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Thermochronology and the three-dimensional cooling pattern of a granitic pluton: an example from the Toki granite, Central Japan

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Abstract

The three-dimensional spatial variations in the cooling pattern of the Toki granitic body, a zoned pluton in Central Japan, have been evaluated quantitatively by thermochronology using cooling age determination based on the different closure temperatures for target mineral species. The Toki granite has hornblende K–Ar ages of about 74.3 ± 3.7 Ma (N = 2; closure temperature of 510 ± 25°C), biotite K–Ar ages of 78.5 ± 3.9 to 59.7 ± 1.5 Ma (N = 33; 300 ± 50°C), and zircon fission-track ages of 75.6 ± 3.3 to 52.8 ± 2.6 Ma (N = 44; 240 ± 50°C). The spatial variation in the biotite K–Ar age is similar to that in the zircon fission-track age in samples collected from 11 boreholes and seven outcrop sites in the Toki granite, indicating that cooling was effectively from the roof and also from the northwest margin. This cooling pattern shows a strong correlation with the Alumina Saturation Index (ASI) distribution of the body. Larger ASI values correspond to earlier and more rapid cooling after emplacement and smaller value to slower cooling. Toki granite was effectively cooled from the peraluminous regions where assimilation of country sedimentary rock was most extensive.

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Acknowledgments

The technical comments and English review by Mr. G. McCrank, an ex-JAEA International Fellow, are appreciated. Constructive reviews by Drs. J. Žák, L. Caricchi, and J. Blundy (associated editor) were very helpful in revising the manuscript. The authors also thank researchers from the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, for their discussion and suggestion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory, Geological Isolation Research and Development Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 1-64, Yamanouchi, Akeyo, Mizunami, Gifu, 509-6132, Japan

    Takashi Yuguchi & Tadahiko Tsuruta

  2. Horonobe Underground Research Center, Geological Isolation Research and Development Directorate, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 1-8, Miyazono, Horonobe, Teshio, Hokkaido, 098-3207, Japan

    Kenji Amano

  3. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, 2-39-1, Kurokami, Kumamoto, 860-8555, Japan

    Tadahiko Tsuruta & Tadao Nishiyama

  4. Kyoto Fission-Track Co., Ltd, 44-4, Minamitajiri, Omiya, Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8832, Japan

    Tohru Danhara

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  1. Takashi Yuguchi
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  2. Kenji Amano
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  3. Tadahiko Tsuruta
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Correspondence to Takashi Yuguchi.

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Communicated by J. Blundy.

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Yuguchi, T., Amano, K., Tsuruta, T. et al. Thermochronology and the three-dimensional cooling pattern of a granitic pluton: an example from the Toki granite, Central Japan. Contrib Mineral Petrol 162, 1063–1077 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-011-0640-5

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