Compositional changes during fractionation of felsic granites from western Tasmania, Australia
Dr Doone Wyborn and Professor Bruce W. Chappell, GEMOC ANU
Geochemical and Sr isotopic signatures of Late Devonian Granites of
western Tasmania indicate they were derived from four main source-rocks,
two metaluminous (I-type Housetop and Meredith Suites) and two peraluminous
(S-type Pieman and Interview Suites). All granites are felsic with SiO2
greater than 70%, and show fractionation trends indicating fractionation
near the ternary minimum. The behaviour of trace elements during the fractionation
is dependent on the aluminium saturation index and oxygen fugacity of the
magmas. In the oxidised metaluminous Housetop Suite Rb, Th and Y, and possibly
Nb and U are incompatible. The weakly metaluminous Meredith Batholith has
only Rb, Y and U incompatible. Rb, Nb, Sn and U are incompatible in the
weakly peraluminous Pieman Suite, and in the strongly peraluminous Interview
Suite P2O5, Rb, Nb, Sn, and U are incompatible.