Geochemical investigation of the granitic rocks of the snowy mountains area, New South Wales

Abstract

Averages and concentration ranges for 32 elements are reported for 4 gneissic granites, 20 granodiorites and adamellites and 8 leucogranites from the Snowy Mountains, New South Wales. A brief description is given of the geological setting of the granitic rocks and of the analytical methods used. The subdivision of the Snowy Mountains granitic rocks on the basis of the chemical data is discussed and their origin is considered in terms of critical element concentrations and ratios. The chemical data are consistent with the view that the parent materials of the gneissic granites and granodiorites were geosynclinal sediments and that the leucogranites are late stage differentiates.