Petrology and geologic history of NW Akwanga area in Northern Nigeria

2008

The rare-earth element (REE) concentrations of representative granite samples from the southeast of the Obudu Plateau, Nigeria, were analyzed with an attempt to determine the signatures of their source, evolutionary history and tectonic setting. Results indicated that the granites have high absolute REE concentrations (190×10 -6 -1191×10 -6 ; av.=549×10 -6 ) with the chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by steep negative slopes and prominent to slight or no negative Eu anomalies. All the samples are also characterized by high and variable concentrations of the LREE (151×10 -6 -1169×10 -6 ; av.= 466×10 -6 ), while the HREE show low abundance (4×10 -6 -107×10 -6 ; av.=28×10 -6 ). These are consistent with the variable levels of REE fractionation, and differentiation of the granites. This is further supported by the range of REE contents, the chondrite-normalized patterns and the ratios of La N /Yb N (2.30-343.37), Ce N /Yb N (5.94-716.87), La N /Sm N (3.14-11.68) and Tb N /Yb N (0.58-1.65). The general parallelism of the REE patterns, suggest that all the granites were comagmatic in origin, while the high Eu/Eu* ratios (0.085-2.807; av.=0.9398) indicate high f O2 at the source. Similarly, irregular variations ratios and REE abundances among the samples suggest behaviors that are related to mantle and crustal sources.

Section: Geological Featuressupporting

confidence: 59%

Rare-earth elements as source indicators of Pan-African granites from Obudu Plateau, Southeastern Nigeria

2008

“…The granites and charnockitic rocks of the Obudu Plateau have been assigned Pan-African ages (McCurry, 1971;Rahaman, 1988;Umeji, 1988;Ekwueme, 1994) based on field data, petrography, structural attributes and K-Ar dating. All the rock units, except the dolerites, gabbros and diorites, were deformed in the N-S to NE-SW direction, in conformity with trends in the Nigerian Basement Complex (Orajaka, 1964;McCurry, 1971;Rahaman, 1976;Ajibade and Fitches, 1988;Onyeagocha, 1984;Umeji, 1988Umeji, , 1991Ekwueme, 1994;Ukaegbu, 2003). The gabbros and diorites were emplaced in the amphibolite facies migmatite garnet schist terrain.…”

Section: Local Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 69%

Rare-earth and trace element imprints on the origin and tectonic setting of gabbro-diorite complex in the Pan-African belt of Southeast Obudu Plateau, Nigeria

2009

A gabbro-diorite plutonic complex from the Southeast Obudu Plateau, representing limited volumes of magma, was studied for its trace and rare-earth element characteristics, in an attempt to document its genetic and geodynamic history. Geochemical studies indicate that the gabbro samples are characterized by variable concentrations and low averages of such index elements as Cr (40×10 -6 -), while the diorite samples exhibit higher trace element compositions. The range of REE contents and distinctive chondrite-normalized patterns indicate moderate fractionation with slight positive Eu anomaly in the diorites to very low fractionation with flat patterns and slight positive Eu anomaly in the gabbros. However, the general element systematics of the samples, especially LILE (Ba, Rb, Sr, Cs and Pb), HFSE (Zr, Th, U, Hf, Mo, W, Nb and Sn), relatively immobile elements (Zr, Ni, Cr) and REE, suggests a differentiation model, involving fractional crystallization of olivine and clinopyroxene from a partial melt generated beneath an island arc complex. A possible model for the complex is therefore an island arc setting, the development of which was dominated by calc-alkaline magmatism across the Obudu Plateau.

“…The generally north-south to northeast-southwest trending belt of migmatite-gneiss-schist-amphibolite complex, and igneous complexes of charnockites and enderbites form the lithologic features of the southeastern part of the Obudu Plateau. Apart from the gabbros, diorites and dolerites that were not affected by the deformation processes, and the granites and charnockites that were slightly deformed, all other basement units were highly deformed and metamorphosed in line with trends in other established patterns in the Pan-African Basement Complex of Nigeria (Orajaka, 1964;McCurry, 1971McCurry, , 1976Rahaman, 1976Rahaman, , 1988Onyeagocha, 1984).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 74%

Trace and rare-earth element geochemistry: A tool for petrogenetic and geotectonic modeling of ensimatic ortho-amphibolites from Pan-African belt of Obudu Plateau, Southeastern Nigeria

2009

A model for the petrogenetic affinity and original geotectonic setting of ortho-amphibolites from the Obudu Plateau was tested using the distribution patterns of trace and rare-earth elements from the geochemical analyses of twelve representative amphibolite samples. Discrimination plots, normalized patterns of the incompatible trace elements against average MORB, low ratios of Ba/Nb (9-23) and Ba/Ta (130-327) and other geochemical characteristics suggest that the protoliths were dominantly of tholeiitic MORB composition. The values of the ratios of La/Ta (8.13-10.8), Rb/Sr (0.04-0.07), Th/U (mainly 4.43-5.43) and Hf/Ta (2.35-2.88) further indicate that the ortho-amphibolites demonstrate E-type MORB characteristics. These features are related to substantial ocean floor divergent tectonic boundary setting rather than marginal basin tectonic setting. This evolutionary pattern appears to be controlled by limited progressive partial melting and fractional crystallization of a single mantle source region, irrespective, however, of variations due to local source heterogeneities. The tholeiitic magmas were most probably generated by hotspot activities on the constructive plate margins and subsequently modified by subduction-related low-K tholeiitic chemistry due to narrowing of a proto oceanic basin between the West African craton and eastern Sahara plate. A likely model, therefore, is that the amphibolites of the Obudu Plateau represent ophiolitic suites with characteristics of enriched mid-ocean floor tholeiites, which were deformed and metamorphosed during a reversed plate motion involving subduction and collision within the Obudu Plateau in the Pan-African orogenic episode.