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Morrice Suite
Stratigraphic label: [narc]gdm
Map symbol: nAgdm
 

First published: 14 February 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.
 
None
 
Author(s): Parent et al., 2000
Age: Neoarchean
Stratotype: None
Type area: Nedlouc Lake area (NTS sheets 34H and 24E)
Geological province: Superior Province
Geological subdivision: Minto Subprovince
Lithology: Granite
Category: Lithodemic
Rank: Suite
Status: Formal
Use: Active

Background

Percival and Card (1994) defined, in the Minto Lake and Feuilles River area (sheet 34G), a homogeneous unit of hornblende biotite ± horblende granite and leucogranite with a lower amount of pegmatite, which included the Morrice and Dufreboy suites. The Morrice Suite was introduced in the Nedlouc Lake area (sheet 34H; Parent et al., 2000, 2001) to describe homogeneous granite, as well as three small late tonalite intrusions. Later, Morrice granites were recognized in the Aigneau Lake (sheet 24E; Berclaz et al., 2001, 2002), La Potherie Lake (sheet 34I; Leclair et al., 2001, 2002) and Vernon Lake (sheet 34J; Parent et al., 2002, 2003) areas (Simard, 2008). Simard et al. (2008) consider the Morrice Suite to consist exclusively of granite; association with tonalite has not been demonstrated. The authors therefore grouped the three tonalitic intrusions described by Parent et al. (2000, 2001) into a new unit, the Rivière Qijuttuuq Suite. In the Vernon Lake area, Simard et al. (2008) also assigned to the Morrice Suite granites that once belonged to the Le Roy Complex (redefined as a unit composed exclusively of diatexite), based on lithological characteristics and regional distribution of these granites.

 

Description

The Morrice Suite consists of homogeneous biotite granite, massive to foliated, medium to coarse-grained, locally porphyritic, pinkish in fresh exposure and reddish pink in altered surface (Parent et al., 2000, 2001; Berclaz et al., 2001, 2002; Leclair et al., 2001, 2002; Parent et al., 2002, 2003; MNRF, 2001; Boily et al., 2004; Simard et al., 2005; Simard et al., 2008; Simard, 2008; MNRF, 2010a-f). Granite is leucocratic to locally hololeucocratic and contains 2-15% ferromagnesian minerals. The main mineral phases are quartz, microcline, plagioclase, green biotite and, in smaller amounts, magnetite and hornblende. Biotite is finely disseminated in the rock or as clusters a few millimetres in diameter. The rock commonly contains 1-5% K-feldspar phenocrystals 1-2 cm long, locally microperthitic. Clinopyroxene, muscovite, epidote, titanite, allanite, apatite, sphene and zircon are also present in places as accessory minerals. Along fault corridors, the rock is usually hematitized; this alteration is also accompanied by chloritization and epidotization of ferromagnesian minerals, as well as sericitization of feldspars. Foliation, when present, is generally undulating and marked by biotite alignment, preferential orientation of quartz lenses and a mortar texture (Leclair et al., 2001, 2002).

Pegmatitic phases are commonly associated with granite (Berclaz et al., 2001, 2002; Boily et al., 2004; Simard et al., 2008; Simard, 2008; MNRF, 2010b, d). Granite and pegmatites intrude into the majority of Archean host units and contain enclaves of the latter, reflecting the late character of granitic rocks (Parent et al., 2002, 2003; Simard et al., 2005; Simard et al., 2008; Simard, 2008; MNRF, 2010a, e). Enclaves observed in granite are of various composition: diorite, amphibolite, foliated tonalite, granodiorite, diatexite, garnet paragneiss and mafic gneiss. In the Sulluppagalik Lake area (sheets 34H25 and 34H16), some uranium and thorium mineralized zones were identified. Mineralization is associated with K-feldspar porphyritic granites; it is disseminated in feldspar-fragment biotite-matrix breccias, as well as in hematitized and epidotized pegmatites cutting granite.

 

Thickness and distribution

The Morrice Suite covers a significant area in the central part of the Minto Subprovince and is distributed over seven sheets (24E, 34G, 34H, 34I, 34J, 34O and 34P). Overall, intrusions follow a general NW-SE direction.

Dating

A granite from the Nedlouc Lake area yielded different Pb-Pb ages on zircon (David et al., 2009). Analysis of three unique crystalline terminations (brownish prisms) yielded a crystallization age of 2684 ±6 Ma, while laser ablation analysis of ten crystals resulted in a crystallization age of 2679 ± 2 Ma and an inherited age of 2708 ±7 Ma. Moreover, two monazite crystals yielded ages of 2669 ±2 Ma and 2674 ±2 Ma. These ages on monazite indicate that intrusive suites of the area were affected by metamorphism contemporaneous to the development of diatexites of the Rivière aux Mélèzes Suite (2668 ±11 Ma; David et al., 2009).

Unit Sample Number Isotopic System Mineral Crystallization Age (Ma) (+) (-) Inherited Age (Ma) (+) (-) Metamorphic Age (Ma) (+) (-) Reference(s)
nAgdm 1998-AL-316A Pb-Pb Zircon 2684 6 6             David et al., 2009
2679 12 12 2708 7 7      
Monazite            

2669

2674

2

2

2

2

Stratigraphic Relationship(s)

Spatial and age relations show that there is a possible genetic link between granites of the Morrice Suite and diatexites of the Rivière aux Mélèzes Suite and Le Roy Complex (Parent et al., 2000, 2001; Berclaz et al., 2001, 2002; Parent et al., 2002, 2003; Simard et al., 2008; Simard, 2008). Indeed, spatial association, observation of transitional contacts and synchronous ages between Morrice Suite granites and Rivière aux Mélèzes Suite diatexites (see the Dating section) suggest a common origin. Granites could thus correspond to the most evolved phases related to melting phenomena behind migmatization of sedimentary rocks and development of diatexites (Parent et al., 2000, 2001; Simard, 2008). Granites of the Morrice Suite are also contemporaneous to granites and granodiorites of the Tramont and Maurel 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. GÉOLOGIE DE LA RÉGION 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.

BOILY, M., LECLAIR, A., MAURICE, C., BERCLAZ, A., DAVID, J. 2004. ÉTUDE LITHOGÉOCHIMIQUE ET ISOTOPIQUE DU ND DES ASSEMBLAGES VOLCANIQUES ET PLUTONIQUES DE LA RÉGION SUD DU GRAND-NORD QUÉBÉCOIS. MRNFP, GEON. RP 2004-01, 28 pages.

BOILY, M., LECLAIR, A., MAURICE, C., BERCLAZ, A., DAVID, J. 2004. STUDY OF THE LITHOGEOCHEMICAL AND ND ISOTOPIC DATA FOR THE VOLCANIC AND PLUTONIC ASSEMBLAGES IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF QUEBEC’S FAR NORTH. MRNFP, GEON. RP 2004-01(A), 2 pages.

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

LECLAIR, A., PARENT, M., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M., DION, D J. 2001. GÉOLOGIE DE LA RÉGION 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 2001. COMPILATION GÉOSCIENTIFIQUE – GÉOLOGIE 1/250 000, 24E – LAC AIGNEAU. In MRNF. 2010. CARTE(S) GÉOLOGIQUE(S) DU SIGEOM – feuillet 24E. CG SIGEOM24E, 4 plans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PARENT, M., LECLAIR, A., DAVID, J., SHARMA, K N M. 2000. GÉOLOGIE DE LA RÉGION 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. GÉOLOGIE DE LA RÉGION 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 UNITÉS ARCHÉENNES DU NORD-EST DE LA PROVINCE DU SUPÉRIEUR. MRNF. DV 2008-03, 107 pages.

SIMARD, M., CHEVE, S., DAVID, J., LABBE, J Y., SHARMA, K N M. 2005. GÉOLOGIE DE LA RÉGION 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. SYNTHÈSE DU NORD-EST DE LA PROVINCE DU SUPÉRIEUR. MRNF. MM 2008-02, 198 pages and 8 plans.

 

Other Publications

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

 

Suggested Citation

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

 

Contributors

First publication

Céline Dupuis, P. Geo., Ph.D. celine.dupuis@mern.gouv.qc.ca (redaction, French and English versions)

Mehdi A. Guemache, P. Geo., Ph.D. (coordination); anonymous (critical review); Simon Auclair, P. Geo., M.Sc. (editing); Nathalie Bouchard (HTML editing).

 
26 août 2021