Crustal Evolution of Southern Part of the Ferkessédougou Batholith (Côte d’Ivoire, West African Craton): Implications for Baoulé-Mossi Domain Geodynamic

Abstract

The southern Ferkessédougou batholith in the center-west of Côte d’Ivoire is the study area. The geology of this area includes granitoids (granodiorite, two-mica granite, biotite granite and muscovite granite) and metasediment panels. Petrographic studies were coupled with geochemical analyzes on the whole rock in order to provide new elements in the structural evolution of this portion of the West African craton. Petrographic data show that the basement of the Bonon area is partly identical to that of the northern part of the batholith. The structural data reveal three major phases of deformation that structured the study area. As for the geochemical data carried essentially on samples of granitoids, they indicated a high-k affinity the I type granite characteristics. The spectra of the REE normalized to chondrites, have mod-erate slopes with a fractionation highlighted by the ratios (La/Sm)N = 1.93 -4.56 and (La/Yb)N = 7.69 - 32.28. The multi-element diagrams revealed negative anomalies in Ta-Nb implying the partial melting of a crust of TTG composition. Studies for the geotectonic environment have shown that the granitoids of the Bouaflé and Bonon region were emplaced in an arc environment associated with a subduction zone.