Diorites and associated rocks in the Anglem Complex at The Neck, northeastern Stewart Island, New Zealand: an example of magma mingling

Exposures of the Anglem Complex (Cretaceous) at The Neck, northeastern Stewart Island consist dominantly of diorite, microdiorite, tonalite and granite. Dyke-rocks include microgranite, microdiorite, andesite and microgranodiorite.

A Diorite Suite composed of hornblende gabbro, diorite and quartz-bearing diorite forms a complex association of basic to intermediate lithologies with highly variable grainsize. The Heterogeneous Suite formed in part by mingling of diorite and tonalite intrudes the Diorite Suite. Enclaves within this suite show highly variable margins, from sharp sometimes crenulated and apparently chilled contacts, through to diffuse contacts. Prior to, and during intrusion of this heterogeneous magma, significant textural modifications of dioritic enclaves occurred, and some important controls on this modification process are discussed. Aspects considered include contrasts between the host melt and enclaves in temperature, viscosity, chemistry, volatile content, deformation and recrystallisation. A liquid immiscibility model is discounted in favour of the magma mingling model. Subsequent intrusion of granite was followed by a porphyritic microgranodiorite. Microdiorite and microgranite dykes intrude all of the above rocks with the exception of the microgranodiorite. Coexisting microdiorite, microgranite, and composite microdiorite-microgranite dykes in the one dyke swarm also provide compelling evidence for magma mingling.