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Casterne Pluton
Stratigraphic label: [narc]cst
Map symbol: nAcst
 

First published: 14 June 2019
Last modified: 6 October 2022

 

 

 

 

 

  DISCLAIMER: This English version is translated from the original French. In case of any discrepancy, the French version shall prevail.   

Informal subdivision(s)
Numbering does not necessarily reflect the stratigraphic position.

None

 

Author(s): Côté-Roberge and Goutier, 2019
Age: Neoarchean
Stratotype: Representative outcrops (e.g., isotopic dating site 2018-MY-6315) are located in the NE corner of NTS sheet 33G03
Type area: Casterne Lake area (NTS sheets 33G03 and 33G04)
Geological province: Superior Province
Geological subdivision: Opinaca Subprovince
Lithology: Quartz monzodiorite
Category: Lithodemic
Rank: Lithodeme
Status: Formal
Use: Active

 

 

Background

The Casterne Pluton is a formal unit of the Féron Suite established by Côté-Roberge and Goutier (2019). The name refers to Casterne Lake, located less than 5 km from the type outcrop used for isotopic dating (2018-MY-6315).

 

Description

The composition of the Casterne Pluton is intermediate to felsic. The most commonly observed lithology is a porphyritic quartz monzodiorite. There are also smaller amounts of monzonite, quartz monzonite, monzodiorite, quartz diorite and granodiorite. These lithologies are grey in fresh exposure and commonly intruded with coarse-grained pink granite.

The intensity of deformation varies from low to medium. A south-dipping E-W to NE-SW foliation can be measured on most outcrops. In places, rocks show a L/S tectonite fabric with secondary and tectonometamorphic mineral lineations defined by the alignment of mafic minerals shallowly dipping towards the ENE to NE.

K-feldspar phenocrystals make up 1-10% of the rock and are 1-2 cm long, five times coarser than the medium-grained matrix. Petrographic observations indicate that these phenocrystals are orthose, although microcline is abundant in the matrix. The pluton’s mineralogy is characterized by hornblende (5-15%), biotite (3-15%) and trace magnetite. Sphene and epidote are observed in a few places.

 

Thickness and Distribution

The Casterne Pluton is ovoid and shallowly dips eastward. It is 20 km long, parallel to the main foliation, by 10 km wide. The Casterne Pluton is distinguished from adjacent units by its distinct magnetic signature. Several elongated magnetic ridges are arranged concentrically with a closure in the west that is better developed than in the east, where the pluton is cut by the Vieux Comptoir Granitic Suite. It covers an area of 76 km2 in the NW part of sheet 33G03, 17 km2 in the NE of sheet 33G04, and less than 1 km2 in sheet 33G06.

Dating

Isotopic dating was performed on an orthose porphyritic hornblende-biotite-magnetite-epidote monzodiorite sampled on outcrop 2018-MY-6315. The age of 2701.5 ±2.4 Ma obtained is considered to be that of pluton intrusion and is also a minimum age for deposition of Laguiche Complex paragneiss in the Casterne Lake area.

Unit Sample Isotopic System Mineral Crystallization Age (Ma) (+) (-) Reference(s)
nAcst 2018-MY-6315A U-Pb Zircon 2701.5 2.4 2.4 David, 2020

Stratigraphic Relationship(s)

The Casterne Pluton cuts paragneiss and migmatites of the Laguiche Complex, as well as a biotite-magnetite tonalite-granodiorite intrusion in sheet 33G04. In sheets 33G03 and 33G06, it is completely isolated from paragneiss by a granite of the Vieux Comptoir Granitic Suite. It is also cut by a dyke belonging to the Mistassini Dyke Swarm.

Paleontology

Does not apply.

References

Publications available through Sigéom Examine

CÔTÉ-ROBERGE, M., GOUTIER, J., 2019. Géologie de la région du lac Casterne, sous-provinces de La Grande et d’Opinaca, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, Québec, Canada. MERN; BG 2019-05, 2 plans.

DAVID, J., 2020. Datations U-Pb dans les provinces du Supérieur et de Churchill effectuées au GEOTOP en 2018-2019. MERN, GEOTOP; MB 2020-01, 30 pages.

GOLDAK AIRBORNE SURVEYS, 2008. LEVE AEROMAGNETIQUE SUR LE TERRITOIRE DE LA BAIE-JAMES – OPINACA, SUD DE LG-3 ET SUD DE LG-4. DP 2008-01, 50 pages, 58 plans.

 

 

 

Suggested Citation

Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN). Casterne Pluton. Quebec Stratigraphic Lexicon. https://gq.mines.gouv.qc.ca/lexique-stratigraphique/province-du-superieur/pluton-de-casterne_en [accessed on Day Month Year].

 

Contributors

First publication

Myriam Côté-Roberge, P. Geo., M.Sc. myriam.cote-roberge@mern.gouv.qc.ca (redaction)

Mehdi A. Guemache, P. Geo., Ph.D. (coordination); James Moorhead, P. Geo., M.Sc. (critical review); Simon Auclair, P. Geo., M.Sc. (editing); Céline Dupuis, P. Geo., Ph.D. (English version). 

 

 

11 novembre 2019