8–59.5%) contents, with positive εHf(t) from +3.3 to +7.4. The zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of the MMEs (373 Ma) indicate nearly coeval formation between the MMEs and HMPs during the Late Devonian. These features with the petrological and mineralogical characteristics (such as needle-like apatite and disequilibrium feldspar xenocrysts) suggest that the Husite MMEs formed from the mixing of felsic magma from the partial melting of mafic lower crust and mafic magma that was derived from mantle wedge, rather than restite, xenoliths or fractional crystallization of magma. Thus, the skarn Fe-Cu mineralization were probably related to hybrid intermediate-acid magma that is characterized by high water and oxygen contents and high sulfur fugacity. It can be inferred that the response to ongoing slab roll-back during the Junggar plate’s subduction beneath the Yili Block, including the underplating of mantle-derived mafic magmas from the metasomatism of subduction-zone melts, led to the partial melting of the mafic lower crust to form felsic magma. Then, the continuous reaction between the mafic and felsic magmas further increased the Fe-Cu concentrations and was closely related to the subsequent Fe-Cu mineralization.

Metallogenic age and hydrothermal evolution of the Jidetun Mo deposit in central Jilin Province, northeast China: Evidence from fluid inclusions, isotope systematics, and geochronology

The Jidetun deposit is a large porphyry Mo deposit that is located in central Jilin Province, northeast China. The Mo mineralization occurs mainly at the edge of porphyritic granodiorite, as well as the adjacent monzogranite. Field investigations, cross-cutting relationships, and mineral paragenetic associations indicate four stages of hydrothermal activity. To determine the relationships between mineralization and associated magmatism, and better understand the metallogenic processes in ore district, we have undertaken a series of studies incluiding molybdenite Re–Os and zircon U–Pb geochronology, fluid inclusions microthermometry, and C–H–O–S–Pb isotope compositions. The molybdenite Re–Os dating yielded a well-defined isochron age of 168.9±1.9Ma (MSWD=0.34) that is similar to the weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 173.5±1.5Ma (MSWD=1.8) obtained from zircons from the porphyritic granodiorite. The results lead to the conclusion that Mo mineralization, occurred in the Middle Jurassic (168.9±1.9Ma), was spatially, temporally, and genetically related to the porphyritic granodiorite (173.5±1.5Ma) rather than the older monzogranite (180.1±0.6Ma). Fluid inclusion and stable (C–H–O) isotope data indicate that the initial H2O–NaCl fluids of mineralization stage I were of high-temperature and high-salinity affinity and exsolved from the granodiorite magma as a result of cooling and fractional crystallization. The fluids then evolved during mineralization stage II into immiscible H2O–CO2–NaCl fluids that facilitated the transport of metals (Mo, Cu, and Fe) and their separation from the ore-bearing magmas due to the influx of abundant external CO2 and heated meteoric water. Subsequently, during mineralization stage III and IV, increase of pH in residual ore-forming fluids on account of CO2 escape, and continuous decrease of ore-forming temperatures caused by the large accession of the meteoric water into the fluid system, reduced solubility and stability of metal clathrates, thus facilitating the deposition of polymetallic sulfides.

Petrogenesis of the mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) and their host granodiorites from the Zijinshan intrusion along the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley: Implications for geodynamic setting and mineralization

The Zijinshan intrusion is located to the south of the Tongling ore cluster of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Valley metallogenic belt (YRB) and even south to the Yangxing–Changzhou Fault (YCF), which separates the YRB and the Jiangnan Massif. It is an I-type high-K calc-alkaline granodiorite with abundant MMEs. Zircon LA-MC-ICP-MS U–Pb ages of 144.0±1.0Ma and 142.5±1.0Ma for the host granodiorite and MMEs indicate coeval formation. Biotites from the host granodiorites and MMEs have similar composition, with low FeOt/(FeOt+MgO) values of 0.60–0.65 and 0.60–0.65, and high MgO contents of 10.51–11.70wt.% and 10.89–12.37wt.%, respectively. All the biotite samples are between the NNO and the MH buffers. The host granodiorites are metaluminous (A/CNK=0.94–0.95), enriched in Cs, Rb, U and Pb, depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Zr, P, and Ti, with moderate negative Eu anomalies of 0.80–0.87, (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.70874 to 0.70887, εNd(t) of −5.63 to −5.36 and εHf(t) of −8.68 to −2.76. The MMEs have lower SiO2 and higher K2O, and they are also enriched in Cs, Rb, U, Ta and Pb, and depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Zr, P and Ti, with (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.70889 to 0.70927, εNd(t) of −5.52 to −5.20 and εHf(t) of −6.46 to −3.59. All these characteristics demonstrate that partial melting of both the lower crust and an enriched lithospheric mantle metasomatized by subducted slab fluid and their subsequent mixing led to the origin of the I-type granodiorite magmas of the Zijinshan intrusion, which took place in the geodynamic context of the subduction of the Izanagi plate. Combined with the field investigations, we suggest that the Zijinshan intrusion has potential for porphyry Cu–Au mineralization and the Cu–Au metallogenic belt of the YRB may have extended to the south of the YCF.

Plagioclase crystallisation in a granodioritic melt and its petrogenetic implications for the origin of the A‐type granite in East Junggar, NW China

Crystallisation experiments were performed on a natural I‐type granodiorite from East Junggar of Xinjiang, NW China, at 1.0 and 1.5 GPa in the temperature range between 700 and 875 °C and for various water contents to investigate the crystallisation behaviour of plagioclase in granodioritic melts. Experimental results indicate that the optimal conditions for plagioclase to crystallise in this granodioritic melt are approximately 875 °C, 1.0 GPa, and ~10 wt% water content. All the experimental feldspars have ternary composition because of the high pressure in this study, with Or contents increasing while An contents decreasing with the increase of pressure. They consist of Or‐rich plagioclase at 1.0 GPa, passing to An‐rich alkali feldspars at 1.5 GPa. The ternary feldspar plays a role in keeping the total amount of alkali in the residual melt relatively constant. After plagioclase‐dominant crystallisation, the residual melt shows characteristics similar to the A‐type granites from East Junggar, implying that the fractional crystallisation of the I‐type granodioritic melt at high pressure may be one of the important processes generating the A‐type magmas in East Junggar. Mass balance calculation and trace element modelling show that the fractionally crystallised phase assemblage and proportion could be plagioclase (40.2 wt%) + orthopyroxene (6.3 wt%) + hornblende (6.3 wt%). The experimentally determined plagioclase crystal growth rates range from 1.17 × 10−8 to 2.70 × 10−8 mm/s. By comparing the crystal growth rate with the crystal size in natural rocks, the timescale of the crystallisation and differentiation of the I‐type granodioritic magma that is parental to the A‐type granitic magma in East Junggar was estimated to be several hundred years, in excellent agreement with the result from a simple numerical model.

Petrogenetic differences between the Middle-Late Jurassic Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites in the Nanling Range, South China: A case study of the Tongshanling and Weijia deposits in southern Hunan Province

The Middle-Late Jurassic Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites in the Nanling Range have distinctly different mineralogical and geochemical signatures. The Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing granites are dominated by metaluminous amphibole-bearing granodiorites, which have higher CaO/(Na2O+K2O) ratios, light/heavy rare earth element (LREE/HREE) ratios, and δ Eu values, lower Rb/Sr ratios, and weak Ba, Sr, P, and Ti depletions, exhibiting low degrees of fractionation. The W-bearing granites are highly differentiated and peraluminous, and they have lower CaO/(Na2O+K2O) ratios, LREE/HREE ratios, and δEu values, higher Rb/Sr ratios, and strong Ba, Sr, P, and Ti depletions. The Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing granites were formed predominantly between 155.2 and 167.0 Ma with a peak value of 160.6 Ma, whereas the W-bearing granites were formed mainly from 151.1 to 161.8 Ma with a peak value of 155.5 Ma. There is a time gap of about 5 Ma between the two different types of ore-bearing granites. Based on detailed geochronological and geochemical studies of both the Tongshanling Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and Weijia W-bearing granites in southern Hunan Province and combined with the other Middle-Late Jurassic Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites in the Nanling Range, a genetic model of the two different types of ore-bearing granites has been proposed. Asthenosphere upwelling and basaltic magma underplating were induced by the subduction of the palaeo-Pacific plate. The underplated basaltic magmas provided heat to cause a partial melting of the mafic amphibolitic basement in the lower crust, resulting in the formation of Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization related granodioritic magmas. With the development of basaltic magma underplating, the muscovite-rich metasedimentary basement in the upper-middle crust was partially melted to generate W-bearing granitic magmas. The compositional difference of granite sources accounted for the metallogenic specialization, and the non-simultaneous partial melting of one source followed by the other brought about a time gap of about 5 Ma between the Cu-Pb-Zn-bearing and W-bearing granites.

Magmatic Evolution of Granodiorite Intrusions at the El Salvador Porphyry Copper Deposit, Chile, Based on Trace Element Composition and U/Pb Age of Zircons

Uranium-lead ages and trace element compositions of zircon from a series of shallow porphyry intrusions document the temporal, chemical, and thermal magmatic evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal porphyry Cu (Mo-Au) ores in the El Salvador district, Chile. Zircons ( n = 240) from 15 Eocene age diorite, granodiorite, and granite porphyry intrusions were analyzed by SHRIMP-RG ion microprobe. The weighted means of 207 Pb-corrected 206 Pb/ 238 U zircon ages span 3 m.y. from about 44 to 41 Ma, with peak magmatic flux at 44 to 43 Ma. The granodiorite porphyries at the Turquoise Gulch copper deposit record waning stages of magmatism at 42.5 to 42.0 Ma and were followed by postmineral latite dikes at about 41.6 Ma. Porphyry copper ores formed contemporaneously with porphyry intrusion centers that progressed temporally from north to south, from the small deposits at Cerro Pelado (~44.2 Ma), Old Camp (~43.6 Ma), and at M Gulch-Copper Hill (~43.5–43.1 Ma) to the main ore deposit at Turquoise Gulch (~42 Ma). The Eocene porphyry intrusions contain a few Mesozoic ( n = 9) inherited zircons and numerous ( n ≥19) antecrystic zircons about 1 to 2 m.y. older than the host intrusion that provide evidence of extensive Eocene magmatic recycling. The Ti-in-zircon geothermometer provides estimates of 890° to 620°C for zircon crystallization and records both core to rim cooling and locally high-temperature rim overgrowths. Most zircon in ore-related K, L, and R porphyries yields near-solidus temperatures of 750° to 650°C and crystallized from compositionally diverse granodiorite porphyries that are a product of crystal fractionation of hornblende, apatite, and titanite with lesser crustal contamination and mixing with high-temperature deep-sourced mafic magma. During a 3-m.y. period, porphyry intrusions tapped an evolving granodioritic magma chamber that was periodically heated, locally remelted, and mixed with mafic magma during recharge events but cooled between recharge events to evolve ore fluids. Europium anomalies (chondrite-normalized Eu N /Eu N * ) in zircons become more pronounced with increased Hf content and cooling but display two distinct evolutionary paths: Eu N /Eu N * of early quartz porphyry evolves from 0.8 to 0.3, whereas the late synmineralization porphyries evolve from 0.8 to 0.65. The Eu N /Eu N * ratio of zircon reflects the Eu 3 +/Eu 2 + ratio of the melt, and therefore the granodiorite porphyries at Turquoise Gulch were the most strongly oxidized of the El Salvador magmas. The strongly oxidized trend porphyry magmas at Turquoise Gulch are apparently directly linked to magmatic degassing at ~700°C to produce large amounts of ore-forming copper, sulfur, and chlorine-enriched magmatic-hydrothermal aqueous fluids.

Contrasting Tectonic Settings and Sulfur Contents of Magmas Associated with Cretaceous Porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au and Intrusion-Related Iron Oxide Cu-Au Deposits in Northern Chile

Porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au and iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits share many similarities (e.g., Fe, Cu, and Au contents), but also have important differences (e.g., the predominance of sulfide minerals in porphyry deposits and iron oxides in IOCG deposits). Genetic comparisons are complicated by the broad definition of IOCG deposits; here we restrict our study to IOCG deposits that are related to igneous intrusive systems. In the Mesozoic Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile, both porphyry and IOCG deposits occur in close spatial and temporal proximity, offering the chance to examine what controls their different modes of formation. From detailed examination of the timing, geochemistry, and tectonic setting of associated igneous rocks, based on new and published data, we find that rocks associated with mid-Cretaceous IOCG deposits (~125–110 Ma) are largely indistinguishable from those associated with slightly earlier (>125 Ma) and later (<110 Ma) porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au deposits. Magmas related to IOCG deposits were formed during a brief period of back-arc transtension in the mid-Cretaceous and are, on average, somewhat more mafic (dioritic), locally alkaline, and isotopically primitive compared to granodioritic magmas associated with porphyry deposits formed during normal contractional arc tectonics in the later Cretaceous. However, these compositional ranges overlap, and the differences are not clear enough to be diagnostic. We measured the SO3 content of igneous apatite from selected samples of these rocks to test the hypothesis that the difference in sulfur content of the ore deposits was due to differences in sulfur content of the associated magmas. Early igneous apatite crystals occurring as inclusions in silicate phenocrysts from the Carmen de Andacollo porphyry Cu-Au deposit (Re-Os molybdenite ages of 103.9 ± 0.5 Ma, 103.6 ± 0.5 Ma) are significantly richer in S (0.25 ± 0.17 wt % SO3, n = 69) than similar apatite crystals from two IOCG deposits (Candelaria, Casualidad) and a sample of regional mid-Cretaceous igneous rock from near Productora (0.04 ± 0.02 wt % SO3, n = 76). Using published partition coefficients for S between apatite and oxidized silicate melt, we semi-quantitatively estimate corresponding magmatic sulfur contents of ~0.02 wt % S in the Carmen de Andacollo magmas versus ~0.001 to 0.005 wt % S in the IOCG-associated magmas. This is an order of magnitude difference, and the opposite of what would be expected if the difference were due to bulk magma composition (sulfur solubility is generally higher in mafic magmas, whereas here the S content is higher in the more felsic porphyries). We conclude that the porphyry-forming magmas indeed had higher S contents than the IOCG-related magmas and suggest that these differences reflect different petrogenetic processes. During normal subduction, magmas derived from the metasomatized mantle wedge are hydrous, moderately oxidized, and S rich, and have the potential to generate S-rich porphyry-type deposits. In contrast, in back-arc extensional settings, upwelling asthenospheric melts carry a weaker subduction signature, including lower S contents. Interaction of these S-poor magmas with previously subduction modified upper plate lithosphere is more likely to give rise to S-poor IOCG deposits.

Petrogenesis of Eocene granitoids and microgranular enclaves in the western Tengchong Block: Constraints on eastward subduction of the Neo-Tethys

Eocene granitic and related igneous rocks in the western Tengchong Block are considered to be the result of eastward subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere beneath the Tengchong Block. In this paper we show that the granitic and mafic rocks in the western Tengchong Block exhibit a systematic compositional variation from west to east, with Na-rich granodiorites in the Nabang area (west) that differ from coeval high-K calc-alkaline granodiorites in the Bangwan area (east), and with tholeiitic mafic rocks in the Nabang area that differ from shoshonitic mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) in granodiorites of the Bangwan area. In addition, high-silica biotite granites were intruded into the granodiorites in the Bangwan area. The host granodiorites, MMEs, and biotite granites in the Bangwan area yield zircon U–Pb ages of ca. 50Ma. The MMEs have relatively low SiO2 contents (53.1–64.95wt%) and Mg# values (37–45), and high K2O (4.14–5.02wt%) and ∑REE contents (331–509ppm); the MMEs contain acicular apatites that indicate quenching. The host granodiorites also have high K2O (4.48–5.95wt%) and ∑REE compositions (320–459ppm), and together with the MMEs they are enriched in Th but depleted in Nb and Ti. The Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions of the host granodiorites and the MMEs are similar, with εHf(t) values of −1.0 to −10.8 and 3.3 to −11.1, respectively. The geochemical data and igneous textures suggest that the MMEs represent a mafic magma that was derived from the partial melting of mantle pyroxenite, with the melting induced by the influx of fluids/melts from the recycling of sediments in the subducted slab. The mafic melts then caused the partial melting of lower crustal tonalitic rocks to produce granodioritic magma that was subsequently mixed with mafic magma. The biotite granites have relatively high SiO2 contents and low Mg# values that indicate a purely crustal origin and derivation from the partial melting of upper crustal metagraywacke. The similar isotopic compositions of the biotite granites and the granodiorites can be interpreted to reflect the influence of fluids released during crystallization of the granodiorites. A comparison of contemporaneous Eocene granitic and mafic rocks in Nabang, Tongbiguan, Longchuan, and Bangwan in the Tengchong Block reveals that the mafic rocks vary from tholeiitic through high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic in composition from west to east, while the granitic rocks vary from Na- to K-rich. These systematic compositional variations indicate that the arc magmatism in the western Tengchong Block was the result of the eastward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. Fluids or/and melts from the subducted slab (including sediments) are likely to have played an important role in producing these compositional variations.

Paleoproterozoic Cordilleran-style accretion along the south eastern margin of the eastern Dharwar craton: Evidence from the Vinjamuru arc terrane of the Krishna orogen, India

Accretion along continental or island arcs at cratonic margins was responsible for most Paleoproterozoic crustal growth. For the development of the Krishna orogen, India, at the southeastern margin of the Eastern Dharwar craton (EDC), two contrasting models, one by long-lived accretion between ~1.85Ga and 1.33Ga terminating in continental collision with the Napier Complex and the other involving continental collision with the Napier Complex at ~1.6Ga have been proposed. Here we report the geology and geochemistry of the granitoid rocks grouping them into the Vinjamuru arc terrane. These comprise biotite±hornblende high-silica granite which are mostly calc-alkaline, weakly metaluminous to peraluminous with normalized trace and rare earth element plots resembling those derived from arc sources as seen by negative Nb, Ti, Zr anomalies, enriched LREE and moderate Eu anomalies. On (La/Yb)CN vs YbCN and Sr/Y vs Y discrimination diagrams these rocks plot in the field of liquids from mantle-derived melts resembling Cordilleran type granitoids. Petrography, major oxide and trace element concentrations suggest formation in an arc tectonic setting during convergent tectonics at the active continental margin of the EDC with evidence for crustal assimilation. To generate the observed high-silica granite, using selected trace and REE, we modeled 10% aggregate continuous melting of a lower crustal hydrous, high K2O-bearing gabbro yielding a granodiorite magma that underwent fractional crystallization at mid-to lower crust followed by mixing with country rock tonalite and minor assimilation with metasedimentary crustal rocks resulting in the observed heterogeneity in trace elements from the granite. We interpret Paleoproterozoic paleopostions of component Indian cratons leading to their Mesoproterozoic assembly and in that context relate the crustal growth along the southeastern margin of the EDC. In contrast to the existing two models, we propose an alternative Cordilleran-style accretion involving development of an intra-oceanic arc due to ocean-ward migration following the earlier choking of the subduction zone at an active continental margin, caused probably by the North China crustal ribbon that had by ~1.78Ga accreted to the EDC margin. The formation of the outboard intra-oceanic Ongole arc terrane occurred thereafter and was eventually accreted (and metamorphosed) to the Vinjamuru arc terrane between ~1.63 and 1.55Ga to form the two arc terranes of the Krishna orogen; we discount any continental collision at this stage as tectonics along this margin, post 1.5Ga, switched to an extensional regime.

Temporal and genetic link between incremental pluton assembly and pulsed porphyry Cu-Mo formation in accretionary orogens

Abstract Economically important porphyry Cu-Mo deposits (PCDs) are generally hosted by upper-crustal plutons of variable chemical compositions related to distinct geodynamic settings. The absolute timing and duration of pluton assembly and PCD formation are critical to understanding the genetic relationship between these interrelated processes. Here, we present new comprehensive zircon U-Pb and molybdenite Re-Os ages that tightly constrain the timing and duration of pluton assembly and the age of mineralization in one of the largest ore-bearing plutons of the central Tethyan metallogenic belt, the Meghri-Ordubad pluton, southern Armenia and Nakhitchevan, Lesser Caucasus. This composite pluton was incrementally assembled during three compositionally distinct magmatic episodes over ∼30 m.y., comprising Middle Eocene (48.9–43.1 Ma) calc-alkaline subduction-related magmatism lasting 5.8 ± 0.8 m.y., followed by postsubduction Late Eocene–Middle Oligocene (37.8–28.1 Ma) shoshonitic magmatism over 9.7 ± 0.9 m.y., and Late Oligocene–Early Miocene (26.6–21.2 Ma) adakitic magmatism consisting of shoshonitic dikes and high-K calc-alkaline granodioritic magmas emplaced over 5.4 ± 0.4 m.y. Despite the distinct geodynamic settings and magma compositions, each intrusive suite culminated in the formation of variably sized PCDs, including the giant Oligocene Kadjaran porphyry Cu-Mo deposit associated with high-Sr/Y shoshonitic magmas. Complementary in situ zircon hafnium (εHfzircon = +8 to +11.3) and oxygen (δ18Ozircon = +4.6‰ to +6.0‰) isotope data support a mantle-dominated magma source with limited crustal contribution and/or cannibalization of young and juvenile lower-crustal cumulates. We conclude that, independent of geodynamic setting and magma composition, long-lived (5–10 m.y.) incremental mantle-derived magmatism is a prerequisite to form fertile magmatic-hydrothermal systems, and especially giant PCDs.

The Origin of Spodumene Pegmatites Associated With the Leinster Granite In Southeast Ireland

Abstract Rare-element pegmatites have diverse chemical signatures and are important sources of strategic metals such as Li, Cs, and Ta. The two main hypotheses to explain rare-element pegmatite formation are (1) residual magmas from the crystallization of granitic rocks, and (2) partial melts from a relatively rare-element-rich source. In southeast Ireland, spodumene and spodumene-free pegmatite dikes occur along the eastern margin of the S-type Leinster Granite batholith. With indistinguishable emplacement ages around 400 Ma, the origin of the Li-rich pegmatitic fluids has been suggested to have resulted from extreme fractional crystallization of Leinster Granite granodiorite magma. To test this hypothesis, we used whole-rock geochemistry of pegmatite and granodiorite samples from drill cores and geochemical modeling of in situ crystallization and batch melting to investigate which process better explains the formation of the pegmatites. Chemical signatures of the pegmatites and granodiorite do not indicate a direct comagmatic relationship, as the granodiorite has higher concentrations of many incompatible elements than the pegmatites ( e.g ., concentrations of Zr, Ti, and Y). Concentrations of Li, Rb, Cs, Sr, and Ba show no clear fractionation trends from granodiorite to pegmatite. The in situ crystallization model using the average granodiorite composition as the initial magma generates a range of compositions that does not include pegmatites, so it is unlikely that they represent residual granitic magmas. Modeling of partial melting indicates that the Leinster Granite granodiorite and pegmatite magmas could have formed in separate events and from chemically different source rocks, with the pegmatite magmas presumably formed in a younger event because the pegmatites intrude the granodiorite.

New structural and U–Pb zircon data from Anafi crystalline basement (Cyclades, Greece): constraints on the evolution of a Late Cretaceous magmatic arc in the Internal Hellenides

The Asterousia Crystalline Complex consists of Late Cretaceous amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks and associated granitoids, which can be found in exposures on Crete and the Cyclades (Greece). It is attributed to the Uppermost Unit and therefore to the Pelagonian domain of the Internal Hellenides. The tectonometamorphic evolution of this unit is still a matter of debate. We present new structural and petrological data of Asterousia-type rocks and greenschist facies metamorphic rocks from the island of Anafi in the southern Aegean Sea as well as U–Pb zircon ages of granitoids from Anafi. The crystalline sequence of Anafi rests on top of Eocene flysch and comprises from bottom to top: (a) Anafi Greenschist; (b) Anafi Amphibolite Group (orthoamphibolite with intercalations of metasedimentary rocks at the base); and (c) Chalepa Group (amphibolite facies metasediments with slices of serpentinite and granitoids). LA-ICP-MS and ID-TIMS 206Pb/238U zircon ages of granodiorite from the Chalepa Group reveal several similar zircon populations suggesting continuous emplacement of granitoids inside a magmatic arc from ca. 72.5 to 79 Ma. The minimum emplacement age of granodioritic magma, deduced from the 206Pb/238U median age of the youngest zircon population, is 72.6 +0.1/−0.2 Ma. Deformation (micro)fabrics of granodiorite result from low strain obtained at T > 600 °C. This along with the U–Pb ages and published K–Ar ages indicates intrusion of the plutonic rocks at deep structural levels followed by very slow cooling. Monzogranitic dykes cutting through granodiorite in north-eastern Anafi are undeformed and yielded a 206Pb/238U median age of 69.9 +0.7/−0.7 Ma. Based on the new and published data, the following implications for the tectonometamorphic evolution on Anafi can be made: (1) obduction and accretion of mantle slices (serpentinite) to the Asterousia-type rocks were prior to amphibolite facies metamorphism; (2) intrusion of granitoids during the middle to late Campanian within a magmatic-arc setting and coeval shift of the magmatic arc towards the south; (3) Maastrichtian intrusion of dykes; (4) Palaeocene greenschist facies metamorphism and coeval ductile top-to-the SE thrusting of the Anafi Amphibolite Group on top of the Anafi Greenschist; (5) post-Eocene brittle top-to-the SE thrusting of the Anafi Greenschist and the Anafi Amphibolite Group on top of flysch sediments; (6) clockwise rotation of the system and (Early) Oligocene brittle top-to-the SE thrusting of the Chalepa Group on top of all units mentioned above; and (7) ongoing clockwise rotation of the Aegean block during the Oligocene to Early Miocene and change in stress field (NE–SW compression).

Compositions of biotite, amphibole, apatite and silicate melt inclusions from the Tongchang mine, Dexing porphyry deposit, SE China: Implications for the behavior of halogens in mineralized porphyry systems

The Dexing deposit, located in the Circum-Pacific ore belt, is the largest porphyry copper deposit in eastern China. It is composed of 3 separate plutons, which host three mines: Tongchang, Fujiawu and Zhushahong mines. The porphyritic granodiorite samples studied in this investigation were collected from the Tongchang ore-forming pluton of this giant deposit. This paper presents electron microprobe analyses of biotite, apatite, amphibole, plagioclase, potassium feldspar and rehomogenized glassy melt inclusions from the Tongchang porphyritic granodiorites. Petrographic observations of the samples are consistent with portions of the granodioritic magma represented by our samples being overprinted by potassic hydrothermal fluid which variably altered these minerals.All of the studied micas are Mg-rich biotites. The biotites are separated into altered magmatic and secondary types based on their petrographic and geochemical characteristics. The phlogopite components of the secondary biotites are typically higher than those of the altered magmatic biotites, and the XMg values of all biotites correlate negatively with Cl contents, consistent with the Mg–Cl avoidance principle. The XMg values also correlate negatively with (K2O+Na2O+BaO), FeO and TiO2 for both generations of biotites. The calculated log (fH2O/fHCl) values (for 690K) of the coexisting potassic fluids, which are determined from the altered magmatic biotite compositions, range from 4.43 to 4.67, and are very similar to those of other major porphyry deposits. However, the log(fH2O/fHF) and log(fHF/fHCl) values for the same batch of hydrothermal fluids are significant higher and lower than those of these other porphyry deposits, respectively.The Cl concentrations of amphiboles and melt inclusions range from 0.18 to 0.32wt.% and 0.15 to 0.44wt.%, respectively. Most apatites trapped in biotite and plagioclase phenocrysts display a bimodal Cl distribution: 0.19 to 1.35wt.% and 1.48 to 3.73wt.%. Similarly, the S contents of the apatite also show a distinct bimodal distribution reflecting the effects of variable anhydrite saturation during evolution of the Tongchang melt and variable dissolution of anhydrite by saline aqueous fluids. The Cl contents of the apatites from the Tongchang system are typically higher than those of other studied porphyry deposits. Furthermore, the Cl contents of the melt inclusions are at or very near the Cl saturation levels (0.36 to 0.46wt.% at 850°C and 50MPa and 0.42 to 0.54wt.% at 850°C and 200MPa) for these melt compositions at shallow crustal pressures. These findings suggest that the area of the granodioritic magma represented by our samples, and perhaps the bulk of the Tongchang granodioritic magma was rich in Cl. The melt inclusion compositions are consistent with a high-salinity, hydrosaline liquid being exsolved directly from the granodioritic melt directly. This high-salinity hydrosaline liquid was likely very efficient at dissolving, transporting and precipitating ore metals in the mineralizing magmatic–hydrothermal system.

Titanite-scale insights into multi-stage magma mixing in Early Cretaceous of NW Jiaodong terrane, North China Craton

The Early Cretaceous Guojialing-type granodiorites in northwestern Jiaodong terrane carry significant records for strong mantle–crust interaction during the destruction of North China Craton (NCC); however, the definite petrogenetic mechanism and detailed magmatic process remain an enigma. Titanite in igneous rocks can serve as an effective petrogenetic indicator. Here, we present integrated geochronological and geochemical studies on titanites from Guojialing-type granodiorites and their dioritic enclaves to constrain their petrogenesis. Titanites from granodiorites (G-type) and plagioclase-rich dioritic enclaves (E-type-I) present an identical U–Pb age (~130Ma) and an indistinguishable wide range of Zr and total REEs contents, and Th/U ratios. However, these two types of titanites exhibit distinct micro-scale textures and geochemical compositions. G-type titanites are characterized by oscillatory zonings with two Light BSE zones (LBZ) and two or three dark BSE zones, whereas E-type-I titanites are marked by core–mantle–rim zonings. Drastic increase of LREEs, Zr, Hf, and Fe and decrease of Nb, Ta, Al, and F contents are observed in LBZ of G-type titanites, whereas remarkable reduction of LREEs, Zr, and Hf and elevation of F contents are observed from the cores to the mantles of E-type-I titanites. Based on Zr-in-titanite thermometry, G-type titanites are interpreted to have experienced twice notable temperature increase, while E-type-I titanites are inferred to have undergone a rapid cooling process. Furthermore, we suggest that the drastic chemical changes in G-type and E-type-I titanites are ascribed to early-stage magma mixing between a colder felsic magma and a Fe-, REE-rich hotter dioritic magma. Compared to G-type and E-type-I titanites, titanites from plagioclase-poor dioritic enclaves (E-type-II) are characterized by their occurrence in interstitial space and present a relatively younger U–Pb age (~128Ma) and much narrower and lower range of Zr, total REEs contents, and Th/U ratios, but reveal high F contents (0.35–0.76wt.%) and extreme high Nb/Ta ratios (up to 65.6). Such titanites are perceived to record late-stage mingling, during which F-rich and REE-poor hybrid granodioritic magma squeezed into the incompletely consolidated dioritic enclaves with accompanying fluid–rock interaction. Combining our results with previous isotopic studies, a new genetic model for Guojialing-type granodiorites is envisaged, which involves multi-stage magma mixing between Archean lower crust-derived felsic magma and mafic lower crust-derived dioritic magma, triggered by mantle-derived mafic magma underplating during the course of asthenospheric upwelling in Early Cretaceous. Such process further implicates the reactivation of Jiaodong lower crust during the destruction of NCC.

Magnetic fabric (AMS, AAR) of the Santa Marta batholith (northern Colombia) and the shear deformation along the Caribbean Plate margin

Anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and anhysteretic remanence (AAR) were measured in the Santa Marta Batholith formed by subduction of the Caribbean Plate beneath the northern South America. The batholith, elongated in the N-S direction, records multiple pulses of quartzdiorite to tonalite and granodiorite magmas between 58 and 49 Ma. The high mean magnetic susceptibility (4 × 10−3 SI) combined with thermomagnetic and partial magnetic remanence measurements indicate that the magnetic susceptibility depends on Ti-poor magnetite. AMS is defined by ellipsoids that are dominantly oblate. The foliation was used to distinguish a narrow band of E-trending magnetic structures that separate the batholith in two lobes. The southern lobe is characterized by foliations that are broadly parallel to the contact with the wall rocks, while the northern lobe by foliations oblique to the batholith elongation. Late tonalitic magmas dated at c. 50 Ma record, in turn, a fabric apparently controlled by E-trending tectonic events. Partial AAR indicates that the subfabrics of magnetite with different grain sizes are nearly parallel to AMS, therefore discarding the possibility of superposed fabrics with different orientations. The magnetic fabric pattern is consistent with a magma emplaced in an arc setting deformed by a dextral shear. Synthetic extensional shear bands localize the magmatic deformation along East-trending corridors that probably were exploited to emplace the late magmatic pulses. Accretion of the Eocene batholith and the Late Cretaceous metasedimentary host-rocks to the South American continent defines a major strike-slip shear suture that resulted from the oblique convergence of the Caribbean Plate.

Petrogenesis of early Silurian intrusions in the Sanchakou area of Eastern Tianshan, Northwest China, and tectonic implications: geochronological, geochemical, and Hf isotopic evidence

ABSTRACTPalaeozoic intrusions in Eastern Tianshan are important for understanding the evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Sanchakou intrusions situated in Eastern Tianshan (southern CAOB), are mainly quartz diorite and granodiorite. A comprehensive study of zircon U–Pb ages, zircon trace elements, whole-rock geochemistry, and Lu–Hf isotopes were carried out for the Sanchakou intrusive rocks. LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb dating yielded crystallization ages of 439.7 ± 2.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.63, n = 21) for the quartz diorite, and 430.9 ± 2.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.21, n = 21) and 425.5 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.04; n = 20) for the granodiorites. These data, in combination with other Silurian ages reported for the intrusive suites from Eastern Tianshan, indicate an early Palaeozoic magmatic event in the orogen. In situ zircon Hf isotope data for the Sanchakou quartz diorite shows εHf(t) values of +11.2 to +19.6, and the two granodioritic samples exhibit similar εHf(t) values from +13.0 to +19.5. The Sanchakou plutons show metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, arc-type geochemical and low-K tholeiite affinities, and display trace element patterns characterized by enrichment in K, Ba, Sr, and Sm, and depletion in Nb, Ta, Pb, and Ti. The geochemical and isotopic signatures indicate that the Sanchakou dioritic and granodioritic magmas were sourced from a subducted oceanic slab, and subsequently underwent some interaction with peridotite in the mantle wedge. Combined with the regional geological history, we suggest the Sanchakou intrusions formed due to the northward subduction of the Palaeo-Tianshan Ocean beneath the Dananhu–Tousuquan arc during early Silurian time.