Petrology, major and trace element geochemistry, geochronology, and isotopic composition of granitic intrusions from the vicinity of the Bosumtwi impact crater, Ghana

Abstract The Bosumtwi crater is 10.5 km in diameter, 1.07 Ma old, well preserved impact structure located in Ghana (centered at 06°30′N, 01°25′W). It was excavated in rocks of the Early Proterozoic Birimian Supergroup, part of the West African craton. Here, we present a full and detailed characterization of the three granitoid complexes and one mafic dike in the vicinity of the Bosumtwi crater in terms of petrology, major and trace element geochemistry, geochronology, and isotopic composition. This allows us to characterize magmatic evolution of the West African Craton in this area and better understand the geological framework and target rocks of the impact. This study shows that the similar composition (strongly peraluminous muscovite granites and granodiorites) and age (between 2092 ± 6 Ma and 2098 ± 6 Ma) of all granitic intrusions in the proximity of the Bosumtwi crater suggest that they are co-genetic. Granitoids were probably formed as a result of anatexis of TTGs (or rocks derived from them) at relatively low pressure and temperature. We propose that the intrusions from the Bosumtwi area are genetically related to the Banso granite occurring to the east of the crater and can be classified as basin-type, late-stage granitoids. Also a mafic dike located to the NE of the Bosumtwi crater seems to be genetically related to those felsic intrusions. Based on those findings a revised version of the geological map of the Bosumtwi crater area is proposed.