Search

The study area lies within the western section of the Elzevir terrane, in the Central Metasedimentary Belt. A supracrustal sequence of carbonates and clastic metasediments, interdigitating with metavolcanics occur in this area, intruded by a series of dykes. The majority of minor intrusions are mafic in composition; a minor number of felsic samples have been identified. The dykes have been metamorphosed to middle and upper amphibolite facies of low-pressure type, transitional into moderate pressures. Major and trace element contents were determined by X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis. Four distinct geochemical suites have been recognized: a Low Zirconium Suite of tholeiitic basalts, an Intermediate Zirconium Suite of tholeiitic basalts, andesites, dacites and rhyodacites, a Calc-Alkaline Suite of basalts, andesites and rhyolites, and a Highly Fractionated Tholeiite Suite consisting of a single, unevolved tholeiitic basalt. The geochemical suites were modelled from three distinct sources; two spinel lherzolites and a garnet lherzolite, by partial melting and fractional crystallization. The dykes are interpreted as feeders to presently or formerly existing metavolcanic sequences; the Intermediate Zirconium Suite has been successfully correlated with the Tudor volcanics. Geochemical evidence indicates that the minor intrusions were emplaced in a back-arc basin environment, on continental crust of variable thickness. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Geology and Geological Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1990 .K455. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 30-03, page: 0678. Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1990.