Petrogenesis of the A-type, Mesoproterozoic Intra-caldera Rheomorphic Kathleen Ignimbrite and Comagmatic Rowland Suite Intrusions, West Musgrave Province, Central Australia: Products of Extreme Fractional Crystallization in a Failed Rift Setting

Abstract

The Pussy Cat Group rhyolites of the Mesoproterozoic west Musgrave Province of central Australia, a constituent part of the Bentley Supergroup, were deposited during the c. 1085-1040Ma Ngaanyatjarra Rift and Giles events, and are related to the Warakurna Large Igneous Province. This study focuses on the two silicic components of the Pussy Cat Group, the Kathleen Ignimbrite and the Rowland Suite. These silicic rocks are A-type, metaluminous (to slightly peraluminous) rhyolites and are enriched in the rare earth elements (REE) relative to average crustal abundances. The rhyolitic Kathleen Ignimbrite records an explosive caldera fill-sequence and contains, amongst others, a thick (≤500 m), init..