| State | Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Name | Sterling Igneous Suite - alaskite gneiss |
| Geologic age | Late Proterozoic |
| Lithologic constituents | Major
Metamorphic > Gneissalaskite gneiss - Pale pink, orange, or gray, fine- to medium-grained granite gneiss, rarely with porphyroclasts of microcline/orthoclase. Composition is granite with generally less than 3% dark minerals. Composed of sodic plagioclase, quartz, microcline/orthoclase, minor biotite, and opaque minerals; minor muscovite (in part secondary), and rare garnet and sphene in some rocks; accessory apatite and zircon; secondary chlorite. Varies from massive to layered. Strongly foliated and locally well lineated.
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| Comments | Part of Hope Valley Subterrane. Age of 601 +/-5 Ma by U/Pb methods on zircon is reported by Hermes and Zartman (1985) from a sample in RI per RI005. Per printed map: age of rock based on radiometric data from RI005, RI009, and RI012. |
| References | Hermes, O.D. (comp.), Gromet, L.P. (comp.), Murray, D.P. (comp.), Hamidzada, N.A., Skehan, J.W., and Mosher, S., 1994, Bedrock geologic map of Rhode Island: Rhode Island Map Series No. 1, Kingston, Rhode Island, scale 1:100,000.Hermes, O.D., and Zartman, R.E., 1985, Late Precambrian and Devonian plutonic terrane within the Avalon Zone of Rhode Island: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 96, p. 272-282.Hermes, O.D., Gromet, L.P., and Zartman, R.E., 1981, Zircon geochronology and petrology of plutonic rocks in Rhode Island, p. 315-338: in Boothroyd, J.C., and Hermes, O.D., editors, Guidebook to Field Studies in Rhode Island and Adjacent Areas: 73rd New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, 383p.Zartman, R.E., Hermes, O.D., and Pease, M.H., Jr., 1988, Zircon crystallization ages, and subsequent disturbance events, in Gneissic rocks of eastern Connecticut and western Rhode Island: American Journal of Science, v. 288, p. 376-402. |
| NGMDB product | |
| Counties | Kent - Providence - Washington |