Geology and geochemistry of Huronian rhyolites and low-Ti continental tholeiites from the Thessalon region, central Ontario

1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1360-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne T. Jolly
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Magma Mixing ◽  
Mantle Metasomatism ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Element ◽  
Tonalitic Gneiss ◽  
Oceanic Basalts ◽  
Low K

Bimodal volcanism associated with early phases of Huronian rifting in central Ontario, dated about 2450 Ma, produced low-Ti tholeiitic basalts and two varieties of crustally derived calc-alkaline rhyolite. Early tholeiites are characteristically highly evolved, have Mg* values from 30 to 50, and display pronounced enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare-earth element (LREE) in comparison with modern oceanic basalts, fractionated heavy rare-earth element (HREE) patterns, and low Ti, Zr, P, Nb, Ba, and K abundances. Ti/Zr ratios rise progressively in early basalts and associated basaltic andesite fractionates from about 35 in early flows to 55 in central units. Late basalts also carry enriched LILE and LREE, but, in contrast to early types, have average Mg* values greater than 50 and lower rare-earth element (REE) abundances with flat HREE patterns. They also display negative Ba, Nb, and P anomalies on chondrite-normalized distribution diagrams, but lack low K, Zr, and Ti contents. Their Ti/Zr ratios of about 80 approach chondritic levels. Melting models suggest the differences are explained by lower degrees of fusion (as low as 10%) in a hydrated, LILE- and LREE-enriched peridotite during generation of the early basalts, leaving a residue containing appreciable garnet, amphibole, Ti oxides, zircon, and apatite.Erupted simultaneously with the basalts were two distinctive rhyolite types: (1) a low-LILE, high-LREE group (25% of analysed specimens), derived by −20% melting of granulitic siliceous tonalitic gneiss, presumably at deep crustal levels, and (2) a high-LILE, low-LREE group (75%), derived, probably at shallower levels, by ≤ 30% melting in granitic rocks with pegmatitic or leucogranitic compositions. Mutual magma mixing of basalts and rhyolites during early stages of volcanism produced abundant hybrid andesites, but the frequency of contamination is much lower in later units.Hypothetical subcontinental source compositions, calculated from the Raleigh equation, suggest that the Huronian mantle had already undergone a complex history. Low Ba, Nb, P, Ti, and depleted HREE abundances compared with abundances for modern oceanic basalts suggest that a basaltic melt had already been withdrawn from this source during Archean time. Subsequently, an episode of hydrous metasomatism enriched the source in LILE and LREE. The latter event resulted from (1) subcontinental mantle metasomatism by previous Archean subduction, (2) mantle metasomatism during the terminal Archean Kenoran Orogeny, or (3) a wave of hydrous metasomatism accompanying Huronian mantle convection immediately preceding volcanism.

Rare-earth crystal chemistry of thalénite-(Y) from different environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-327
Author(s):  
Markus B. Raschke ◽  
Evan J. D. Anderson ◽  
Jason Van Fosson ◽  
Julien M. Allaz ◽  
Joseph R. Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Structure Refinement ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Element ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Golden Horn

ABSTRACTThalénite-(Y), ideally Y3Si3O10F, is a heavy-rare-earth-rich silicate phase occurring in granite pegmatites that may help to illustrate rare-earth element (REE) chemistry and behaviour in natural systems. The crystal structure and mineral chemistry of thalénite-(Y) were analysed by electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy from a new locality in the peralkaline granite of the Golden Horn batholith, Okanogan County, Washington State, USA, in comparison with new analyses from the White Cloud pegmatite in the Pikes Peak batholith, Colorado, USA. The Golden Horn thalénite-(Y) occurs as late-stage sub-millimetre euhedral bladed transparent crystals in small miarolitic cavities in an arfvedsonite-bearing biotite granite. It exhibits growth zoning with distinct heavy-rare-earth element (HREE) vs. light-rare-earth element (LREE) enriched zones. The White Cloud thalénite-(Y) occurs in two distinct anhedral and botryoidal crystal habits of mostly homogenous composition. In addition, minor secondary thalénite-(Y) is recognized by its distinct Yb-rich composition (up to 0.8 atoms per formula unit (apfu) Yb). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and structure refinement reveals Y-site ordering with preferential HREE occupation of Y2 vs. Y1 and Y3 REE sites. Chondrite normalization shows continuous enrichment of HREE in White Cloud thalénite-(Y), in contrast to Golden Horn thalénite-(Y) with a slight depletion of the heaviest REE (Tm, Yb and Lu). The results suggest a hydrothermal origin of the Golden Horn miarolitic thalénite-(Y), compared to a combination of both primary magmatic followed by hydrothermal processes responsible for the multiple generations over a range of spatial scales in White Cloud thalénite-(Y).

scholarly journals Petrogenesis of Heavy Rare Earth Element Enriched Rhyolite: Source and Magmatic Evolution of the Round Top Laccolith, Trans-Pecos, Texas

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Geochemical Evolution ◽  
Magmatic Differentiation ◽  
Magmatic System ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Element ◽  
Element Concentrations ◽  
Stage Crystallization

The Round Top rhyolite located in Trans-Pecos Texas is enriched in Be, F, Li, Nb, Rb, Sn, Th, U, Y, Zr, and rare earth elements (REEs). REE-bearing minerals are mainly ubiquitous nano-scale accessory phases throughout the groundmass, incorporated in synchysite-group minerals, xenotime-(Y), Y- and Ce-rich fluorite, and zircon. The rhyolite is peraluminous, high-silica, alkaline (not peralkaline), with elevated heavy rare earth element concentrations and anonymously negative Eu values. Pervasive spongy groundmass and recrystallization textures are consistent with the elevated and remobilized Zr, Th, and Y + HREE (heavy rare earth element) concentrations and a high field strength element (HFSE) soluble, sub-alkalic, F-rich, magmatic system. REE-bearing minerals are present as late-magmatic, interstitial phases and attributed with closed-system, post-magmatic, hydrothermal alteration. Petrogenetic modeling provides scenarios that explain the geochemical evolution and REE complexing behavior in evolved rhyolite magmas, and determines possible source compositions and evolution. Trace element models suggest a system typical of having extensive magmatic differentiation. The resulting rhyolite magma is indicative of a silica-rich magmatic system enriched in H2O, Li, and/or F that could be considered transitional between pure silicate melt and hydrothermal fluid, where fluorine-ligand complexing was prevalent through late magmatic cooling and crystallization processes. Thorough differentiation and high fluorine activity contributed to the late stage crystallization of REE-bearing minerals in the Round Top rhyolite.

Petrological, geochronological, and geochemical potential accounting for continental subduction and exhumation: A case study of felsic granulites from South Altyn Tagh, northwestern China

2020 ◽  
Vol 132 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 2611-2630
Author(s):  
Yunshuai Li ◽  
Jianxin Zhang ◽  
Shengyao Yu ◽  
Yanguang Li ◽  
Hu Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Geodynamic Evolution ◽  
Altyn Tagh ◽  
Rare Earth Element Distribution ◽  
Ultrahigh Temperature

Abstract Deciphering the formation and geodynamic evolution of high-pressure (HP) granulites in a collisional orogeny can provide crucial constraints on the geodynamic evolution of subduction-exhumation. To fully exploit the geodynamic potential of metamorphic rocks, it is necessary to constrain the metamorphic ages, although it is difficult to link zircon and monazite ages to metamorphic evolution. A good case study for understanding these geodynamic processes is felsic granulites in the Bashiwake area, South Altyn Tagh. Petrographic observations suggest that the studied felsic granulites have suffered multi-stage metamorphism, and the distinct metamorphic events were documented by compositional zoning and high Y + heavy rare earth element (HREE) concentrations in the large garnet porphyroblast. Zircon U-Pb dating yielded two major age clusters: one age cluster at ca. 900 Ma represents the age of the protolith for the felsic granulite, and another age cluster at ca. 500 Ma represents the post-UHT (ultrahigh temperature) stage based on the rare earth element distribution coefficients between zircon and garnet. Meanwhile, in situ monazites U-Pb dating yielded a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 482 ± 3.5 Ma, and the monazite U-Pb age was interpreted to be in agreement with the metamorphic zircon rims data, which together with zircon recorded the cooling time after the UHT stage. Whole-rock major and trace elements as well as Sr-Nd isotopes suggest that the protolith of the felsic granulite derived from partial melting of ancient crustal materials with the addition of mantle materials. Integrating these results along with previous studies, we propose that the felsic granulites metamorphosed from the Neoproterozoic granitic rocks, and the granitic rocks with associated mafic-ultramafic rocks suffered a common high-pressure–ultrahigh temperature (HP-UHT) metamorphism and subsequent granulite-facies metamorphism. A tentative model of subduction-relamination was proposed for the geodynamic evolution of the Bashiwake unit, South Altyn Tagh.

Eocene Challis-Kamloops volcanism in central British Columbia: an example from the Buck Creek basin

1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 951-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Dostal ◽  
D A Robichaud ◽  
B N Church ◽  
P H Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Fractional Crystallization ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
The United States ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Element

Eocene volcanic rocks of the Buck Creek basin in central British Columbia are part of the Challis-Kamloops volcanic belt extending from the United States across British Columbia to central Yukon. The volcanic rocks include two units, the Buck Creek Formation, composed of high-K calc-alkaline rocks with predominant andesitic composition, and the overlying Swans Lake unit made up of intraplate tholeiitic basalts. Whole rock 40Ar/39Ar data for both units show that they were emplaced at 50 Ma. They have similar mantle-normalized trace element patterns characterized by a large-ion lithophile element enrichment and Nb-Ta depletion, similar chondrite-normalized rare earth element patterns with (La/Yb)n ~4-14 and heavy rare earth element fractionation, and overlapping epsilonNd values (2.4-3.1) and initial Sr-isotope ratios ( ~ 0.704). These features suggest derivation of these two units from a similar mantle source, probably garnet-bearing subcontinental lithosphere. The differences between tholeiitic and calc-alkaline suites can be due, in part, to differences in the depth of fractional crystallization and the crystallizing mineral assemblage. Fractional crystallization of the calc-alkaline magmas began at a greater (mid-crustal) depth and included fractionation of Fe-Ti oxides. The volcanic rocks are probably related to subduction of the Farallon plate under the North American continent in a regime characterized by transcurrent movements and strike-slip faulting.

scholarly journals SHRIMP U–Pb and REE data pertaining to the origins of xenotime in Belt Supergroup rocks: evidence for ages of deposition, hydrothermal alteration, and metamorphism

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 722-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
John N. Aleinikoff ◽  
Karen Lund ◽  
C. Mark Fanning
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Greenschist Facies ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Burial Diagenesis ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Element ◽  
Eu Anomaly ◽  
Belt Supergroup

The Belt–Purcell Supergroup, northern Idaho, western Montana, and southern British Columbia, is a thick succession of Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks with an age range of about 1470–1400 Ma. Stratigraphic layers within several sedimentary units were sampled to apply the new technique of U–Pb dating of xenotime that sometimes forms as rims on detrital zircon during burial diagenesis; xenotime also can form epitaxial overgrowths on zircon during hydrothermal and metamorphic events. Belt Supergroup units sampled are the Prichard and Revett Formations in the lower Belt, and the McNamara and Garnet Range Formations and Pilcher Quartzite in the upper Belt. Additionally, all samples that yielded xenotime were also processed for detrital zircon to provide maximum age constraints for the time of deposition and information about provenances; the sample of Prichard Formation yielded monazite that was also analyzed. Ten xenotime overgrowths from the Prichard Formation yielded a U–Pb age of 1458 ± 4 Ma. However, because scanning electron microscope – backscattered electrons (SEM–BSE) imagery suggests complications due to possible analysis of multiple age zones, we prefer a slightly older age of 1462 ± 6 Ma derived from the three oldest samples, within error of a previous U–Pb zircon age on the syn-sedimentary Plains sill. We interpret the Prichard xenotime as diagenetic in origin. Monazite from the Prichard Formation, originally thought to be detrital, yielded Cretaceous metamorphic ages. Xenotime from the McNamara and Garnet Range Formations and Pilcher Quartzite formed at about 1160–1050 Ma, several hundred million years after deposition, and probably also experienced Early Cretaceous growth. These xenotime overgrowths are interpreted as metamorphic–diagenetic in origin (i.e., derived during greenschist facies metamorphism elsewhere in the basin, but deposited in sub-greenschist facies rocks). Several xenotime grains are older detrital grains of igneous derivation. A previous study on the Revett Formation at the Spar Lake Ag–Cu deposit provides data for xenotime overgrowths in several ore zones formed by hydrothermal processes; herein, those results are compared with data from newly analyzed diagenetic, metamorphic, and magmatic xenotime overgrowths. The origin of a xenotime overgrowth is reflected in its rare-earth element (REE) pattern. Detrital (i.e., igneous) xenotime has a large negative Eu anomaly and is heavy rare-earth element (HREE)-enriched (similar to REE in igneous zircon). Diagenetic xenotime has a small negative Eu anomaly and flat HREE (Tb to Lu). Hydrothermal xenotime is depleted in light rare-earth element (LREE), has a small negative Eu anomaly, and decreasing HREE. Metamorphic xenotime is very LREE-depleted, has a very small negative Eu anomaly, and is strongly depleted in HREE (from Gd to Lu). Because these characteristics seem to be process related, they may be useful for interpretation of xenotime of unknown origin. The occurrence of 1.16–1.05 Ga metamorphic xenotime, in the apparent absence of pervasive deformation structures, suggests that the heating may be related to poorly understood regional heating due to broad regional underplating of mafic magma. These results may be additional evidence (together with published ages from metamorphic titanite, zircon, monazite, and garnet) for an enigmatic, Grenville-age metamorphic event that is more widely recognized in the southwestern and eastern United States.

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