Source contributions to Devonian granite magmatism near the Laurentian border, New Hampshire and Western Maine, USA

Abstract

Radiogenic isotope data (initial Nd, Pb) and elemental concentrations for the Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex, a suite of mainly granitic intrusions in New Hampshire and western Maine, are used to evaluate petrogenesis and crustal variations across a mid-Paleozoic suture zone. The complex comprises an areally subordinate monzodiorite suite [377±2Ma; εNd (at 370 Ma)=-2.7 to -0.7; initial 207Pb/204Pb=15.56-15.58] and an areally dominant granite [370±2 Ma; εNd (at 370 Ma)=-7.0 to -0.6; initial 207Pb/204Pb=15.55-15.63]. The granite contains meter-scale enclaves of monzodiorite, petrographically similar to but older than that of the rest of the complex [389±2 Ma; εNd (at 370 Ma)=-2.6 to +0.3; initial 207Pb/204Pb c. 15.58, with one exception]. Other granite complexes in western Maine and New Hampshire are c. 30 Ma older than the Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex granite, but possess similar isotopic signatures. Derivation of the monzodioritic rocks of the Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex most likely occurred by melting of Bronson Hill belt crust of mafic to intermediate composition. The Mooselookmeguntic igneous complex granites show limited correlation of isotopic varations with elemental concentrations, precluding any significant presence of mafic source components. Given overlap of initial Nd and Pb isotopic compositions with data for Central Maine belt metasedimentary rocks, the isotopic heterogeneity of the granites may have been produced by melting of rocks in this crustal package or through a mixture of metasedimentary rocks with magmas derived from Bronson Hill belt crust. New data from other granites in western Maine include Pb isotope data for the Phillips pluton, which permit a previous interpretation that leucogranites were derived from melting heterogeneous metasedimentary rocks of the Central Maine belt, but suggest that granodiorites were extracted from sources more similar to Bronson Hill belt crust. Data for the Redington pluton are best satisfied by generation from sources in either the Bronson Hill belt or Laurentian basement. Based on these data, we infer that Bronson Hill belt crust was more extensive beneath the Central Maine belt than previously recognized and that mafic melts from the mantle were not important to genesis of Devonian granite magma. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.