Mantle and crustal sources in the genesis of late-hercynian granitoids (NW Portugal) : geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic constraints

Large volumes of granitoids were emplaced in the Hercynian Central Iberian Zone during the last ductile deformation phase (D3, 300-320 Ma). The biotite-rich granitoids are the most abundant: (1) syn-D3 granodiorites-monzogranites (313-319 Ma) with calc-alkaline and aluminopotassic affinities; (2) late-D3 granodiorites-monzogranites (306-311 Ma), related to subalkaline and aluminopotassic series. These granitoids are associated with coeval gabbro-norite to granodiorite bodies and/or mafic microgranular enclaves. Both granitoids and basic-intermediate rocks show petrological, geochemical and isotopic evidence of interaction between felsic and mafic magmas. The mantle-derived melts, represented by shoshonitic gabbro-norites, were probably derived from an enriched and isotopically homogeneous source (Srl = 0.7049 to 0.7053, eNd= -2.1 to -2.5). In some syn- and late-D3 plutons there are evidences of essentially crustal granites, represented by moderately peraluminous monzogranites of aluminopotassic affinity. They have similar Nd model ages (1.4 Ga) but different isotopic compositions (Srl = 0.7089 to 0.7106, eNd= -5.6 to -6.8), revealing a heterogeneous crust. Potential protoliths are metasedimentary (immature sediments) and/or fclsic meta-igneous lower crust materials. Large amounts of hybrid magmas were generated by the interaction of these coeval mantle- and crust-derived liquids, giving rise to slightly peraluminous monzogranites/granodiorites of calc-alkaline and subalkaline affinities, which display more depleted isotopic compositions than the crustal end-members (Sr, = 0.7064 to 0.7085, eNd = -4.4 to -6.2). Petrogenetic processes involving mingling and/or mixing and fractional crystallization (at variable degrees) in multiple reservoirs are suggested. A major crustal growth event occurred in late-Hercynian times (305-320 Ma) related to the input of juvenile mantle magmas and leading to the genesis of composite calc-alkaline and subalkaline plutons, largely represented in the Central Iberian Zone.Financial support was provided by FCT (project PRAXIS 2/2.1/391/94), France-Portugal Scientific Cooperation Programs and by the University of Minho

High Throughput Petrochronology and Sedimentary Provenance Analysis by Automated Phase Mapping and LAICPMS

The first step in most geochronological studies is to extract dateable minerals from the host rock, which is time consuming, removes textural context, and increases the chance for sample cross contamination. We here present a new method to rapidly perform in situ analyses by coupling a fast scanning electron microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) to a Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LAICPMS) instrument. Given a polished hand specimen, a petrographic thin section, or a grain mount, Automated Phase Mapping (APM) by SEM/EDS produces chemical and mineralogical maps from which the X-Y coordinates of the datable minerals are extracted. These coordinates are subsequently passed on to the laser ablation system for isotopic analysis. We apply the APM1LAICPMS method to three igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary case studies. In the first case study, a polished slab of granite from Guernsey was scanned for zircon, producing a 60968 Ma weighted mean age. The second case study investigates a paragneiss from an ultra high pressure terrane in the north Qaidam terrane (Qinghai, China). One hundred seven small (25 mm) metamorphic zircons were analyzed by LAICPMS to confirm a 41964 Ma age of peak metamorphism. The third and final case study uses APM1LAICPMS to generate a large provenance data set and trace the provenance of 25 modern sediments from Angola, documenting longshore drift of Orange River sediments over a distance of 1,500 km. These examples demonstrate that APM1LAICPMS is an efficient and cost effective way to improve the quantity and quality of geochronological data

Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic extensional and compressional history of East Laurentian margin sequences: The Moine Supergroup, Scottish Caledonides

Neoproterozoic siliciclastic-dominated sequences are widespread along the eastern margin of Laurentia and are related to rifting associated with the breakout of Laurentia from the supercontinent Rodinia. Detrital zircons from the Moine Supergroup, NW Scotland, yield Archean to early Neoproterozoic U-Pb ages, consistent with derivation from the Grenville-Sveconorwegian orogen and environs and accumulation post–1000 Ma. U-Pb zircon ages for felsic and associated mafic intrusions confirm a widespread pulse of extension-related magmatism at around 870 Ma. Pegmatites yielding U-Pb zircon ages between 830 Ma and 745 Ma constrain a series of deformation and metamorphic pulses related to Knoydartian orogenesis of the host Moinerocks. Additional U-Pb zircon and monazite data, and 40Ar/39Ar ages for pegmatites and host gneisses indicate high-grade metamorphic events at ca. 458–446 Ma and ca. 426 Maduring the Caledonian orogenic cycle.The presence of early Neoproterozoic silici clastic sedimentation and deformation in the Moine and equivalent successions around the North Atlantic and their absence along strike in eastern North America reflect contrasting Laurentian paleogeography during the breakup of Rodinia. The North Atlantic realm occupied an external location on the margin of Laurentia, and this region acted as a locus for accumulation of detritus (Moine Supergroup and equivalents) derived from the Grenville-Sveconorwegian orogenic welt, which developed as a consequence of collisional assembly of Rodinia. Neoproterozoic orogenic activity corresponds with theinferred development of convergent platemargin activity along the periphery of the supercontinent. In contrast in eastern North America, which lay within the internal parts of Rodinia, sedimentation did not commence until the mid-Neoproterozoic (ca. 760 Ma) during initial stages of supercontinent fragmentation. In the North Atlantic region, this time frame corresponds to a second pulse of extension represented by units such as the Dalradian Supergroup, which unconformably overlies the predeformed Moine succession

Granite petrogenesis in the Gander Zone, NE Newfoundland: mixing of melts from multiple sources and the role of lithospheric delamination

Silurian to Devonian granites within the Gander Zone of the Appalachian Central Mobile Belt in northeastern Newfoundland formed adjacent to the former Gondwanan continental margin following terminal closure of the Iapetus Ocean. Comparison of geochemical and isotopic characteristics of the granites with their host migmatites and metasediments, amphibolite, and orthogneiss constrain their potential source. Nd and Sr isotopic compositions indicate that no single source or binary mixing product could have produced the granites. Instead, we show that they result from multicomponent mixing involving a contribution from unexposed crystalline basement, mantle or underplate, and variable contamination by supracrustal host rocks. The timing and composition of granite magmatism do not exhibit collisional orogenic, subduction-related, or continental rifting characteristics. Hence, we relate magmatism to lithospheric melting following delamination of an orogenic keel. This process provides the influx of mantle-derived magma into fertile crust and hence promotes lower crustal melting and primary magma mixing. </jats:p

Sm–Nd isotope characteristics of late Cadomian granite magmatism in northern France and the Channel Islands

AbstractSm–Nd isotopic studies of granites within the late Precambrian, Cadomian, orogenic belt of the North Armorican Massif (northwestern France) and Channel Islands reveal differences between arc-related granite magmatism in outboard terranes and intracrustal granite magmatism in inboard terranes. Late Cadomian (c. 570 Ma), arc-related granitoids exhibit a range of εnd( - 2 to - 6) and Nd model ages (TDM1.0–1.3 Ga) reflecting variable contamination between late Precambrian mantle derived magmas and ancient (c. 2.0 Ga?) continental crust. The contamination did not involve exposed granitic Icartian basement to anygreat degree, a more likely contaminant being unexposed lower crust of intermediate to acidic granulitic composition, or early Cadomian plutons which were themselves contaminated by lower crust. Voluminous granites of the Mancellian region (c. 550–540 Ma) share common isotopic characteristics (εNd-4 to -7, TDM1.5–1.7 Ga) with migmatites and anatectic granites produced by partial melting of metasedimentary sequences within the St Malo region consistent with a common source.</jats:p