Chin.J.Geochem.

(2011)30:193–203
DOI: 10.1007/s11631-011-0501-y

Petrogenesis of granitic rocks of the Jabal Sabir

area, South Taiz City, Yemen Republic
Rasmy I. El-Gharbawy*
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
* Corresponding author, E-mail: elgharbawy19@hotmail.com

Received May 7, 2010; accepted June 10, 2010

© Science Press and Institute of Geochemistry, CAS and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011

Abstract The Tertiary granitic intrusive body (~21 Ma) of the Jabal Sabir area was emplaced during the early stages
of the Red Sea opening. This intrusive body occupies the southern sector of Taiz City. It is triangular in shape, affected
by two major faults, one of which is in parallel to the Gulf of Aden, and the other is in parallel to the eastern margin of
the Red Sea coast. The petrogenesis of such a type of intrusion provides additional information on the origin of the
Oligo-Miocene magmatic activity in relation to the rifting tectonics and evolution of this part of the Arabian Shield.
The granitic body of Jabal Sabir belongs to the alkaline or peralkaline suite of A-type granites. It is enriched in
the REE. The tight bundle plot of its REE pattern reflects neither tectonism nor metamorphism. This granite body is
characterized by high alkali (8.7%–10.13%), high-field strength elements (HFSE), but low Sr and Ba and high Zn
contents. The abundance of xenoliths from the neighboring country rocks and prophyritic texture of the Jabal Sabir
granite body indicate shallow depths of intrusion. The major and trace elements data revealed a fractional crystalliza-
tion origin, probably with small amounts of crustal contamination. It is interpreted that the Jabal Sabir intrusion
represents an anorogenic granite pertaining to the A-type, formed in a within-plate environment under an extensional
tectonic setting pertaining to rift-related granites.

Key words A-type granite; Yemen Republic; Arabian Nubian Shield; Red Sea rifting; within plate granite

the radiometric data given by Camp and Roobol (1989)

1 Introduction for the Saudi Arabian volcanics and Tertiary intrusions
all imply older and younger phases of volcanic activity,
The Arabian Peninsula is structurally a part of the in which the older phase started at the beginning of
African-Arabian plate. Until the Mesozoic, Africa and the Late Oligocene (~30 Ma) and continued up to the
the Arabian Peninsula formed one continental plate, end of the Early Miocene (16 Ma), and the younger
predominantly consisting of Precambrian gneisses and phase started from the Late Miocene (10 Ma) to re-
granites. During the Mesozoic, significant parts of cent.
Yemen were below sea level. In this time, massive Magmatic activities during the early stages of
limestones and sandstones were deposited on the Pre- lithospheric break-up and thinning prior to the onset
cambrian basement. The uplift of the continental plate of rifting and sea-floor spreading of the Red Sea are
started with the Tertiary, while the main rising phase manifested by A-type granites, granophyres and alka-
occurred during the Eocene (Kruck et al., 1996). The line volcanic rocks. The A-type granites are charac-
tectonic uplift led to the exposure of the western part terized by high (Na2O+K2O), Fe/Mg and Ga/Al and
of Yemen. The Red Sea rift began to open in the Mid- low abundances of CaO and MgO. The A-type granite
dle Tertiary, but only at the end of the Tertiary did the magma also contained abundant F and Cl, which dis-
water enter the Bab al-Mandab (Kruck et al., 1996). torted the aluminosilicate structures and stabilized
Extension in the Red Sea was also accompanied by complexes of HFSE (Collins et al., 1982; Wahlen et
extensive basaltic flood volcanism and eruption of al., 1987; Eby, 1990).
huge rhyolitic ignimbrites. Different models were proposed for the origin of
Girdler and Styles (1978) suggested two stages of the A-type granites: (1) remelting of the previously
sea floor spreading from 30 to 15 Ma and from 5 Ma melted granulites, (Collins et al., 1982;Wahlen et al.,
until recent. The radiometric age dating of Yemen 1987); (2) partial melting of dehydrated charnokitic
volcanics and the associated magmatic rocks and also lower crust, which formed residues from the earlier

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194 Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203

I-type magma in a subduction-related tectonics (Lan- comprehensive geochemical study in integration with
denberger and Collins, 1996); (3) metasomatic origin geological and mineralogical investigations for a bet-
(Taylor et al., 1981); and (4) differentiation of man- ter understanding of the petrogenesis of these anoro-
tle-derived basaltic magma (Loiselle and Wones, 1979; genic granites and their distinctive tectonic settings.
Eby, 1990). Creaser et al. (1991) argued that the re-
sidual source melting could not produce the charac-
2 Geology
teristic major element composition of the A-type gran-
ite melt.
The A-type granites outcrop along a narrow The Tertiary intrusive bodies, made up essen-
structural zone (~50 km-wide), separating the elevated tially of alkali granites and syenites, occur in different
Yemen Plateau (uplifted Mesozoic sediments and Ter- locations, especially in the western part of Yemen,
tiary lavas) from the Tihama plain (a narrow coastal nearly parallel to the general trend of the Red Sea.
plain cover of Quaternary and Tertiary sedimentary The Jabal Sabir granite body (Fig. 1) represents one
rocks). Several studies suggested that they are gener- of those Tertiary, Miocene plutons (Shaalan and
ally alkaline or peralkaline granites produced by frac- Zalata, 1983), cutting the widespread Yemen volcan-
tional crystallization from basic magmas at shallow ics (i.e., rhyolite, trachyte and alkali basalt flows and
depths (e.g. Capaldi et al., 1987; Chazot and Bertrand, tuffs). It forms a conspicuous landmark overlooking
1995). These plutonic rocks represent water-poor hy- the City of Taiz. The area of Jabal Sabir, which occu-
persolvus melt, generated from alkali basaltic magma, pies nearly 85 square kilometer, belongs topographi-
developed in the early stages of continental extension cally to the southern province of Yemen, which is
accompanying the Red Sea opening (Coleman et al., characterized by high lands and deep vallies. The
1992). K/Ar and Ar/Ar data of these granites indicate highest point of Jabal Sabir reaches 3150 m above sea
a cluster around ~21–22 Ma (Capaldi et al., 1987; level, namely the El Aroos summit. The Jabal Sabir
Huchon et al., 1991; Zumbo et al., 1995). laccolith intrusion forms a triangular body with an
The study of these alkaline intrusive massifs apex referring to the south and the long axis points to
helps us to understand the evolution of the Oligo- the north (Fig. 2, the structural map of Jabal Sabir
Miocene igneous activity in Yemen, and also to assess area from Khanbari, personal comunications). The
the relationships between magmatism and the tectonic Wadi El Oshany traverses the Jabal Sabir and is filled
phases affecting this segment of the Arabian Shield, as with abundant granite blocks and fragments, where
well as those related to the crustal extension accom- waterfalls and channels are the predominant features.
panying the opening of the Red Sea. In this approach, The outline of the Jabal Sabir massif is controlled by
the Jabal Sabir granite intrusion was chosen for a intersecting fault (Grolier and Overstreet, 1978).

Fig. 1. Geologic map of Yemen (modified after Robertston Group, 1992). Upper case letters refer to sampling localities of the Yemen granites
and granophyres. A. Jabal Hufash granite; B. Jabal Bura granite; C. Jabal Raymah granite and granophyre; D. Jabal Marabit granophyre; E. Ja-
bal Dubas granite and granophyre; F. Jabal Ras granite; G. Jabal Al Hirsh granophyre; H. Jabal Sabir granite.
Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203 195

The Jabal Sabir granite samples are medium- to

coarse-grained, composed mainly of alkali feldspar,
quartz, hornblende and biotite. On the fresh exposure,
this granite is grey to pinkish grey in color, whereas
it looks rose at the El Aroos summit. In places, it
exhibits porphyritic texture. Xenoliths of older rocks
(i.e., basalt, andesite, granodiorite and diorite) are
observed at the hill foots. The appearance of the
acidic intrusive bodies in a form of laccolith, as well
as porphyritic texture indicates that these bodies
were formed and developed at relatively shallow
depths.
Faults and joint sets trending in the NE, E-W and
NW directions are the prominent structural elements
deforming this granite body (Figs. 2 & 3a–c). The
northern abrupt end of the Jabal Sabir granites against
the Tertiary volcanics is a structural contact along the
major E-W fault. Only from this side, the fine-grained
border zone is completely absent, and highly jointed
and brecciated core phase is exposed (Youssef et al., Fig. 2. Geological and structural map of Jabal Sabir area (from
1992). Major E-W faults also affect the area south and Khanbari, unpublished study).
west of the Jabal Sabir granite intrusion. A major
NW-SE fault delimits the western contact of the Sabir 3 Petrography
granite body and terminates abruptly against another
NE fault. Spheroidal weathering and exfoliation are The Jabal Sabir granitic rocks are medium- to
observed at the external rock surfaces. Several mafic course-grained rocks exhibiting hypidomorphic or por-
and felsic dykes cut the Jabal Sabir granite, especially phyritic textures. These rocks are composed mainly of
in the elevated parts. These dykes are affected by al- potash feldspars (orthoclase, microcline, perthite, and
teration, giving rise to chlorite, kaolinite and iron ox- perthitic microcline) quartz, albite, hornblende, subor-
ides. They extend mostly in parallel to the prevailing dinate biotite and accessory zircon, apatite and iron
NE and NW joint/fault systems. oxides (Fig. 4b).

Fig. 3. (a) Intersecting joint sets given rise to blocky appearance of Sabir granite (the photo looking north); (b) xenoliths of mafic rocks inside a
granitic block in Wadi El Oshany, Jabal Sabir; (c) general view of the intrusive mass of Jabal Sabir showing its longitudinal side and some build-
ings of Taiz City which occupies the northern part of it (the photo looking south); (d) xenoliths of mafic volcanics within jointed granitic block in
Jabal Sabir granite.
196 Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203

Fig. 4. Photomicrographs of the Sabir granite showing: (a) dispersed biotite flakes, quartz-feldspar graphic intergrowth and interstitial quartz
and alkali feldspar; (b) interstitial quartz alkali feldspar and biotite; (c) lamellar microperthite at expenses of twined orthoclase and
well-developed micrographic texture in the upper right corner of the photo; (d) intensely sericitized sample with relict sodic amphibole closely
associated with biotite. Base of photos in all shots is 400 μm (C.N.).

Potash feldspar, the most predominant mineral crystals contain exsolutions of magnetite or are lo-
constituent accounting from ~40 vol%–65 vol% of cally altered to opaque phases. Biotite is less common,
most samples, is dominated by orthoclase, microcline forming small flakes pleochroic from light brown to
and/or microperthite (Fig. 4b). It occurs as subhedral very dark brown. Some corroded flakes contain
to euhedral grains, consisting of broad sinuous la- abundant opaque shreds parallel to the cleavage
mellae of pure albite commonly hosted in orthoclase planes.
which exhibits Carlsbad twinning. Secondary albite Zircon is the main accessory phase, and is com-
occurs along some recrystallized perthite grain monly closely associated with, or enclosed in the
boundaries, which may reflect the activity of Na-rich amphibole crystals. Minute apatite crystals constitute
fluids (minor autometasomatism). Some large potash rare inclusions in the amphiboles. Opaque iron oxide
feldspar crystals contain euhedral to subhedral quartz minerals commonly occur as anhedral grains associ-
inclusions as well as small biotite flakes and horn- ated with the mafic minerals.
blende crystals. Perthitic textures have been observed,
including string perthite and microperthite (Fig. 4b,
4 Geochemistry
c).
Quartz, ~35%–45%, occurs as anhedral to
subangular crystals. In places, quartz occurs as ag- Twelve samples representing the granitic rocks of
gregates filling interstitial spaces among early par- Jabal Sabir have been chosen for bulk rock geo-
agenetic minerals. Large quartz grains enclose fine chemical studies (Table 1). The concentrations of the
specks and blebs of opaque minerals. major elements were determined on whole-rock pow-
Plagioclase occurs as anhedral to subhedral crys- ders fused with lithium-metaborate in discs by X-ray
tals characterized by narrow lamellar twinning. Inter- fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry (Phillips PW1400
growths between quartz and plagiclase minerals ex- Spectrometer), at the Technical University of Buda-
hibit the distinct micrographic texture. Some crystals best, Hungary) using a Rh tube operating at 40 kV and
are variably saussuritized. 70 mA. Loss of ignition (LOI) was determined by
Yellowish-brown to deep greenish-blue, pleo- heating powdered samples for 50 minutes at 1000℃.
chroic arfvedsonite accounts for ~5 vol% of the rock The concentrations of some trace elements (Table 1)
(Fig. 4d). It occurs as anhedral to subhedral grains, or were determined on pressed pellets by X-ray fluores-
as late interstitial acicular crystals, or as radiating cence. The analytical precision, as calculated from a
needles between perthite grains. Some amphibole couple replicate analysis of one sample, is better than
Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203 197

1% for most major elements and better than 5% for enriched in the alkalis (4.18 wt% <Na2O <5.52 wt%,
most trace elements. The REE concentrations were and 4.08 wt% <K2O <4.89 wt%).
determined by neutron activation analysis with at least Using the alkalis vs. silica classification diagram
two standard reference materials. of Cox et al. (1979), the investigated rock samples
The distribution and percentages of the major plot exclusively within the field of silica-rich alkaline
oxides of the investigated granites are controlled by granites (Fig. 5A). The molar A/CNK vs. NK/A varia-
the mineral composition and conditions of rock for- tion diagram (Fig. 5B), (after, Maniar and Piccoli
mation. Some incompatible trace elements (Ba, Rb, Sr, 1989) indicates a mild peraluminous nature of the Ja-
Nb, Ta, Zr, U, Th, and Y) tend to be concentrated in bal Sabir granite with A.I. values >1.
the liquid phase during the crystallization of magma. On the Ga/Al vs. Zr diagram, all data points plot
Consequently, they are usually enriched in the granitic
in the field of A-type granites, emphasizing the
liquids (Cox et al., 1979).
anaorgenic nature of the studied granitic rocks (Fig. 6).
The SiO2 contents range from 69.9 wt% to 73.9
The two diagrams of Pearce et al. (1984) indicate
wt%, and exhibit a narrow compositional trend. The
rocks are depleted in Ca (0.41 wt%–0.81 wt% CaO), that the Jabal Sabir granite has been developed in a
and Mg (which is at the trace-element level, varying within-plate environment (WPG), verifying the exten-
from 0.23 wt% to 0.5 wt% MgO), relatively enriched sional regime during emplacement (Fig. 7A, B). This
in Al (13.74 wt%–15.39 wt% Al2O3), and moderately tectonic setting fits well with the geologic field.

Table 1 Chemical analyses of major oxides, trace elements and REE

Sample GS-1 GS-2 GS-3 GS-4 GS-5 GS-6 GS-7 GS-8 GS-9 GS-10 GS-11 GS-12
SiO2 69.94 70.31 72.03 71.89 73.61 73.98 72.44 70.82 73.33 71.48 71.08 72.98
TiO2 0.33 0.32 0.26 0.21 0.15 0.15 0.22 0.3 0.18 0.23 0.2 0.24
Al2O3 15.39 15.33 14.66 14.74 13.79 13.74 14.12 15.25 14.08 14.6 14.48 14.36
FeOt 2.14 2.21 1.89 2.17 1.85 1.92 1.7 2.2 1.75 2.15 2.15 1.76
MnO 0.1 0.09 0.1 0.08 0.1 0.1 0.09 0.1 0.11 0.09 0.08 0.1
MgO 0.42 0.4 0.5 0.23 0.33 0.32 0.42 0.45 0.38 0.3 0.36 0.46
CaO 0.81 0.8 0.64 0.57 0.41 0.41 0.48 0.78 0.52 0.68 0.75 0.43
Na2O 5.48 5.48 5.03 4.75 4.27 4.31 4.62 5.52 4.18 4.86 5.04 4.8
K2O 4.65 4.35 4.08 4.89 4.71 4.41 4.28 4.23 4.6 4.75 4.56 4.4
P2O5 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.02
LOI 0.62 0.56 0.56 0.73 0.48 0.39 0.61 0.52 0.5 0.63 0.56 0.42
Total 99.9 99.88 99.78 100.7 99.73 99.74 99.5 100.2 99.65 99.79 99.26 99.97
Ba 215 216 217 211 144 160 186 214 155 223 216 172
Rb 231 205 274 230 299 273 282 224 268 225 221 292
Sr 101 106 94 31 21 24 75 108 34 48 37 62
Y 71 66 100 81 115 110 105 76 106 90 85 108
Zr 703 744 507 719 0.483 524 521 755 545 682 706 532
Nb 137 123 181 164 223 209 202 154 196 175 168 195
Th 20.41 27.8 22.75 29.81 24.8 24.96 23.81 27.7 24.46 26.7 28.7 24.91
Pb 22 11 17 25 24 9 22 20 18 23 21 22
Ga 25 25 26 29 30 31 28 26 24 25 27 29
Zn 170 186 168 151 129 122 148 182 135 155 150 140
Cu 7 7 6 6 3 5 5 7 4 6 5 4
Ni 4 5 3 4 4 2 2 4 5 4 3 2
V 6 6 7 6 7 7 8 6 6 7 6 8
Cr 7 6 5 4 4 5 4 6 5 4 4 6
Cs 1.21 1.01 1.09 0.91 0.78 0.36 0.98 0.92 0.86 1.06 0.87 0.84
Sc 2.8 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.2 1.7 2.2 2.6 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.2
Ta 20.92 20.41 15.32 22.81 17.31 16.76 18.32 21.62 18.42 20.8 22.6 19.32
Co 3 2 2 3 3 1 1 2 3 3 0 0
Li 21 11 19 7 30 21 25 24 28 21 16 26
U 7.91 6.92 13.03 8.71 11.65 16.31 14.42 7.85 12.23 10.81 11.18 13.41
La 77.6 86.6 57 99 64 78 69 94 60 78 89 72
Ce 164 179 120 202 143 158 166 198 137 187 200 176
Nd 62 72 58 76 63 72 69 74 61 78 73 70
Sm 13.2 14.75 13.8 16.65 16.7 17.25 16.2 15.75 16.31 14.61 16.31 15.8
Eu 1.38 1.35 1.9 0.66 1.22 1.19 1.45 1.12 1.26 1.5 1.41 1.32
Tb 2.02 2.04 2.86 2.28 3.09 3.18 2.98 2.2 3.02 2.48 2.54 3.04
Yb 6.35 6.35 6.45 8.3 8.7 8.9 6.87 7.42 8.2 8.12 7.21 6.96
Lu 1.01 1.02 1.06 1.39 1.4 1.44 1.24 1.2 1.33 1.31 1.26 1.28
198 Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203

Fig. 5. (A) SiO2 vs. Na2O+K2O variation diagram (Cox et al., 1979), classifying Jabal Sabir as alkali granite. The alkaline/subalkaline curve is af-
ter Miyashiro (1978); (B) molecular Al2O3/(CaO+Na2O+K2O) vs. molecular (Na2O+K2O)/Al2O3, or molar A/CNK vs. NK/A variation diagram
showing that the investigated Jabal Sabir granite is mildly peraluminous in nature, after Maniar and Piccoli (1989).

also indicates that data points of the Jabal Sabir gran-

ite produce a well defined negative trend showing a
gradual decrease in the Rb/Sr ratios linearly with
increasing concentrations of Sr (normal differentia-
tion trend). Unlike orogenic granitic suites, most data
points of the investigated Jabal Sabir granite show
Rb/Sr ratios greater than 1 (Fig. 8C). The granitic
suites which formed in association with compres-
sional (orogenic) tectonic regimes such as the An-
dean granites (Atherton et al., 1979) and the Pan-
African calc- alkaline orogenic granites (Abdel-
Rahman and Martin, 1987) exhibit Rb/Sr ratios of <1.
Fig. 6. Ga/Al vs. Zr variation diagram (Wahlen et al., 1987) showing Thus, the Rb/Sr vs. K/Rb diagram is found to be
that the studied rocks are A-type granites. useful to discriminate between calc-alkaline oro-
genic- and per-/alkaline anorogenic granites.
The Jabal Sabir granite is generally enriched in The chondrite-normalized REE patterns (nor-
Nb (123×10-6–223×10-6), Y (65×10-6–115×10-610-6), malized to the chondrite values of Taylor and
Zr (483×10-6–755×10-6), and Ga (24×10-6–31×10-6), MacLennan, 1985) are presented in Fig. 9(a). The
compared to the Pan-African orogenic granites (e.g. investigated Jabal Sabir granite is generally enriched
Abdel-Rahman and Martin, 1987; Moghazi et al., in the REE (the sum of the REE ranges from
1998; El-Shazly and El-Sayed, 2000; Jarrar et al., 261×10-6 to 406×10-6), compared to the Pan-African
2003), implying significant concentrations of acces- granitic rocks, the sum of which ranges from
sory minerals (i.e., zircon and apatite), a characteris- 141×10-6 to 152×10-6 (Abdel-Rahman and El-Kibbi,
tic feature of the alkaline granites in general (Harris 2001).
and Marriner, 1980; Whalen et al., 1996; Smith et al., The REE patterns of the Jabal Sabir granite are
1999; Schmitt et al., 2000). This feature has been generally parallel, LREE-enriched, and exhibit Eu-
related to the high fluorine contents of alkaline gran- negative anomalies, characteristic features of pristine,
itic melts, and to solubility relationships of the ac- alkaline A-type granites all over the world (e.g. Har-
cessory minerals (i.e., zircon and apatite; Collins et ris and Marriner, 1980; Abdel-Rahman and Martin,
al., 1982; Watson and Harrison, 1983; Keppler, 1993). 1990; Whalen et al., 1996; Schmitt et al., 2000; Ab-
The concentrations of Th range from 20×10-6 to del- Rahman and El-Kibbi, 2001; Andersson, 2001;
30×10-6 (Table 1). The concentrations of Ta ranges Vander Auwera et al., 2003). When trace elements
from 15×10-6 to 23×10-6, and the Nb/Ta ratios range are normalized regarding the primitive mantle con-
from 6 to 14, comparable to the ratios characteristic centrations, the studied rocks exhibit moderate en-
of other anorogenic granitic complexes such as the richment in most of the high-field-strength elements
anorogenic granites of Yemen (Nb/Ta<20; Capaldi et (HFSE) and REE, but with marked depletion in Sr
al., 1987), the Jabal El-Sibai A-type granite of Egypt and Eu (Fig. 9b).
(13<Nb/Ta<20; Abdel-Rahman and El-Kibbi, 2001), Figure 10 shows the behavior of major oxides
and the Amis anorogenic peralkaline granites of Na- relative to silica variance. It is observed that CaO,
mibia (12< Nb/Ta<23; Schmitt et al., 2000). Na2O, TiO2 and Al2O3 show negative correlations
A negative correlation occurs between Rb and with silica ,while FeOt, K2O, P2O5, MgO give a scat-
K/Rb (Fig. 8A). The Rb/Sr vs. Sr diagram (Fig. 8B) ter plot with no specific relation.
Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203 199

Fig. 7. Tectonic setting discriminating diagrams of Pearce et al. (1984) with Jabal Sabir data point plot in the within plate granites field. The ex-
planations for (A), (B) are, {syn-Collision granite Syn-COLD} {within plate granite WPG}, { volcanic-arc granite VAG}, { ocean-ridge granite
ORG}.

Fig. 8. Variation diagrams of Jabal Sabir granite. (A) Rb vs. K/Rb variation diagram (Note: the decrease in Ba and in the K/Rb ratios with in-
creasing Rb contents); (B) Sr vs. Rb/Sr variation diagram showing that the Rb/Sr ratios increase with decreasing Sr contents (i.e., with increasing
differentiation); (C) K/Rb vs. Rb/Sr diagram showing that most data points of the Jabal Sabir granite exhibit Rb/Sr ratios>1, whereas the orogenic
calc-alkaline granites and the Pan-African calc-alkaline orogenic granites are after Atherton et al. (1979) and Abdel-Rahman and Martin (1987),
respectively. The boundary (marked by the dashed line on Rb/Sr=1) separating the fields of orogenic and anorogenic granites is after Ab-
del-Rahman and El-Kibbi (2001).

Fig. 9. (a) Chondrite-normalized rare-earth patterns of representative samples of the Jabal Sabir granite showing that they are enriched in the LREE
compared to HREE; (b) primitive mantle-ormalized multi-element profiles of the Jabal Sabir granite. Nornalization values are taken from Sun and
Donough (1989).

Trace elements were plotted against silica (Fig. Cr, Zn, Cs, and Ta show negative correlations with
11), in order to shed the light upon their evolution silica, while Rb, Li, V, Nb, Ba, U, Ga and Y possess
during the fractional crystallization of their parent positive one and the other elements have no correla-
magma. It is noticed that the majority of them show tion or give a scatter plot. These observations indicate
marked trends. It is observed that Ni, Sr, Zr, Cu, Sc, that the Jabal granite is enriched in the LREE com-
200 Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203

pared to the HREE as shown in Fig. 9(a). for peralkaline granitic magmas (e.g. Philpotts, 1976;
Eby, 1990). It is considered that no single one of the
5 Discussion above schemes will be found responsible for the
genesis of all A-types. It is even probable that more
than one of these processes have played a partial role
5.1 Origin of the A-type magmas in the origin of any particular A-type suites.
The Tertiary volcanics and intrusives of Yemen
The A-type alkali granites, tensional granites, rift are related to the Afar mantle plume which impacted
granites are all named the anorogenic granites by the Arabia-Africa area during the Oligocene. They
Loiselle and Wones (1979), who used the term to can be also related directly to major phase of the
emphasize the anorogenic tectonic setting and the opening of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The
relatively alkaline composition as well as the anhy- Yemen margin has clearly undergone extension since
drous characteristics of these magmas. The important the opening of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
characteristics of the A-type granites include: (l) they
are true granites according to the classification of 5.2 Tectonic regime of emplacement
Streckeisen (1973); (2) they occur in anorogenic set-
tings and commonly in tensional regimes, where they The presence of alkali amphibole (arfvedsonite),
postdate the intrusion of other sorts of granites; (3) the hypersolvus nature of the feldspars, and the gen-
they commonly occur as small plutons. This contrasts eral alkaline characteristics of the Jabal Sabir granite
with both I- and S-types, which mostly occur as large indicate that these rocks conform to the mineralogical
plutons forming huge batholiths. and geochemical traits typical of within-plate A-type
Several mechanisms have been postulated to ex- suites. As for the tectonic setting, the within-plate
plain the generation of the A-type magmas. The major granite setting is indicated by the tectonic discrimina-
hypotheses assume that the A-type magmas are rela- tion diagrams of Pearce et al. (1984). This suggests
tively anhydrous, high-temperature melts. Of these that these granitic bodies may have been emplaced in
hypotheses, mantle-derived alkaline magmas would an extensional tectonic regime, during relaxation,
fractionate to produce residual granitic liquids fracturing, and crustal attenuation.
(Loiselle and Wones, 1979), or mantle-derived alka- Refaat et al. (1980) studied the chemistry of ar-
line magma which reacts with crustal rocks to pro- fvedsonite of the Jabal Sabir granite and concluded
duce a syenitic derivative that fractionates to a gran- that the mineralogical classification agrees to a great
itic composition (Barth, 1962). The A-type magmas extent with the chemical data of the alkali amphiboles.
may also be attributed to melting of the lower crust They concluded that the euhedral crystals of arfved-
under the fluxing influence of mantle-derived vola- sonite have been crystallized early from a solid solu-
tiles (Bailey, 1974). Liquid immiscibility in basaltic tion series at high temperature under relatively oxi-
liquids has also been suggested as a possible origin dizing conditions.

Fig. 10. Variation diagrams for silica vs. major oxides for A-type granites from Jabal Sabir
Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203 201

.
Fig. 11. Variation diagrams for silica vs. trace elements for A-type granites from Jabal Sabir.

Alignment along flanks of a major rift zone, and bodies were formed and developed at relatively shal-
criteria indicating extensional environment during low depths.
emplacement further constraining the nature of the
Jabal Sabir granite as a rift-related granite, was em- 6 Conclusions
placed at ~22 Ma ago and is connected with the sink-
ing of the Red Sea graben. The appearance of the The Jabal Sabir alkali granite body consists es-
acidic intrusive bodies in a form of laccolith, as well sentially of perthitic feldspars and quartz with minor
as porphyritic texture, indicates that these intrusive biotite and alkali amphibole (arfvedsonite). The bulk
202 Chin.J.Geochem.(2011)30:193–203

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