| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Journal of Petrology Volume 42 Number 11 Pages 2033-2048 2001
© Oxford University Press 2001
A Geochemical Classification for Granitic Rocks
1DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING, LARAMIE, WY 82071, USA
2DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, LUBBOCK, TX 79409, USA
3DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE, NEWCASTLE, N.S.W. 2308, AUSTRALIA
4DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, CANBERRA, A.C.T. 0200, AUSTRALIA
This geochemical classification of granitic rocks is based upon three variables. These are FeO/(FeO + MgO) = Fe-number [or FeOtot/(FeOtot + MgO) = Fe*], the modified alkali–lime index (MALI) (Na2O + K2O – CaO) and the aluminum saturation index (ASI) [Al/(Ca – 1·67P + Na + K)]. The Fe-number (or Fe*) distinguishes ferroan granitoids, which manifest strong iron enrichment, from magnesian granitoids, which do not. The ferroan and magnesian granitoids can further be classified into alkalic, alkali–calcic, calc-alkalic, and calcic on the basis of the MALI and subdivided on the basis of the ASI into peraluminous, metaluminous or peralkaline. Because alkalic rocks are not likely to be peraluminous and calcic and calc-alkalic rocks are not likely to be peralkaline, this classification leads to 16 possible groups of granitic rocks. In this classification most Cordilleran granitoids are magnesian and calc-alkalic or calcic; both metaluminous and peraluminous types are present. A-type granitoids are ferroan alkali–calcic, although some are ferroan alkalic. Most are metaluminous although some are peraluminous. Caledonian post-orogenic granites are predominantly magnesian alkali–calcic. Those with <70 wt % SiO2 are dominantly metaluminous, whereas more silica-rich varieties are commonly peraluminous. Peraluminous leucogranites may be either magnesian or ferroan and have a MALI that ranges from calcic to alkalic.
KEY WORDS: batholiths; granite; granitoid; igneous petrology; rock classification
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  L. De Pablo, M. Doval, and A. La Iglesia Geochemistry of reversible hydratable tephra from the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt American Mineralogist, November 1, 2009; 94(11-12): 1603 - 1615. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. CHEN, C.-Q. MA, Z.-B. SHE, R. MASON, J.-Y. ZHANG, and C. ZHANG Petrogenesis and tectonic implications of A-type granites in the Dabie orogenic belt, China: geochronological and geochemical constraints Geological Magazine, September 1, 2009; 146(5): 638 - 651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Miskovic, R. A. Spikings, D. M. Chew, J. Kosler, A. Ulianov, and U. Schaltegger Tectonomagmatic evolution of Western Amazonia: Geochemical characterization and zircon U-Pb geochronologic constraints from the Peruvian Eastern Cordilleran granitoids Geological Society of America Bulletin, September 1, 2009; 121(9-10): 1298 - 1324. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A.J. Tulloch, J. Ramezani, D.L. Kimbrough, K. Faure, and A.H. Allibone U-Pb geochronology of mid-Paleozoic plutonism in western New Zealand: Implications for S-type granite generation and growth of the east Gondwana margin Geological Society of America Bulletin, September 1, 2009; 121(9-10): 1236 - 1261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. K. Brueckner Subduction of continental crust, the origin of post-orogenic granitoids (and anorthosites?) and the evolution of Fennoscandia Journal of the Geological Society, July 1, 2009; 166(4): 753 - 762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. G. Barnes, T. Prestvik, Y. Li, L. McCulloch, A. S. Yoshinobu, and C. D. Frost Growth and zoning of the Hortavaer intrusive complex, a layered alkaline pluton in the Norwegian Caledonides Geosphere, June 1, 2009; 5(3): 286 - 301. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. E. Otamendi, M. N. Ducea, A. M. Tibaldi, G. W. Bergantz, J. D. de la Rosa, and G. I. Vujovich Generation of Tonalitic and Dioritic Magmas by Coupled Partial Melting of Gabbroic and Metasedimentary Rocks within the Deep Crust of the Famatinian Magmatic Arc, Argentina J. Petrology, May 8, 2009; (2009) egp022v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. STEINITZ, Y. KATZIR, J. W. VALLEY, Y. BE'ERI-SHLEVIN, and M. J. SPICUZZA The origin, cooling and alteration of A-type granites in southern Israel (northernmost Arabian-Nubian shield): a multi-mineral oxygen isotope study Geological Magazine, March 1, 2009; 146(2): 276 - 290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Maheo, J. Blichert-Toft, C. Pin, S. Guillot, and A. Pecher Partial Melting of Mantle and Crustal Sources beneath South Karakorum, Pakistan: Implications for the Miocene Geodynamic Evolution of the India-Asia Convergence Zone J. Petrology, March 1, 2009; 50(3): 427 - 449. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. E. Shaw and R. H. Flood Zircon Hf Isotopic Evidence for Mixing of Crustal and Silicic Mantle-derived Magmas in a Zoned Granite Pluton, Eastern Australia J. Petrology, January 22, 2009; (2009) egn078v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. Bachmann and G. W. Bergantz Rhyolites and their Source Mushes across Tectonic Settings J. Petrology, January 7, 2009; (2009) egn068v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Be'eri-Shlevin, Y. Katzir, and M. Whitehouse Post-collisional tectonomagmatic evolution in the northern Arabian-Nubian Shield: time constraints from ion-probe U-Pb dating of zircon Journal of the Geological Society, January 1, 2009; 166(1): 71 - 85. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. R. Frost and C. D. Frost A Geochemical Classification for Feldspathic Igneous Rocks J. Petrology, November 20, 2008; (2008) egn054v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Siebel, C. K. Shang, E. Reitter, J. Rohrmuller, and K. Breiter Two Distinctive Granite Suites in the SW Bohemian Massif and their Record of Emplacement: Constraints from Geochemistry and Zircon 207Pb/206Pb Chronology J. Petrology, November 11, 2008; (2008) egn049v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W.J. Collins and S.W. Richards Geodynamic significance of S-type granites in circum-Pacific orogens Geology, July 1, 2008; 36(7): 559 - 562. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. B. Ryskamp, J. T. Abbott, E. H. Christiansen, J. D. Keith, J. D. Vervoort, and D. G. Tingey Age and petrogenesis of volcanic and intrusive rocks in the Sulphur Spring Range, central Nevada: Comparisons with ore-associated Eocene magma systems in the Great Basin Geosphere, June 1, 2008; 4(3): 496 - 519. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
X.-H. ZHANG, Q. MAO, H.-F. ZHANG, and S. A. WILDE A Jurassic peraluminous leucogranite from Yiwulushan, western Liaoning, North China craton: age, origin and tectonic significance Geological Magazine, May 1, 2008; 145(3): 305 - 320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-H. Yang, F.-Y. Wu, S. A. Wilde, F. Chen, X.-M. Liu, and L.-W. Xie Petrogenesis of an Alkali Syenite-Granite-Rhyolite Suite in the Yanshan Fold and Thrust Belt, Eastern North China Craton: Geochronological, Geochemical and Nd-Sr-Hf Isotopic Evidence for Lithospheric Thinning J. Petrology, February 1, 2008; 49(2): 315 - 351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. L. Anderson, A. P. Barth, J. L. Wooden, and F. Mazdab Thermometers and Thermobarometers in Granitic Systems Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, January 1, 2008; 69(1): 121 - 142. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Ennih and J.-P. Liegeois The boundaries of the West African craton, with special reference to the basement of the Moroccan metacratonic Anti-Atlas belt Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2008; 297(1): 1 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. A. du Bray Time, space, and composition relations among northern Nevada intrusive rocks and their metallogenic implications Geosphere, October 1, 2007; 3(5): 381 - 405. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Saito, M. Arima, T. Nakajima, K. Misawa, and J.-I. Kimura Formation of Distinct Granitic Magma Batches by Partial Melting of Hybrid Lower Crust in the Izu Arc Collision Zone, Central Japan J. Petrology, September 1, 2007; 48(9): 1761 - 1791. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. KAUR, N. CHAUDHRI, I. RACZEK, A. KRONER, and A. W. HOFMANN Geochemistry, zircon ages and whole-rock Nd isotopic systematics for Palaeoproterozoic A-type granitoids in the northern part of the Delhi belt, Rajasthan, NW India: implications for late Palaeoproterozoic crustal evolution of the Aravalli craton Geological Magazine, March 1, 2007; 144(2): 361 - 378. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. N. Aleinikoff, R. P. Wintsch, R. P. Tollo, D. M. Unruh, C. M. Fanning, and M. D. Schmitz Ages and origins of rocks of the Killingworth dome, south-central Connecticut: Implications for the tectonic evolution of southern New England Am J Sci, January 1, 2007; 307(1): 63 - 118. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-F. Deng, M.-F. Zhou, M. F. J. Flower, S.-G. Su, M.-G. Zhai, C. Liu, G.-C. Zhao, X.-G. Zhao, S. Zhou, and Z.-W. Wu A mechanism for transforming buoyant North Chinese cratonic lithosphere to a denser equivalent for delamination Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2007; 280(1): 317 - 330. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Gutjahr, J. D. Bradshaw, S. Weaver, C. Munker, and T. Ireland Provenance of Cambrian conglomerates from New Zealand: implications for the tectonomagmatic evolution of the SE Gondwana margin Journal of the Geological Society, December 1, 2006; 163(6): 997 - 1010. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. BOGAERTS, B. SCAILLET, and J. V. AUWERA Phase Equilibria of the Lyngdal Granodiorite (Norway): Implications for the Origin of Metaluminous Ferroan Granitoids J. Petrology, December 1, 2006; 47(12): 2405 - 2431. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. BUCHER and B. R. FROST Fluid Transfer in High-grade Metamorphic Terrains Intruded by Anorogenic Granites: The Thor Range, Antarctica J. Petrology, March 1, 2006; 47(3): 567 - 593. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. G. Barnes, E. V. Mars, S. Swapp, and C. D. Frost Petrology and geochemistry of the Middle Jurassic Ironside Mountain batholith: Evolution of potassic magmas in a primitive arc setting Geological Society of America Special Papers, January 1, 2006; 410(0): 199 - 221. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. C. Bushey, A. W. Snoke, C. G. Barnes, and C. D. Frost Geology of the Bear Mountain intrusive complex, Klamath Mountains, California Geological Society of America Special Papers, January 1, 2006; 410(0): 287 - 315. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. R. McFadden, A. W. Snoke, and C. G. Barnes Structural and petrologic evolution of the Bear Peak intrusive complex, Klamath Mountains, California Geological Society of America Special Papers, January 1, 2006; 410(0): 333 - 355. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. G. Barnes, A. W. Snoke, G. D. Harper, C. D. Frost, R. R. McFadden, J. C. Bushey, and M. A.W. Barnes Arc plutonism following regional thrusting: Petrology and geochemistry of syn- and post-Nevadan plutons in the Siskiyou Mountains, Klamath Mountains province, California Geological Society of America Special Papers, January 1, 2006; 410(0): 357 - 376. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. H. CHRISTIANSEN Contrasting processes in silicic magma chambers: evidence from very large volume ignimbrites Geological Magazine, November 1, 2005; 142(6): 669 - 681. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. PESQUERA, J. TORRES-RUIZ, P. P. GIL-CRESPO, and S.-Y. JIANG Petrographic, Chemical and B-Isotopic Insights into the Origin of Tourmaline-Rich Rocks and Boron Recycling in the Martinamor Antiform (Central Iberian Zone, Salamanca, Spain) J. Petrology, May 1, 2005; 46(5): 1013 - 1044. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. E. LONG, C. H. CASTELLANA, and A. N. SIAL Age, Origin and Cooling History of the Coronel Joao Sa Pluton, Bahia, Brazil J. Petrology, February 1, 2005; 46(2): 255 - 273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. K. SEIDLER, D. R. LENTZ, D. C. HALL, and N. SUSAK Zircon-Rich Ta-Nb-REE Mineralization in the McKeel Lake Pegmatite-Aplite System, Welsford Intrusion, Southwestern New Brunswick Exploration and Mining Geology, January 1, 2005; 14(1-4): 79 - 94. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C.R. Anhaeusser and M. Poujol Petrological, geochemical and U-Pb isotopic studies of Archaean granitoid rocks of the Makoppa Dome, northwest Limpopo Province, South Africa South African Journal of Geology, December 1, 2004; 107(4): 521 - 544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. CORFU U-Pb Age, Setting and Tectonic Significance of the Anorthosite-Mangerite-Charnockite-Granite Suite, Lofoten-Vesteralen, Norway J. Petrology, September 1, 2004; 45(9): 1799 - 1819. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
V. Zanon, V. ZANON, and I. NIKOGOSIAN Evidence of crustal melting events below the island of Salina (Aeolian arc, southern Italy) Geological Magazine, July 1, 2004; 141(4): 525 - 540. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. ASRAT, P. BARBEY, J. N. LUDDEN, L. REISBERG, G. GLEIZES, and D. AYALEW Petrology and Isotope Geochemistry of the Pan-African Negash Pluton, Northern Ethiopia: Mafic-Felsic Magma Interactions During the Construction of Shallow-level Calc-alkaline Plutons J. Petrology, June 1, 2004; 45(6): 1147 - 1179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Frindt, S. Frindt, I. Haapala, and L. Pakkanen Anorogenic Gross Spitzkoppe granite stock in central western Namibia: Part I. Petrology and geochemistry American Mineralogist, May 1, 2004; 89(5-6): 841 - 856. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 V. Pease, E. Dovzhikova, L. Beliakova, and D. G. Gee Late Neoproterozoic granitoid magmatism in the basement to the Pechora Basin, NW Russia: geochemical constraints indicate westward subduction beneath NE Baltica Geological Society, London, Memoirs, January 1, 2004; 30(1): 75 - 85. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. PERCIVAL and J. K. MORTENSEN Water-deficient Calc-alkaline Plutonic Rocks of Northeastern Superior Province, Canada: Significance of Charnockitic Magmatism J. Petrology, September 1, 2002; 43(9): 1617 - 1650. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|