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Zircon geochronology, elemental and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry of two Variscan granitoids from the Odenwald-Spessart crystalline complex (mid-German crystalline rise)

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Abstract

The crystalline parts of the Bergsträsser (western) Odenwald and the southern Spessart expose Variscan I-type granitoids of the mid-German crystalline rise that formed during subduction of the Rheic ocean and collision of Avalonia and Armorica about 365 and 330 Ma ago. We present geochemical, Sr-Nd isotopic, single zircon 207Pb/206Pb evaporation and conventional U-Pb data from a diorite-granodiorite complex of the southern Spessart and from a flasergranitoid of the Bergsträsser Odenwald unit II. Both intrusions provide almost identical zircon ages (332.4 ± 1.6 Ma for Odenwald and 330.4 ± 2.0 Ma for Spessart). Lack of inherited or pre-magmatic zircon components connotes magma genesis in deep crustal hot zones despite low temperature estimates (758–786 °C) derived from zircon saturation thermometry. Investigated rock samples display normal- to high-K calc-alkaline metaluminous (Spessart) and weakly peraluminous (Odenwald) geochemical characteristics. The Spessart pluton has lower εNd(T) values (−2.3 to −3.0) and higher 87Sr/86Sri ratios (0.7060 to 0.7066) compared to Odenwald flasergranitoid (εNd(T) = −0.8 and 87Sr/86Sri = 0.7048). In terms of the tectonic setting, the diorite-granodiorite complex of the southern Spessart forms the continuation of the north Armorican arc segment exposed in the Bergsträsser Odenwald. Taking into account previously reported geochemical and isotopic results, it is concluded that the Spessart pluton does not match compositions of Odenwald unit II granitoids but likely represents the north-eastward extension of unit III.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from the Landesamt für Umwelt, Augsburg. We thank Elmar Reitter and Heiner Taubald for support during XRF, Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope analyses. Alexander Krohe, Andreas Möller and an anonymous referee provided constructive comments and suggestions that helped to improve the manuscript.

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  1. Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Wilhelmstraße 56, 72074, Tübingen, Germany

    W. Siebel, S. Eroğlu & C. K. Shang

  2. Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, 95615, Marktredwitz, Germany

    J. Rohrmüller

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Siebel, W., Eroğlu, S., Shang, C.K. et al. Zircon geochronology, elemental and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry of two Variscan granitoids from the Odenwald-Spessart crystalline complex (mid-German crystalline rise). Miner Petrol 105, 187–200 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-012-0200-3

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