Geochemistry of Late Proterozoic amphibolites and ultramafic rocks, southeastern Canadian Cordillera
Late Proterozoic amphibolites and ultramafic rocks from the southeastern Canadian Cordillera have been analysed for major and trace elements in order to determine the nature and origin of the protoliths. Geologic relations indicate that these rocks were produced during an episode of continental rifting in the Precambrian. Based on rare-earth-element (REE) patterns, immobile-incompatible-element ratios, and characteristic elemental abundances, amphibolites are subdivided into alkaline and tholeiitic metabasalts. Alkaline basalts are recognized by their steep REE patterns, high Zr/Y, high TiO2 and P2O5 abundances, and low Y/Nb and Ti/Zr. Tholeiitic basalts are subdivided into three groups: (I) high-Mg#, high-field-strength-element (HFSE)-depleted, light-REE (LREE)-enriched tholeiites with flat heavy REE (HREE) patterns; (II) LREE-enriched tholeiites depleted in HREE; and (III) low-Mg# tholeiites with flat REE patterns. Ultramafic rocks occur as boudins of partially recrystallized Cr-spinel-bearing harzburgi...