Post-collisional basalts of the Acampamento Velho Formation, Camaquã Basin, São Gabriel Terrane, southernmost Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The basic volcanic rocks in the Palma region, southern portion of the São Gabriel Terrane, have always been interpreted as generated during the active subduction period of the São Gabriel orogeny (Cryogenian). This terrane was built as the result of the Charrua Ocean closure between 900-680 Ma. The basalts show a subhorizontal igneous flow foliation and porphyritic texture, with plagioclase phenocrysts in a thin matrix composed of plagioclase, augite and magnetite, commonly altered to actinolite, chlorite and epidote. They have amygdales and veinlets reflecting a pervasive hydrothermal phase and are affected by thermal metamorphism related to Jaguari granite intrusion. Two samples were dated by the U-Pb zircon geochronology and yielded crystallization ages of 563±2 Ma and 573±6 Ma. The basalts have transitional composition from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline, metaluminous character, trace elements patterns rich in large-ion lithophile element (LILE) with negative anomalies of Nb, P and Ti, slight enrichment in light rare-earth elements (LREE) and horizontal pattern of heavy rare earth elements (HREE). The data allow interpreting the basalts as belonging to the Acampamento Velho Formation of the Camaquã Basin, and related to the basalts of the Ramada and Taquarembó plateaus. These associations represent the final evolution of the volcanism generated in the post-collisional period of the Dom Feliciano Belt.

Keywords

• Cinturão Dom Feliciano
• Terreno São Gabriel
• Bacia do Camaquã
• Formação Acampamento Velho
• Basaltos
• Ediacarano