Thesis (Ph. D.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1998. / Bibliography: v. 1, leaves 250-287. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, March, 2010. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-08-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:23:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_apl_dr_rcla.pdf: 3692722 bytes, checksum: 900db74dcbd4622214c80e8eaea2572f (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Os materiais empregados na pesquisa correspondem a rochas granulíticas, mais especificamente gnaisses enderbíticos. Exibem cor que varia de verde a cinza escuro, com textura de fina a média, e foliação que varia de pouco a bem marcada. Todos estes corpos rochosos estão dispostos sob a forma de maciços. Os materiais estudados foram denominados de Verde Netuno, Verde Santa Cruz e Verde Choró, respectivamente para os granulitos das regiões de Itapipoca, Granja e Chorozinho. Foram pesquisados quanto aos aspectos tecnológicos e alteração/alterabilidade quando em uso. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi estudar as alterabilidades das rochas selecionadas e observar os seus comportamentos uma vez expostas à ação dos agentes de alteração em laboratório, em condições correlacionáveis às do ambiente em que poderão ser aplicadas. A resposta aos ensaios tecnológicos mostra que eles apresentam boa qualidade para uso ornamental e de revestimento. Os estudos de alterabilidade realizados em rochas granulíticas demonstraram que, mesmo rochas aparentemente pouco susceptíveis a alteração, podem apresentar problemas de degradação quando submetidas a ambientes poluídos quimicamente agressivos. Sobre estes aspectos, observou-se que as características petrográficas e os índices físicos (porosidade e absorção) são ferramentas muito importantes para a avaliação da durabilidade das rochas como materiais de revestimento. No contexto geral estas rochas mostraram-se bastante resistentes para uso como materiais de revestimentos. / The materials employed in this research correspond to granulitic rocks, more specifically enderbitic gneisses. Those rocks exhibit of green to dark gray color, fine to medium texture and gentle to well-marked foliation. All of them constitute massif bodies. The denominations Green Netuno, Green Santa Cruz and Green Choró were given to the granulites of Itapipoca, Granja and Chorozinho, respectively. The research was carried out taking in account the technological aspects and weathering/weatherability when in use. The essential aim of this work is to study the alterability of selected rocks and to observe their behavior once exposed to alteration agents in a laboratory environment comparable to actual environments where these rocks are used. The results of the technological tests showed that these rocks present good quality for both ornamental and of coating use. The alterability studies conducted in granulitic rocks demonstrated that, even rocks with an apparent low susceptibility to alteration, may in fact problems when submitted to chemically aggressive polluted environments. On these aspects, it was possible to notice that both the petrographic characteristics and the physical parameters (porosity and absorption) are very important tools for the evaluation of the durability of the rocks as coating materials. Therefore, in a general context the rocks studied are quite resistant regarding both to the alteration capacity and to the technological characteristics.

This study investigates the ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic and metasomatic processes involved in the transient subduction-exhumation of continental crust to over 100km depths during a collisional orogeny and the implications for the evolution of the continental crust and crust-mantle interaction at depth. The study focuses on garnet websterites (orthopyroxene eclogites) and zoned, clinopyroxenite-garnetite veining features present in a range of eclogite-facies, crustal metamafic-ultramafic bodies hosted within the Western Gneiss Region (WGR), western Norway. The structural occurrences and textures of some of these crustal garnet websterites are seemingly unique to the WGR but little research has focused on their origin or from a metasomatic perspective. Based on field and petrographic observations, a metasomatic origin is attributed to vein-associated garnet websterites at Kolmannskog, Myrbærneset and Svartberget. A metamorphic origin is attributed to body domains at Nybø, Kolmannskog, Båtneset and Myrbærneset and a combined metamorphic-metasomatic origin is attributed to garnet websterite body domains at Årsheimneset and Remøysunde and inferred at Grytting and Eiksunddal. UHP P-T conditions are obtained from garnet websterites of ~3.7GPa, 740°C at Nybø, ~3.1GPa, 670°C at Grytting, ~3.5GPa, 700°C at Årsheimneset, ~3.6GPa, 815°C at Remøysunde, ~3.0GPa, 750°C at Kolmannskog and ~3.85GPa, 790°C at Svartberget. On this basis, it is proposed the Nordøyane UHP domain be extended eastwards to incorporate the Kolmannskog locality which lies outside its currently defined boundary. Constructed P-T paths suggest the northern Nordøyane UHP domain experienced ~100°C higher temperatures than the southern Nordfjord-Stadlandet UHP domain but experienced similar pressures implying a lower regional P-T gradient than previously established. P-T paths also suggest UHP, vein-forming metasomatism occurred prior to peak temperatures. U-Pb isotopic dating of zircon and monazites in garnetite vein cores dates UHP metasomatism at 414±5.6Ma at Årsheimneset and 410±2.6Ma at Svartberget. The fluid responsible for UHP metasomatism is considered to be a Si-Al-K-H2O-rich supercritical liquid produced in the surrounding country rock associated with the breakdown of phengite with a Na-LILE-LREE-HFSE-P enrichment signature. The major element composition of the fluid added to the Svartberget body is calculated to be 48-60% SiO¬2, 17-27% Al2O3, 3-11% K2O, <10% MgO, CaO and FeO, 3-6% Na2O, <4% P2O5¬, <1% TiO2 and MnO with an overall, undersaturated-saturated sialic, syenitic character hybridised through interaction with the garnet peridotite body margins. The continental fluid-mafic-ultramafic rock systems studied imply a zoned metasomatic unit forms at the interface between subducted continental crust and above mantle wedge at depths of ≥120-130km and along any fluid pathways penetrating into the mantle transferring abundant alkalis, water and trace elements into the mantle. Fluid-mantle interaction is proposed to form abundant biotite and amphibole and zones of garnet websterite, biotite websterite and biotite clinopyroxenite with lenses of eclogite and/or accessory phase (rutile, zircon, monazite, apatite, xenotime)-rich garnetite ±glimmerite selvages where residual fluids accumulate. Subcontinental mantle metasomatism may be associated with UHP, supercritical liquids derived from subducted, eclogite-facies, continental crust rather than oceanic crust as the continental crust is a greater source of the Si, alkalis, trace elements and water which characterise mantle metasomatism.

D.Sc / Neumayerskarvet forms a continuous outcrop of high-grade gneiss within the northern Kirwanveggen in western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. A detailed geological study was carried out to obtain an evolutionary history for Neumayerskarvet. The work involved field mapping to provide a structural framework for further metamorphic and isotopic investigations. U-Pb zircon SHRIMP analysis, Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd and Ar-Ar mineral analysis were used to provide absolute time constraints on different tectono-metamorphic periods and cooling histories. Petrographic investigations, coupled with mineral chemistry on kyanite-bearing leucogneisses, provided information on the P-T conditions. An understanding of the crustal evolution of the high-grade gneisses was obtained through whole-rock geochemistry and isotope analysis. The dominant lithotectonic unit preserved at Neumayerskarvet is biotite-garnet migmatite gneiss, which is inter-fingered with quartzofeldspathic gneisses and banded quartz-feldspar gneisses. Several magmatic phases have intruded these sequences. Three tectonometamorphic cycles have been established for the region. The first two cycles are assigned to a period between 1390 Ma and 970 Ma while the third cycle is constrained between 650 Ma and 450 Ma. An age of ca. 1390 Ma for the biotite-gamet migmatite gneiss provides a maximum age for the first tectono-metamorphic cycle. Zircon growth and magmatism during this tectonometamorphic cycle constrains deformation (D1a) between ca. 1160 Ma and ca. 1110 Ma. Deformation is marked by the development of a penetrative planar foliation and isoclinal recumbent folding. High-pressure metamorphic conditions during this cycle have been suggested from previous investigations but are not confirmed in this investigation as the kyanite-bearing leucogneisses intruded during the second tectono-metamorphic cycle. It is possible that the first and second tectono-metamorphic cycles are part of a progressive deformational cycle. The second tectono-thermal cycle represents a major period of magmatism and tectonism constrained between ca. 1110 Ma and ca. 970 Ma. Major folding occurred during this tectonic episode, represented by isoclinal recumbent folds, sheath folds and re-folded fold interference patterns (D1b). The structural fabric elements produced a complicated relationship of transposed coplanar and colinear composite fabrics. Fabric geometries suggest NNW-SSE tectonic transport directions. Garnet-kyanite-muscovite-biotite-quartz assemblages (Mn+1 (nkv)) provide P-T estimates of 710-760 °C and 7.8-8.5 kb. Later metamorphic assemblages of sillimanite-muscovite-high Ca-garnet-biotite-quartz (Mn+2 (nkv)) provide P-T estimates of 630- 690 °C and 6.0-7.4 kb. The whole-rock isotope data indicate that material accreted during the second tectono-metamorphic cycle experienced a short crustal residence time. The third tectono-metamorphic cycle is constrained by isotopic ages between 650 Ma and 450 Ma. Deformation (D2) that re-works earlier tectonic fabrics may represent signatures of this cycle, but the exact nature of the deformation remains enigmatic. Tectonic fabric styles and geometries are similar to the more dominant D1 tectonic episode, making recognition of temporal relationships difficult. Diffusional P-T data from garnet-biotite rims (Mn+3 (nkv)) provide P-T cooling estimates of 560-570 °C and 4.4-4.6 kb. Re-working of the high-grade gneisses during the third tectono-metamorphic cycle, with no addition or accretion of new crustal material is indicated by the isotopic data. A final tectonic episode (D3) comprising late brittle deformation and uplift is equated to Gondwana break-up.

No description available.

<p> Nd isotope analysis is well suited for mapping major tectonic boundaries in highly metamorphosed orogenic belts. In this study, approximately 80 samples have been analyzed to map 2 such boundaries in the Central Gneiss Belt of the Grenville Province of Ontario. In Central Ontario, lithotectonic terranes with mapped outcrops of gneisses intruded by eclogites and/or coronitic metagabbro have Nd model ages less than 1.8 Ga are interpreted as components of the allochthonous polycylic belt. More northerly terranes are comprised of similar gneissic materials, but have different types of mafic intrusives and have model ages greater than 1. 8 Ga. These terranes are interpreted as fragments of the parautochthonous belt. These two belts are divided by a major thrust, termed the Allochthon Boundary Thrust (ABT) (Rivers, et. al., 1989). Continuing to the north, another step in the Nd model ages has been used to identify and map a cryptic suture between Archean and early Proterozoic crustal materials (Dickin & McNutt, 1989). </p> <p> Along the Georgian Bay coastline, between Pointe Au Baril and Parry Sound, the Shawanaga Shear Zone has been interpreted as the location of the ABT (Culshaw, et. al., 1994). Analysis of over 50 samples are used to map the crustal formation ages in this region and have confirmed this interpretation. Orthogneisses of the Britt Domain have Nd model ages in the range 1.8- 1.9 Ga. Reworking of the original crust has given these rocks U-Pb crystallization ages of~ 1.45 Ga, which means that these rocks have been metamorphosed prior to the Grenvillian event. Crossing the ABT, the orthogneisses of the Shawanaga Domain have a younger range of crustal formation ages, 1.4 - 1.7 Ga. The U-Pb crystallization ages of these rocks are ~ 1.36 Ga, and they lack signs pre-Grenvillian metamorphism. To the south of Franklin Island, the location of the ABT is difficult to map, as outcrop lies beneath the waters of Georgian Bay. Results of the Nd isotope analyses suggest that the ABT passes through the western edge of the Snake Islands, rather than to their east, as previously interpreted (Culshaw, et. al., 1994). </p> <p> Approximately 15 Nd isotope analyses were used to investigate a recently proposed location of the ABT (Ketchum & Davidson, 2000) in the vicinity of the Powassan Batholith. Results from near Arnstein, Restoule and Magnetewan agreed with the existing location of the ABT. To the east of the Powassan Batholith, 3 Nd model ages coupled with a lack of mappable eclogites and/or coronitic metagabbros suggest that earlier interpretations of the position of the ABT may be correct and that further studies in this region are necessary. </p> <p> A cryptic suture identified by crustal formation ages has been the focus of several previous studies (Dickin & McNutt, 1989, 1990; Holmden & Dickin, 1995; Dickin, 1998; Guo & Dickin, 1996). This suture has been mapped from the Georgian Bay coast through Lake Nipissing to the Ontario-Quebec border. New Nd isotope analyses and studies of the regional magnetics have identified a thrust slice between the Grenville Front tectonic zone (GFTZ) and the parautochthonous belt. The cryptic suture appears to coincide with a previously undescribed tectonic boundary west of the Key River. To the west of this boundary, straight orthogneisses within the thrust slice have Nd model ages greater than 2.2 Ga. These differ from the orthogneisses and metaplutonic tonalites to the east of this boundary, which exhibit kilometer-scale isoclinal folds and crustal formation ages between 1.8- 2.0 Ga, the previously identified range for the Britt Domain. </p> <p> Major steps in the depleted mantle model ages are observed in all three regions, allowing mapping of the ABT and the Penokean Suture. It is concluded that, in metamorphic orogenic belts, such as the Grenville Province, detailed mapping of major tectonic boundaries is greatly enhanced by the use of Nd isotope analysis. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

Combined Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic studies of continental crustal rocks were undertaken to assess the relative effects of secondary crustal processes on isotopic systematics of whole-rock systems. The processes studied include ductile deformation, and three cases of hydrothermal alteration, involving fluids of varying composition. The Rb-Sr system proved to be easily disturbed during all secondary processes, while Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf systems were, for the most part, resilient. These results show that Nd or Hf isotopic information obtained from old rocks that have undergone typical crustal deformational and alteration events can be counted on to be equally reliable. Nd and Hf isotopic analyses were performed on four suites of Early Archean felsic gneiss complexes from Greenland, Labrador, Swaziland, and Michigan to explore questions associated with Early Archean crustal growth. The Sm-Nd isotopic data yield initial ∊(Nd) values that are mostly consistent with published age data for the suites. Calculations show limited scatter may be attributed to subtle changes in the Sm/Nd ratio or Nd isotopic composition. The Hf isotopic results are more variable and complex than the Nd results. The relevance of the studies on isotopic mobility in the first part of this work is that they have demonstrated that Nd and Hf isotopes are equally resilient during a range of secondary crustal processes. Given the robustness of the Nd isotopic data from the Archean samples, however, it seems unreasonable to attribute the much wider variation in Hf isotopic data to post-Archean isotopic disturbances. Differences in initial Hf isotopic ratios from differing magma sources seem called for. Nd and Hf whole-rock analyses of a Late Archean pristine garnet-bearing granitoid complex from northern Canada point out the importance of garnet in fractionating Lu/Hf ratios, and in developing anomalous ∊(Hf) signatures in potential source regions. Calculations show that even short-lived upper mantle/lower crustal heterogeneities, products of previous partial melting events involving garnet fractionation, can develop the range of positive and negative ∊(Hf) values seen in the Early Archean samples.