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Sphene and zircon in the Highland Range volcanic sequence (Miocene, southern Nevada, USA): elemental partitioning, phase relations, and influence on evolution of silicic magma

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Abstract

Sphene is prominent in Miocene plutonic rocks ranging from diorite to granite in southern Nevada, USA, but it is restricted to rhyolites in coeval volcanic sequences. In the Highland Range volcanic sequence, sphene appears as a phenocryst only in the most evolved rocks (72–77 mass% SiO2; matrix glass 77–78 mass% SiO2). Zr-in-sphene temperatures of crystallization are mostly restricted to 715 and 755°C, in contrast to zircon (710–920°C, Ti-in-zircon thermometry). Sphene rim/glass Kds for rare earth elements are extremely high (La 120, Sm 1200, Gd 1300, Lu 240). Rare earth elements, especially the middle REE (MREE), decrease from centers to rims of sphene phenocrysts along with Zr, demonstrating the effect of progressive sphene fractionation. Whole rocks and glasses have MREE-depleted, U-shaped REE patterns as a consequence of sphene fractionation. Within the co-genetic, sphene-rich Searchlight pluton, only evolved leucogranites show comparable MREE depletion. These results indicate that sphene saturation in intruded and extruded magmas occurred only in highly evolved melts: abundant sphene in less silicic plutonic rocks represents a late-stage ‘bloom’ in fractionated interstitial melt.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Guest Editor Igor Broska, Peter Nabelek, and an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments on the initial version of this paper. Jim Faulds’ outstanding mapping of the Highland Range volcanic sequence and initial guidance in identifying and understanding our field area contributed immeasurably to this project. Frank Mazdab, Ayla Pamukcu, Ashley Bromley, Tamara Carley, Lily Claiborne, Danny Flanagan, Nick Hinz, and Josh Colombini were very helpful with analytical and field aspects of the project. Our research was supported by NSF grants EAR- 0409876 and 0711109.

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  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University, PMB 351805, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN, 37235-1805, USA

    Lindy L. Colombini, Calvin F. Miller & Guilherme A. R. Gualda

  2. Stanford-USGS Micro Analysis Center, SHRIMP Lab, Stanford University, Green Earth Sciences Building, 367 Panama Street Room 89, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Joseph L. Wooden

  3. Department of Geology, San Jose State University, Duncan Hall 320, San Jose, CA, 95112-0102, USA

    Jonathan S. Miller

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  1. Lindy L. Colombini
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Correspondence to Calvin F. Miller.

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Editorial handling: J. Raith

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ESM 1

Elemental concentrations in sphene (ppm), Highland Range silicic volcanic sequence (expanded Table 4, Colombini et al)

ESM 2

Elemental concentrations of zircon (ppm), Highland Range silicic volcanic sequence (expanded Table 5, Colombini et al)

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Colombini, L.L., Miller, C.F., Gualda, G.A.R. et al. Sphene and zircon in the Highland Range volcanic sequence (Miocene, southern Nevada, USA): elemental partitioning, phase relations, and influence on evolution of silicic magma. Miner Petrol 102, 29 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-011-0177-3

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