Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This study focuses on the mineralogy and geochemistry of the Skippers pluton, and compares it to other granitoid plutons in the Roanoke Rapids Terrane in Virginia. It is located at the border between Virginia and North Carolina, and has a U-Pb zircon age of 615 ± 0.6 Ma. The pluton is well-exposed comparing to other plutons in Piedmont Province, and a quarry is located in the Skippers pluton area. Twelve samples were collected for the research, including ten granite samples and two xenolith samples. The study shows that the Skippers pluton is quite homogeneous in mineralogy and chemical composition, but varies slightly in texture. The pluton is a peraluminous granite, and contains higher KO than the other RRT plutons. Plagioclase, K- feldspar and biotite in the Skippers pluton all show alterations. Various trace element discriminant plots show that the Skippers pluton is formed in an arc setting, which is same as the other RRT plutons. Zircon saturation temperatures and Al/Ti temperatures give a range of crystallization temperatures from 780°C to 880°C.
Date Awarded
2015
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Brent E. Owens
Recommended Citation
Yuan, Quan, "The Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Skippers Pluton, Roanoke Rapids Terrane, Va" (2015). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 350.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/350
