Chemistry and Differentiation of Mafic Dikes in an area near Fiskenaesset, West Greenland

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Author: Rivalenti, Giorgio
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1975
• Subjects: Greenland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e75-063; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e75-063

In the Fiskenaesset region (West Greenland), there are three generations of postorogenic doleritic dikes of tholeiitic affinity. Two types of differentiation are evident: (a) laterally from the contacts to center and vertically, with the upper centres of the youngest generation of dikes attaining an andesitic or rhyolitic composition; and (b) between the different generations of dikes.Major and trace element geochemistry and calculations of the cumulus composition indicate that the differentiation within dikes is due not to flow, but to a shallow crustal fractionation of an olivine tholeiite magma. The differentiation between the various generations is attributed to fractionation of an olivine tholeiite magma during its upward displacement from a deep crustal magma chamber.