Geochronology (Re–Os and U–Pb) and fluid inclusion studies of molybdenite mineralisation associated with the Shap, Skiddaw and Weardale granites, UK

Abstract

Late Devonian magmatism in Northern England records key events associated with the Acadian phase of the Caledonian-Appalachian Orogen (C-AO). Zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os geochronology date emplacement and mineralisation in the Shap (405·2±1·8 Ma), Skiddaw (398·8±0·4 and 392·3±2·8 Ma) and Weardale granites (398·3±1·6 Ma). For the Shap granite, mineralisation and magmatism are contemporaneous, with mineralisation being directly associated with the boiling of CO₂-rich magmatic fluids between 300 and 450°C, and 440 and 620 bars. For the Skiddaw granite, the Re–Os age suggests that sulphide mineralisation occurred post-magmatism (398·8±0·4 Ma) and was associated with the boiling (275 and 400°C and at 375–475 bars) of a non-magmatic fluid, enriched in N₂, CH₄ and S, which is isotopically heavy. In contrast, the co-magmatic molybdenite mineralisation of the Weardale granite formed from non-fluid boiling at 476 to 577°C at 1–1·7 kbars. The new accurate and precise ages indicate that magmatism and Mo-mineralisation occurred during the same period across eastern Avalonia (cf. Ireland). In addition, the ages provide a timing of tectonism of the Acadian phase of the C–AO in northern England. Based on the post-tectonic metamorphic mineral growth associated with the Shap and Skiddaw granite aureoles, Acadian deformation in the northern England continued episodically (before ∼405 Ma) throughout the Emsian (∼398 Ma).

Keywords:

• RHENIUM
• OSMIUM
• U-PB GEOCHRONOLOGY
• MOLYBDENITE
• ZIRCON
• FLUID INCLUSIONS
• SHAP
• WEARDALE
• SKIDDAW
• ACADIAN OROGENY