Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Geology
Supervisor
Dr. Fred Longstaffe
Second Advisor
Dr. Joanne Potter
Third Advisor
Dr. Roberta Flemming
Abstract
The Avalonian Mira terrane of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada is composed mainly of late Proterozoic volcanic-plutonic-sedimentary rocks that formed in an evolved magmatic arc along the margin of Gondwana. The purpose of this study is to determine the source(s) and timing of the 18O-depletion that has affected the 620 Ma Huntington Mountain pluton and East Bay Hills volcanic suite of the Mira terrane. Plutonic and volcanic rock samples have oxygen-, hydrogen- and carbon-isotope values of-6.3 to +14.3‰, -93 to -56‰, and -7.4 to +0.1‰, respectively. These values likely signal the interaction of meteoric-dominated hydrothermal fluids with the Himtington Mountain pluton and East Bay Hills volcanic suite. The occurrence of widespread, pervasive propylitic alteration and the absence of a localized pattern of oxygen-isotope anomalies suggest that the 18O-depletion arose during initial rifting of the Mira terrane from Gondwana, ca. 575-560 Ma.
Recommended Citation
Petts, Duane C., "Regional Infiltration of Meteoric Water into the Mira Terrane: a Stable Isotope Study of the Avalonian Huntington Mountain Pluton and Related Rocks, Cape Breton Island, Canada" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4753.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4753