Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
4727009 Gondwana Research 2012 17 Pages PDF
Abstract

A recently discovered granitic intrusion at Cerro La Gloria in western Sierra de Famatina (NW Argentina) is representative of sub- to mid-alkaline Carboniferous magmatism in the region. The main rock type consists of microcline, quartz and plagioclase, with amphibole, magnetite, ilmenite, biotite, epidote, zircon, allanite and sphene as accessory minerals. We report a U–Pb zircon SHRIMP age for the pluton of 349 ± 3 Ma (MSWD = 1.1), i.e., Tournaisian. Whole-rock chemical composition and Nd isotope analyses are compatible with an origin by melting of older mafic material in the lower crust (εNdt between − 0.58 and + 0.46 and TDM values of about 1.1 Ga). The pluton is intruded by penecontemporaneous to late alkaline mafic dykes that are classified as back-arc basalts. Coeval, Early Carboniferous A-type granites occur farther east in the Sierras Pampeanas, probably generated during lithospheric stretching. Overall, the Early Carboniferous granitic rocks show a west-to-east mineralogical and isotopic zonation indicating that magma genesis involved a greater contribution of juvenile material of mantle character to the west. Based on the observed patterns of geochronology, geochemistry and field relationships we suggest that A-type magma genesis in the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas was linked to an Andean-type margin where the lithospheric mantle played a role in its generation.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Carboniferous granitoids in the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas are shown to be A-type. ► They exhibit an east–west mineralogical and isotopic zonation. ► Their petrogenesis is linked in a retro-arc region on an Andean-type margin.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Geology
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