U-Pb Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Povungnituk Group of the Cape Smith Belt: Part of a Craton-Scale Circa 2.0 Ga Minto-Povungnituk Large Igneous Province, Northern Superior Craton

Two distinct source mechanisms can be responsible for the observed geochemical differences between the two domains. First, a difference in lithospheric sources, where melting of different portions of Superior craton lithosphere caused the different melt signatures in the interior of the craton. In this case magmatism in the two domains is only related by having the same heat source (e.g.,a mantle plume) interpreted to be located on the northwestern side of the northern Superior craton. Second, two distinct deep mantle sources that remained separated within the ascending plume. This is analogous to some current hotspots interpreted to sample both large low shear velocity provinces (LLSVP) and adjacent ambient deep mantle. This latter interpretation would allow for the use of bilateral chemistry in LIPs as a potential tool for the recognition and mapping of the LLSVP boundaries throughout Earth's history.