Petrogenesis of Felsic Volcanic Rocks in Multiple Geologic Environments and Controls on Mineralization

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Felsic (high-SiO2) volcanism is common in virtually every modern geologic setting, including oceanic and continental volcanic regions. Felsic volcanism is also widely distributed in ancient greenstone belts and commonly hosts volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits (Cu, Zn, Pb). Thus, felsic magmatism is a major contributor to the Canadian economy. The origin of felsic volcanic rocks remains a fundamental geological problem. Some felsic volcanic rocks are associated with abundant mantle-derived mafic (low-SiO2) magmatism (oceanic, hotspot settings) where derivation primarily by crystallization from mafic magma is likely. The origin of silicic magmas in continental settings is less clear, where hot mantle-derived melts can drive crustal melting, leading to mixing of mantle and crustal melts, followed by further crustal assimilation and magma crystallization. Unlike mafic magmas whose geochemistry is a direct reflection of the mantle source, the origin of felsic magmas is muddled by crystallization of exotic minerals that substantially modify the geochemical character of the evolving magma. Isotope systematics provides key evidence of the origin of felsic volcanic rocks. Radiogenic isotope ratios are characteristic of the source of melts, and stable isotopes yield information both on melt sources and subsequent crystallization of the felsic magma. The volatile content and eruption temperature also help distinguish felsic magmas with different sources. The goal of this proposal is to better understand the origin of high-silica volcanic rocks in different tectonic settings, primarily in the Great Basin of the western United States, greenstone belts in the Canadian Shield, and in Hawaii. In the Great Basin, a period of pronounced felsic volcanic events, termed the ignimbrite flare-up, punctuate a southwestward sweep of volcanic activity across western Utah and Nevada between 40 and 15 million years ago. In some cases, the erupted lavas/ignimbrites are exceptionally exposed due to later faulting and tilting of the rocks. Although early studies suggested that Great Basin felsic rocks are primarily crustal melts, recent studies allow for greater contribution of mantle-derived magmas to felsic rocks. Although these felsic magmatic systems commonly host large hydrothermal alteration systems typical of many active mines, to date only one major gold deposit has been discovered, and our work will identify other areas for exploration. In the Canadian Shield, Archean greenstone belts typically include small proportions of felsic volcanic rocks. In the Slave province, two types of 2.6 to 2.7 Ga felsic volcanic complexes have been identified, one related directly to coeval mafic magmatism (Kam-type) and a second that can be modeled largely by melting of mafic lower crust (Banting-type). The origin of these two magma types is critical to models of the tectonic history of the Slave craton during this time period because very different melting and post-melting processes are required in their generation. Like Great Basin felsic magma systems, hydrothermal alteration is common in Slave felsic complexes, thus further investigation of the mineral potential in Slave felsic complexes is part of this project. Do mineral deposits appear preferentially in one felsic magma type vs. the other? At Hawaiian volcanoes, felsic rocks are extremely rare. They may form by two processes, either by crystallization of basalt or by melting of older volcanic rocks that form the bulk of the volcano. At Hawaii, felsic magmas occur only in the late stages of activity on some islands, and the origin of the felsic magmas tells us about the rate of cooling of magma reservoirs beneath the surface and the importance of water circulation within the volcano.