AbstractThe transition zone between 100 % dykes and high-level plutonic rocks of the Solund-Stavfjord Ophiolite Complex is complex due to the existence of many lithologies with different and variable contact relationships. The rocks of the plutonic complex vary in composition from FeTi basaltic to quartz dioritic, and the grain sizes vary from fine to pegmatitic. Felsic varieties are produced by fractional crystallization of basaltic magma as demonstrated by geochemical evolution and by gradual transition from gabbro to quartz diorite. Patches of fractionated dioritic rocks may show both gradual and intrusive relationships with the surrounding host gabbro. This demonstrates that late-stage liquids commonly left the source region and locally intruded the surrounding parent rocks. The high-level plutonic rocks are thoroughly epidotized and are cut by dykes consisting of granoblastic epidote and quartz. The high-level plutonic complex is associated with irregular bodies of fine- to medium-grained plagioclase-porphyritic diabase of high MgO content. These diabase bodies are intruded by dykes that become progressively more regular in shape. The plutonic complex locally shows intrusive relationships with the overlying 100% dyke complex, but is itself cut by two dyke swarms. The dykes of the first swarm formed while the plutonic complex experienced sinistral shear strain, and the dykes are generally less regular and thinner than the dykes of the second swarm. This indicates that the dykes of the first swarm intruded while the rocks of the plutonic complex were still hot, while the next dyke swarm intruded later when the rock complex was colder. Dykes of both swarms range in composition from slightly to strongly fractionated, suggesting that the magma chambers they were expelled from underwent significant fractionation in between magma replenishment. Numerous dykes of both swarms carry large quantities of glomeroporphyritic aggregates of plagioclase and altered clinopyroxene, indicating that the source area to the dykes very often was a crystal mush.
Crustal deformation and regional metamorphism across a terrane boundary, Coast Plutonic Complex, British Columbia
