Ediacaran anorogenic alkaline magmatism and wolframite mineralization linked to mantle plume activity in the north Arabian-Nubian Shield (Egypt)

Osama K. Dessouky, Huan Li, Hani H. Ali, Ahmed M. Dardier, Kamal A. Ali, Franco Pirajno, Gehad M. Saleh, Ali A. Omran, Imbarak S. Hassan, Zhaoyang Luo, Mahmoud M. Hassan

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2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The termination of the collision between West and East Gondwana and the Pan-African orogeny is somewhat regarded as an endorsement for the generation and intrusion of alkaline magmatism in the Arabian-Nubian Shield. However, the current ages of the Abu Hamar-Abu Kharif alkaline granites have changed this endorsing connection. The Gebel Abu Hamr and Gebel Abu Kharif plutons, exposed in the northern Egyptian Eastern Desert, are anorogenic rift-related granite (A-type) and possess characteristics indicative of a within-plate tectonic setting. Their U[sbnd]Pb ages (616.6 ± 6.4 and 614.6 ± 3.6 Ma) are remarkable and provide insight into the initial phase of the anorogenic alkaline magmatism within the shield. The zircon U[sbnd]Pb dating, geochemical data, and zircon geochemistry together suggest that the primary magma was formed by the upwelling of a short-lived mantle plume. These alkaline granites subsequently intruded into the crustal mesozone at a thickness of 20–30 km with average temperatures of ~680 °C. The structural framework of the studied plutons reveals a noticeable correlation between their emplacement and the Najd left-lateral fault system. These alkaline granite plutons host wolframite-bearing quartz veins. The in-situ U[sbnd]Pb dating of wolframite yielded a weighted mean age of 603.7 ± 7.4 Ma. The trace and rare earth elements of wolframite, zircon, and the hosting alkaline granites share significant geochemical similarities. Nevertheless, the proximity of the U[sbnd]Pb age of wolframite and the associated granites suggests an epigenetic origin.

Original languageEnglish
Article number126119
JournalGeochemistry
Volume84
Issue number3
Early online date17 Sept 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2024

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