Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Criffell zoned pluton: correlated behaviour of rare earth element abundances with isotopic systems

  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Concentric zoning in the Criffell pluton takes the form of a discontinuous outer margin of metaluminous hornblende granodiorite and an inner core of increasingly peraluminous muscovite granite. Previous investigations using major and selected trace elements have shown the variation to consist of both smooth and abrupt trends. This study of 15 samples for the rare earth elements shows patterns which strongly correlate with Sr and O isotope data. The principal feature of these data is a progressive decrease in total rare earths with approach to the geochemical centre of the pluton, and evolution to more radiogenic Sr and more silicic and peraluminous compositions. No significant europium anomaly is developed. The slope of light to heavy rare earths using La/Yb ratios varies in a complex manner showing no significant correlation with any of the main indices of bulk composition, but with peak values occurring within the inner part of the outer portion of the pluton. A map of Ce/Y variation based on 172 Ce and Y determinations is essentially identical. These data are considered in terms of various petrogenetic models and it is concluded that the data can only be interpreted in terms of a major and progressive involvement of crustally-derived anatectic magma towards the pluton interior. Trace element modelling favours processes of the assimilation-fractional crystallisation (AFC) type for the generation of this example of I-type to S-type granitoid zonation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allegre CJ, Minster JF (1978) Quantitative models of trace element behaviour in magmatic processes. Earth Planet Sci Lett 38:1–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Arth JG, Barker F (1976) Rare earth partitioning between hornblende and dacitic liquid and implications for the genesis of tronhdjemitic-tonalitic magmas. Geology 4:534–536

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateman PC, Chappell BW (1979) Crystallisation, fractionation, and solidification of the Tuolumne Intrusive Series, Yosemite National Park. Geol Soc Am Bull 90:465–482

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen NL (1928) The evolution of the igneous rocks. Princeton Univ Press

  • Clemens JD, Wall VJ (1981) Origin and crystallisation of some peraluminous (S-type) granitic magmas. Can Mineral 19:111–131

    Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo DJ (1981) Trace element and isotopic effects of combined wallrock assimilation and fractional crystallisation. Earth Planet Sci Lett 53:189–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Drake MJ, Weill DF (1975) Partition of Sr, Ba, Ca, Y, Eu2+, Eu3+ and other REE between plagioclase, feldspar and magmatic liquid: an experimental study. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 39:689–712

    Google Scholar 

  • Evensen NM, Hamilton PJ, O'Nions RK (1978) Rare-earth abundances in chondritic meteorites. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42:1199–1212

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey FA, Chappell BW, Roy SD (1978) Fractionation of rare-earth elements in the Tuolumne Intrusive Series, Sierra Nevada batholith, California. Geology 6:239–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Goad BE, Cerny P (1981) Peraluminous pegmatitic granites and their pegmatitic aureoles in the Winnipeg River district, southeastern Manitoba. Can Mineral 19:177–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Gromet LP, Silver LT (1983) Rare earth element distributions among minerals in a granodiorite and their petrogenetic implications. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47:925–939

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday AN (1984) Couplet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systematics in late Caledonian granites and the basement under northern Britain. Nature 307:229–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Halliday AN, Stephens WE, Harmon RS (1980) Rb-Sr and O isotopic relationships in 3 zoned Caledonian granitic plutons, Southern Uplands, Scotland: evidence for varied sources and hybridisation of magmas. J Geol Soc London 137:329–348

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson GN (1978) The application of trace elements to the petrogenesis of igneous rocks of granitic composition. Earth Planet Sci Lett 38:26–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertogen J, Gijbels R (1976) Calculations of trace element fractionation during partial melting. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 40:313–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Higuchi H, Nagasawa H (1969) Partition of trace elements between rock-forming minerals and the host volcanic rocks. Earth Planet Sci Lett 7:281–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Hildreth W (1981) Gradients in silicic mama chambers: implications for lithospheric magmatism. J Geophys Res B86:10153–10192

    Google Scholar 

  • Kistler RW, Ghent ED, O'Neill JR (1981) Petrogenesis of garnet two-mica granites in the Ruby Mountains, Nevada. J Geophys Res B86:10591–10606

    Google Scholar 

  • Langmuir CH, Vocke RD, Hanson GN, Hart SR (1978) A general mixing equation with application to Icelandic basalts. Earth Planet Sci Lett 37:380–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee DE, Friedman I, Gleason JD (1982) The oxygen isotope composition of granitoid and sedimentary rocks of the southern Snake Range, Nevada. Contrib Mineral Petrol 79:150–158

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy TS, Hasty RA (1976) Trace element distribution patterns and their relationship to the crystallisation of granitic melts. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 40:1351–1358

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy TS, Groves DI (1979) The Blue Tier batholith, northeastern Tasmania. Contrib Mineral Petrol 71:193–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Muecke GK, Clarke DB (1981) Geochemical evolution of the South Mountain batholith, Nova Scotia: rare-earth-element evidence. Can Mineral 19:133–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Muehlenbachs K, Byerly G (1982) 18O-enrichment of silicic magmas caused by crystal fractionation at the Galapagos spreading center. Contrib Mineral Petrol 79:76–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagasawa H (1970) Rare earth concentrations in zircons and apatites and their host dacites and granites. Earth Planet Sci Lett 9:359–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagasawa H, Schnetzler CC (1971) Partitioning of rare earth, alkali and alkaline earth elements between phenocrysts and acidic igneous magma. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 35:953–968

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholls IA, Harris KL (1980) Experimental rare earth element partition coefficients for garnet, clinopyroxene and amphibole coexisting with andesitic and basaltic liquids. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 44:287–308

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Hara MJ (1977) Geochemical evolution during fractional crystallisation of a periodically refilled magma chamber. Nature 266:503

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Neill JR, Chappell BW (1977) Oxygen and hydrogen isotope relations in the Berriedale batholith. J Geol Soc Lond 133:559–571

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Nions RK, Hamilton PJ, Hooker PJ (1983) A Nd isotope investigation of sediments related to crustal development of the British Isles. Earth Planet Sci Lett 63:229–240

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver GJH, Legget JK (1980) Metamorphism in an accretionary prism: prehnite-pumpellyite fades metamorphism of the Southern Uplands of Scotland. Trans R Soc Edinburgh 71:235–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Pankhurst RJ (1979) Isotope and trace element evidence for the origin and evolution of Caledonian granites in the Scottish Highlands. In: Atherton MP, Tarney J (eds) Origin of granite batholiths, geochemical evidence. Shiva, Orpington: 18–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips WJ (1956) The Criffell-Dalbeattie granodiorite complex. Quart J Geol Soc London 112:221–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips WJ, Fuge R, Phillips N (1981) Convection and crystallisation in the Criffell-Dalbeattie pluton. J Geol Soc London 138:351–366

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnetzler CC, Philpotts JA (1970) Partition coefficients of rareearth elements between igneous matrix material and rock-forming mineral phenocrysts-II. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 34:331–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw DM (1977) Trace element behaviour during anatexis. In: Magma genesis. Proc American Geophys Union Chapman Conference on partial melting in the Earth's upper mantle: 189–213

  • Stephens WE, Halliday AN (1980) Discontinuities in the composition surface of a zoned pluton, Criffell, Scotland. Geol Soc Am Bull 91:165–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor HP, Silver LT (1978) Oxygen isotope relationships in plutonic rocks of the Peninsular Ranges batholith, southern and Baja California. In: Zartman RE (ed) Short papers of the fourth International Conference, Geochronology, Cosmochronology, Isotope Geology, 1978. US Geol Surv Open-File Rep 78–1701:423–426

  • Vance JA (1961) Zoned granitic intrusions — an alternative hypothesis of origin. Geol Soc Am Bull 72:1723–1728

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson EB, Capobianco CJ (1981) Phosphorus and the rare earth elements in felsic magmas: an assessment of the role of apatite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 45:2349–2358

    Google Scholar 

  • Whalen JB (1983) The Ackley City batholigh, southeastern Newfoundland: evidence for crystal versus liquid-state fractionation. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47:1443–1457

    Google Scholar 

  • White AJR, Chappell BW (1977) Ultrametamorphism and granitoid genesis. Tectonophysics 43:7–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Wones DR, Eugster HP (1965) Stability of biotite: experiment, theory and application. Am Mineral 50:1228–1272

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of St. Andrews, Purdie Building, KY16 9ST, St. Andrews, Fife, UK

    W. Edryd Stephens

  2. Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, G75 OQU, East Kilbride, Glasgow, UK

    John E. Whitley & Alex N. Halliday

  3. Department of Geology, Bedford College, Regent's Park, NW1 4NS, London, UK

    Matthew F. Thirlwall

Authors
  1. W. Edryd Stephens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John E. Whitley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Matthew F. Thirlwall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Alex N. Halliday
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stephens, W.E., Whitley, J.E., Thirlwall, M.F. et al. The Criffell zoned pluton: correlated behaviour of rare earth element abundances with isotopic systems. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 89, 226–238 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379456

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00379456

Keywords

Search

Navigation