Magma Mushes of the Fogo Island Batholith: a Study of Magmatic Processes at Multiple Scales

Abstract

Abstract This field, petrographic, and geochemical study examines mingling of compositionally similar rocks at multiple scales. Evidence of complex magma interaction in a multi-component crystal mush reservoir is preserved within the Wild Unit, located along the NE shoreline of Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The irregular contacts and lack of chilled margins between units, the back-intrusion of younger units by older units, the similar composition of units, and an overlap in U–Pb zircon ages suggest that all units interacted as viscous crystal mushes at similar temperatures in the shallow crust. Abundant rounded to ellipsoidal magmatic enclaves, of which there are at least three populations based on composition and crystallinity, appear to represent separate magmas that were entrained either as earlier mush material or crystal-poor intrusions that experienced break-up. Evidence of changes in liquid environment at deeper levels is preserved both in the field and at the mineral scale, where it is highlighted by abrupt compositional spikes in traverses across early forming plagioclase and pyroxene crystals. Heterogeneity in textures and composition of both major minerals (plagioclase and pyroxene) and an accessory mineral (zircon) point to processes such as crystal exchange and capture affecting tonalite crystal mushes, magmatic enclaves, and other intrusions in the study area earlier in their histories at deeper levels.