Petrology and geochemistry of late-stage intrusions of the A-type, mid-Proterozoic Pikes Peak batholith (Central Colorado, USA): implications for petrogenetic models

The ~1.08 Ga anorogenic, A-type Pikes Peak batholith (Front Range, central Colorado) is dominated by coarsegrained, biotite±amphibole syenogranites and minor monzogranites, collectively referred to as Pikes Peak granite (PPG). The batholith is also host to numerous small, late-stage plutons that have been subdivided into two groups (e.g. Wobus, 1976. Studies in Colorado Field Geology, Colorado School of Mines Professional Contributions, Colorado): (1) a sodic series (SiO2=~44–78 wt%; K/Na=0.32–1.36) composed of gabbro, diabase, syenite/quartz syenite and fayalite and sodic amphibole granite; and (2) a potassic series (SiO2=~70–77 wt%; K/Na=0.95–2.05), composed of biotite granite and minor quartz monzonite. Differences in major and trace element and Nd isotopic characteristics for the two series indicate different petrogenetic histories. Potassic granites of the late-stage intrusions appear to represent crustal anatectic melts derived from tonalite sources, based on comparison of their major element compositions with experimental melt products. In addition, Nd isotopic characteristics of the potassic granites [eNd(1.08 Ga)=−0.2 to −2.7] overlap with those for tonalites/granodiorites [ca 1.7 Ga Boulder Creek intrusions; eNd(1.08 Ga)=−2.4 to −3.6 ] exposed in the region. Some of the partial melts evolved by fractionation dominated by feldspar. The late-stage potassic granites share geochemical characteristics with most of the PPG, which is also interpreted to have an anatectic origin involving tonalitic crust. The origin of monzogranites associated with the PPG remains unclear, but mixing between granitic and mafic or intermediate magmas is a possibility. * Corresponding author. Fax: +1-210-999-8264. E-mail address: [email protected] (D.R. Smith) 1 Current address: Box 200, University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Narrangansett, RI 02882, USA. 2 Current address: Department of Geology, 6800 College Station, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 04011, USA. 0301-9268/99/$ – see front matter © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0301-9268 ( 99 ) 00049-2 272 D.R. Smith et al. / Precambrian Research 98 (1999) 271–305 Syenites and granites of the sodic series cannot be explained as crustal melts, but are interpreted as fractionation products of mantle-derived mafic magmas with minor crustal input. High temperature and low oxygen fugacity estimates (e.g. Frost et al., 1988. American Mineralogist 73, 727–740) support a basalt fractionation origin, as do eNd values for sodic granitoids [eNd(1.08 Ga)=+2.2 to −0.7], which are higher than eNd values for Colorado crust at 1.08 Ga (ca −1.0 to −4.0). Enrichments in incompatible elements (e.g. rare earth elements, Rb, Y ) and depletions in compatible elements (e.g. Cr, Sr, Ba) in the sodic granitoids compared to coeval mafic rocks are also consistent with fractionation. Accessory mineral fractionation, release of fluorine-rich volatiles and/or removal of pegmatitic fluids could have modified abundances of Ce, Nb, Zr and Y in some sodic granitoid magmas. Gabbros and mafic dikes associated with the sodic granitoids have eNd(1.08 Ga) of −3.0 to +3.5, which are lower than depleted mantle at 1.08 Ga, and their trace element characteristics suggest derivation from mantle sources that were previously affected by subduction-related processes. However, it is difficult to characterize the mantle component in these magmas, because assimilation of crust during magma ascent could also result in their observed geochemical features. The Pikes Peak batholith is composed of at least two petrogenetically different granite types, both of which exhibit geochemical characteristics typical of A-type granites. Models proposed for the petrogenesis of the granitoids imply the existence of mafic rocks at depth and addition of juvenile material to the crust in central Colorado at ~1.1 Ga. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.