Lead-isotopic evidence for distinct source of granite and for distinct basement in the northern Appalachians, Maine

Geology
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Abstract

Lead-isotopic compositions of feldspars in plutons of the coastal lithotectonic block (Avalonian basement), central Maine (Merrimack) synclinorium, and Connecticut Valley-Gaspé synclinorium in northern Maine (Granville basement) indicate the presence of three fundamentally different sources of Devonian granitic rocks in Maine. Plutons in the coastal lithotectonic block have the most radiogenic values (206Pb/204Pb: 18.25–19.25; 207Pb/204Pb: 15.59–15.67; 208Pb/204Pb: 38.00–38.60); plutons in northern Maine are the least radiogenic (206Pb/204Pb: 18.00–18.50; 207Pb/204Pb: 15.51–15.55; and 208Pb/204Pb: 37.80–38.38). Intermediate lead-isotope values characterize the plutons in central Maine (206Pb/204Pb: 18.20–18.40; 207Pb/204Pb: 15.56–15.60; and 208Pb/204Pb: 38.00–38.30). All plutons show relatively radiogenic lead values for their ages and suggest the imprint of continental crustal sources especially in the coastal block and in central Maine. Plutons from the Connecticut Valley–Gaspé synclinorium allow for a more significant isotopic input from the subcontinental mantle. The three distinct lead-isotope groups probably identify plutons formed in different crustal fragments in a continental collisional environment that were juxtaposed after emplacement of the granites.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Lead-isotopic evidence for distinct source of granite and for distinct basement in the northern Appalachians, Maine
Series title Geology
DOI 10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<322:LEFDSO>2.0.CO;2
Volume 14
Issue 4
Year Published 1986
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Description 4 p.
First page 322
Last page 325
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