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Magma sources for Mesozoic anorogenic granites of the White Mountain magma series, New England, USA

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Abstract

The magma sources for granitic intrusions related to the Mesozoic White Mountain magma series in northern New England, USA, are addressed relying principally upon Nd isotopes. Many of these anorogenic complexes lack significant volumes of exposed mafic lithologies and have been suspected of representing crustal melts. Sm−Nd and Rb−Sr isotope systematics are used to evaluate magma sources for 18 felsic plutons with ages ranging from about 120 to 230 Ma. The possibility of crustal sources is further examined with analyses of representative older crust including Paleozoic granitoids which serve as probes of the lower crust in the region. Multiple samples from two representative intrusions are used to address intrapluton initial isotopic heterogeneities and document significant yet restricted variations (<∼1 in ε Nd). Overall, Mesozoic granite plutons range in ε Nd [T] from +4.2 to -2.3, with most +2 to 0, and in initial 87Sr/86Sr from 0.7031 to ∼0.709. The isotopic variations are roughly inversely correlated but are not obviously related to geologic, geographic, or age differences. Older igneous and metamorphic crust of the region has much lower Nd isotope ratios with the most radiogenic Paleozoic granitoid at ε Nd [180 Ma] of -2.8. These data suggest mid-Proterozoic separation of the crust in central northern New England. Moreover, the bulk of the Mesozoic granites cannot be explained as crustal melts but must have large mantle components. The ranges of Nd and Sr isotopes are attributed to incorporation of crust by magmas derived from midly depleted mantle sources. Crustal input may reflect either magma mixing of crustal and mantle melts or crustal assimilation which is the favored interpretation. The results indicate production of anorogenic granites from mantle-derived mafic magmas.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio State University, 43210, Columbus, OH, USA

    K. A. Foland

  2. Department of Geology, Bucknell University, 17837, Lewisburg, PA, USA

    J. C. Allen

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  1. K. A. Foland
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Foland, K.A., Allen, J.C. Magma sources for Mesozoic anorogenic granites of the White Mountain magma series, New England, USA. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 109, 195–211 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306479

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