Nature, origin and significance of the Fomopéa Pan-African high-K calc-alkaline plutonic complex in the Central African fold belt (Cameroon)

Year:

2010

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

High-K calc-alkaline granitoids

Authors:

Kwékam, Maurice; Liégeois, Jean-Paul; Njonfang, Emmanuel; Affaton, Pascal; Hartmann, Gerald; Tchoua, Félix

Journal:

Journal of African Earth Sciences

Volume:

57

Number:

1-2

Pages:

79 - 95

ISSN:

1464-343X

BibTex:

@article{Maurice Kwékam2010, author = "Maurice Kw{\'e}kam and Jean-Paul Li{\'e}geois and Emmanuel Njonfang and Pascal Affaton and Gerald Hartmann and F{\'e}lix Tchoua", abstract = "The Fomop{\'e}a plutonic complex in West Cameroon comprises three petrographical units: a biotite–hornblende granitoid (BHG) including some diorite, a biotite monzogranite (BmG) and an edenite syenogranite (EsG). Amphibolites occur within each unit. The massif was emplaced into a Pan-African amphibolite-facies metamorphic basement. All rocks display igneous textures and are chemically calc-alkaline, the BHG being metaluminous (ASI to Archaean lower continental crust (nearest Fomop{\'e}a pole: εNd(620Ma) = −16 and 87Sr/86Sr(620Ma) = 0.709; Nd TDM = 2.9 Ga) through a contamination process or through a bulk mixing event at the base of the crust. Evidence for both processes is provided by the coexistence of mafic enclaves and gneissic xenoliths within the granitoids. We propose a model whereby linear lithospheric delamination occurred along the Central Cameroon shear zone (CCSZ) in response to post-collisional transpression. This delamination event induced the partial melting of the mantle and old lower crust, and facilitated the ascent of the magmas. The emplacement of numerous post-collisional Neoproterozoic plutons along the CCSZ during the Pan-African orogeny indicates that this process was of paramount importance. The continental signature and geophysical data from the area indicate that the CCSZ corresponds to the northern lithospheric boundary of the Archaean Congo craton, and that the events recorded here correspond to the metacratonic evolution of the northern boundary of the Congo craton.", doi = "10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2009.07.012", issn = "1464-343X", journal = "Journal of African Earth Sciences", keywords = "High-K calc-alkaline granitoids", number = "1-2", pages = "79 - 95", title = "{N}ature, origin and significance of the {F}omop{\'e}a {P}an-{A}frican high-{K} calc-alkaline plutonic complex in the {C}entral {A}frican fold belt ({C}ameroon)", url = "http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1464343X09001538", volume = "57", year = "2010", }

Abstract:

The Fomopéa plutonic complex in West Cameroon comprises three petrographical units: a biotite–hornblende granitoid (BHG) including some diorite, a biotite monzogranite (BmG) and an edenite syenogranite (EsG). Amphibolites occur within each unit. The massif was emplaced into a Pan-African amphibolite-facies metamorphic basement. All rocks display igneous textures and are chemically calc-alkaline, the BHG being metaluminous (ASI to Archaean lower continental crust (nearest Fomopéa pole: εNd(620Ma) = −16 and 87Sr/86Sr(620Ma) = 0.709; Nd TDM = 2.9 Ga) through a contamination process or through a bulk mixing event at the base of the crust. Evidence for both processes is provided by the coexistence of mafic enclaves and gneissic xenoliths within the granitoids. We propose a model whereby linear lithospheric delamination occurred along the Central Cameroon shear zone (CCSZ) in response to post-collisional transpression. This delamination event induced the partial melting of the mantle and old lower crust, and facilitated the ascent of the magmas. The emplacement of numerous post-collisional Neoproterozoic plutons along the CCSZ during the Pan-African orogeny indicates that this process was of paramount importance. The continental signature and geophysical data from the area indicate that the CCSZ corresponds to the northern lithospheric boundary of the Archaean Congo craton, and that the events recorded here correspond to the metacratonic evolution of the northern boundary of the Congo craton.