Archean Glomeroporphyritic Basalts

1975 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1770-1784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan L. Green

Feldsparphyric basalts commonly occur as a distinctive 'marker horizon' 300 to 500 m below the felsic volcanic units of many Archean greenstone belts. Within the Knee Lake greenstone belt, northern Manitoba, glomeroporphyritic basalts, characterized by large irregularly-shaped aggregates of plagioclase phenocrysts, occupy this stratigraphic position within the two lower-most volcanic cycles. A major chemical and/or tectonic break does not occur within the volcanic cycles, but rather, the chemical affinities of the Knee Lake volcanic rocks changes gradually (at a silica content of approximately 55%) from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline with increasing stratigraphic height. The accumulation of plagioclase phenocrysts suggests extensive crystal fractionation of the Knee Lake magmas. The gradual transition in affinity of the Knee Lake lavas from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline can be explained by near-surface fractionation under constant fO2 conditions.


2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 661-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Leclerc ◽  
Jean H. Bédard ◽  
Lyal B. Harris ◽  
Vicki J. McNicoll ◽  
Normand Goulet ◽  
...  

The Roy Group in the Chibougamau area of the Abitibi subprovince, Southeastern Superior craton, Quebec, exemplifies Archean volcanic evolution. The Roy Group formed in two volcanic cycles, with voluminous basal mafic tholeiitic volcanic rocks being capped by a thin succession of calc-alkaline felsic volcanic rocks, banded iron formations, and cherts that represent regional stratigraphic markers. The Gilman Formation is thought to represent the mafic base of the 2nd Roy Group volcanic cycle. Our new mapping reveals that the Gilman Formation (North of the Lac Doré Layered intrusive complex) can be subdivided into a tholeiitic lower part (David member), a calc-alkaline extrusive sequence (Allard member), and a tholeiitic, more mafic upper part (Bruneau Formation, newly defined here). New U–Pb zircon ages on Allard member tuffs (2726.6 ± 0.7 Ma) are within error of those obtained from rhyolites of the Waconichi Formation (2728.2–2728.7 Ma), which underlies the Gilman Formation. These ages, along with geochemical and lithological similarities, imply that the Allard member belongs to the Waconichi Formation and that the David member occupies the same stratigraphic position as the Obatogamau Formation. The upper part of the former Gilman Formation is reassigned to the new Bruneau Formation. A thin transitional calc-alkaline basalt unit at the base of the Allard member is geochemically similar to basalts occurring at the top of the Lemoine member of the Waconichi Formation near the Lemoine mine, suggesting that the Allard member is slightly younger than the Lemoine member, and that its base (also associated with iron formation, breccia, and chert) represents a regional stratigraphic break favourable for volcanogenic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) exploration.



1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 2145-2158 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Sims ◽  
W. R. Van Schmus ◽  
K. J. Schulz ◽  
Z. E. Peterman

The Early Proterozoic Penokean Orogen developed along the southern margin of the Archean Superior craton. The orogen consists of a northern deformed continental margin prism overlying an Archean basement and a southern assemblage of oceanic arcs, the Wisconsin magmatic terranes. The south-dipping Niagara fault (suture) zone separates the south-facing continental margin from the accreted arc terranes. The suture zone contains a dismembered ophiolite.The Wisconsin magmatic terranes consist of two terranes that are distinguished on the basis of lithology and structure. The northern Pembine–Wausau terrane contains a major succession of tholeiitic and calc-alkaline volcanic rocks deposited in the interval 1860–1889 Ma and a more restricted succession of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks deposited about 1835 – 1845 Ma. Granitoid rocks ranging in age from about 1870 to 1760 Ma intrude the volcanic rocks. The older succession was generated as island arcs and (or) closed back-arc basins above the south-dipping subduction zone (Niagara fault zone), whereas the younger one developed as island arcs above a north-dipping subduction zone, the Eau Pleine shear zone. The northward subduction followed deformation related to arc–continent collision at the Niagara suture at about 1860 Ma. The southern Marshfield terrane contains remnants of mafic to felsic volcanic rocks about 1860 Ma that were deposited on Archean gneiss basement, foliated tonalite to granite bodies ranging in age from about 1890 to 1870 Ma, and younger undated granite plutons. Following amalgamation of the two arc terranes along the Eau Pleine suture at about 1840 Ma, intraplate magmatism (1835 Ma) produced rhyolite and anorogenic alkali-feldspar granite that straddled the internal suture.



1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent C. Condie ◽  
Craig A. Shadel

The Green Mountain Formation of early Proterozoic age in the Sierra Madre Range of southeastern Wyoming comprises a bimodal mafic and felsic volcanic assemblage. The rocks, which are chiefly breccias, agglomerates, flows, and volcaniclastic sediments, represent both subaerial and submarine eruptions and in part were redeposited in fluvial and nearshore marine environments. Volcanic rocks are clearly calc-alkaline in character and share a large number of geochemical features in common with continental-margin arcs or evolved oceanic-arc systems.The low Mg numbers and Ni contents of the basalts require 30–40% olivine fractional crystallization, and the high contents of the most incompatible elements, high (La/Sm)N ratios, and low Zr/Nb ratios require an undepleted or enriched mantle source. Geochemical data are consistent with an origin for the felsic volcanics and associated Encampment River granodiorite by shallow fractional crystallization of calc-alkaline basalt in a tectonic setting similar to modern arc systems. The near absence of andesites may reflect the retention of andesitic magma in crustal reservoirs during fractional cyrstallization.



1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1349-1374 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Barrett ◽  
S. Cattalani ◽  
L. Hoy ◽  
J. Riopel ◽  
P.-J. Lafleur

The Mobrun polymetallic deposit near Rouyn–Noranda comprises two complexes of massive sulfide lenses within mainly felsic volcanic rocks of the Archean Blake River Group. The Main lens contained 3.37 Mt of massive sulfides, with 1989 reserves of 0.95 Mt at 0.81% Cu, 2.44% Zn, 30.3 g/t Ag, and 2.2 g/t Au. The 1100 complex, located ~250 m to the southeast of the Main complex, contains estimated 1989 reserves of 10.4 Mt at 0.76% Cu, 5.43% Zn, 37.4 g/t Ag, and 1.35 g/t Au.Host volcanic rocks of the Main complex are mostly massive, brecciated, and tuffaceous rhyolites. The rhyolites are commonly strongly sheared parallel to lithological contacts, which are locally displaced by high-angle faults. Immobile-element plots such as Y–Zr and Nb–Zr show a separation of rhyolite data into two distinct alteration trends that generally correspond to massive and in situ brecciated rhyolite of the footwall, and tuffaceous rhyolite of the hanging wall. The hanging wall has tholeiitic Zr/Y ratios (3–5), whereas the footwall has mildly calc-alkaline Zr/Y ratios (7–9). Several immobile-element trends indicate that there was a subtle but clear change in rhyolite composition near the time of ore deposition. Identification of chemically distinct footwall and hanging wall rhyolites allows these units to be recognized and traced along strike, even where alteration is strong. Sericitization and silicification extend at least 100 m from the orebody, with local chloritic zones in the upper footwall. Calculated mass changes indicate that the footwall generally has lost silica mass relative to the hanging wall. Alteration zones associated with mineralization have mass gains in FeO + MgO and K2O gains, but mass loss in silica.The 1100 complex, located stratigraphically below the Main complex, is hosted by rhyolite, with one main andesite interval in the footwall. The footwall contains three chemically distinct rhyolite types, all tholeiitic. Hanging-wall rhyolites are, however, mildly calc-alkaline, and thus are chemically comparable to, and correlated with, the footwall of the Main complex. Rhyolites within ~100 m stratigraphically of the Main and 1100 complexes commonly have positively shifted δ18O whole-rock values of 11–13‰. These high values are interpreted as the result of an initial, widespread phase of low-temperature hydrothermal alteration that increased δ18O values by 3–5‰ relative to unaltered rhyolites. Some footwall rhyolites, however, are relatively depleted in 18O, strongly depleted in Ca–Na and depleted in Eu2+. Rhyolites with these chemical features have been overprinted by higher temperature alteration, presumably in localized feeder zones. All four rhyolite types near the 1100 complex are chemically recognizable despite contrasting alteration.The orebodies are interpreted as synvolcanic, based on their occurrence along distinctive volcanic contacts, and the presence of primary sulfide textures where deformation is minor. The chemostratigraphic framework defined for the host rhyolite sequence can be used to trace critical volcanic contacts through lithologically monotonous, strongly altered, and faulted stratigraphy.



1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Corfu ◽  
H. Wallace

U–Pb dating was carried out on nine volcanic rocks and two felsic intrusions from the Red Lake greenstone belt in order to establish an absolute time framework for the magmatic evolution of the area and yield first indications on the time of deformation and gold mineralization.The data indicate a protracted period of igneous activity spanning at least 270 Ma. Felsic volcanic rocks near the top of the tholeiitic to komatiitic sequence in the eastern part of the belt yield ages of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. A third unit, dated at [Formula: see text], contains inherited zircons older than 2982 Ma, which casts some uncertainty on the validity of the inferred intercept age. Rocks in the western part of the belt, previously believed to form a relatively young calc-alkalic sequence but now known to be dominantly tholeiitic, are shown to be relatively old, with ages of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. These two dates also bracket the age of stromatolites occurring in chemical sediments that are under and overlain by the dated units.Another volcanic horizon in the centre of the belt is dated at 2830 ± 15 Ma, and calc-alkaline volcanic sequences on the southern and northern flanks of the belt yield ages of 2739.0 ± 3.0 and [Formula: see text], respectively. An age of [Formula: see text] was determined for tholeiitic pyroclastic rocks near the base of the predominantly calc-alkaline Heyson sequence.The major gold deposits of the Red Lake belt appear to be present dominantly within older supracrustal sequences. On the other hand, they are also associated with late deformation zones that postdate the intrusion of the Dome Stock dated at 2718.2 ± 1.1 Ma ago. The time of an earlier folding event is bracketed by this age and by the age of [Formula: see text] for an isoclinally folded felsic dike.



1978 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. S. Whitehead ◽  
W. D. Goodfellow

The volcanic rocks of the Tetagouche Group are predominantly dacitic to rhyolitic pyroclastics and lavas; mafic alkaline and tholeiitic volcanic rocks are less abundant. Lavas representing the intermediate range (such as andesites) are uncommon.As a consequence of intense Na2O and K2O metasomatism, the mafic volcanic rocks have been classified on the basis of relatively immobile elements such as Ti, Y, Zr, Nb, Ni and Cr.By reference to volcanic suites described elsewhere for varying geologic and tectonic environments, the Tetagouche Group appears to represent two geologic environments. It is proposed that the deposition of tholeiitic and alkaline basalts accompanied the rifting associated with the opening of the Proto-Atlantic, which began during Hadrynian times. However the calc-alkaline felsic volcanic rocks were deposited on the top of the basaltic sequence along a mature island arc system that developed with the closing of the Proto-Atlantic during Middle Ordovician time.



Author(s):  
Brian Marshall ◽  
Hans Kristian Schønwandt

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Marshall, B., & Schønwandt, H. K. (1999). An Archaean sill complex and associated supracrustal rocks, Arveprinsen Ejland, north-east Disko Bugt, West Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 181, 87-102. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v181.5117 _______________ Archaean supracrustal rocks on Arveprinsen Ejland comprise mafic and felsic volcanic rocks overlain by an epiclastic sedimentary sequence invaded by a mafic to ultramafic sill complex. The latter has a strike-length of 7500 m and a cumulative preserved thickness of 2000–2500 m and amounts to nearly 50% of the exposed thickness of the supracrustal rocks. Chilled and locally peperitic contacts are developed between component sills and the inter-sill metasedimentary septa. The sub-alkalic sill complex and mafi c lavas and tuffs are high-magnesium tholeiites and basaltic komatiites whereas the felsic rocks are calc-alkaline rhyolites and dacites. Chondrite- and MORB-normalised spider diagrams affirm the close similarity of the mafic volcanic rocks and the sill complex; they are also consistent with a tholeiitic or komatiitic affinity. Tectonomagmatic discrimination plots suggest an ensialic arc-related setting for the sill complex and the mafic and felsic volcanic rocks. The sill complex was progressively emplaced, as an upward-younging sequence of component sills, beneath 2 to 2.5 km of seawater and substantially less than 0.5 km of wet sediment. Sills formed when the magmatic pressure exceeded the effective overburden pressure of the sediment plus the vertical tensile strength (To) of the host materials. Intrusion was probably promoted by the drop in To at the interface between contact-lithified and poorly lithified strata. The thickness of the sill complex was accommodated by dilational lifting plus the capacity of an intrusion to create space through expulsion of water from wet sediment.



1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (9) ◽  
pp. 1301-1327 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Barrett ◽  
S. Cattalani ◽  
F. Chartrand ◽  
P. Jones

The original Aldermac mine near Noranda contained several Cu–Zn massive sulfide lenses hosted by felsic to mafic volcanic rocks of the late Archean Blake River Group. The original Nos. 3–6 orebodies, which consisted of massive pyrite, with lesser magnetite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, contained 1.87 Mt of Cu–Zn ore that averaged 1.47% Cu (Zn was not recovered). The orebodies occurred within felsic breccias and tuffs up to 100 m thick that are stratigraphically overlain by an extensive dome of mainly massive rhyolite and rhyodacite (up to 250 m thick and at least 550 m across). Most of the volcanic rocks that laterally flank and overlie the felsic dome are dacitic to andesitic flows, breccia, and tuff, with minor rhyolites, and associated subvolcanic sills of quartz-feldspar porphyry and gabbro.The new massive sulfide deposit, discovered in 1988, lies 150–200 m east of the mined-out orebodies, at a similar stratigraphic level within altered felsic breccia and tuff. The sulfides are mainly in the No. 8 lens, which contains 1.0 Mt at an average grade of 1.54% Cu, 4.12% Zn, 31.2 g/t Ag, and 0.48 g/t Au. Pyrite forms porphyroblastic megacrysts in a groundmass of pyrrhotite, sphalerite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite. A funnel-shaped, chloritized stockwork zone underlies the No. 8 lens and contains Cu-stringer mineralization. The No. 8 lens appears to be zoned, with overall decreasing Cu:Zn ratios from the core to the fringes of the lens. Massive sulfides in this lens have high Ag, Cd, and Hg contents relative to other massive sulfide deposits near Noranda.Ti versus Zr trends for least-altered Aldermac volcanic rocks indicate a more or less continuous magmatic fractionation trend ranging from high-Ti andesite to andesite, dacite, rhyodacite, and two distinct rhyolites (A and B). Most volcanic rocks were derived from a common parental magma that was transitional between tholeiitic and calc-alkaline compositions, as indicated by Ti–Y–Zr–Nb data and rare-earth-element distributions.Ti versus Zr trends in altered volcanic rocks indicate that silicification (mass gain) has affected some of the andesitic to rhyodacitic rocks, whereas chloritization (mass loss) has affected many of the rhyolitic rocks. Intermediate to mafic volcanic rocks above and lateral to the felsic dome are commonly silicified, possibly the result of hydrothermally remobilized silica derived from underlying felsic volcanic rocks.The orebodies appear to have formed at an eruptive hiatus between mafic → felsic and felsic → mafic cycles, during explosive activity and accumulation of felsic breccia and tuff. Ore was deposited mainly within a felsic fragmental sequence (rhyolite A), but before emplacement of the dome of rhyolite B. In compositionally diverse volcanic terrains, the contact between successive mafic–felsic and felsic–mafic cycles may be a good exploration target, in particular specific geochemical contacts within the felsic stratigraphy.



1973 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1319-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. N. Badham

The Camsell River – Conjuror Bay area is a pendant of Aphebian intermediate and felsic volcanic rocks, lying in a granitic complex, and is part of the Great Bear batholith. This batholith complex has been interpreted as being the orogenic belt of the Coronation geosyncline.Twenty-four analyses of volcanic and plutonic rocks are presented; these show that, in spite of alteration, the rocks can be classified as comagmatic and part of an alkali-rich calc-alkaline suite. The suite is chemically similar to younger suites from continental-margin orogenic belts. These similarities support proposals that the Coronation geosyncline was of Andean type and that the magmas may have been generated by subduction.



EKSPLORIUM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Ronaldo Irzon

ABSTRAK Keterdapatan batuan gunung api di Sumatra diakibatkan oleh penunjaman Lempeng Samudra India-Australia ke bawah Lempeng West Sumatra sejak Eosen. Tanggamus adalah kabupaten di ujung selatan Lampung dengan keterdapatan beberapa unit batuan gunung api berumur Tersier maupun Kuarter. Studi ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan komposisi geokimia batuan gunung api Tersier Formasi Hulusimpang dengan batuan gunung api Kuarter Gunung Tanggamus. Perangkat XRF dan ICP-MS dimanfaatkan untuk mengetahui kadar oksida utama, unsur jejak, dan unsur tanah jarang pada penelitian ini. Berdasarkan karakter geokimia, sampel dari Formasi Hulusimpang adalah batuan gunung api kalk-alkali, metalumina hingga peralumina, dan dalam rentang trakiandesit basaltik hingga riolit. Sampel batuan gunung api berumur Kuarter berada pada rentang kadar silika yang lebih sempit dan cenderung metalumina. Studi ini membuktikan bahwa kedua kelompok batuan berasal dari magma yang sama, tetapi dengan kontaminasi kerak selama diferensiasi. Proses pembentukan yang berbeda pada kedua kelompok batuan diperjelas oleh derajat kemiringan kurva diagram laba-laba UTJ dan jenis anomali Eu.ABSTRACT The presence of volcanic rocks in Sumatra is due to the subduction of the Indian-Australian Ocean Plate under the West Sumatra Plate since the Eocene. Tanggamus Regency situated at the southern edge of Lampung with the occurrence of several Tertiary and Quaternary volcanic rock units. The aim of this study is to compare the geochemical composition of Tertiary volcanic rocks from the Hulusimpang Formation and Quaternary volcanic rocks from Mount Tanggamus in the Tanggamus Regency. XRF and ICP-MS devices were used to determine the compositions of major oxides, trace elements, and rare earth elements in this study. Based on geochemical characters, samples from the Hulusimpang Formation are calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, metaluminous to peraluminous, and in the basaltic trachyandesite to rhyolite ranges. Quaternary samples are in a narrower range of silica content and tend to be metaluminous. This study proves that the two rock groups originate from the same magma but with crustal contamination during differentiation. The two volcanic should experience through different formation processes based on the slope of the heavy-REE and the type of Eu anomaly.



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