Crystal fractionation of granitic magma during its non-transport processes： A physics-based perspective

Granitic continental crust distinguishes the Earth from other planets in the Solar System. Consequently, for understanding terrestrial continent development, it is of great significance to investigate the formation and evolution of granite.Crystal fractionation is one of principal magma evolution mechanisms. Nevertheless, it is controversial whether crystal fractionation can effectively proceed in felsic magma systems because of the high viscosity and non-Newtonian behavior associated with granitic magmas. In this paper, we focus on the physical processes and evaluate the role of crystal fractionation in the evolution of granitic magmas during non-transport processes, i.e., in magma chambers and after emplacement. Based on physical calculations and analyses, we suggest that general mineral particles can settle only at tiny speed(~10^(-9)–10^(-7) m s^(-1))in a granitic magma body due to high viscosity of the magma; however, the cumulating can be interrupted with convection in magma chambers, and the components of magma chambers will tend to be homogeneous. Magma convection ceases once the magma chamber develops into a mush(crystallinity, F>~40–50%). The interstitial melts can be extracted by hindered settling and compaction, accumulating gradually and forming a highly silicic melt layer. The high silica melts can further evolve into high-silica granite or high-silica rhyolite. At various crystallinities, multiple rejuvenation of the mush and the following magma intrusion may generate a granite complex with various components. While one special type of granites, represented by the South China lithium-and fluoride-rich granite, has lower viscosity and solidus relative to general granitic magmas, and may form vertical zonation in mineral-assemblage and composition through crystal fractionation. Similar fabrics in general intrusions that show various components on small lengthscales are not the result of gravitational settling. Rather, the flowage differentiation may play a key role. In general, granitic magma can undergo effective crystal fractionation; high-silica granite and volcanics with highly fractionated characteristics may be the products of crystal fractionation of felsic magmas, and many granitoids may be cumulates.

Upper crustal P-wave velocity structure beneath two volcanic areas in northern Iran

Detailed information about the crustal structure is essential for better understanding the occurrence and mechanisms of earthquakes and volcanoes.Here we present a study of the upper crustal P-wave velocity structure of two seismically and volcanically active areas in northern Iran using the two-dimensional Pg travel time tomography method.The imaging results suggest low velocities in the upper crust beneath the Damavand and Sahand-Sabalan volcanic areas in the central and western parts of northern Iran,respectively.The upper crustal low velocities in these two areas roughly coincide with previously imaged low Pn velocity anomalies,suggesting that the Late Cenozoic volcanic activity was probably caused by the upwelling of hot materials from the mantle.The image feature of the Pg velocity structure beneath the Sahand-Sabalan volcanic area further indicates that the hot materials stored in the upper crust beneath Sahand may be larger in size than those stored beneath Sabalan.Comparison of the Pg velocity images with the earthquake distribution in north Iran suggests that earthquakes mainly occur at moderately low velocity or low to high velocity boundary areas instead of significantly low or high velocity regions.The anisotropy results show that the Pg wave fast direction is consistent with the GPS direction at high Pg velocity areas and the fast direction is inconsistent with the GPS direction but consistent with the strike direction of faults at low velocity areas.Our new upper crustal structural images provide the basic observation for better understanding of the regional seismicity and volcanism,and link the surface geological phenomena to deep crustal and mantle processes associated with the active tectonics in northern Iran.