Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (160)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by FROST, B. R.
Right arrow Articles by FROST, C. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
GeoRef
Right arrow GeoRef Citation
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Journal of Petrology Volume 42 Number 11 Pages 2033-2048 2001
© Oxford University Press 2001

A Geochemical Classification for Granitic Rocks

B. RONALD FROST1,*, CALVIN G. BARNES2, WILLIAM J. COLLINS3, RICHARD J. ARCULUS4, DAVID J. ELLIS4 and CAROL D. FROST1

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


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GeologyHome page
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]

Home page
 GeosphereHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological MagazineHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological Society, London, Special PublicationsHome page
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]

Home page
 GeosphereHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological MagazineHome page
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]

Home page
 ajsHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological Society, London, Special PublicationsHome page
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]

Home page
 Journal of the Geological SocietyHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological MagazineHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 Exploration and Mining GeologyHome page
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]

Home page
 South African Journal of GeologyHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological MagazineHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]

Home page
 American MineralogistHome page
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]

Home page
 Geological Society, London, MemoirsHome page
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]

Home page
 J PetrologyHome page
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]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.