Rapakivi K‐Feldspar Megacrysts in Monzogranitic Porphyry: Evidence for Magma Recharge and Mush Rejuvenation

Abstract The formation, storage, and evolution of granitic magmas are fundamental processes driving the growth of continental crust. While traditionally attributed to crystal fractionation in high‐melt fraction magma chambers, the model invoking low‐melt fraction crystal mushes has gained wide acceptance. However, the chemical and textural impacts of crystal mush rejuvenation remain elusive and the precise petrological record is relatively poorly studied. The rapakivi K‐feldspar identified in the early Eocene monzogranitic porphyry of the Caina intrusive complex, Gangdese batholith, is an ideal candidate for investigating these issues, as feldspar can record clues to magmatic processes. Field survey, optical and mineral flake scanning observations, X‐ray fluorescence analysis, in situ Sr and mineral Sm‐Nd isotopic analyses, TESCAN integrated mineral analysis, electron probe microanalysis, and three‐dimensional crystal shape modeling were performed on the collected samples. K‐feldspars can be divided into three types based on chemical zonation: normal, reverse, and oscillatory zoning crystals. Varying isotopic signatures between the K‐feldspar and associated mantle suggest that the rapakivi texture originated in heterogeneous magmatic pulse recharge. Crystal shape modeling of the plagioclase chadacryst, mantle, and matrix plagioclase, combined with compositions, indicates that mantle plagioclase originated from the quenching of recharge magmas. We propose a model for the formation of rapakivi K‐feldspar and the rejuvenation of crystal mush. Repeated hot magma pulses recharged the mush, triggering magma convection and thermal perturbations. This process enabled the prolonged growth of K‐feldspar megacrysts, which were subsequently capped by plagioclase, resulting in the formation of the rapakivi texture.

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Journal
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
Published
2025-11-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gc012435
Primary Topic
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
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article
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article

Rapakivi K‐Feldspar Megacrysts in Monzogranitic Porphyry: Evidence for Magma Recharge and Mush Rejuvenation

W.Y. Li, Liang Qiu, Roberto F. Weinberg, Xuxuan Ma et al.
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
article

Rapakivi K‐Feldspar Megacrysts in Monzogranitic Porphyry: Evidence for Magma Recharge and Mush Rejuvenation

W.Y. Li, Liang Qiu, Roberto F. Weinberg, Xuxuan Ma, Zhiyong Zhu, Haibing Li
article en

Abstract

Abstract The formation, storage, and evolution of granitic magmas are fundamental processes driving the growth of continental crust. While traditionally attributed to crystal fractionation in high‐melt fraction magma chambers, the model invoking low‐melt fraction crystal mushes has gained wide acceptance. However, the chemical and textural impacts of crystal mush rejuvenation remain elusive and the precise petrological record is relatively poorly studied. The rapakivi K‐feldspar identified in the early Eocene monzogranitic porphyry of the Caina intrusive complex, Gangdese batholith, is an ideal candidate for investigating these issues, as feldspar can record clues to magmatic processes. Field survey, optical and mineral flake scanning observations, X‐ray fluorescence analysis, in situ Sr and mineral Sm‐Nd isotopic analyses, TESCAN integrated mineral analysis, electron probe microanalysis, and three‐dimensional crystal shape modeling were performed on the collected samples. K‐feldspars can be divided into three types based on chemical zonation: normal, reverse, and oscillatory zoning crystals. Varying isotopic signatures between the K‐feldspar and associated mantle suggest that the rapakivi texture originated in heterogeneous magmatic pulse recharge. Crystal shape modeling of the plagioclase chadacryst, mantle, and matrix plagioclase, combined with compositions, indicates that mantle plagioclase originated from the quenching of recharge magmas. We propose a model for the formation of rapakivi K‐feldspar and the rejuvenation of crystal mush. Repeated hot magma pulses recharged the mush, triggering magma convection and thermal perturbations. This process enabled the prolonged growth of K‐feldspar megacrysts, which were subsequently capped by plagioclase, resulting in the formation of the rapakivi texture.

Geochemistry Geophysics GeosystemsVol. 26(12)
Hohai University (CN), Ministry of Natural Resources (CN), Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CN), China University of Geosciences (Beijing) (CN), Monash University (AU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Geological and Geochemical Analysis
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