Origin and evolution of granitoid rocks in the western Ethiopian Precambrian shield: a review

Abstract

The western Ethiopian Precambrian occupies a key part as it is located where a low-grade volcano-sedimentary belt of Arabian-Nubian shield (ANS) considerably narrows and wedges into a high-grade gneissic Mozambique Belt (MB). Recent geochemical and petrogenetic studies, as well as radiogenic dating of the granitoid plutons emplaced at the interface of the ANS and MB augmented our understanding of the evolution of the granitoid magmas. During the Neoproterozoic time the granitic magmatism changed from subduction-related calc-alkaline ® anatectic ® anorogenic types. Hence, we present a synoptic view of the petrogenetic processes responsible for the generation of these granitoids using major and trace element studies.