Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T21:27:49.326Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Evolution of silicic magma in the upper crust: the mid-Tertiary Latir volcanic field and its cogenetic granitic batholith, northern New Mexico, U.S.A.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2011

Peter W. Lipman
Peter W. Lipman
Affiliation:
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Co 80225, U.S.A.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Structural and topographic relief along the eastern margin of the Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico, provides a remarkable cross-section through the 26-Ma Questa caldera and cogenetic volcanic and plutonic rocks of the Latir field. Exposed levels increase in depth from mid-Tertiary depositional surfaces in northern parts of the igneous complex to plutonic rocks originally at 3–5 km depths in the S. Erosional remnants of an ash-flow sheet of weakly peralkaline rhyolite (Amalia Tuff) and andesitic to dacitic precursor lavas, disrupted by rift-related faults, are preserved as far as 45 km beyond their sources at the Questa caldera. Broadly comagmatic 26 Ma batholithic granitic rocks, exposed over an area of 20 by 35 km, range from mesozonal granodiorite to epizonal porphyritic granite and aplite; shallower and more silicic phases are mostly within the caldera. Compositionally and texturally distinct granites define resurgent intrusions within the caldera and discontinuous ring dikes along its margins; a batholithic mass of granodiorite extends 20 km S of the caldera and locally grades vertically to granite below its flat-lying roof. A negative Bouguer gravity anomaly (15–20 mgal), which encloses exposed granitic rocks and coincides with boundaries of the Questa caldera, defines boundaries of the shallow batholith, emplaced low in the volcanic sequence and in underlying Precambrian rocks. Palaeomagnetic pole positions indicate that successively crystallised granitic plutons cooled through Curie temperatures during the time of caldera formation, initial regional extension, and rotational tilting of the volcanic rocks. Isotopic ages for most intrusions are indistinguishable from the volcanic rocks. These relations indicate that the batholithic complex broadly represents the source magma for the volcanic rocks, into which the Questa caldera collapsed, and that the magma was largely liquid during regional tectonic disruption.

Volcanic and plutonic magmas (1) changed from early high-K calc-alkaline to alkalic prior to caldera eruptions; (2) differentiated to a weakly peralkaline rhyolite and equivalent acmiteartvedsonite granite cap (underlain by calc-alkaline granite) when the caldera formed at 26·5 Ma; then (3) reverted to calc-alkaline compositions. Concentrations of alkalis and minor elements such as Rb, Th, U, Nb, Zr, and Y reached maxima at the caldera stage. The volcanic rocks constitute intermittently quenched samples of upper parts of Questa magma bodies at early stages of crystallisation; in contrast, the comagmatic granitic rocks preserve an integrated record of protracted crystallisation of the magmatic residue as eruptions diminished. Multiple differentiation processes were active during evolution of the Questa magmatic system: crystal fractionation, replenishment by mantle and lower crustal melts of varying chemical and isotopic character, mixing of evolved with more primitive magmas, upper crustal assimilation, and perhaps volatile-transfer processes. As a result, an evolving batholithic cluster of coalesced magma chambers generated diverse assemblages of broadly cogenetic rocks within a few million years. Evolution of the Questa magmatic system and similar high-level Tertiary granitic batholiths nearby in the southern Rocky Mountains provides broad insights into magmatic processes in continental regions such as the overall shapes of batholiths, time and compositional relations between cogenetic volcanic and plutonic rocks, density equilibration of magmas with country rocks, and thermal evolution of continental crust.

Keywords

ash flow tuffcompositional gradientsdensity structureintrusionslower crustal meltingmineralisationQuesta calderaREE dataregional extensionresurgent plutonsring dykethermal structure
Type
Research Article
Information
Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh , Volume 79 , Issue 2-3: The Origin of Granites , 1988 , pp. 265 - 288
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aldrich, M. J. Jr., Chapin, C. E. & Laughlin, A. W. 1986. Stress history and tectonic development of the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 91, 6199–6211.Google Scholar
Axelrod, D. I. & Bailey, H. P. 1976. Tertiary vegetation, climate, and altitude of the Rio Grande depression, New Mexico-Colorado. PALEOBIOLOGY 29, 235–254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ayuso, R. 1984. Field relations, crystallization, and petrology of reversely zoned granitic plutons in the Bottle Lake Complex, Maine. U.S. GEOL SURV PROF PAP 1320.Google Scholar
Bailey, D. K. & Macdonald, R. 1975. Fluorine and chlorine in peralkaline liquids and the need for magma generation in an open system. MINERAL MAG 40, 405–414.Google Scholar
Barnes, C. G. 1983. Petrology and upward zonation of the Wooley Creek batholith, Klamath Mountains, California. J PETROL 24, 495–537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bateman, P. C. & Chappell, B. W. 1979. Crystallization, fractionation, and solidification of the Tuaolumne Intrusive Series, Yosemite National Park, California. BULL GEOL SOC AM 90, 465–482.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buddington, A. F. 1959. Granite emplacement with special reference to North America. BULL GEOL SOC AM 70, 671–748.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Christiansen, E. H., Burt, D. M.Sheridan, M. F. & Wilson, R. T. 1983. Petrogenesis of topaz rhyolites from the western United States. CONTRIB MINERAL PETROL 83, 16–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Conrad, W. K. 1984. The mineralogy and petrology of compositional zoned ash flow tuffs, and related silicic volcanic rocks, from the McDermitt caldera complex, Nevada-Oregon. J GEOPHYS RES 89, 8639–8664.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cordell, L. 1978. Complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map of Taos basin section of the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico. U.S. GEOL SURV OPEN-FILE REP 78–317.Google Scholar
Cordell, L., Long, C. L. & Jones, D. W. 1986. Geophysical expression of the batholith beneath Questa caldera, New Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 90, 11263–11274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cordell, L. & Keller, G. R. 1984. Regional structural trends inferred from gravity and aeromagnetic data in the New Mexico-Colorado border region. N Mexico Geol Soc 35th Field Conf Guide, 21–23.Google Scholar
Czamanske, G. K. & Dillet, B. in press. Alkali amphiboles, tetrasilicic mica, and sodic pyroxene in peralkaline siliceous rocks, Questa caldera, New Mexico. AM J SCIGoogle Scholar
Davidson, J. P., Dungan, M. A., Ferguson, K. M. & Colucci, M. T. 1987. Crust-magma interactions and the evolution of arc magmas: the San Pedro-Pellado volcanic complex, southern Chilean Andes. GEOLOGY 15, 443–446.Google Scholar
Davis, G. A. & Coney, P. J. 1979. Geologic development of the Cordilleran metamorphic core complexes. GEOLOGY 7, 120–124.Google Scholar
Dillet, B. & Czamanske, G. K. 1987. Aspects of the petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the granitic rocks associated with Questa caldera, northern New Mexico. U.S. GEOL SURV OPEN-FILE REP 87–258.Google Scholar
Eaton, G. P. 1987. Topography and origin of the southern Rocky Mountains and Alvarado ridge. GEOL SOC LONDON SPEC PUBL 31, (in press).Google Scholar
Eichelberger, J. C. & Gooley, R. 1977. Evolution of silicic magma chambers and their relationship to silicic volcanism. In Heacock, J. G. (ed.) The Earth's Crust. GEOPHYS MONOGR SER, AM GEOPHYS UNION 20, 57–77.Google Scholar
Epis, R. C. & Chapin, C. E. 1968. Geologic history of the Thirtynine Mile volcanic field, central Colorado. COLORADO SCHOOL MINES QUART 63, 51–86.Google Scholar
Epis, R. C. & Chapin, C. E. 1975. Geomorphic and tectonic implications of the post-Laramide, late Eocene erosion surface in the Southern Rocky Mountains. GEOL SOC AM MEM 144, 45–74.Google Scholar
Farmer, G. L. & DePaulo, D. P. 1984. Origin of Mesozoic and Tertiary granites in the western United States and implications for pre-Mesozoic structure. 2. Nd and Sr isotopic studies of unmineralized and Cu- and Mo-mineralized granite in the Precambrian craton. J GEOPHYS RES 89, 10141–10160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frey, F. A. & Roden, M. F. 1987. The mantle source for the Hawaiian Islands: constraints from the lavas and ultramafic inclusions. Mantle Metasomatism, 423–463. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Fridrich, C. J. & Mahood, G. A. 1984. Reverse zoning in the resurgent intrusion of the Grizzly Peak cauldron, Sawatch Range, Colorado. BULL GEOL SOC AM 95, 779–7874.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gebhart, J. W. 1987. Deformation around the Creede caldera: a consequence of isostatic adjustment following caldera formation. J GEOPHYS RES 92, 10601–10616.Google Scholar
Gronert, L. P. & Silver, L. T. 1983. Rare earth element distributions among minerals in a granodiorite and their petrogenetic implications. GEOCHIM COSMOCHIM ACTA 47, 925–939.Google Scholar
Hagstrum, J. T., Lipman, P. W. & Elston, D. P. 1982. Palaeomagnetic evidence bearing on the structural development of the Latir volcanic field near Questa, New Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 87, 7833–7842.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hagstrum, J. T. & Johnson, C. M. 1986. A paleomagnetic and isotopic study of chemical remanent magnetization associated with hydrothermal alteration in the pluton of Rio Hondo, near Questa, New Mexico. EARTH PLANET SCI LETT 78, 296–314.Google Scholar
Hagstrum, J. T. & Lipman, P. W. 1986. Paleomagnetism of the structurally deformed Latir volcanic field, northern New Mexico: relations to formation of the Questa caldera and development of the Rio Grande rift. J GEOPHYS RES 91, 7383–7402.Google Scholar
Hamilton, W. & Myers, W. B. 1967. The nature of batholiths. U.S GEOL SURV PROF PAP 554–C.Google Scholar
Harmon, R. S., Barreiro, B. A., Moorbath, S., Hoefs, J., Francis, P. W., Thorpe, R. S., Durelle, B., McHugh, J. & Viglino, J. A. 1984. Regional O- Sr- and Pb-isotope relationships in late Cenozoic calc-alkaline lavas of the Andean Cordillera. J GEOL SOC LONDON 141, 803–822.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hildreth, W. 1979. The Bishop Tuff: evidence for the origin of compositional zonation in silicic magma chambers. GEOL SOC AM SPEC PAP 180, 43–76.Google Scholar
Hildreth, W. 1981. Gradients in silicic magma chambers: implications for lithospheric magmatism. J GEOPHYS RES 86, 10153–10192.Google Scholar
Hopson, C. A., Dellinger, J. M. & Mattinson, J. M. 1987. Crustal, mantle, and hybrid components of a 4-dimensionally zoned granitoid pluton, North Cascades, Washington (abs.). EOS 68, 1513.Google Scholar
Iyer, H. M., Evans, J. R., Zandt, G., Steward, R. M., Coakley, J. M. & Roloff, J. N. 1981. A deep low-velocity body under the Yellowstone caldera, Wyoming; delineation using teleseismic P-wave residuals and tectonic interpretation: summary. BULL GEOL SOC AM PT 1, 92, 792–798.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
James, D. E., Brooks, C. & Cuyubamba, A. 1976. Andean Cenozoic volcanism: magma genesis in the light of strontium isotopic compostion and trace-element geochemistry. BULL GEOL SOC AM 87, 592–600.Google Scholar
Johnson, C. M., Czamanske, G. K. & Lipman, P. W. 1986. The Questa magmatic system: Geochemistry of plutonic rocks associated with the Latir volcanic field & relations to extensional tectonism. Ph.D Dissertation, Stanford University, Chapter 2, 101–202.Google Scholar
Johnson, C. M. & Lipman, P. W. 1986. The Questa magmatic system: Sr, Nd and Pb isotope geochemistry of the Latir volcanic field and associated intrusive rocks & relations to development of a crustal magmatic center. Ph.D Dissertation, Stanford University, Chapter 3, 202–275.Google Scholar
Johnson, C. M. & Lipman, P. W. 1988. Petrology of the Latir volcanic field and associated rocks, and relations to early development of the Rio Grande rift, northern New Mexico. CONTRIB MINERAL PETROL (in press)Google Scholar
Jones, D. M. & Norris, J. R. 1984. Geology of the South Fork molybdenum occurrence Taos County, New Mexico. N. Mexico Geol Soc. 35th Field Confer, 213–218.Google Scholar
Kelley, S. A. & Duncan, I. J. 1986. Late Cretaceous to Middle Tertiary tectonic history of the northern Rio Grande rift, New Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 91, 6246–6262.Google Scholar
Kistler, R. W., Chappell, B. W., Peck, D. L. & Bateman, P. C. 1986. Isotopic variation in the Tuolumne Intrusive Suite, central Sierra Nevada, California. CONTRIB MINERAL PETROL, 94, 205–220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lachenbruch, A. H. & Sass, J. H. 1978. Models of an extending lithosphere and heat flow in the Basin and Range province. GEOL SOC AM MEM 152, 209–250.Google Scholar
Le, Bas M. J., le, Maitre R. W., Streckeisen, A. & Sanetin, B. 1986. A chemical classification of volcanic rocks based on the total alkali-silica diagram. J PETROL 27, 745–750.Google Scholar
Leonardson, R. W., Dunlap, G., Starquist, V. L., Bratton, G. P., Meyer, J. W., Osborn, L. W., Atkin, S. A., Moiling, P. A., Moore, R. F. & Olmore, S. D. 1983. Preliminary geology and molybdenum deposits at Questa, New Mexico. Proc Denver Region Explor Geol Soc Symp, 151–155.Google Scholar
Lipman, P. W. 1976. Caldera-collapse breccias in the western San Juan Mountains, Colorado. BULL GEOL SOC AM 87, 1397–1410.Google Scholar
Lipman, P. W. 1981. Volcano-tectonic setting of Tertiary ore deposits in the Southern Rocky Mountains. ARIZONA GEOL SOC DIG 14, 199–211.Google Scholar
Lipman, P. W. 1983. The Miocene Questa caldera, northern New Mexico: Relation to batholith emplacement and associated molybdenum mineralization. Proc Denver Region Explor Geol Soc Symp, 133–147.Google Scholar
Lipman, P. W. 1984. The roots of ash-flow calderas in western North America: windows into granitic batholiths. J GEOPHYS RES 89, 8801–8841.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lipman, P. W. 1987. Rare-earth-element compositions of Cenozoic volcanic rocks in the southern Rocky Mountains and adjacent areas. U.S. GEOL SURV BULL 1668.Google Scholar
Lipman, P. W., Doe, B. R., Hedge, C. E. & Steven, T. A. 1978. Petrologic evolution of the San Juan volcanic field, southwestern Colorado: Pb and Sr isotope evidence. BULL GEOL SOC AM 89, 59–82.2.0.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lipman, P. W., Mehnert, H. H. & Naeser, C. W. 1986. Evolution of the Latir volcanic field, northern New Mexico and its relation to the Rio Grande rift, as indicated by potassiumargon and fission track dating. J GEOPHYS RES 91, 6329–6345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lipman, P. W. & Mehnert, H. H. 1975. Late Cenozoic basaltic volcanism and development of the Rio Grande depression in the southern Rocky Mountains. GEOL SOC AM MEM 144, 119–154.Google Scholar
Lipman, P. W. & Reed, J. C. Jr. In press. Geologic map of the Latir volcanic field and adjacent areas, northern New Mexico. U.S. GEOL SURV MISC INVEST MAP 1–1907.Google Scholar
Long, C. L. 1986. Regional audiomagnetotelluric study of the Questa caldera, New Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 90, 11270–11274.Google Scholar
Ludington, S. 1981a. The Redskin Granite—Evidence for thermogravitational diffusion in a Precambrian granite batholith. J GEOPHYS RES 86, 10423–10430.Google Scholar
Ludington, S. 1981b. Quartz-pyrite-molybdenite stockwork near South Fork Peak, Taos County, New Mexico. U.S. GEOL SURV OPEN-FILE REP 81–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McBirney, A. R. 1980. Mixing and unmixing of magmas. J VOLCANOL GEOTHERM RES 7, 357–371.Google Scholar
McKee, E. H. 1979. Ash-flow sheets and calderas: their genetic relationship to ore deposits in Nevada. GEOL SOC AM SPEC PAP 180, 205–211.Google Scholar
Mahood, G. A. 1981. A summary of the geology and petrology of the Sierra La Primavera, Jalisco, Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 86, 10137–10152.Google Scholar
Mahood, G. A. 1987. Magma chamber evolution and zoning patterns in ignimbrites and plutons. Hawaii Symposium on How Volcanoes Work, Abstract Volume. Hawaii: Hilo.Google Scholar
Manley, K. 1981. Redefinition and description of the Los Pinos Formation of north-central New Mexico. BULL GEOL SOC AM 92, 884–989.Google Scholar
Meyer, J. W. 1984. Lithologies of the megabreccia zone of the Amalia Formation near Questa, New Mexico. GEOL SOC AM ABSTR PROGR 16.Google Scholar
Moorbath, S. & Thompson, R. N. 1980. Strontium isotope geochemistry and petrogenesis of the early Tertiary lava pile of the Isle of Skye, Scotland and other basic rocks of the British Tertiary Province: an example of magma-crust interaction. J PETROL 21, 295–321.Google Scholar
Moorbath, S. & Welke, H. 1969. Lead isotope studies on igneous rocks from the Isle of Skye, northwest Scotland. EARTH PLANET SCI LETT 5, 217–230.Google Scholar
Morgan, P., Seager, W. R. & Golombeck, M. P. 1986. Cenozoic thermal, mechanical, and tectonic evolution of the Rio Grande rift. J GEOPHYS RES 91, 6263–6276.Google Scholar
Mutschler, F. E., Wright, E. G., Luddington, S. & Abbott, J. T. 1981. Granite molybdenite systems. ECON GEOL 76, 874–897.Google Scholar
Nabelek, P. I., Papike, J. J., & Laul, J. C. 1986. The Notch Peak granitic stock, Utah: origin of reverse zoning and petrogenesis. J PETROL 27, 1035–1070.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Noyes, H. J., Frey, F. A. & Wones, D. R. 1983. A tale of two plutons: geochemical evidence bearing on the origin and differentiation of the Red Lake and Eagle Peak plutons, central Sierra Nevada, California. J GEOL 91, 487–509.Google Scholar
Pearce, J. A., Harris, N. B. W. & Tindle, A. G. 1984. Trace element discrimination diagrams for the tectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. J PETROL 25, 956–983.Google Scholar
Pitcher, W. S. 1978. The anatomy of a batholith. J GEOL SOC LONDON 135, 157–182.Google Scholar
Prodehl, C. & Lipman, P. W. in press. Crustal structure of the Rocky Mountain region. In Pakiser, L. C. & Mooney, W. D. (eds) Geophysical Framework of the continental United States. GEOL SOC AM MEM.Google Scholar
Reid, J. B. Jr., Evans, O. C. & D. G., Fates, D. G. 1983. Magma mixing in granitic rocks of the central Sierra Nevada, California. EARTH PLANET SCI LETT 66, 243–261.Google Scholar
Ryan, M. P. 1986. Neutral buoyancy and the mechanical evolution of magmatic systems. GEOCHEM SOC SPEC PUBL 1, 259–287.Google Scholar
Sanders, C. O. 1984. Location and configuration of magma bodies beneath Long Valley, California, determined from anomalous signals. J GEOPHYS RES 89, 8287–8302.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scott, G. R. 1975. Cenozoic surfaces and deposits in the southern Rocky Mountains. GEOL SOC AM MEM 144, 227–248.Google Scholar
Shannon, J. R. & Epis, R. C. 1987. Deeply eroded ring-zone structures of the Mount Aetna cauldron, Colorado (abstract). Hawaii Symposium on How Volcanoes Work, 231. Hawaii: Hilo.Google Scholar
Shaw, H. R. & Jackson, E. D. 1973. Linear island chains in the Pacific: result of thermal plumes or gravitational anchors? J GEOPHYS RES 78, 8634–8652.Google Scholar
Steven, T. A. 1975. Middle Tertiary volcanic field in the southern Rocky Mountains. GEOL SOC AM MEM 144, 75–94.Google Scholar
Steven, T. A., Luedke, R. G. & Lipman, P. W. 1974. Relation of mineralization to calderas in the San Juan volcanic field, southwestern Colorado. U.S. GEOL SURV J RES 2, 405–409.Google Scholar
Steven, T. A. & Lipman, P. W. 1976. Calderas of the San Juan volcanic field, southwestern Colorado. U.S. GEOL SURV PROF PAP 958.Google Scholar
Stoeser, D. B. 1973. Mafic and ultramafic xenoliths of cumulus origin, San Francisco volcanic field, Arizona. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Oregon.Google Scholar
Streckeisen, A. 1976. To each plutonic rock its proper name. EARTH SCI REV 12, 1–33.Google Scholar
Taylor, R. B. 1975. Neogene tectonism in south-central Colorado. GEOL SOC AM MEM 144, 211–226.Google Scholar
Thompson, R. A., Dungan, M. A. & Lipman, P. W. 1986. Multiple differentiation processes in early rift volcanics: northern Rio Grande rift, New Mexico. J GEOPHYS RES 91, 6046–6058.Google Scholar
Thorpe, R. S., Francis, P. W., & O'Callaghan, L. 1984. Relative roles of source composition and fractional crystallization in the petrogenesis of Andean volcanic rocks. PHILOS TRANS R SOC LONDON A310, 675–692.Google Scholar
Verga, R. J. & Smith, B. M. 1984. Evolution of the early Oligocene Bonanza caldera, northeast San Juan volcanic field, Colorado. J GEOPHYS RES 89, 8679–8694.Google Scholar
Vernon, R. H. 1984. Microgranitoid enclaves in granite—globules of hybrid magma quenched in a plutonic environment. NATURE 309, 438–439.Google Scholar
Wernicke, B. P., Christiansen, R. L., England, P. C. & Sonder, L. J. 1987. Tectonomagmatic evolution of Cenozoic extension in the North American Cordillera. J GEOL SOC LONDON SPEC PUBL 28, 203–221.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
White, W. H., Bookstrom, A. A., Kamilli, R. J., Ganster, M. W., Smith, R. P., Ranta, D. E. & Steininger, R. C. 1981. Character and origin of Climax-type molybdenum deposits. ECON GEOL 75th Anniv Vol, 270–315.Google Scholar
Wolff, J. A. & Storey, M. 1984. Zoning in highly alkaline magma bodies. GEOL MAG 121, 563–575.Google Scholar