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Rivière aux Feuilles Suite
Stratigraphic label: [narc]rfe
Map symbol: nArfe

First published: 7 January 2020
Last modified:

 

 

 

  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.
 
nArfe2 Heterogeneous biotite-hornblende-magnetite granodiorite
nArfe1 Biotite ± hornblende ± magnetite granodiorite
 
Author(s):Percival and Card, 1994
Age:Neoarchean
Stratotype:None
Type area:Nedlouc Lake area (NTS sheets 34H and 24E)
Geological province:Superior Province
Geological subdivision:Minto Subprovince
Lithology:Granodiorite
Category:Lithodemic
Rank:Suite
Status:Formal
Use:Active

Background

The Rivière aux Feuilles Suite was defined by Percival and Card (1994) during their mapping work in the Lac Minto-Rivière aux Feuilles area. This unit takes its name from the Feuilles River located in sheet 24L. Although mainly consisting of biotite granodiorite, it then included pyroxene-hornblende granodiorites, tonalites, granites and smaller amounts of diorite, gabbro and pyroxenite. In the Dupire Lake area (sheet 34H03), Lamothe (1997) identified four informal units: a biotite granodiorite and tonalite unit (Arfe1) and three units of granitic intrusions of different composition (Arfe1 to Arfe4). Subsequently, in the Nedlouc Lake area (sheets 34H and 24E), Parent et al. (2000, 2001) reassigned these different lithologies to several lithodemic suites and restricted the Rivière aux Feuilles Suite to an informal unit of biotite-hornblende granodiorite and biotite-pyroxene granodiorite (Arfe1), and an informal tonalite unit (Arfe2). The redefined Rivière aux Feuilles Suite was extended eastward in the Aigneau Lake area (sheets 24E and 24F04; Berclaz et al., 2001, 2002) and to the NE in the Dufreboy Lake area (sheet 24L; Leclair et al., 2003).

In the La Potherie Lake area (sheet 34I), Leclair et al. (2001, 2002) reduced the Rivière aux Feuilles Suite to a unit of biotite-hornblende-magnetite granodiorite. This unit was extended westward in the Vernon Lake area (sheet 34J; Parent et al., 2002, 2003) and to the SW in the Minto Lake area (sheet 34G; Simard et al., 2005). To comply with this new definition, Simard et al. (2008) reassigned tonalites that had been incorporated in the Rivière aux Feuilles Suite to the Favard and Rochefort tonalitic rock suites. Simard et al. (2008) also assigned heterogeneous biotite-hornblende granodiorites of the Monchy and Lac Minto suites to the Rivière aux Feuilles Suite. These amendments resulted in abandonment of the Monchy Suite. Finally, during the Ministère’s geological compilation work (MNRF, 2010a-i; Simard et al., 2011), the Rivière aux Feuilles Suite was divided into three informal units, mainly based on the nature of ferromagnesian minerals observed in granodiorite.

Actual UnitsSimard (2011)

Simard et al. (2008)

Simard (2008)

Simard et al. (2005)

Leclair et al. (2003)

Parent et al. (2002, 2003)

Berclaz et al. (2001, 2002)

Leclair et al. (2001, 2002)

Parent et al. (2000, 2001)

Lamothe (1997)

Percival and Card (1994)
nArfeArfeArfeArfeArfeArfeArfe1ArfeArfe1 

Agd

Agdp (pyroxene granodiorite)
Agdg (granodioritic gneiss)
nArfe1        

Arfe1 (granodiorite)

 
Arfe2 to Arfe4 (granitic intusions)
nArfe2Arfe2         

Favard Suite (nAfav)

     Arfe2 Arfe2Arfe1 (tonalite) 

Rochefort Suite (nArot)

 

Description

Several authors (Percival and Card, 1997; Lamothe, 1997; Parent et al., 2000, 2001; Leclair et al., 2001, 2002; Berclaz et al., 2001, 2002; Parent et al., 2002, 2003; Simard et al., 2005; Simard, 2008; Simard et al., 2011) describe granodiorite of this suite as a homogeneous rock, light grey to pinkish grey with a whitish to pinkish grey patina, medium to coarse-grained and massive to slightly foliated in appearance. The rock contains 5-25% ferromagnesian minerals, including biotite and hornblende. Most of these authors observed magnetite with, locally, epidote, allanite and titanite. They also noted the presence of muscovite and clinopyroxene, in addition to accessory minerals such as apatite and zircon. The Rivière aux Feuilles Suite locally contains clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene granodiorite layers.

Granodiorite usually contains a granitic facies in diffuse contact with the granodiorite facies. In many areas, granitic intusions and numerous enclaves give a heterogeneous appearance to the unit. Decimetric to metric enclaves are composed of amphibolite and diorite and, more sparsely, diatexite and paragneiss. The amount of these enclaves rarely exceeds 5% of the outcrop area, but can reach 30% locally. Granitic intusions and the alignment of ferromagnesian minerals mark an obvious foliation, but the latter is difficult to observe when the rock is massive and homogeneous.

The Rivière aux Feuilles Suite is divided into three informal units (MRNF, 2010a-i; Simard et al., 2011): undifferentiated homogeneous biotite ± hornblende ± pyroxene ± magnetite (nArfe), biotite-hornblende granodiorite (nArfe1), and heterogeneous hornblende-biotite granodiorite (nArfe2).

 

Rivière aux Feuilles Suite, Undivided (nArfe): Homogeneous Biotite ± Hornblende ± Pyroxene ± Magnetite Granodiorite

This undivided unit of the Rivière aux Feuilles Suite consists of homogeneous light grey biotite-hornblende-pyroxene-magnetite granodiorite (5-25%), medium to coarse-grained and foliated to locally gneissic. This unit also contains mafic rock enclaves, and granite and pegmatite intrusions, pinkish white to pinkish grey.

 

Rivière aux Feuilles Suite 1 (nArfe1): Homogeneous Biotite ± Hornblende ± Magnetite Granodiorite

Unit nArfe1 consists of granodiorite containing 5-25% biotite, hornblende and magnetite. This rock is homogeneous, foliated to locally gneissic, light grey to pinkish grey, of massive to slightly foliated appearance, medium to coarse grained, locally slightly porphyritic, containing <10% centimetric ferromagnesian mineral clusters. The unit contains mafic rock enclaves, a coarse-grained granitic phase in diffuse contact with granodiorite, and a pegmatitic phase, pinkish white to pinkish grey.

 

Rivière aux Feuilles Suite 2 (nArfe2): Heterogeneous Biotite-Hornblende-Magnetite Granodiorite

Unit nArfe2 granodiorite is composed of 10-20% hornblende, biotite and magnetite. It is heterogeneous, foliated to locally gneissic, migmatitic and coarse to medium grained. It has a heterogranular and locally porphyritic texture with a diatexite appearance. This rock contains up to 40% enclaves of tonalite, light grey granite and, locally, paragneiss, and granitic pegmatite intrusions.

 

Thickness and distribution

The Rivière aux Feuilles Suite covers a large area in the central part of the Minto Subprovince (Simard, 2008). Granodiorite forms several kilometric, generally oriented NW-SE intrusive bodies, mostly in sheets 34G, 34H, 34J, 34I, 24E, 24L, as well as in sheets 34O, 34P and 24F. These cover an area ~350 km long by 220 km wide. Unit nArfe1 occurs primarily in sheets 34G to 34J, unit Arfe2 follows a NW-SE oriented strip in the NW quarter of sheet 24E, NE corner of sheet 34H and west half of sheet 34I.

Dating

Several dating of Rivière aux Feuilles Suite granodiorite samples yielded ages between 2733 Ma and 2721 Ma (Percival et al., 1992; Percival and Card, 1994; Skulski et al., 1996; David et al., 2009).

UnitSample NumberIsotopic SystemMineralCrystallization Age (Ma)(+)(-)Metamorphic Age (Ma)(+)(-)Reference(s)
nArfe89-29U-PbZircon272544   Percival et al., 1992; Percival and Card, 1994
Monazite   270711
nArfe U-PbZircon272933   Percival and Card, 1994
nArfe1SNB-93-95U-PbZircon27331.61.5   Skulski et al., 1996
nArfe199-JD-5001-APb-PbZircon27218826681414David et al., 2009
U-PbZircon272122   
Monazite   265322
266133

Stratigraphic Relationship(s)

The Rivière aux Feuilles Suite is associated with a major magmatic event that led to the development of large potassic intrusive suites in the northern half of the Minto Subprovince, between 2735 Ma and 2720 Ma, to which are also associated the Pinguq, La Chevrotière, Leridon and Dufreboy suites (Simard et al., 2008).

Paleontology

Does not apply.

References

 

Publications Available Through SIGÉOM Examine

BERCLAZ, A., CADIEUX, A M., SHARMA, K N M., DAVID, J., PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A. 2001. GEOLOGIE DE LA REGION DU LAC AIGNEAU (24E ET 24F/04). MRN. RG 2001-01, 51 pages and 2 plans.

BERCLAZ, A., CADIEUX, A M., SHARMA, K N M., DAVID, J., PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A. 2002. GEOLOGY OF THE LAC AIGNEAU AREA (24E AND 24F/04). MRN. RG 2001-05, 44 pages and 2 plans.

DAVID, J., MAURICE, C., SIMARD, M. 2009. DATATIONS ISOTOPIQUES EFFECTUEES DANS LE NORD-EST DE LA PROVINCE DU SUPERIEUR – TRAVAUX DE 1998, 1999 ET 2000. MRNF. DV 2008-05, 92 pages.

LAMOTHE, D. 1997. GEOLOGIE DE LA REGION DU LAC DUPIRE (34H/03). MRN. RG 96-01, 19 pages and 1 plan.

LECLAIR, A.D., BERCLAZ, A., PARENT, M., CADIEUX, A.-M., SHARMA, K.N.M. 2003. GÉOLOGIE 1/250 000, 24L – LAC DUFREBOY. In MRNF. 2010. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 24L. CG SIGEOM24L, 5 plans.

LECLAIR, A., PARENT, M., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M., DION, D J. 2001. GEOLOGIE DE LA REGION DU LAC LA POTHERIE (34I). MRN. RG 2000-12, 50 pages and 1 plan.

LECLAIR, A., PARENT, M., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M., DION, D J. 2002. GEOLOGY OF THE LAC LA POTHERIE AREA. MRN. RG 2001-04, 43 pages and 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010a. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 24E. CG SIGEOM24E, 4 plans.

MRNF. 2010b. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 24L. CG SIGEOM24L, 5 plans.

MRNF. 2010c. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 34G. CG SIGEOM34G, 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010d. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 34H. CG SIGEOM34H, 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010e. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 34I. CG SIGEOM34I, 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010f. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 34J. CG SIGEOM34J, 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010g. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 34O. CG SIGEOM34O, 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010h. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 34P. CG SIGEOM34P, 1 plan.

MRNF. 2010i. COMPILATION GÉOLOGIQUE 1/50 000, 24F04 – LAC DRUMLIN. In MRNF. 2010. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 24F. CG SIGEOM24F, 16 plans.

PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M. 2000. GEOLOGIE DE LA REGION DU LAC NEDLOUC (SNRC 34H ET 24E). MRN. RG 99-13, 46 pages and 2 plans.

PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M. 2001. GEOLOGY OF THE LAC NEDLOUC AREA (NTS 34H AND 24E). MRN. RG 2000-09, 41 pages and 2 plans.

PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M., LACOSTE, P. 2002. GEOLOGIE DE LA REGION DU LAC VERNON (34J). MRN. RG 2001-11, 44 pages and 1 plan.

PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M., LACOSTE, P. 2003. GEOLOGY OF THE LAC VERNON AREA (34J). MRN. RG 2002-07, 40 pages and 1 plan.

SIMARD, M. 2008. LEXIQUE STRATIGRAPHIQUE DES UNITES ARCHEENNES DU NORD-EST DE LA PROVINCE DU SUPERIEUR. MRNF. DV 2008-03, 107 pages.

SIMARD, M. 2011. COMPILATION GEOLOGIQUE – LAC AIGNEAU. MRNF. CG-24E-2011-01, 1 plan.

SIMARD, M., CHEVE, S., DAVID, J., LABBE, J Y., SHARMA, K N M. 2005. GEOLOGIE DE LA REGION DU LAC MINTO (34F ET 34G). MRNFP. RG 2004-04, 27 pages and 2 plans.

SIMARD, M., LABBE, J Y., MAURICE, C., LACOSTE, P., LECLAIR, A., BOILY, M. 2008. SYNTHESE DU NORD-EST DE LA PROVINCE DU SUPERIEUR. MRNF. MM 2008-02, 198 pages and 8 plans.

 

Other Publications

PERCIVAL, CARD, K.D. 1994. Geology, Lac Minto-Rivière aux Feuilles, Québec / Géologie, Lac Minto-Rivière aux Feuilles, Québec. Geological Survey of Canada, « A » Series Map 1854A, 1 sheet. https://doi.org/10.4095/194490

PERCIVAL, J.A., MORTENSEN, J.K., STERN, R.A., CARD, K.D., BEGIN, N.J. 1992. Giant granulite terranes of northeastern Superior Province; the Ashuanipi Complex and Minto Block. Canadian Journal of Earth Sceinces; volume 29, pages 2287-2308. https://doi:10.1139/e92-179

SKULSKI, T., PERCIVAL, J.A., STERN, R.A. 1996. Archean crustal evolution in the central Minto block, northern Quebec. In Radiogenic age and isotopic studies: Report 9; Geological Survey of Canada, Curent Research 1995-F, pages 17-31. https://doi.org/10.4095/207760

Suggested Citation

Ministère de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN). Rivière aux Feuilles Suite. Quebec Stratigraphic Lexicon. gq.mines.gouv.qc.ca/lexique-stratigraphique/province-du-superieur/suite-de-la-riviere-aux-feuilles_en [accessed on Day Month Year].

 

Contributors

First publication

Sarah Blais, B.Sc.; Céline Dupuis, P. Geo., Ph.D. celine.dupuis@mern.gouv.qc.ca (redaction)

Mehdi A. Guemache, P. Geo., Ph.D. (coordination); Charles St-Hilaire, GIT, M.Sc. (critical review); Simon Auclair, P. Geo., M.Sc. (editing); Céline Dupuis, P. Geo., Ph.D. (English version); Ricardo Escobar Moran (HTML editing). 

 
6 juillet 2021