A Rb-Sr geochronologic study of the pegmatites of the Middletown area, Connecticut
β Scribed by D. G. Brookins; H. W. Fairbairn; P. M. Hurley; W. H. Pinson
- Book ID
- 104745960
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 1969
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 736 KB
- Volume
- 22
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0010-7999
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β¦ Synopsis
The pegmatites of Eastern Connecticut have a mineralogy consistent with a magmatic origin yet occur in a non-igneous environment. Various theories of genesis have been investigated by the Rb-Sr geochronologic method. t~b-Sr measurements on early stage pegmatite minerals indicate an age of 258 β’ 1 m.y. with initial SrST/SrS~ = 0.734 ~: 0.0096. Previously reported K-Ar and U, Th-Pb ages for pegmatite minerals are 249β’ 8 m.y. and 260:[: 3 m.y. respectively. Rb-Sr whole rock data for the host rocks vary between 285β’ 10 m.y. and 472-V 15 m.y. in age and between 0.705β’ and 0.7167 4-0.0016 in initial SrST/SrSS. A direct genetic relationship between the pegmatites and their host rocks is thus precluded. In addition, whole rock samples of the Brimfield schist taken at variable distances from the Sbriekland Quarry pegmatite have remained essentially closed systems with respect to Rb and Sr and thus an in situ origin for this pegmatite is unlikely. Mixing of pegmatite and country rock systems has occurred only locally, and isotopic studies of these mixed rocks yield a date of 231 :J: 4 m.y. with initial SrST/SrS6 = 0.7188 :L 0.004, an age not inconsistent with previously reported K-Ar and Rb-Sr mineral dates on host rock minerals (approximately 220 to 240 m.y.). Late stage cleavelandites are anomalously enriched in radiogenic Sr-87, the source of which was most probably other zones within the crystallizing pegmatite. This is indicated by analyses of pegmatite whole rocks which show both enrichment and depletion of radiogenic Sr-87 in local systems. The conclusion is drawn that there was widespread movement of radiogenic Sr-87 within each pegmatite system, but that pegmatite-host rock reactions were minimal.
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