Minor intrusions of peralkaline microsyenite in the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland

Abstract

The agpaitic part of the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, is made up of a roof zone, an intermediate zone and a floor zone. Dykes and sills of peralkaline microsyenite intersect the rocks of the roof and floor zones, but do not appear to intersect the lujavritic nepheline syenites which make up the intermediate zone. The microsyenites consist of Na-poor microcline, K-poor albite, aegirine and arfvedsonite which are practically identical to those of the agpaitic nepheline syenites of the complex. Neptunite and pectolite are the commonest minor minerals. The microsyenites are silica-saturated, –oversaturated, or, more rarely, undersaturated. The agpaitic part of the Ilímaussaq complex is considered to have been formed in a closed magma chamber; the lujavrites of the intermediate zone representing residual melts left after the consolidation of the roof and floor zones. That the microsyenite intrusions intersect the roof and floor zones but not the youngest lujavrites lying between these zones presents a geometrical problem which is discussed at some length. It is difficult to explain the microsyenites as products of fractionation or contamination of melts within the agpaitic magma chamber. Furthermore, the microsyenites differ mineralogically and chemically from the abundant microsyenitic dykes of the regional Tugtutôq-Ilímaussaq dyke swarm. It is therefore proposed that they originated in the source region which fed the agpaitic melts of the Ilímaussaq complex and that their emplacement in fractures was accompanied by a loss of volatiles and incompatible elements.