The provenance of synorogenic greywackes from Devonian flysch successions occupying structurally similar positions at opposite ends of the Rhenohercynian zone in SW England and Germany is evaluated. Greywackes from both regions are petrographically and chemically similar, although minor differences are seen in the relative proportions of lithics; the Gramscatho group being richer in volcanic and metavolcanic clasts, whereas the Giessen group is richer in metasedimentary clasts. Absolute abundances of Ni-Cr-V and Zr-Hf-Y vary to a limited extent in each group and reflect variable mafic detritus and heavy mineral inputs respectively. Framework mode parameters and chemical data indicate the Rhenohercynian greywackes were derived mainly from a calc-alkali, acidic, dissected continental arc source, with minor MORB-like and argillaceous metasedimentary components. Upper continental crust-normalized multi-element patterns for the greywackes are characteristic of the continental arc/active margin tectonic environment. However, ‘Mid-Proterozoic’ model Nd ages for the Gramscatho greywackes suggest that an active Devonian arc source is unlikely. Instead the range of chemical and isotopic composition displayed mainly reflects mixing between acidic arc terranes of Proterozoic age and Devonian (Lizard-type) oceanic crust. Petrographic and geochemical discrimination diagrams alone cannot resolve the temporal decoupling between source and basin and may lead to an erroneous interpretation of tectonic setting.
The Early Permian Cornubian Batholith was generated during an extensional regime following Variscan convergence within the Rhenohercynian Zone of SW England. Its component granites can be classified, using mineralogical, textural and geochemical criteria, into five main types, all of which are peraluminous (A/CNK >1.1): G1 (two-mica), G2 (muscovite), G3 (biotite), G4 (tourmaline) and G5 (topaz). G1 granites formed through up to 20% muscovite and minor biotite dehydration melting of a metagreywacke source at moderate temperatures and pressures (731-806°C, >5 kbar). Younger G3 granites formed through higher temperature, lower pressure (768-847°C, <4 kbar) biotite-dominated melting of a similar source. Partial melting was strongly influenced by the progressive lower-mid crustal emplacement of mafic igneous rocks during post-Variscan extension and a minor (<5-10%) mantle-derived component in the granites is possible. Two distinct fractionation series, G1-G2 and G3-G4, are defined using whole rock geochemical and mineral chemical data.Variations in the major elements, Ba, Sr and Rb indicate that G1 and G3 granites underwent 15-30% fractionation of an assemblage dominated by plagioclase, alkali feldspar and biotite to form, more evolved G2 and G4 granites respectively. Decreasing whole rock abundances of Zr, Th and REE support fractionation of zircon, monazite, apatite and allanite. Subsolidus alteration in G2 and G4 granites is indicated by non-primary muscovite and tourmaline and modification of major and trace element trends for G3-G4 granites, particularly for P 2 O 5 and Rb. Topaz (G5) granites show low Zr, REE and extreme enrichment in Rb (up to 1530 ppm) and Nb (79 ppm) that cannot be related in a straightforward manner to continued differentiation of the G1-G2 or G3-G4 series. Instead, they are considered to represent partial melting, mediated by granulite facies fluids, of a biotite-rich restite following extraction of
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