Paper No. 10-16
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
INHERENT INHERITANCE: RESOLVING ISOTOPIC HETEROGENEITY OF COMPOSITE PLUTONS IN THE HIMALAYA WITH MONAZITE PETROCHRONOLOGY
Accessory phases with inherited age and isotopic components commonly occur among igneous intrusions formed by anatexis. Coupling in-situ trace element compositions with isotopic analysis of accessory phases can aid in the identification and interpretation of inherited components and help resolve complex age spectra recorded by accessory phases such as monazite. A case study from the Manaslu pluton of the central Nepal Himalaya demonstrates how combined U-Pb, Nd isotope, and trace element signatures of monazite crystallized during pluton emplacement are distinguishable from inherited monazite. Furthermore, the Nd isotopic characteristics of inherited monazite reveal additional information about melting history of source migmatites. Petrochronology provides a powerful tool for deciphering the assembly of composite plutons.