Late Magmatism of the Galway Granite Batholith: II. Composite Dolerite-Rhyolite Dikes

Abstract:Composite dolerite-rhyolite dikes traverse the Galway Granite batholith and its adjacent envelope. The dikes pertain to the Teach Dóite suite and were previously considered to be of Carboniferous age. New and extended examination of field relationships supports recent radiometric dating for an intrusive period that overlapped with the final consolidation of the Galway batholith. Regional crustal extension produced a complex pattern of fissuring, controlled by various pre-existing structures, which permitted ascent of mantle-derived melts into and around the Galway batholith. Ponding of mafic magma at an intermediate level facilitated crustal partial melting and the generation of high-silica, high-alumina rhyolitic melts. The two contrasting magmas then rose into common or proximate dike fissures, rhyolitic injection immediately following that of dolerite. Magma storage in stratified chambers occasionally resulted in the development of a hybrid magma layer, but in all cases minor mingling and mixing beween dolerite and rhyolite magma continued up into the dikes. Rhyolite geochemistry precludes a genetic relationship with the Galway granitoids, despite a few instances where granitic material was entrained into rhyolitic magma.