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Petrology and petrogenesis of the Mount Stuart batholith — Plutonic equivalent of the high-alumina basalt association?

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Abstract

The Mount Stuart batholith is a Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline pluton composed of rocks ranging in composition from two-pyroxene gabbro to granite. Quartz diorite is most abundant. This batholith may represent the plutonic counterpart of the high-alumina basalt association. A petrogenetic model is developed in which this intrusive series evolved from one batch of magnesian high-alumina basalt, represented by the oldest intrusive phase, by successive crystal fractionation of ascending residual magma. However, the possibility that this intrusive suite originated from an andésite (quartz diorite) parent by fractionation cannot be excluded.

Computer modeling of this intrusive sequence provides a quantitative evaluation of the sequential change of magma composition. These calculations clearly indicate that the igneous suite is consanguineous, and that subtraction of early-formed crystals from the oldest rock is capable of reproducing the entire magma series with a remainder of 2–3% granitic liquid. This model requires that large amounts of gabbroic cumulate remain hidden at depth- an amount equal to approximately 8−10X the volume of the exposed batholith. Mass balances between the amounts of cumulate and residual liquid calculated compare favorably with the observed amounts of intermediate rocks exposed in the batholith, but not with the mafic rocks.

Mafic magmas probably fractionated at depth by crystal settling, whereas younger quartz diorite and more granitic magmas underwent inward crystallization producing gradationally zoned plutons exposed at present erosional levels.

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  1. Erik H. Erikson Jr.

    Present address: Bendix Field Engineering Corp., West 904 Riverside, 99210, Spokane, WA

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  1. Department of Geology, Eastern Washington State College, 99004, Cheney, Washington

    Erik H. Erikson Jr.

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Erikson, E.H. Petrology and petrogenesis of the Mount Stuart batholith — Plutonic equivalent of the high-alumina basalt association?. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 60, 183–207 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00372281

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