Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The genetic relationship between mafic dike swarms and plutonic reservoirs in the mesozoic of central chile (30°–33°45′S): insights from AMS and geochemistry

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Five mafic dike swarms between 30° and 33°45′S were studied for their geochemical signature and kinematics of magma flow directions by means of AMS data. In the Coastal Range of central Chile (33°−33°45′S), Middle Jurassic dike swarms (Concón and Cartagena dike swarms, CMDS and CrMDS, respectively) and an Early Cretaceous dike swarm (El Tabo Dike Swarm, ETDS) display the presence of dikes of geochemically enriched (high-Ti) and depleted (low-Ti) basaltic composition. These dikes show geochemical patterns that are different from the composition of mafic enclaves of the Middle Jurassic Papudo-Quintero Complex, and this suggests that the dikes were injected from reservoirs not related to the plutonic complex. The mantle source appears to be a depleted mantle for Jurassic dikes and a heterogeneous-enriched lithospheric mantle for Cretaceous dikes. In the ETDS, vertical and gently plunging magma flow vectors were estimated for enriched and depleted dikes, respectively, which suggest, together with variations in dike thickness, that reservoirs were located at different depths for each dike family. In the Elqui Dike Swarm (EDS) and Limarí Mafic Dike Swarm (LMDS), geochemical patterns are similar to those of the mafic enclaves of the Middle Jurassic plutons. In the LMDS, east to west magma flow vectors are coherent with injection from neighbouring pluton located to the east. In the EDS, some dikes show geochemical and magma flow patterns supporting the same hypothesis. Accordingly, dikes do not necessarily come from deep reservoir; they may propagate in the upper crust from coeval shallow pluton chamber.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguirre L, Féraud G, Morata D, Vergara M, Robinson D (1999) Time interval between volcanism and burial metamorphism and rate of basin subsidence in a Cretaceous Andean extensional setting. Tectonophysics 313:433–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchez JL (1997) Granite is never isotropic: an introduction to AMS of granitic rocks. In: Bouchez JL, Hutton DHW, Stephen WE (eds) Granite: from segregation of melt to emplacement fabrics. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 95–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Callot JP, Geoffroy L (2004) Magma flow directions in the East Greenland dyke swarm inferred from studies of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility: magmatic growth of a volcanic margin. Geophys J Int 159:816–830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charrier R (1979) El Triásico en Chile y regiones adyacentes de Argentina Comunicaciones. Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Chile 26:1–37

  • Clemens JD (1998) Observations on the origins and ascent of granitic magmas. J Geol Soc Lond 155:843–851

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creixell C (2007) Emplazamiento y petrogénesis de enjambres de diques máficos de Chile central (30°−33°45′ S): implicancias tectónicas en el desarrollo del arco Jurásico-Cretácico Temprano. PhD Thesis, Universidad de Chile

  • Creixell C, Parada MA, Roperch P, Morata D, Arriagada C, Pérez de Arce C (2006) Syntectonic emplacement of the Concon Mafic Dike Swarm, Coastal Range, central Chile (33°S). Tectonophysics 425:101–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deckart K, Bertrand H, Liégeois JP (2005) Geochemistry and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic composition of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) in Guyana and Guinea. Lithos 82:289–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delaney PT, Pollard DD, Ziony JI, McKee EH (1986) Field relations between dikes and joints: emplacement processes and paleostress analysis. J Geophys Res 91:4920–4938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst RE, Baragar WRA (1992) Evidence from magnetic fabric for the flow pattern of magma in the Mackenzie giant radiating dyke swarm. Nature 356:511–513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferré E (2002) Theoretical models of intermediate and inverse AMS fabrics. Geophys Res Lett 29(7). doi:10.1029/2001GL014367

  • Franzese J, Spalleti L (2001) Late Triassic–Early Jurassic continental extension in southwestern Gondwana: tectonic segmentation and pre-breakup rifting. J South Am Earth Sci 14:257–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuentes F, Féraud G, Aguirre L, Morata D (2005) 40Ar/39Ar dating of volcanism and subsequent very low-grade metamorphism in a subsiding basin: example of the Cretaceous lava series from central Chile. Chem Geol 214:157–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gana P (1991) Magmatismo bimodal del Triásico Superior-Jurásico Inferior, en la Cordillera de la Costa, Provincias de Elqui y Limarí, Chile Revista. Geológica Chile 18:55–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Geoffroy L, Callot JP, Aubourg C, Moreira M (2002) Divergence between magnetic and plagioclases linear fabric in dykes: a new approach to defining the flow vector using magnetic foliation. Terra Nova 14:183–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson SA, Thompson RN, Dickin AP, Leonardos OH (1996) Erratum to “High-Ti and low-Ti mafic potassic magmas: key to plume–lithosphere interaction and continental flood-basalt genesis”. Earth Planet Sci Lett 141:325–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govindaraju K, Potts PJ, Webb PC, Watson JS (1994) Report on Whin Sill Dolerite WSE from England and Pitscurrie Micrograbbro PM-S from Scotland: assessment by one hundred and four international laboratories. Geostand Newsl XVIII:211–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grocott J, Taylor GK (2002) Deformation partitioning, magmatic arc fault systems and the emplacement of granitic complexes in the Coastal Cordillera, north Chilean Andes (25–27°S). J Geol Soc Lond 159:425–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hargraves RB, Johnson D, Chan CY (1991) Distribution anisotropy: the cause of AMS in igneous rocks? Geophys Res Lett 18:2193–2196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hervé F, Munizaga F, Parada MA, Brook M, Pankhurst R, Snelling N, Drake R (1988) Granitoids of the Coast Range of central Chile: geochronology and geologic setting. J South Am Earth Sci 1:185–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutton D (1992) Granite sheeted complexes: evidence for the dyking ascent mechanism. Trans R Soc Edinb Earth Sci 83:377–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Irwin J, Sharp W, Spangler R, Drake R (1987) Some paleomagnetic constraints in the tectonic evolution of the coastal cordillera of central Chile. J Geophys Res 92:3603–3614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Irwin J, García C, Hervé F, Brook M (1988) Geology of a part of a long-lived dynamic plate margin: the Coastal Cordillera of north-central Chile, latitude 30°51′−31°S. Can J Earth Sci 25:603–624

    Google Scholar 

  • Jelinek V (1981) Characterization of the magnetic fabric of rocks. Tectonophysics 79:63–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klausen MB, Larsen HC (2002) East Greenland coast-parallel dike swarm and its role in continental breakup. In: Menzies MA, Klemperer SL, Ebinger CJ, Baker J (eds) Volcanic rifted margins. Geological Society of America Special Paper 362, Boulder, pp 137–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight D, Walker M (1988) Magma flow direction in dykes of Koolau Complex, Oahu, determined from magnetic fabric studies. J Geophys Res B5:4301–4319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Gall B, Tshoso G, Dyment J, Kampunzu AB, Jourdan F, Féraud G, Bertrand H, Aubourg C, Vétel W (2006) The Okavango giant mafic dyke swarm (NE Botswana): its structural significance within the Karoo Large Igneous Province. J Struct Geol 27:2234–2255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Maitre RW, Bateman P, Dudek A, Keller J, Lameyre Le Bas MJ, Sabine PA, Schmid R, Sorensen H, Streckeisen A, Wolley AR, Zanettin B (1989) A classification of igneous rocks and glossary of terms. Blackwell, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucassen F, Franz G, Viramonte J, Romer R, Dulski P, Lang A (2005) The late Cretaceous lithospheric mantle beneath the Central Andes: evidence from phase equilibria and composition of mantle xenoliths. Lithos 82:379–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin M, Clavero J, Mpodozis C (1999) Late Paleozoic to early Jurassic tectonic development of the high Andean Principal Cordillera, El Indio Region, Chile (29–30°S). J South Am Earth Sci 12:33–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mège D, Korme T (2004) Dyke swarm emplacement in the Ethiopian Large Igneous Province: not only a matter of stress. J Volcanol Geotherm Res 132:283–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montero P, Bea F (1998) Accurate determination of 87Rb/86Sr and 143Sm/144Nd ratios by inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry in isotope geoscience: an alternative to isotope dilution analysis. Anal Chim Acta 358:227–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morata D, Aguirre L, Oyarzún M, Vergara M (2000) Crustal contribution in the genesis of the bimodal Triassic volcanism from the Coastal Range, central Chile Revista. Geológica Chile 27:83–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Morata D, Aguirre L, Féraud G, Fuentes F, Parada MA, Vergara M (2001) The Lower Cretaceous volcanism in the Coastal Range of central Chile: geochronology and isotopic geochemistry. III South American Symposium on Isotope Geology, Sociedad Geológica de Chile, Pucón, Chile, pp 321–324

  • Mpodozis C, Kay SM (1992) Late Paleozoic to Triassic evolution of the Gondwana margin: evidence from Chilean Frontal Cordillera batholiths (28° to 31°S). GSA Bull 104:999–1014

    Google Scholar 

  • Mpodozis C, Ramos V (1989) The Andes of Chile and Argentine. Circum Pacific Council for Energy and Mineral Resources. Earth Sci Ser 11:59–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura N (1974) Determination of REE, Ba, Mg, Na and K in carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites. Geochim Cosmichim Acta 38:757–775

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nasi C, Mpodozis C, Cornejo P, Moscoso R, Maksaev V (1985) El Batolito Elqui-Limarí (Paleozoico Superior-Triásico): características petrográficas, geoquímicas y significado tectónico Revista. Geológica Chile 25–26:77–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Pankhurst R, Millar I, Hervé F (1996) A Permo-Carboniferous U–Pb age for part of the Guanta Unit of the Elqui-Limarí Batholith at Río del Tránsito, northern Chile Revista. Geológica Chile 23:35–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Parada MA (1988) Pre-Andean peraluminous and metaluminous leucogranitoid suites in the High Andes of central Chile. J South Am Earth Sci 1:211–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parada MA, Rivano S, Sepúlveda P, Hervé M, Hervé F, Puig A, Munizaga F, Brook M, Pankhurst R, Snelling N (1988) Mesozoic and Cenozoic plutonic development in the Andes of central Chile (30°30′ S−32°30′ S). J South Am Earth Sci 1:249–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parada MA, Levi B, Nystrom J (1991) Geochemistry of the Triassic to Jurassic plutonism of central Chile (30° to 33°S); petrogenetic implications and a tectonic discussion. Geol Soc Am Spec Pap 265:99–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Parada MA, Nystrom J, Levi B (1999) Multiple sources for the Coastal batholith of central Chile (31–34°S): geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic evidence and tectonic implications. Lithos 46:505–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parada MA, Larrondo P, Guiresse C, Roperch P (2002) Magmatic gradients in the Cretaceous Caleu pluton (central Chile): injections of pulses from a stratified reservoir. Gondwana Res 5:307–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parada MA, Feraud G, Fuentes F, Aguirre L, Morata D, Larrondo P (2005) Ages and cooling history of the Early Cretaceous Caleu pluton: testimony of a switch from a rifted to a compressional continental margin in central Chile. J Geol Soc Lond 162:273–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peate DW, Pearce JA, Hawkesworth CJ, Colley H, Edwards CMH, Hirose K (1997) Geochemical variations in Vanuatu Arc lavas: the role of subducted material and a variable mantle wedge composition. J Petrol 38:1331–1358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petford N, Kerr RC, Lister JR (1993) Dike transport of granitic magmas. Geology 21:843–845

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philpotts AR, Asher PM (1994) Magmatic flow-direction indicators in a giant diabase feeder dike, Connecticut. Geology 22:363–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philpotts AR, Philpotts DE (2007) Upward and downward flow in a camptonite dike as recorded by deformed vesicles and the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS). J Volcanol Geotherm Res 161:81–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ray R, Sheth H, Mallik J (2007) Structure and emplacement of the Nandurbar–Dhule mafic dyke swarm, Deccan Traps, and the tectonomagmatic evolution of flood basalts. Bull Volcanol 69:537–551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rochette P, Jenatton L, Dupuy C, Boudier F, Reuber I (1991) Emplacement modes of basaltic dykes in the Oman ophiolite: evidence from magnetic anisotropy with reference to geochemical studies. In: Peters TJ et al (eds) Ophiolite Genesis and the evolution of the oceanic lithosphere. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 55–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Rochette P, Aubourg C, Perrin M (1999) Is this magnetic fabric normal? A review and case studies in volcanic formations. Tectonophysics 307:219–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos V (1988) The tectonic of the central Andes: 30° to 33°S latitude. In: Processes in continental lithospheric deformation. In: Clark S, Burchfield D (eds) Geological Society of America Special paper 218:31–54

  • Sernageomin (2003) Mapa Geológico de Chile, scale 1:1,000,000. Servicio Nacional de Geologia y Mineria, Santiago

    Google Scholar 

  • Staudigel H, Tauxe L, Gee JS, Bogaard P, Haspels J, Kale G, Leenders A, Meijer P, Swaak B, Tuin M, Van Soest MC, Verdurmen EA, Zevenhuizen A (1999) Geochemistry and intrusive directions in sheeted dikes in the Troodos ophiolite: implications for Mid-Ocean Ridge spreading centers. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 1 (online: 1999GC000001)

  • Storey BC, Leat P, Weaver S, Pankhurst R, Bradshaw J, Kelley S (1999) Mantle plumes and Antarctica-New Zealand rifting: evidence from mid-Cretaceous mafic dykes. J Geol Soc Lond 156:659–672

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun SS, McDonough WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. In: Saunders AD, Norry MJ (eds) Magmatism in the ocean basins, vol 42. Geological Society Special Publication, London, pp 313–345

  • Tarling DH, Hrouda F (1993) The magnetic anisotropy of rocks. CRC, Boca Ratón, 217 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Tauxe L, Gee JS, Staudigel H (1998) Flow directions in dikes from anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility data: the bootstrap way. J Geophys Res 103:17775–17790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiele R, Hervé F (1984) Sedimentación y tectónica de antearco en los terrenos preandinos del Norte Chico. Chile Revista Geológica de Chile 22:61–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Uyeda S, Fuller MD, Belshé JC, Girdler RW (1963) Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of rocks and minerals. J Geophys Res 68:279–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vergara M, López-Escobar L, Cancino A (1991) The Pichidangui Formation: some geochemical characteristics and tectonic implications of the Late Triassic marine volcanism in central Chile (31°55′ to 32°30′ S). Geol Soc Am Spec Pap 265:93–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Vergara M, Levi B, Nystrom J, Cancino A (1995) Jurassic and Early Cretaceous island arc volcanism, extension and subsidence in the Coast Range of central Chile. GSA Bull 107:1427–1440

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by Fondecyt N°1031000. Microprobe analyses at Zelmi Laboratory (TU-Berlin) were financed by TU-Berlin and a DAAD scholarship. The authors also thank Prof. Mauricio Belmar for his help in microprobe analysis at Universidad de Chile, Professor Gerhard Franz for his guidance during analytical work in TU-Berlin, and Francois Galbert and Irene Preuss for their assistance at Zelmi Laboratory. The authors would also like to thank Prof. Jacobous Le Roux for corrections on the English version of the manuscript and Rodrigo Santelices, Cristóbal Valenzuela and Sergio Villagrán for their help in the field. The first author carries his PhD studies with a MECESUP grant. Finally, the authors are much acknowledged of the constructive reviews on the manuscript by Marlina Elburg, Jens Becker and an anonymous reviewer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Chile, Plaza Ercilla 803, casilla, Santiago, 13518, Chile

    Christian Creixell, Miguel Ángel Parada, Diego Morata, Pierrick Roperch & César Arriagada

  2. IRD, UR154-LMTG & Géosciences Rennes, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042, Rennes cedex, France

    Pierrick Roperch

Authors
  1. Christian Creixell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Miguel Ángel Parada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Diego Morata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pierrick Roperch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. César Arriagada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Creixell.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

(XLS 39 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Creixell, C., Parada, M.Á., Morata, D. et al. The genetic relationship between mafic dike swarms and plutonic reservoirs in the mesozoic of central chile (30°–33°45′S): insights from AMS and geochemistry. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 98, 177–201 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-007-0240-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-007-0240-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation