The petrochemistry of the basic volcanic rocks of the South Connemara Group (Ordovician), western Ireland

1983 ◽  
Vol 120 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Ryan ◽  
M. D. Max ◽  
T. Kelly

Summary16 samples of Ordovician basic volcanic rocks of the South Connemara Group, which abut the southern side of the metamorphic rocks of the Connemara massif in western Ireland, have been analysed for both major and trace elements. Although subject to low grade regional metamorphism and subsequently hornfelsed by the Galway Granite (400 Ma), their immobile element contents do not appear to be significantly disturbed. These elements characterise the metabasites of the South Connemara Group as ocean floor basalts having their origins in a marginal basin. The Skird Rocks Fault, separating the South Connemara Group from high grade metamorphic rocks of the Connemara massif, is consequently regarded as the northern margin of the vestiges of the lapetus Ocean which can be traced into, and along, the Southern Uplands Fault.

1973 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1508-1518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew V. Okulitch

The Kobau Group, found in south-central British Columbia, consists of highly deformed, low-grade metamorphic rocks derived from a succession of sedimentary and basic volcanic rocks of pre-Cretaceous, likely post-Devonian age. Deformation began in Carboniferous times and recurred with decreasing intensity up to the Tertiary Period. Possible correlative successions are found surrounding Mount Kobau. These include possibly late Paleozoic formations west and northwest of Mount Kobau, the Carboniferous to Permian Anarchist Group found south of the 49th parallel and east of the Okanagan Valley, the pre-Upper Triassic, possibly Mississippian Chapperon Group west of Vernon, and parts of the Shuswap Metamorphic Complex east of the Okanagan Valley. Prior to deposition of the Kobau Group, part of the Shuswap Complex was subjected to deformation, presumably in mid-Paleozoic time.


Author(s):  
Gejing Li ◽  
D. R. Peacor ◽  
D. S. Coombs ◽  
Y. Kawachi

Recent advances in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and analytical electron microscopy (AEM) have led to many new insights into the structural and chemical characteristics of very finegrained, optically homogeneous mineral aggregates in sedimentary and very low-grade metamorphic rocks. Chemical compositions obtained by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) on such materials have been shown by TEM/AEM to result from beam overlap on contaminant phases on a scale below resolution of EMPA, which in turn can lead to errors in interpretation and determination of formation conditions. Here we present an in-depth analysis of the relation between AEM and EMPA data, which leads also to the definition of new mineral phases, and demonstrate the resolution power of AEM relative to EMPA in investigations of very fine-grained mineral aggregates in sedimentary and very low-grade metamorphic rocks.Celadonite, having end-member composition KMgFe3+Si4O10(OH)2, and with minor substitution of Fe2+ for Mg and Al for Fe3+ on octahedral sites, is a fine-grained mica widespread in volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic sediments which have undergone low-temperature alteration in the oceanic crust and in burial metamorphic sequences.


1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 433-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moira Smith

The northwestern Cascades structural province can be interpreted as an accretionary complex comprising fault-bounded blocks of pre-Tertiary metamorphic rocks of diverse age and lithologic type. This paper documents the deformation in a portion of the Chilliwack Group, a unit in this complex. The Chilliwack Group is a thick sequence of volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks, calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, and limestone that is metamorphosed to low-grade blueschist facies. The rocks underwent ductile deformation during a Late Cretaceous orogenic event, producing a subhorizontal foliation and, in appropriate lithologies, subhorizontal stretching lineations that trend N20°W. Finite strain sustained by coarse clastic rocks produced RXZ values averaging 3.5. The deformation at least partially postdates the high pressure metamorphic event, based on the presence of bent and broken high-pressure mineral grains. Although early studies postulated west-vergent thrust imbrication of units in the northwest Cascades, the N20°W direction of apparent elongation in the Chilliwack Group, consistent with the direction of motion along segments of the Shuksan fault elucidated in other more recent studies, may reflect significant, highly oblique components of convergence during formation of the western North Cascades collisional orogen.


2000 ◽  
Vol 171 (5) ◽  
pp. 495-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Najoui ◽  
Andre Francois Leyreloup ◽  
Patrick Monie

Abstract The St-Guiral and the Liron laccolithic granodiorites outcropping in the southeastern area of the French Massif Central intrude the Cambro-Ordovician low grade series of the western Cevennes. The petrological study of their contact aureoles shows that these plutons emplaced at low depth (1-2 kb; 690-700 degrees C). The laser probe 40 Ar/ 39 Ar allows us to suggest a minimum age of 324 Ma for the emplacement of the St-Guiral granodiorite. This emplacement seems synchronous with the LP-HT regional metamorphism in the western Cevennes for which the cooling ages are identical. The Liron granodiorite (310 Ma) is younger and crosscuts the thermal structures of the LP-HT regional metamorphism. Accordingly these plutons emplaced at the Namurian-early Westphalian during the extensional phases related to the generalised gravitational collapse of the previously thickened Hercynian belt. The detachment of the subducted lithosphere (slab detachment) could be related to these phenomena and could explain the granitization of the south external area of the Hercynian belt as well as the migration of the magmatism towards the south of the belt.


The Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) separates the Karakoram Plate from the accreted Kohistan—Ladakh Terranes and Indian Plate to the south. Within the central Karakoram three geologically distinct zones are recognized: from south to north (i) the Karakoram metamorphic complex, (ii) the Karakoram batholith and (iii) the northern Karakoraih sedimentary terrane. Magmatic episodes of Jurassic and mid-Upper Cretaceous age are recognized before India-Asia collision at ca. 50-45 Ma. Both reveal subduction-related petrographic and geochemical signatures typical of Andean-type settings. Associated with the Jurassic event was a low-pressure metamorphism (Ml). Synchronous with the mid-Upper Cretaceous episode was the passive accretion of the Kohistan-Ladakh terrane to the Karakoram and closure of the Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ). The main collision between the Indian and Asian Plates resulted in crustal thickening beneath the Karakoram and development of Barrovian metamorphism (M2). Early postcollisional plutons dated at 36-34 Ma cross-cut regional syn-metamorphic foliations and constrain a maximum age on peak M2 conditions. Uplift of the Karakoram metamorphic complex in response to continued crustal thickening was synchronous with culmination collapse along the inferred Karakoram Batholith Lineament (KBL). A combination of thermal re-equilibration of thickened continental crust and the proposed addition of an enriched mantle component promoted dehydration, partial melting and generation of the Baltoro Plutonic Unit (BPU). It was subsequently emplaced as a hot, dry magma into an extensional mid-crustal environment. A contact aureole (M3) was imposed on the low-grade sediments along the northern margin, whereas isograds in uplifted metamorphic rocks to the south were thermally domed with in situ migmatization.


Two major supracrustal sequences, the Huronian Supergroup in Ontario and the Marquette Range Supergroup and Animikie Group of Michigan and Minnesota, overlie an Archean basement. These sequences are about 2200—2300 Ma and 1900-2000 Ma old respectively. The major Early Proterozoic tectonic event is the ‘Penokean Orogeny’, which occurred about 1850-1900 Ma ago and included deformation, high-grade regional metamorphism, and extrusive and intrusive igneous activity. This was followed by formation of rhyolitic, ignimbritic volcanic rocks and emplacement of associated granites about 1790 Ma ago. The entire region was subsequently subjected to low-grade regional metamorphism 1650-1700 Ma ago, followed by emplacement of anorogenic quartz-monzonite, in part rapakivi, plutons 1500 Ma ago. Late Proterozoic Grenville and Keweenawan events represent the youngest major Precambrian activity in the region. The rocks involved in the Penokean Orogeny lie along the southern margin of the Archean craton of the Superior Province and are interpreted as representing Early Proterozoic cratonic-margin orogenic activity. The distribution of rocks types and structures associated with the Penokean Orogeny and with similar orogenic belts along the margin of the Archean craton of North America suggest that these orogenic belts may have formed as a result of processes similar to modern plate tectonics, although the data are far from conclusive at present.


Author(s):  
D. M. Williams

ABSTRACTIn the W of Ireland the Ordovician rocks of South Mayo and Clew Bay are now juxtaposed but a comparison of the sedimentary histories of these two sequences shows that they accumulated in basins which were probably separated during most of their history. The large amount of terrigenous detritus present in the Arenig to Llanvirn elements of the South Mayo succession is not manifest in that of Clew Bay until the Llandeilo/Caradoc, by which time sedimentation in South Mayo had ceased. A comparison of the South Mayo Ordovician with that of Girvan in Scotland demonstrates that both sequences had a similar provenance. This source contained an ophiolite, granites and some (probably pre-Dalradian) metamorphic rocks. Sediment dispersal directions for the two sequences are opposite in sense, being primarily northward in South Mayo and southward at Girvan. The two stratigraphies indicate that basement subsidence behaviour in South Mayo was virtually the opposite of that at Girvan where initial shallow water sedimentation was rapidly succeeded by deep water environments at the end of the Llanvirn. The two basins may thus have been marginal to a single Ordovician arc complex. One reason for the opposite sense of basin subsidence may lie in the suggested reversal of subduction polarity during the Ordovician. In this scenario the South Mayo basin may be envisaged as lying to the N of a northward-facing arc during the early Ordovician. A new, northward, subduction direction instigated during the Llanvirn, resulted in a fore-arc basin at Girvan complemented by a closing back-arc basin in South Mayo.


2000 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1411-1424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melahat Beyarslan ◽  
A Feyzi Bingöl

The Elaz1g region in eastern Taurus, Turkey, exposes Paleozoic-Tertiary metamorphic, magmatic, and sedimentary units. Contacts between the different units are mostly tectonic, but there are also primary sedimentary, and intrusive contacts. The metamorphic rocks of the Elaz1g region are the Bitlis-Pütürge and Keban-Malatya massifs, which are a single tectonostratigraphic unit that has been tectonically disrupted and fragmented during the Upper Cretaceous. Magmatic rocks in the region are represented by ophiolitic units, magmatic arc products, and young volcanic rocks. The sedimentary units are represented by Upper Cretaceous - Tertiary marine and lacustrine sedimentary rocks. In the study area, the metamorphic units are represented by the Paleozoic Pütürge metamorphic rocks composed of phyllite, slate, mica schist, quartz-muscovite schist, calc-schist, and low-grade metamorphite. The ophiolite that is described in this paper is composed of wehrlite-pyroxenite, gabbro, diabase dykes, and dykes cutting gabbro. These units are cut by the granitic rocks of the Upper Cretaceous Elaz1g magmatic suite. The lithological and geochemical data on the rocks of Kömürhan ophiolite indicate that these rocks were derived from crystallization of an enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-type magma. The Kömürhan ophiolite formed in a supra-subduction spreading zone during the Cretaceous; related to this event is the north-dipping subduction of the southern branch of Neo-Tethys ocean, which began spreading in the Late Triassic. The crust was thickened by the development of an island arc and by the thrusting of the Pütürge metamorphic rocks onto this island arc in response to north-south compression during the Late Cretaceous. The magma formed by partial melting of the subducted slab giving rise to granitic rocks that cut the upper parts of the ophiolite. The ophiolite and the Elaz1g magmatic suite attained their present position after the Middle Eocene.


1984 ◽  
Vol 121 (5) ◽  
pp. 505-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Ffrench ◽  
D. Michael Williams

AbstractThe stratigraphy of the ?Ordovician South Connemara Group is described. The group is approximately 3 km thick and includes sedimentary and volcanic rocks. The sedimentary elements of the succession include conglomerates, sandstones, shales, cherts and minor limestone breccias. The Lettermullen Formation exhibits the thickest continuous sedimentary sequence in the group. It is divided into five facies: a conglomerate facies, thick sandstone facies, medium sandstone facies, sandstone/siltstone facies, and chert facies. The sedimentary features of these rocks include channelling and grading and are described in terms of Bouma units where applicable. The coarse elements of the formation are thought to represent deposition in, or proximal to, submarine channels feeding a more distal depositional site represented by the finer elements. Igneous rocks of the group include pillowed and non-pillowed lavas, massive amphibolites and minor tuffs often in conformable contact with the sediments. Petrography of conglomerate clasts and sandstones indicates derivation from a continental source area. Palaeocurrent analysis reveals a primary easterly mode with a subsidiary northerly mode. It is suggested that the group exhibits some characteristics of trench-fill sequences and the succession may be related to similar environments within the Southern Uplands accretionary wedge.


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