Petrogenesis of the Barcroft pluton, northern White-Inyo Mountains, east-central California

The White-Inyo Range lies within the regional transition from Paleozoic-Precambrian North American continental basement to outboard Mesozoic and younger accreted terranes and a superimposed Andean-type arc. In the central White Mountains, the metaluminous Barcroft granodiorite invaded a major NE-striking, SE-dipping high-angle reverse fault—the Barcroft break. Because it is a relatively isolated igneous body and is well exposed over an elevation range of 1,500–4,000 m, its thermal history and that of the surrounding superjacent section are clearer than those of nearly coeval, crowded plutons emplaced in the hotter Sierra Nevada belt. The Barcroft pluton was emplaced as a compositionally heterogeneous series of areally scattered melt pulses episodically injected over the approximate interval 167–161 Ma. The oldest dated rocks are relatively quartzofeldspathic, whereas the youngest is more ferromagnesian, suggesting progressive partial fusion of a relatively mafic protolith. Heavy rare earth-enriched zircons indicate that Barcroft melts were derived at mid-crustal depths from a previously emplaced metabasaltic protolith containing plagioclase but lacking garnet. Granodioritic magma genesis involved the possible mixing of mafic and felsic melts, as well as very minor assimilation of country rocks, but mainly by fractional fusion and crystallization. Bulk chemical, rare earth, and isotopic data suggest that analyzed Barcroft rocks are members of a single suite. Granodioritic rocks are slightly more magnetite-rich at higher elevations on the NE, nearer the roof of the pluton. Earlier thermobarometry chronicled cooling and re-equilibration of the Barcroft pluton from its margins inward, as well as from mid-crustal generation depths of ~25 km through ascent and stalling at ~10–12 km. Refractory phase assemblages crystallized along the pluton margins, whereas subsolidus minerals in the interior of the of body continued to exchange with upper crustal deuteric and surficial aqueous fluids during exhumation and cooling.     

High-Mg potassic rocks from Taiwan: implications for the genesis of orogenic potassic lavas

Taiwan is an active mountain belt formed by oblique collision between the Luzon arc and the Asian continent. Regardless of the ongoing collision in central and southern Taiwan, a post-collisional extension regime has developed since the Plio–Pleistocene in the northern part of this orogen, and led to generation of the Northern Taiwan Volcanic Zone. Emplaced at 0.2 Ma in the southwest of the Volcanic Zone, lavas from the Tsaolingshan volcano are highly magnesian (MgO≈15 wt.%) and potassic (K₂O≈5 wt.%; K₂O/Na₂O≈1.6–3.0). Whereas these basic rocks (SiO₂≈48 wt.%) have relatively low Al₂O₃≈12 wt.%, total Fe₂O₃≈7.5 wt.% and CaO≈7.2 wt.%, they are extremely enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE, e.g. Cs, Rb, Ba, Th and U). The Rb and Cs abundances, >1000 and 120 ppm, respectively, are among the highest known from terrestrial rocks. In addition, these rocks are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREE), depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE), and display a positive Pb spike in the primitive mantle-normalized variation diagram. Their REE distribution patterns mark with slight Eu negative anomalies (Eu/Eu*≈0.90–0.84), and Sr and Nd isotope ratios are uniform (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr≈0.70540–0.70551; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd≈0.51268–0.51259). Olivine, the major phenocryst phase, shows high Fo contents (90.4±1.8; 1σ deviation), which are in agreement with the whole rock Mg-values (83–80). Spinel inclusions in olivine are characterized by high Cr/Cr+Al ratios (0.94–0.82) and have compositions similar to those from boninites that originate from highly refractory peridotites. Such petrochemical characteristics are comparable to the Group I ultrapotassic rocks defined by Foley et al. [Earth-Sci. Rev. 24 (1987) 81], such as orogenic lamproites from central Italy, Span and Tibet. We therefore suggest that the Tsaolingshan lavas resulted from a phlogopite-bearing harzburgitic source in the lithospheric mantle that underwent a recent metasomatism by the nearby Ryukyu subduction zone processes. The lavas exhibit unique incompatible trace element ratios, with Rb/Cs≈8, Ba/Rb≈1, Ce/Pb≈2, Th/U≈1 and Nb/U≈0.8, which are significantly lower than the continental crust values and those of most mantle-derived magmas. Nonmagmatic enrichment in the mantle source is therefore required. Based on published experimental data, two subduction-related metasomatic components, i.e., slab-released hydrous fluid and subducted sediment, are proposed, and the former is considered to be more pervasive for causing the extraordinary trace element ratios observed. Our observations lend support to the notion that dehydration from subducting slabs at convergent margins, as a continuing process through geologic time, can account for the fractionation of these elemental pairs between the Earth's crust and mantle.     

Isotopic characteristics of potassic rocks: evidence for the involvement of subducted sediments in magma genesis

The potassic igneous rock suite (with molar K₂O/Na₂O > 1) can be divided into an “orogenic” subgroup that occur in subduction-related tectonic settings and an “anorogenic” sub-group that are confined to stable continental settings. Representatives of both sub-groups possess trace element and isotopic features consistent with the contamination of their magma sources by incompatible element rich and isotopically evolved “metasomatic” components. It is argued here that these metasomatic components are principally derived from subducted lithosphere, including subducted sediments. Most examples of orogenic potassic magmatism (e.g. Italian potassic rocks, Spanish lamproites, Sunda arc leucitites) have trace-element and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics consistent with the contamination of their mantle sources by a component derived from marine sediments. Anorogenic sub-group potassic magmas have generally similar incompatible trace element and Sr and Nd isotopic characteristics to those of orogenic potassic magmas, but many examples have unusual Pb isotopic compositions with unradiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. Modern marine sediments characteristically have low U/Pb ratios and the unradiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb of anorogenic potassic magmas may have evolved during long-term storage of subducted sediments (or components derived from them) within the subcontinental lithosphere. These unusual Pb isotopic compositions require substantial time periods (> 1 Ga) to have elapsed between the fractionation events lowering the U/Pb ratio (i.e. erosion and sedimentation at the Earth's surface) and subsequent potassic magmatism and it is therefore not surprising that most examples of anorogenic potassic magmatism are not associated with recent subduction processes. Although the eruption of potassic magmas is commonly related to rifting or hotspot activity, these processes do not necessarily play an important role in the genesis of the unusual sources from which potassic magmas are derived.     

The influences of incremental pluton growth on magma crystallinity and aureole rheology: numerical modeling of growth of the Papoose Flat pluton,California

The Papoose Flat pluton in the White-Inyo Range, California, is one of the best examples of forcefully emplaced plutons within an arc crust, having internal fabrics and a contact aureole that deformed in a ductile manner. A 2-D numerical model for the thermo-rheological evolution of the pluton–wall rock system is proposed. We explore how the frequency of magma input, from instantaneous, episodic to continuous, affects magma chamber crystallinity and rheology of both the pluton and its contact aureole. We model pluton growth in the depth range of 10–13 km, which is at the brittle–ductile transition of the crust, and in the 7–4 km depth range, where the host rocks are initially brittle. For incremental growth (episodic and continuous), the pluton begins as a sill. With subsequent injections to the bottom, the pluton grows into a laccolith. Results of mid-crustal models show that the ductile region above the Papoose Flat pluton is related to thermal weakening. The ductile region during incremental growth is 100–150 m thick, matching the observed thickness. It is ten times thinner than in the instantaneous growth model. In episodic and continuous models, the upper part of the pluton is fully or quasi-crystalline throughout growth. During continuous growth, it is likely to remain ductile with potential for the development of solid-state fabrics. During episodic growth, strain rates within the pluton during each injection may become sufficiently high to cause embrittlement of magma. In no case a ductile aureole develops above the pluton at the upper-crustal level, but may develop below the pluton, which serves as thermal insulator. Thus, the pluton’s floor may sag. During incremental growth, most of the pluton is below the solidus and brittle. The results suggest that large volcanic eruptions are unlikely to occur by slow pressurization of magma chambers; instead they require rapid injections of large melt volumes.     

Petrogenesis of the Palaeoproterozoic Xishankou pluton,northern Tarim block,northwest China: implications for assembly of the supercontinent Columbia

The Tarim block, one of the largest cratons in China, records an important part of the Proterozoic crustal evolution of the Earth. Many previous studies have focused on the Neoproterozoic magmatism and tectonic evolution of this block in relation to the break-up of Rodinia, although relatively little is known about its earlier tectono-magmatic history. In this article, we present detailed petrographic, geochronologic, whole-rock geochemical, and in situ zircon Hf isotope data for the pre-Neoproterozoic Xishankou granitoid pluton (XBP), one of several blue quartz-bearing granitoid intrusions well exposed in the Quruqtagh area, and discuss these intrusions in terms of their tectonic environment. Zircon LA-ICP-MS dating indicates that gneissic quartz diorite and granodiorite of the XBP crystallized at 1934 ± 13 and 1944 ± 19 Ma, respectively. Both underwent metamorphism essentially coeval with emplacement, a time that is compatible with the globally distributed 2.1–1.8 Ga crustal amalgamation during formation of the supercontinent Columbia. Petrographic and geochemical evidence suggest that the XBP is a continental-arc-type granite and may have been generated by the partial melting of Archaean thickened lower crust; this would suggest that the northern Tarim block was a continental-type arc at ca. 1940 Ma. Our new data, together with previous regional geological studies, indicate that a series of Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 2.0–1.8 Ga) tectono-magmatic events occurred in the northern Tarim attending the assembly of Columbia.     

Emplacement and deformation of the ca. 1.45 Ga Karlshamn granitoid pluton,southeastern Sweden,during ENE-WSW Danopolonian shortening

Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and structural geology of the ca. 1.45 Ga Karlshamn pluton (southern Sweden) are used to study its emplacement and structural evolution. The Karlshamn pluton is one of the largest metaluminous A-type granitoid intrusions in southern Sweden. It is a multiphase body made up of two suites that differ in composition but which have similar crystallization ages. The magmatic foliation, ductile shear zones and granite–pegmatite filled fractures were mapped as well as the metamorphic foliation and extension lineation in the metamorphic host rocks. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility was used to map the magnetite petrofabric of the pluton, providing a larger data set for both the magmatic foliations and lineations, which could not be mapped in the field. The fabrics within the pluton are continuous with the metamorphic fabrics in the country rocks. Both the pluton and the country rock fabrics were folded during ENE–WSW compression, while the pluton was still a magma mush. The stress field orientation during cooling of the pluton is determined on the basis of magmatic, ductile and brittle structures in the Karlshamn pluton that formed successively as the pluton cooled. The compressional event is referred to as the Danopolonian orogeny and therefore the Karlshamn granitoids, and other plutons of similar composition and age in central and southern Sweden, on the Danish Island of Bornholm, and in Lithuania, may be considered as syntectonic intrusions and not as anorogenic, as was previously thought.     

皖中管店岩体的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年代学与地球化学：岩石成因和动力学意义

管店岩体位于扬子地块东部,沿郯庐断裂带南段主断裂带侵位,其岩石组成为石英二长岩和二长岩.精确的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年给出岩体的形成时代为(131.5±1.6)Ma.该岩体为一中酸性侵入体(SiO254.84%～67.83%),属于高钾钙碱性系列,并具有与埃达克(质)岩类似的地球化学特征,如高Al2O3(14.12%-15.14%)、Sr(612～976 μg/g)含量及Sr/Y(31～77)、La/Yb(18-42)比值,但低Y(8.20-21.4 μg/g)和Yb(0.90～1.70 μg/g)含量,无明显Eu异常至Eu正异常.管店侵入岩的"Sr/86Sr初始比值为0.7058-0.7061,εNa(t)为-17.03--15.11,锆石的ghr(t)(-26.3-22.6)较低但相对均匀,说明其不可能由俯冲洋壳熔融形成.管店埃达克(质)侵入岩具有较高的Mgo(2.21%-6.75%)含量和Mg(56-62)值及相容元素(Cr 85.4-356μg/g,Ni40.8～144μg/g)含量.管店侵入岩可能由拆沉下地壳熔融形成,岩浆在上升过程中与地幔橄榄岩发生了反应.早白垩纪郯庐断裂带的活动、扬子地块东部在扬子.华北两块体碰撞后的地壳拆离作用可能导致增厚下地壳的拆沉与埃达克质岩浆活动.     

Magma–host interactions during differentiation and emplacement of a shallow-level, zoned granitic pluton (Tarçouate pluton, Morocco): implications for magma emplacement

The Tarçouate pluton (Anti-Atlas, Morocco) is an inversely zoned laccolith emplaced 583 Ma ago into low-grade metasediments, with the following succession: leucocratic granites, biotite–granodiorites (±monzodiorites), hornblende–granodiorites (±monzodiorites) and monzodiorites syn-plutonic dykes. These rocks form two distinct, chemically coherent, units:

(1) A main unit consists of layered (572<59 wt.%) and homogeneous (632<67%) hornblende–granodiorites, biotite–granodiorites (672<72%) and aplites (702<76%). All these rocks are metaluminous to peraluminous and display fractionated HREE depleted patterns (La/Yb_N=14–61; Yb_N=0.7–6.8). Initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7072 to 0.7080) increase, whereas _Nd(t) values (−1.7 to −2.8) decrease from the hornblende– to the biotite–granodiorites. Monzodiorites occur as mafic microgranular enclaves or syn-plutonic dykes.

(2) A subordinate unit consists of leucocratic, distinctly peraluminous, muscovite-bearing granites (722<75%) occurring at the northern edge of the pluton and as dykes in the surrounding schists towards the top of the pluton. These rocks are free of monzodioritic enclaves. They display less fractionated patterns with higher HREE contents (La/Yb_N=2–19; Yb_N=11–18), a distinct _Nd(t) value (−11.8) and a ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio (0.7480) within those of the surrounding schists (0.7393–0.7819).

Magma–host interactions are closely related to differentiation and occurred at different levels, but mainly before emplacement. Field relationships and petrogenetic modelling show that the bt–granodiorites formed at levels deeper than the level of emplacement, by fractional crystallisation (0.65

These data preclude any significant material transfer process for the emplacement of the Tarçouate pluton, but rather suggest assembly of successive pulses of variably differentiated crystal-poor magmas. These shallow level granitic plutons can be considered as an end-member of magma emplacement with minimum interactions with the country rocks.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Early Tertiary volcanism of the Mendejin area,Iran, and implications for magma genesis and tectonomagmatic setting

The Mendejin area, NW Iran, is part of the western Alborz-Azarbaijan zone which is one of the most structurally—and magmatically-active zones of Iran. Volcanic rocks with calc-alkaline and, locally, alkaline features cover an extensive part of this zone. The Mendejin volcanic rocks, Eocene-Oligocene in age, include tuffs and volcanoclastic rocks of dacite, andesite, basaltic andesite, and basalt composition. Felsic (andesite, dacite, and rhyodacite) and basic rocks (basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite) commonly occur in successive layers. This alternation along with multiple occurrences of various types of tuffs suggests prolonged and successive magmatic activity during Eocene-Oligocene in NW Iran. Fractional crystallization has been the most important factor controlling geochemical characteristics of the magma. However, absence of linear correlations on variation diagrams of some immobile elements (such as Al₂O₃, TiO₂, P₂O₅ and Ga) and poorly-developed trends on variation diagrams of Na₂O, MgO, MnO, CaO, Fe₂O₃, Nb, Nd, Y, La, Ce, Th, Hf, Sc, Zn, V, Ni and Co versus SiO₂ indicate that, other than crystal (olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, biotite, hornblende, zircon, monazite and apatite) fractionation, crustal processes (such as assimilation) have also affected the chemistry of the Mendejin magma. It appears that the basic magma has originated from the mantle whereas the felsic magma resulted from modification in the mantle-derived magma by assimilation in an active continental margin.     

Petrogenesis of the Bosworgey granitic cusp in the SW England tin province and its implications for ore mineral genesis

The Bosworgey granite cusp forms an apical portion of the concealed northern extension of the Tregonning-Godolphin granite ridge. It is characterised by unusually high values of B, P, Mn, Fe, As, Cu, Nb, Ta, Bi, Sn, W, U and S which are present largely as tourmaline, apatite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, bismuth, columbite, cassiterite, wolframite and uraninite; and low levels of Zr, Hf, Ti and REE present in zircon, ilmenite and monazite. The granite is classified as Sn and W specialised (Tischendorf, 1974) and it belongs to the ilmenite series of Japanese workers. The classification of Chappell and White (1974) (S and I type granites) is shown to be inapplicable to Cornubian rocks although the Bosworgey samples show characteristics of S type granites. The accessory mineral assemblages are typical of high temperature lodes (cassiterite, wolframite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite) and the assamblage is concluded to be the cusp analogue of hypothermal lodes produced by extreme differentiation and concentration of volatiles. It is speculated that such granites could provide the parent material for the mesothermal crosscourse mineralisation (pitchblende, bismuth, pyrite, galena, sphalerite).     

Synkinematic contact metasomatism: implications for the timing of pluton emplacement and regional deformation in the Scanlon shear zone, south-eastern California

Structures in rocks altered by the infiltration of magmatic fluids provide key constraints on the relative timing of plutonism and regional deformation in the central Old Woman Mountains, south-eastern California. In this well-exposed area the Scanlon shear zone, a belt of attenuated, shallowly dipping, amphibolite facies Palaeozoic strata, is in contact with two tabular, Late Cretaceous (∼74 Ma) granitoid plutons. The shear zone contains massive wollastonite-bearing skarns ∼40 m above the contact with the Old Woman granodiorite. Field evidence, petrological data and stable isotope compositions indicate that the mineral assemblages in these skarns formed when the granodiorite crystallized and exsolved water-rich, magmatic fluids. Structural features in the skarns, which include transposed wollastonite foliations, syntectonic vesuvianite and garnet porphyroblasts, and quartz ± wollastonite veins, afford an opportunity to monitor the regional strain at the time of pluton crystallization. These structures yield a broad range of timing relationships that indicate synkinematic mineral growth with deformation ending first, at c . 74 Ma. The metasomatic structures are kinematically compatible with the regional deformation observed in other lithologies and no post-tectonic features overprint the fabrics in the skarns. Observations of isoclinally folded and boudinaged dykes and pegmatites, granodiorite saddle reefs in isoclinal fold hinges, and undeformed, locally pegmatitic dykes also yield a broad range of timing relationships indicative of synkinematic plutonism, with deformation ending first. Our results show that coupling petrological and stable isotope data with structural analysis is effective for unravelling the relative timing of heat and mass transfer processes in pluton-wallrock systems.     

Petrogenesis of the Kaikomagatake granitoid pluton in the Izu Collision Zone, central Japan: implications for transformation of juvenile oceanic arc into mature continental crust

The Miocene Kaikomagatake pluton is one of the Neogene granitoid plutons exposed in the Izu Collision Zone, which is where the juvenile Izu-Bonin oceanic arc is colliding against the mature Honshu arc. The pluton intrudes into the Cretaceous to Paleogene Shimanto accretionary complex of the Honshu arc along the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, which is the collisional boundary between the two arcs. The pluton consists of hornblende–biotite granodiorite and biotite monzogranite, and has SiO₂ contents of 68–75 wt%. It has high-K series compositions, and its incompatible element abundances are comparable to the average upper continental crust. Major and trace element compositions of the pluton show well-defined chemical trends. The trends can be interpreted with a crystal fractionation model involving the removal of plagioclase, biotite, hornblende, quartz, apatite, and zircon from a potential parent magma with a composition of ~68 wt% SiO₂. The Sr isotopic compositions, together with the partial melting modeling results, suggest that the parent magma is derived by ~53% melting of a hybrid lower crustal source comprising ~30% Shimanto metasedimentary rocks of the Honshu arc and ~70% K-enriched basaltic rocks of the Izu-Bonin rear-arc region. Together with previous studies on the Izu Collision Zone granitoid plutons, the results of this study suggest that the chemical diversity within the parental magmas of the granitoid plutons reflects the chemical variation of basaltic sources (i.e., across-arc chemical variation in the Izu-Bonin arc), as well as a variable contribution of the metasedimentary component in the lower crustal source regions. In addition, the petrogenetic models of the Izu Collision Zone granitoid plutons collectively suggest that the contribution of the metasedimentary component is required to produce granitoid magma with compositions comparable to the average upper continental crust. The Izu Collision Zone plutons provide an exceptional example of the transformation of a juvenile oceanic arc into mature continental crust.     

Geochemistry of microgranular enclaves in Aligoodarz Jurassic arc pluton, western Iran: implications for enclave generation by rapid crystallization of cogenetic granitoid magma

Microgranular enclaves are common in the Jurassic Aligoodarz granitoids of western Iran. Enclaves Enclosed in Granodiorite (EEG) and Enclaves Enclosed in Tonalite (EET) are different but they overlap their hosts on variation diagrams. The EEG is compositionally intermediate between tonalite and granodiorite. Mixing between tonalitic and granodioritic magmas and fractional crystallization are two models examined as the origin of the EEG. Field, textural, mineralogical and chemical observations suggest that chemical equilibration, common in magma mixing, was not attained between the EEG and its host. This, together with other observations does not support magma mixing as a mechanism for forming the EEG. Alternatively, excessive nucleation of biotite ± Fe-Ti-oxides ± amphibole by rapid cooling at borders of a shallow magma chamber and later fragmentation and dispersal by dynamic arc plutonism best explains the EEG. However, channeling of a new magma into the nearly solid tonalitic host explains formation of the EET.     

Petrogenesis of the Puerto Edén Igneous and Metamorphic Complex,Magallanes, Chile: Late Jurassic syn-deformational anatexis of metapelites and granitoid magma genesis

A suite of schists, gneisses, migmatites, and biotite granitoids from the Puerto Edén Igneous and Metamorphic Complex (PEIMC) and biotite–hornblende granitoids of the South Patagonian batholith (southern Chile) has been studied. For that purpose, the chemistry of minerals and the bulk rock composition of major and trace elements including Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd isotopes were determined. Mineralogical observations and geothermobarometric calculations indicate high-temperature and low-pressure conditions (ca. 600–700 °C and 3 to 4.5 kbar) for an event of metamorphism and partial melting of metapelites in Late Jurassic times (previously determined by SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages). Structures in schists, gneisses, migmatites and mylonites indicate non-coaxial deformation flow during and after peak metamorphic and anatectic conditions. Andalusite schists and sillimanite gneisses yield initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of up to 0.7134 and εNd₁₅₀ values as low as − 7.6. Contemporaneous biotite granitoids and a coarse-grained orthogneiss have initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios between 0.7073 and 0.7089, and εNd₁₅₀ values in the range − 7.6 to − 4.4. This indicates that metamorphic rocks do not represent the natural isotopic variation in the migmatite source. Thus, a heterogeneous source with a least radiogenic component was involved in the production of the biotite granitoids. The PEIMC is considered as a segment of an evolving kilometre-sized and deep crustal shear zone in which partial melts were generated and segregated into a large reservoir of magmas forming composite plutons in Late Jurassic times. A biotite–hornblende granodiorite and a muscovite–garnet leucogranite show initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7048 and 0.7061, and εNd₁₀₀ values of − 2.6 and − 1.8, respectively, and are thus probably related to Early Cretaceous magmas not involved in the anatexis of the metasedimentary rocks.     

Sulfur isotopic zonation in the Cadia district,southeastern Australia: exploration significance and implications for the genesis of alkalic porphyry gold–copper deposits

The alkalic porphyry gold–copper deposits of the Cadia district occur in the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales, Australia. The district comprises four porphyry deposits (Ridgeway, Cadia Quarry, Cadia Hill, and Cadia East) and two iron–copper–gold skarn deposits (Big Cadia and Little Cadia). Almost 1,000 tonnes of contained gold and more than four million tonnes of copper have been discovered in these systems, making Cadia the world’s largest known alkalic porphyry district, in terms of contained gold. Porphyry gold–copper ore at Cadia is associated with quartz monzonite intrusive complexes, and is hosted by central stockwork and sheeted quartz–sulfide–(carbonate) vein systems. The Cadia porphyry deposits are characterized by cores of potassic and/or calc–potassic alteration assemblages, and peripheral halos of propylitic alteration, with late-stage phyllic alteration mostly restricted to fault zones. Hematite dusting is an important component of the propylitic alteration assemblage, and has produced a distinctive reddening of feldspar minerals in the volcanic wall rocks around the mineralized centers. Sulfide mineralization is strongly zoned at Ridgeway and Cadia East, with bornite-rich cores surrounded by chalcopyrite-rich halos and peripheral zones of pyrite mineralization. The Cadia Hill and Cadia Quarry deposits have chalcopyrite-rich cores and pyrite-rich halos, and Cadia Hill contains a high-level bornite-rich zone. Distinctive sulfur isotopic zonation patterns have been identified at Ridgeway, Cadia Hill, and Cadia East. The deposit cores are characterized by low δ³⁴S_sulfide values (−10 to −4‰), consistent with sulfide precipitation from an oxidized (sulfate-predominant) magmatic fluid at 450 to 400°C. Pyrite grains that occur in the propylitic alteration halos typically have δ³⁴S_sulfide values near 0‰. There is a gradual increase in δ³⁴S_sulfide values outwards from the deposit cores through the propylitic halos. Water–rock interaction during propylitic alteration caused magmatic sulfate reduction and concomitant oxidation of ferrous iron-bearing minerals, resulting in enrichment of ³⁴S in pyrite and also producing the distinctive reddened, hematite-rich alteration halos to the Cadia deposits. These results show that sulfur isotope analyses have potential applications in the exploration of alkalic porphyry-style deposits, with zones of depleted δ³⁴S_sulfide values most prospective for high-grade mineralization.     

Zr-rich accessory minerals (titanite, perrierite, zirconolite, baddeleyite) record strong oxidation associated with magma mixing in the south Peruvian potassic province

The Oroscocha Quaternary volcano, in the Inner Arc Domain of the Andean Cordillera (southern Peru), emitted peraluminous rhyolites and trachydacites that entrained decimetric to millimetric lamprophyric blobs. These latter show kersantite modal compositions (equal proportion of groundmass plagioclase and K-feldspar) and potassic bulk-rock compositions (1<K₂O/Na₂O<2; 6.7–7.2 wt.% CaO). Kersantite blobs have shapes and microstructures consistent with an origin from a mixing process between mafic potassic melts and rhyolitic melts. Both melts did exchange their phenocrysts during the mixing process. In addition to index minerals of lamprophyres (Ba–Ti–phlogopite, F-rich apatite, andesine and Ca-rich sanidine), the groundmass of kersantite blobs displays essenite-rich diopside (up to 22 mol%), Ti-poor magnetite microlites, Ti-poor hematite microlites and a series of Ca–Ti–Zr- and REE-rich accessory minerals that have never been reported from lamprophyres. Titanite [up to 5.3 wt.% ZrO₂ and 5.2 wt.% (Y₂O₃ + REE₂O₃)] and Zr- and Ca-rich perrierite (up to 7.2 wt.% ZrO₂ and 10.8 wt.% CaO) predate LREE- and iron-rich zirconolite and Fe-, Ti-, Hf-, Nb- and Ce-rich baddeleyite (up to 5.3 wt.% Fe₂O₃, 3.2 wt.% TiO₂, 1.5 wt.% HfO₂, 1.2 wt.% Nb₂O₅, 0.25 wt.% CeO₂) in the crystallization order of the groundmass. Isomorphic substitutions suggest iron to occur as Fe³⁺ in all the accessory phases. This feature, the essenitic substitution in the clinopyroxene and the occurrence of hematite microlites, all indicate a drastic increase of the oxygen fugacity (from FMQ − 1 to FMQ + 5 log units) well above the HM synthetic buffer within a narrow temperature range (1100–1000 °C). Such a late-magmatic oxidation is ascribed to assimilation of water from the felsic melts during magma mixing, followed by rapid degassing and water dissociation during eruption of host felsic lavas. Thus, magma mixing involving felsic melt end-members provides a mechanism for mafic potassic melts to be oxidized beyond the HM synthetic buffer curve.     

Interaction of magma with sedimentary wall rock and magnetite ore genesis in the Panzhihua mafic intrusion,SW China

In southwestern China, several large magmatic Fe–Ti–V oxide ore deposits are hosted by gabbroic intrusions associated with the Emeishan flood basalts. The Panzhihua gabbroic intrusion, a little deformed sill that contains a large titanomagnetite deposit at its base, concordantly intrudes late-Proterozoic dolostones. Mineralogical and chemical studies of the contact aureole in the footwall dolostones demonstrate that the metamorphism was largely isochemical but released large quantities of CO₂ as the rocks were converted to marble and skarns during intrusion of the gabbroic magma. Petrological modelling of the crystallization of the intrusion, using H₂O-poor Emeishan basalt as parent magma, shows that under normal conditions, Fe–Ti oxides crystallize at a late stage, after the crystallization of abundant olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. In order for titanomagnetite to separate efficiently to form the ore deposit, this mineral must have crystallized earlier and close to the liquidus. We propose that CO₂-rich fluids released during decarbonatization of sedimentary floor rocks passed up through the magma. Redox equilibria calculations show that when magma with the composition of Emeishan basalt is fluxed by a CO₂-rich gas phase, its equilibrium oxygen fugacity (fO₂) increases from the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer (FMQ) to FMQ + 1.5. From experimental constraints on magnetite saturation in basaltic magma under controlled fO₂, such an oxidizing event would allow magnetite to crystallize near to the liquidus, leading to the formation of the deposit.     

Petrogenesis of the granitic Donkerhuk batholith in the Damara Belt of Namibia: protracted,syntectonic, short-range,crustal magma transfer

The areally extensive (>5000 km²), syn-tectonic, ca. 520 Ma, mainly S-type Donkerhuk batholith was constructed through injection of thousands of mainly sheet-like magma pulses over 20–25 Myr. It intruded schists of the Southern Zone accretionary prism in the Damara Belt of Namibia. Each magma pulse had at least partly crystallised prior to the arrival of the following batch. However, much of the batholith may have remained partially molten for long periods, close to the H₂O-saturated granite solidus. The batholith shows extreme variation in chemistry, while having limited mineralogical variation, and seems to be the world’s most heterogeneous granitic mass. The Nd model ages of ~2 Ga suggest that Eburnean rocks of the former magmatic arc, structurally overlain by the accretionary wedge, are the most probable magma sources. Crustal melting was initiated by mantle heat flux, probably introduced by thermal diffusion rather than magma advection. The granitic magmas were transferred from source to sink, with minimal intermediate storage; the whole process having occurred in the middle crust, resulting in feeble crustal differentiation despite the huge volume of silicic magma generated. Source heterogeneity controlled variation in the magmas and neither mixing nor fractionation was prominent. However, due to the transpressional emplacement régime, local filter pressing formed highly silicic liquids, as well as felsic cumulate rocks. The case of the Donkerhuk batholith demonstrates that emplacement-level tectonics can significantly influence compositional evolution of very large syn-tectonic magma bodies.     

Timing of granitic magma mixing in the southeastern Gyeongsang Basin,Korea: SHRIMP-RG zircon data

Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline granites in the Gyeongsang Basin evolved through the mixing of mafic and felsic magmas. The host granites contain numerous mafic magmatic/microgranular enclaves of various shapes and sizes. New SHRIMP-RG zircon U–Pb ages of both granite and mafic magmatic/microgranular enclaves are 75.0?±?0.5 Ma and 74.9?±?0.6 Ma, respectively, suggesting that they crystallized contemporaneously after magma mixing. The time of injection of mafic melt into the felsic magma chamber can be recognized as approximately 75 Ma by field relations, petrographic features, geochemical evolution, and SHRIMP-RG zircon dating. This Late Cretaceous magma mixing event in the Korean Peninsula was probably related to the onset of subduction of the Izanagi (Kula)–Pacific ridge.     

Stratigraphic controls on seawater intrusion and implications for groundwater management, Dominguez Gap area of Los Angeles, California, USA

Groundwater pumping has led to extensive water-level declines and seawater intrusion in coastal Los Angeles, California (USA). A SUTRA-based solute-transport model was developed to test the hydraulic implications of a sequence-stratigraphic model of the Dominguez Gap area and to assess the effects of water-management scenarios. The model is two-dimensional, vertical and follows an approximate flow line extending from the Pacific Ocean through the Dominguez Gap area. Results indicate that a newly identified fault system can provide a pathway for transport of seawater and that a stratigraphic boundary located between the Bent Spring and Upper Wilmington sequences may control the vertical movement of seawater. Three 50-year water-management scenarios were considered: (1) no change in water-management practices; (2) installation of a slurry wall; and (3) raising inland water levels to 7.6 m above sea level. Scenario 3 was the most effective by reversing seawater intrusion. The effects of an instantaneous 1-m sea-level rise were also tested using water-management scenarios 1 and 3. Results from two 100-year simulations indicate that a 1-m sea-level rise may accelerate seawater intrusion for scenario 1; however, scenario 3 remains effective for controlling seawater intrusion.