Geology of late-Variscan Sarrabus pluton (south-eastern Sardinia, Italy)

This paper deals with the geological mapping of the late-Variscan Sarrabus pluton, (south-eastern Sardinia), a shallow multiple and composite igneous complex dominated by several generations of granodiorites, metaluminous and peraluminous granites and repeated pulses of mantle-derived mafic magmas. The map has been compiled based on geological surveys at 1:10,000 and 1:5,000 scales, assisted by in situ gamma-ray spectrometry and detailed petrographic investigations. Granite-related ore deposits have been also reported. The emplacement age of the pluton can be constrained by U/Pb dating on zircons of Cala Regina granodiorite, yielding an age of 286 +/- 9 Ma. The resulting scenario documents a bimodal magmatism controlled by an EW trending shear zone, followed by the shallower emplacement of several pulses of independent granite magmas.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the geological mapping of the late-Variscan Sarrabus pluton in south-eastern Sardinia, revealing a scenario of multiple generations of igneous rocks and determining the emplacement age of the pluton. The study suggests that the magmatic activity of the pluton was controlled by an east-west trending shear zone, followed by the shallower emplacement of several pulses of independent granite magmas.