1.88-1.87 Ga post-kinematic intrusions of the Central Finland Granitoid Complex: a shift from C-type to A-type magmatism during lithospheric convergence
M. Nironen et al., 1.88-1.87 Ga post-kinematic intrusions of the Central Finland Granitoid Complex: a shift from C-type to A-type magmatism during lithospheric convergence, LITHOS, 53(1), 2000, pp. 37-58
The evolution of the Svecofennian Orogen spans from 1.95 Ga to 1.80 Ga with
the main crust-forming activity having taken place 1.90-1.87 Ga ago. Subse
quent deformation was largely concentrated to southern Finland where transp
ressional structures indicate lithospheric convergence until 1.80 Ga. Much
of the Svecofennian Orogen in Finland is occupied by the Central Finland Gr
anitoid Complex (CFGC) that mainly consists of I-type granodiorite and gran
ite. These 1.89-1.88 Ga intrusive rocks are typically foliated and consider
ed synkinematic. A distinct suite of post-kinematic, undeformed or slightly
foliated plutons crosscut the synkinematic rocks. They are predominantly q
uartz monzonites and monzogranites, and have been divided into three types
according to their petrographic, mineral, and chemical characteristics.
Compared to the calc-alkaline synkinematic granitoids, the post-kinematic s
uite generally has an alkaline affinity, with higher Fe, Ti, K, Ba, Zr and
Nb and lower Mg, Ca and Sr at a given SiO2 content. The Type 1 post-kinemat
ic plutons are peraluminous and contained a prominent sedimentary component
in their source. The Types 2 and 3 plutons are marginally metaluminous to
peraluminous. The Type 2 granites, especially those in the western CFGC, ap
proach the classic 1.65-1.54 Ga rapakivi granites of southern Finland in th
eir petrographic characteristics, magmatic association (tholeiitic mafic ro
cks) and elevated contents of incompatible elements, and hence have A-type
characteristics. The Type 3 plutons contain a pyroxene-bearing margin (Type
3a) or contain pyroxene throughout (Type 3b). The Type 3b rocks have C-typ
e (Charnockite magma type) affinities, and some plutons of this subgroup ar
e alkaline. The Type 3a plutons appear to be transitional between the Type
2 and Type 3b plutons.
The synkinematic magmatic episode in the CFGC area probably involved partia
l melting of intermediate high-K rocks in the lower crust, with a magmatic
addition from a mafic underplate. This magmatic episode left a hornblende-
and biotite-poor granulitic residue in the lower crust. Heat from the mafic
underplate triggered partial melting of the granulite to produce the post-
kinematic magmatism, and also introduced mafic material into the post-kinem
atic magmas.
The post-kinematic magmatism took place over quite a short time period (ca.
15 Ma) during overall lithospheric convergence. It extended beyond the CFG
C area and registers a temporal shift from the northeast toward the west an
d a general change in the character of magmatism from C-type to A-type. The
post-kinematic magmatism probably resulted from extensional or transtensio
nal events modifying the tectonically thickened crust. Partial melting of t
he mafic lower crust produced C-type magmatism soon after the first melting
episode. The crust was already rather rigid and allowed the mafic magmas t
o follow a tholeiitic trend when the bimodal A-type magmas were formed in t
he western CFGC. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.