Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Robertson River Igneous Suite (Blue Ridge Province, Virginia) — Late Proterozoic anorogenic (A-type) granitoids of unique petrochemical affinity

  • Chapter
Basement Tectonics 8

Part of the book series: Proceedings of the International Conferences on Basement Tectonics ((ICBT,volume 2))

Abstract

Detailed field mapping and petrochemical analysis indicate that the previously defined Robertson River Formation encompasses a suite of A-type granitoids and felsites that intruded Middle Proterozoic gneisses in the core of the Blue Ridge anticlinorium in northern Virginia. Constituent granitoids in the northern portion of the suite include the herein named (from oldest to youngest): Laurel Mills Granite (LMG), Cobbler Mountain Alkali Feldspar Quartz Syenite (CMAS), Amissville Alkali Feldspar Granite (AAG), and Battle Mountain Complex (BMC). The Robertson River Igneous Suite includes both subsolvus (LMG) and hyper-solvus assemblages, ranges from predominantly metaluminous (LMG, CMAS) to peralkaline (AAG, BMC) in composition, and displays mineralogic and bulk chemical affinities to A-type granites described from other localities. The suite exhibits a broad range in Ga/Al, Nb, Y, Zr, and Zn that corresponds closely to published values for the Younger Granites of Nigeria, which have been shown to represent anorogenic magmatic activity related to extensional tectonics. The extreme enrichment in Ga, Zr, Nb, and Zn in both suites is probably indicative of a petrologic history involving extensive F complexing, consistent with the presence of abundant fluorite and F-bearing amphiboles. Marked depletion in Sr and variable Rb/Sr ratios suggest extensive plagioclase fractionation, which is consistent with the presence of this mineral as a liquidus phase in the earliest intrusive unit of the suite. Although the generation of A-type melts does not necessarily indicate an anorogenic or rifting tectonic environment, the unique geochemical characteristics and marked similarity to the demonstrably anorogenic Younger Granites of Nigeria are consistent with the interpretation that the Robertson River Igneous Suite records an extensive period of anorogenic magmatism associated with the early phase of Late Proterozoic rifting of Laurentia.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abbey, S., 1983, Studies in “Standard Samples” of Silicate Rocks and Minerals 1969-1982: Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 83-15, 114 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aleinikoff, J. N., R. E. Zartman, D. W. Rankin, P. T. Lyttle, W. C. Burton, and R. C. Mcdowell, 1991, New U-Pb zircon ages for rhyolite of the Catoctin and Mount Rogers formations — More evidence for two pulses of Iapetan rifting in the central and southern Appalachians [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 23, no. 1, p. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, R. M., Jr., 1963, Geology and Mineral Resources of Greene and Madison Counties: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Bulletin 8, 98 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anders, E., and M. Ebihara, 1982, Solar-system abundances of the elements: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 46, p. 2363–2380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arav, S., 1989, Geology, Geochemistry, and Relative Age of Two Plutons from the Robertson River Formation in Northern Virginia: MS thesis, George Washington Univeristy, Washington, DC, USA, 153 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aylett, B. J., 1973, Group IIB; pp. 187–328 in A. F. Trotman-Dickenson (ed.), Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry, Volume 3: Pergamon Press, Oxford, England, UK, 1387 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Badger, R. L., and A. K. Sinha, 1988, Age and Sr isotopic signature of the Catoctin volcanic province: Implications for subcrustal mantle evolution: Geology, v. 16, no. 8, p. 692–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartholomew, M. J., and S. E. Lewis, 1984, Evolution of Grenville massifs in the Blue Ridge geologic province, southern and central Appalachians; pp. 229–254 in M. J. Bartholomew (ed.), The Grenville Event in the Appalachians and Related Topics: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 194, 287 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, T. M. Gathright II, and W. S. Henika, 1981, A tectonic model for the Blue Ridge in central Virginia: American Journal of Science, v. 281, no. 9, p. 1164–1183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonin, B., C. Grelou-Orsini, and Y. Vialette, 1978, Age, origin, and evolution of the anorogenic complex of Evisa (Corsica): A K-Li-Rb-Sr study: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 65, p. 425–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloomer, R. O., and H. J. Werner, 1955, Geology of the Blue Ridge region in central Virginia: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 66, no. 5, p. 579–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, J. W., 1984, The core of the Blue Ridge anticlinorium in northern Virginia; pp. 153–160 in M. J. Bartholomew (ed.), The Grenville Event in the Appalachians and Related Topics: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 194, 287 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clemens, J. D., J. R. Holloway, and A. J. R. White, 1986, Origin of an A-type granite: Experimental constraints: American Mineralogist, v. 71, p. 317–324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collins, W. J., S. D. Beams, A. J. R. White, and B. W. Chapell, 1982, Nature and origin of A-type granites with particular reference to southeastern Australia: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v.80, p. 189–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cotton, F. A., and G. Wilkinson, 1980, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry: John Wiley-Interscience, New York, New York, USA, 1136 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espanshade, G., 1970, Geology of the northern part of the Blue Ridge anticlinorium; pp. 199–211 in G. W. Fisher, F. J. Pettjohn, J. C. Reed, Jr., and K. N. Weaver (eds.), Studies in Appalachian Geology: Central and Southern: Interscience, New York, New York, USA, 460 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, N. K., 1969, The late Precambrian to early Paleozoic Pan-African orogeny in Ghana, Togo, Dahomey, and Nigeria: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 80, p. 45–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ___, 1970, Geochronology of Precambrian basement rocks from Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 10, no. 1, p. 29–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ___, 1971, South Atlantic, Benue trough, and Gulf of Guinea Cretaceous triple junction: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 82, p. 2295–2298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R. J., 1972, The distribution of Ga and Rb in coexisting groundmass and phenocryst phases of some basic volcanic rocks: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 36, p. 303–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hards, N. J., 1976, Distribution of the elements between the fluid phase and silicate melt phase of granites and nepheline syenites: Progress in Experimental Petrology, v. 3, p. 88–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, N. B. W., 1985. Alkaline complexes from the Arabian Shield: Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 3, p. 83–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ___, F. M. H. Marzouki, and S. Ali, 1986, The Jabel Sayid complex, Arabian Shield: Geochemical constraints on the origin of peralkaline and related granites. Journal of the Geological Society of London, v. 143, p. 287–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutson, F. E., and R. P. Tollo, 1991a, Relationship of Late Proterozoic felsic magmatism and terrestrial sedimentation, Blue Ridge Province, Virginia [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 23, no. 1, p. 48.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, and R. P. Tollo, 1991b, Reconstruction of Late Proterozoic crustal history using exposed volcanic and meta-sedimentary units, Blue Ridge anticlinorium, Virginia [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 23, no. 5, p. A69.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, and R. P. Tollo, 1992, Mechum River Formation: Evidence for the evolution of a Late Proterozoic rift basin, Blue Ridge anticlinorium, Virginia [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 24, no. 2, p. 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imeokparia, E. G., 1982, Geochemistry and relationship to mineralization of granitic rocks from the Afu Younger Granitic Complex, central Nigeria: Geological Magazine, v. 119, p. 39–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson, R. R. E., W. N. MacLeod, and R. Black, 1958, Ring-Complexes in the Younger Granites of Northern Nigeria: Geological Society of London, Memoir 1, 72 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, N. J. Snelling, and J. F. Truswell, 1964, Age determinations in the geology of Nigeria, with special reference to the Older and Younger Granites: Overseas Geology and Mineral Resources, v. 9, p. 168–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leake, B. E., 1978, Nomenclature of amphiboles: American Mineralogist, v. 63, p. 1023–1052.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loiselle, M. C., and D. R. Wones, 1979, Characteristics and origin of anorogenic granites [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts wtih Programs, v. 11, p. 468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukert, M. T.,, and P. O. Banks, 1984, Geology and age of the Robertson River Pluton; pp. 161–166 in M. J. Bartholomew (ed.), The Grenville Event in the Appalachians and Related Topics: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 194, 287 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, and C. R. Halladay, 1980, Geology of the Massies Corner Quadrangle, Virginia: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Publication 17 (Geologic Map 197A), scale 1:24,000.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, and E. B. Nuckols III, 1976, Geology of the Linden and Flint Hill Quadrangles, Virginia: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Report of Investigation 44, 83 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mose, D. G., and S. Nagle, 1984, Rb-Sr age for the Robertson River pluton in Virginia and its implication on the age of the Catoctin Formation; pp. 167–173 in M. J. Bartholomew (ed.), The Grenville Event in the Appalachians and Related Topics: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 194, 287 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odom, A. L., and P. D. Fullagar, 1984, Rb-Sr whole-rock and inherited zircon ages of the plutonic suite of the Crossnore Complex, southern Appalachians, and their implications regarding the time of opening the Iapetus Ocean; pp. 255–261 in M. J. Bartholomew (ed.), The Grenville Event in the Appalachians and Related Topics: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 194, 287 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Halloran, D. A., 1985, Ras ed Dom migrating ring complex: A-type granites and syenites from the Bayuda Desert, Sudan: Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 3, p. 61–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher, W. S., 1983, Granite type and tectonic environment: pp. 19–40 in K. Hsü (ed.), Mountain Building Processes: Academic Press, London, England, UK, 263 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rankin, D. W., 1975, The continental margin of eastern North America in the southern Appalachians: The opening and closing of the proto-Atlantic Ocean: American Journal of Science, v. 275-A, p. 298–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, 1976, Appalachian salients and recesses: Late Precambrien continental breakup and the opening of the Iapetus Ocean: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 81, p. 5605–5619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ___, A. A. Drake, Jr., and N. M. Ratcliffe, 1989, Geologic map of the U.S. Apalachians showing the Laurentian margin and the Taconic orogen; Plate 3 (scale 1:1,500,000) in R. D. Hatcher, Jr., W. A. Thomas, and G. W. Viele (eds.), The Geology of North America, Volume F2: The Appalachian-Ouachita Orogen in the United States: Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colorado, USA, 767 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, R. C., 1971, Structural geometry of subvolcanic ring complexes as related to pre-Cenozoic motions of continental plates: Tectonophysics, v. 12, p. 111–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. J. W., and J. K. Greenberg, 1988, Post-orogenic vs. anorogenic granites: Two lithologically different suites [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 20, p. A203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwab, F. L., 1974, Mechum River Formation: Late Pre-cambrian(?) alluvium in the Blue Ridge Province of Virginia: Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, v. 44, p. 862–871.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinha, A. K., and M. J. Bartholomew, 1984, Evolution of the Grenville terrane in the central Virginia Appalachians; pp. 175–186 in M. J. Bartholomew (ed.), The Grenville Event in the Appalachians and Related Topics: Geological Society of America, Special Paper 194, 287 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streckiesen, A. L., 1973, Plutonic rocks classification and nomenclature recommended by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Igneous Rocks: Geotimes, October, p. 26–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tollo, R. P., 1986, Constituent granitoids of the Robertson River Formation in the northern Virginia Blue Ridge [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 18, p. 269.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___ (in press), Definition and nomenclature of the Robertson River Igneous Suite, Blue Ridge Province, Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey, Stratigraphic Notes, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, and J. N. Aleinikoff, 1992, The Robertson River Igneous Suite, Virginia Blue Ridge: A case study in multiple-stage magmatism associated with the early stages of Iapetan rifting [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 24, no. 2, p. 70.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, and S. Arav, 1987, Petrochemical comparison of two plutons from the Robertson River Formation in northern Virginia [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 19, p. 133.

    Google Scholar 

  • ___, J. N. Aleinikoff, and K. J. Gray, 1991, New U/Pb zircon isotopic data from the Robertson River Igneous Suite, Virginia Blue Ridge: Implications for the duration of Late Proterozoic anorogenic magmatism [abstract]: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 23, no. 1, p. 139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Breeman, O., J. Hutchinson, and P. Bowden, 1975, Age and origin of the Nigerian Mesozoic granites: A Rb-Sr study: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 50, p. 157–172.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, P. J., and R. P. Tollo, 1986, The Battle Mountain felsite: Evidence of an anorogenic (A-type) subvol-canic complex in the core of the Blue Ridge anticlinorium, northern Virginia [abstract]: EOS, Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, v. 67, p. 385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, E. B., 1979, Zircon saturation in felsic liquids: Experimental results and applications to trace element geochemistry: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 70, p. 407–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wehr, F., and L. Glover III, 1985, Stratigraphy and tectonics of the Virginia-North Carolina Blue Ridge: Evolution of a Late Proterozoic-early Paleozoic hinge zone: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 96, p. 285–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whalen, J. B., K. L. Currie, and B. W. Chapell, 1987a, A-type granites: Geochemical characteristics, discrimination and petrogenesis: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 95, p. 407–419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ___, K. L. Currie, and B. W. Chapell, 1987b, A-Type granites: Descriptive and Geochemical Data: Geological Survey of Canada, Open-File Report 1411, 33 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, H., R. T. Gillespie, and O. Van Breeman, 1985, A late Precambrian rift-related igneous suite in western Newfoundland: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 22, p. 1727–1735.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA

    Richard P. Tollo

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, 5 Aerial Way, Syosset, New York, 11791, USA

    Sara Arav

Authors
  1. Richard P. Tollo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sara Arav
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Earth Sciences and Resources Institute, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Mervin J. Bartholomew

  2. Department of Geology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA

    Donald W. Hyndman

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA

    David W. Mogk

  4. Department of Geological Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

    Robert Mason

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1992 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Tollo, R.P., Arav, S. (1992). The Robertson River Igneous Suite (Blue Ridge Province, Virginia) — Late Proterozoic anorogenic (A-type) granitoids of unique petrochemical affinity. In: Bartholomew, M.J., Hyndman, D.W., Mogk, D.W., Mason, R. (eds) Basement Tectonics 8. Proceedings of the International Conferences on Basement Tectonics, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1614-5_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1614-5_29

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4703-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1614-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation