Petrogenetic significance of rare-earth element behavior in the basement rocks of southern Obudu Plateau, Bamenda Massif, southeastern Nigeria

Rock samples representing various igneous and metamorphic rocks of southern Obudu Plateau were analyzed for rare-earth element ( REE ) behavior by ICP-MS. Results of the analyses indicate a range of REE abundances and distinctive patterns from highly fraetionated patterns with negative Eu anomalies in granitic rocks to relatively low abundances and less REE fractionated flat patterns with little Eu anomaly in some paragneisses, schists, enderbites and dolerites to unfractionated patterns with positive Eu anomalies in some paragneisses and charnockites. Over all, there are low to high ∑ REE contents with negative to positive Eu anomalies. The ratios of different parameters, especially La/Yb and Ce/Yb, show behaviors consistent with crustal to mantle derivation. The heterogeneity of REE abundances and REE patterns reflects mantle to crustal petrogenetic variations of different rock suites on the Plateau. The LREE content is higher than the HREE content in the highly differentiated rocks, as evidenced by their La/Yb,Ce/Yb and La/Sm ratios, which are normally higher in residual products than in primary melts. The dominantly intermediate nature of the source rock of the orthogneisses is suggested by the generally low ∑ REE. The granites enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE and some of the charnockites with negative Eu anomalies were probably formed by partial melting and crystallization.     

Trace Element Geochemistry of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks in Shandong Province

The Cenozoic volcanic rock of Shandong Province are mainly alkalic and strongly alkalic basaltic rocks.The Contents of major and trace elements including transitional,incompatible and rare-earth elements were determined.The chemical characterisitics of major and trace elements indicate that these basaltic rocks were derived from a mantle source and probably represent a primary magma,I,e.,unmodifiecd partical melts of mantle peridotite in terms of Mg values,correlatione between P2O5 and Ce,Sr,Ni and Rb concentrations,mantle xenoliths,etc.The abundances of trace elements vary systematically from west to east.The compatible transition elements such as Co,Ni,and Cr show a remarkable depletion,whereas the incompatible and rare-earth elements are abundant as viewed from the chondrite-nor-malized patterns.The chemical composition and correlation are consistent with the tectonic setting.According to the batch and fractional partial melting theory,the trace element contents of Shandong volcanic rocks can be calculated from the two-component mixing model.     

牛头山地区玄武岩类的高压分异作用

The Nutoushan basaltic cone, eonsisting of subalkali (quartz-tholeiite and olivinetholeiite) and alkali basalts, is Late Tertiary in age. Its major characteristics are generalized as follows: (1) Both early subalkali and late alkali basalts are formed under the same geological environment. (2) The continuity in chemical composition from snbalkali to alkali and the low FeO/MgO in alkali basalts show that they arc the products of cognate magmatic diffcrcntiation. (3) The change from low REE abundance and weak enrichment of LREE in subalkali to high REE abundance and strong enrichment of LREE in alkali basalts indicates obvious REE cnrichment and fractionation during magmatic differentiation.Weak positive Eu anomalies in the REE patterns arc indicative of their formation under low oxygen fugacity conditions. (4) According to the calculated values, 70-75% of the primary olivine tholeiitic magma had been separated as subalkaline basalic magma, the rest residual magma became alkaline basaltic magma. This result is consistent to the field observation that the outcrop area of subalkali basalts is four times as much as that of alkali basalts. (5) The basaltic rocks of Nutoushan show an S-type distribution straddling the thermal barrier on Ol‘-Ne‘-Qu‘ diagram and an evolution tendency for Ne to increase with increasing FeO/MgO. This is in agreement with the melting experimental data on olivine basalts at 10-20 kb. (6) Mantle-derived inclusions (spinel lherzolite) in this area occur in both alkali olivine basalts and olivine tholeiites. The latter is of extremely rare oceurrence. The formation temperature and pressure of the inclusions in alkali basalts and olivine tholeiites have been calculated. The results silow that the alkaline basaltic magma was separated from the subalkaline basaltic magma at about 20 kb. Basaltic rocks in Nutoushan were formed through the soealled “high pressure differentiation”, that is, at about 20 kb the crystallization of clinopyroxene and orthpyroxene resulted in the separation of subalkaline basaltic magma from the primary olivine tholeiitic magma, and then the residue gradually became alkaline olivine basaltic magma.     

Geochemistry of eclogites of the Tso Morari complex,Ladakh, NW Himalayas:Insights into trace element behavior during subduction and exhumation

Whole rock major and trace element compositions of seven eclogites from the Tso Morari ultra-high pressure(UHP) complex, Ladakh were determined with the aim of constraining the protolith origins of the subducted crust. The eclogites have major element compositions corresponding to sub-alkaline basalts. Trace element characteristics of the samples show enrichment in LILE's over HFSEs(Rb, Th, K except Ba) with LREE enrichments((La/Lu)n = 1.28-5.96). Absence of Eu anomaly on the Primitive Mantle normalized diagram suggests the absence of plagioclase fractionation. Positive correlation between Mg# with Ni and Cr suggests olivine fractionation of mantle melts. Narrow range of(La/Yb)n(2.1-9.4) and Ce/Yb(6.2-16.2) along with Ti/Y(435-735) ratios calculated for the Tso Morari samples is consistent with generation of melts by partial melting of a garnet free mantle source within the spinel peridotite field. Ternary diagrams(viz. Ti-Zr-Y and Nb-Zr-Y) using immobile and incompatible elements show that the samples range from depleted to enriched and span from within plate basalts(WPB)to enriched MORB(E-MORB) indicating that the eclogite protoliths originated from basaltic magmas.Primitive Mantle normalized multi element plots showing significant Th and LREE enrichment marked by negative Nb anomalies are characteristic of continental flood basalts. Positive Pb, negative Nb, high Th/Ta, a narrow range of Nb/La and the observed wide variation for Ti/Y indicate that the Tso Morari samples have undergone some level of crustal contamination. Observed geochemical characteristics of the Tso Morari samples indicate tholeiitic compositions originated from enriched MORB(E-MORB) type magmas which underwent a limited magmatic evolution through the process of fractional crystallization and probably more by crustal contamination. Observed geochemical similarities(viz. Zr, Nb, La/Yb, La/Gd,La/Nb, Th/Ta ratios and REE) between Tso Morari eclogites and the Group I Panjal Traps make the trap basalt the most likely protoliths for the Tso Morari eclogites.     

Geochemical Records of Mantle Processes in Mantle Xenoliths from Three Cenozoic Basaltic Volcanoes in Eastern China

Rare earth element (REE) contents, and Sr and Nd isotopic compositions were measured for three suites of mantle xenoliths from the Kuandian, Hannuoba and Huinan volcanoes in the north of the Sino-Korean Platform. From the correlations of Yb contents with Al/Si and Ca/Si ratios, the peridotites are considered to be the residues of partial melting of the primitive mantle. The chondrite-normalized REE compositions are diverse, varying from strongly LREE-depleted to LREE-enriched, with various types of REE patterns. Metasomatic alteration by small-volume silicate melts, of mantle peridotites previously variably depleted due to fractional melting in the spinel peridotite field, can account for the diversity of REE patterns. The Sr/ Ba versus La/Ba correlation indicates that the metasomatic agent was enriched in Ba over Sr and La, suggestive of its volatile-rich signature and an origin by fluid-triggered melting in an ancient subduction zone. The Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of these xenoliths, even from     

Trace Element Geochemistry of Hannuoba Ultramafic Inclusion—bearing Alkali Basalts

Presented in this paper are the trace element abundances of 16 samples of Hannuoba ultramafic inclusion-bearing aldali basalts,which were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.The Petrogenesis of the alkali basalt suite has been modeled by batch partial melting and and Rayleigh fractional crystallization processes,The geochemical characteristics of the mantle source from where alkali basalts were derived are described in terms of variations in trace element abundances of the alkali basalt suite.     

Geochemical Constrains on Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of Volcanic Rocks from the Baimianxia and Sanwan Formations in the Northern Margin of the Yangtze Plate

On the basis of petrogeochemical data, the volcanic lavas of the Baimianxia Formation can be classified into two units: high TiO2 and low TiO2. The TiO2 concentration of the former is generally higher than 1%, which occurs in the lower part with high-grade metamorphism, but the latter is less than 1% and crops out in the upper part with low-grade metamorphism. The high-TiO2 unit is dominated by tholeiitic lavas showing high rare earth element (REE) contents (ΣREE?=?83.4–180.8?μg/g), high light/heavy REE (LREE/HREE) ratios (LREE/HREE=2.17–5.85) and weak negative Eu anomaly (Eu=0.79–1.01). Its trace element patterns display weak Nb-Ta anomalies with respect to Th, K, La, Ce, showing within-plate basalt affinities. In contrast, the low-TiO2 unit is characterized by low REE contents, low LREE/HREE ratios, and pronounced Nb-Ta anomalies, indicating typical arc or continental arc signature. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of basalts and andesites from the Sanwan Formation are flat or LREE depletion, which is very similar to normal mid-oceanic basalt. Therefore, we suggest that these lavas should be formed in a back-arc basin setting. Sr-Nd isotopic data of the basalt in the lower part suggest that the rocks would have been formed in ~1144?Ma. Based on the geochemical and isotopic features of the basalts, we suggest that these rocks in the low part of the Baimianxia Formation should originate from an asthenospheric oceanic-island basalt-like mantle source, which may be produced by partial melting of garnet lherzolite, and significantly underwent fractional crystallization and crustal or lithospheric mantle contamination en route to the surface. However, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry zircon U-Pb dating of the basalt sample from the upper part of the Baimianxia Formation gives a 437 Ma, indicating a Early Paleozoic age. The geochemical analysis in this paper suggests that they may originate from an arc or continental arc in response to aqueous fluids or melt expelled from a subducting slab, and the partial melting occurred in the garnet stability field. The samples of basalts and andesites in the Sanwan Formation show they are derived from depleted mantle source similar to normal mid-oceanic basalt. Finally, we can conclude that the lavas in the lower part of the Baimianxia Formation represent the geological records of rift-related volcanism in the middle Proterozoic, which is commonly considered to be the precursor of continental breakup and followed by oceanic basin forming from Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic. Whereas, the lavas in upper part of the Baimianxia Formation and Sanwan Formations may have been generated by the oceanic and continental conversion that occurred in the early Paleozoic.     

REE Abundaces in Megacrysts and Host Basalts：REE Behavior of Magma at High Pressures

Based on REE abundances in megacrysts and host basalts and their equilibrium conditions,it has proved that megacrysts may have been produced from the magma derived from the host rocks or of more basic composition.The REE ratios of megacrysts to host rocks may be taken as partition coefficients when both are equilibrium with each other.The crystal fractionation of megacrysts has caused the evolution of REE in the magma.It is obvious that some host basalts are the product of magma evolution after crystal fractionation.According to REE abundances in the host rocks and the partition coefficients between crystal and liquid,the history of crystal fractionation of magma can be traced.     

Subduction—Modified Subcontinental Mantle in South China：Trace Element and Isotope Evidence in Basalts from Hainan Island

Cenozoic lavas from Hainan Island,South China,comprise quartz tholeiite,olivine tholeiite,alkali basalt,and basanite and form a continuous,tholeiite-dominated,compositional spectrum.Highly incompatible elements and their relationships with isotopes in these lavas are shown to be useful in evaluating mantle-source composition,whereas modeling suggests that ratios of elements with bulk partition coefficients significantly larger than those of Nb and Ta may be sensitive to partial melting.Th/Ta and La/Nb ratios of alkali basalts are lower than those of tholeiites,and they are all lower than those of the primitive mantle,These ratios correlate positively with ^207Pb/^204Pb and ^87Sr/^86Sr ratios.Such relationships can be explained by mixing of depleted and enriched source components.A depleted component is indicated by alkali basalt compositions and is similar to some depleted OIB (PREMA).The enriched component,similar to sediment compositions,is indicated by tholeiites with high LILE/HFSE,^207Pb/^204Pb,and ^87Sr/^86Sr ratios.In general,basalts from Hainan and the South China Basin(SCB)share common geochemical characters.e.g.high Rb/Sr,Th/Ta,^207Pb/^206Pb,and low Ba/Th ratios.Such a geochemical trend is comparable to that of EMII-type OIB and best explained as the result of subduction.Occurrence of these characteristics in both continental Hainan basalts and SCB seamout basalts indicates the presence of a South China geochemical domain that exists in the mantle region below the lithosphere.     

REE concentrations of garnet and omphacite in eclogites from the Dabie Mountain, central China

Distributions of the rare-earth elements (REE) in omphacite and garnet and REE behaviors during metamorphic processes were discussed. The REE concentrations of garnet and omphacite in six eclogite samples from the Dabie Mountain, central China, were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The correlation of δEu ratios between garnet and omphacite indicated that chemical equilibrium of REE distribution between garnet and omphacite could be achieved during ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Most of the partition coefficients (Kd=CiOmp/CiGrt) of light rare-earth elements (LREE) are higher than 1. However the partition coefficients of heavy rare-earth elements (HREE) are lower than 1. This indicated that the LREE inclined to occupy site M2 in omphacite, but the HREEs tended to occupy eightfold coordinated site in garnet during the eclogite formation. The REE geochemistry of the eclogites indicated that LREE could be partially lost during the prograde metamorphic process of protolith, but be introduced into the rocks during the symplectite formation. LREE are more active than HREE during the UHP metamorphism. The results are favorable to highlighting the REE behavior and evolution of UHP metamorphic rocks.     

Dynamic melting of the Precambrian mantle: evidence from rare earth elements of the amphibolites from the Nellore–Khammam Schist Belt, South India

The Nellore–Khammam Schist Belt (NKSB) in South India is a Precambrian greenstone belt sited between the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) to the east and the Cratonic region to the west. The belt contains amphibolites, granite gneisses and metasediments including banded iron formations. Amphibolites occurring as dykes, sills and lenses—in and around an Archaean layered complex—form the focus of the present study. The amphibolites are tholeiitic in composition and are compositionally similar to Fe-rich mafic rocks of greenstone belts elsewhere. The NKSB tholeiites show highly variable incompatible trace element abundances for similar Mg#s, relatively constant compatible element concentrations, and uniform incompatible element ratios. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the tholeiites range from strongly LREE depleted ((La/Yb) _N = 0.19) to LREE enriched ((La/Yb) _N = 6.95). Constant (La/Ce) _N ratios but variable (La/Yb) _N values are characteristic geochemical traits of the tholeiites; the latter has resulted in crossing REE patterns especially at the HREE segment. Even for the most LREE depleted samples, the (La/Ce) _N ratios are > 1 and are similar to those of the LREE enriched samples. There is a systematic decrease in FeO^t, K₂O and P₂O₅, as well as Ce and other incompatible elements from the LREE enriched to the depleted samples without any variation in the incompatible element ratios and Mg#s. Neither batch and fractional melting, nor magma chamber processes can account for the non-correlation between the LREE enrichment and HREE concentrations. We suggest that dynamic melting of the upper mantle is responsible for these geochemical peculiarities of the NKSB tholeiites. Polybaric dynamic melting within a single mantle column with variable mineralogy is the likely mechanism for the derivation of NKSB tholeiitic melts. It is possible that the NKSB tholeiites are derived from a source with higher FeO/MgO than that of present day ridge basalts.     

苏鲁皖新生代玄武岩中巨晶组合的稀土元素特征

我国东部苏鲁皖地区新生代碱性玄武岩中,除了含有大量地幔橄榄岩类捕虏体以外,尚含有一定数量的石榴石、普通辉石和歪长石巨晶。这些巨晶是在地幔不同深度上从玄武岩中晶出的。巨晶组合的分离结晶作用对熔体稀土元素含量有很大影响。赋存巨晶的碱性玄武岩所具有的LREE富集、HREE亏损的稀土元素分配型式是由地幔橄榄岩类部分熔融程度、石榴石巨晶和普通辉石巨晶的早期高压熔离和玄武岩的结晶分异作用等综合因素造成的。     

REE determination and REE distribution patterns in Meso-Cenozoic volcanic rocks of central-western liaoning province and their geotectonic implications

The REE distribution patterns in the Meso-Cenozoic volcanic rocks of central-western Liaoning Province are characterized by high LREE/HREE ratios. The REE distribution patterns in volcanic rocks ranging from Early Jurassic to Early Tertiary in this area are essentially the same. A comparison of (La/Yb) _N and (Ce/Yb) _N ratios in the rocks studied with those in oceancrustal basalts shows that the former rocks possess the characteristic values for the rift-geotectonic environment in the studied area.     

沂沭断裂带高桥盆地早白垩世火山岩的地球化学及岩石成因

沂沭断裂带内高桥盆地早白垩世火山岩SiO₂含量为51.97%～68.94%;由玄武粗安岩、 粗面岩和流纹岩组成;都属于碱性岩。岩石富集Rb、 Ba、 K等大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素;相对亏损Nb、 Ta、 Ti等高场强元素和重稀土元素;并具有富集的Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成。钾质粗面岩具有高稀土Cr、 Ni含量、 La/Yb、Sr/Y和Th/U高比值;这类似于华北克拉通东南缘早白垩世富集岩石圈来源的基性岩（如方城玄武岩、 沂南辉长岩）;其可能主要来源于富集岩石圈地幔部分熔融。与之相比;钠质玄武粗安岩具有低Cr、 Ni含量 、 ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr（t）、 Th/U和高ε_Nd（t）值;表明它可能由岩石圈地幔熔体与软流圈物质混合而成。沂沭断裂带高桥盆地火山岩形成于岩石圈伸展背景下;沂沭断裂带的活动可能诱使软流圈物质的上涌;导致岩石圈地幔升温发生部分熔融;并为软流圈物质的上升提供了通道。     

Enriched and depleted arc basalts, with Mg-andesites and adakites: A potential paired arc-back-arc of the 2.6 Ga Hutti greenstone terrane, India

The ∼2.6 Ga Hutti greenstone belt is one of several Neoarchean greenstone terranes of the eastern Dharwar Craton. There are prevalent mafic volcanic flows with subordinate felsic volcanic units and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. All lithologies show variable intensities of submarine hydrothermal alteration, polyphase deformation and greenschist to amphibolite grade metamorphism, yet pillow, cumulus, and other primary volcanic features are locally preserved. Well exposed interlayered metabasalts, Mg-andesites (MA), and felsic flows outcrop along an 11 km sector in the SE of the terrane. Based on combined petrographic and geochemical characteristics, two tholeiitic basalt populations have been identified within the metabasalts: (1) those with enriched LREE at 20-50 times chondrite, and (2) an depleted LREE population at 12-20 times chondrite. The former has fractionated LREE, where (La/Sm)_N = 1.2-1.7, but flat HREE, and negative anomalies at Nb, P, and Ti relative to neighbouring REE. The latter has lower absolute abundances of compatible and incompatible elements, mildly fractionated LREE, smaller anomalies at Nb, P, and Ti, with (Gd/Yb)_N = 1.1-1.6. Several samples have the “N-MORB” signature of LREE depletion coupled with positive Nb anomalies. On the Th/Yb vs. Nb/Yb discrimination diagram depleted basalts plot near the MORB field whereas enriched basalts overlap the backarc and arc fields, consistent with a paired arc-back-arc. Mg-andesites feature SiO₂ 57-61 wt.%, multielement pattens similar to enriched basalts, coupled with Cr, Co, Ni contents greater than “normal” andesites. Felsic volcanic rocks are characterized by low Y, high (La/Yb)_N, and Zr/Sm, but low Nb/Ta, with zero to positive Eu anomalies, thus conforming to most of the compositional criteria of Archean and Phanerozoic adakites. Similar associations of enriched and depleted arc basalts, with adakites, are known from Neoarchean greenstone terranes of the Superior Province. During intraoceanic subduction, slab dehydration-wedge melting generated arc basalts whereas slab melting-wedge hybridization, generated adakites and Mg-andesites.     

The behaviour of trace and rare earth elements (REE) during hydrothermal alteration in the Rangan area (Central Iran)

The rhyolitic dome in the Rangan area has been subjected to hydrothermal alterations by two different systems, (1) A fossil magmatic–hydrothermal system with a powerful thermal engine of a deep monzodioritic magma, (2) An active hydrothermal system dominated by meteoric water. Based on mineralogical and geochemical studies, three different alteration facies have been identified (phyllic, advanced argillic and silicic) with notable differences in REE and other trace elements behaviour. In the phyllic alteration zone with assemblage minerals such as sericite, pyrite, quartz, kaolinite, LREE are relatively depleted whereas HREE are enriched. The advanced argillic zone is identified by the presence of alunite–jarosite and pyrophyllite as well as immobility of LREE and depletion in HREE. In the silicic zone, most of LREE are depleted but HREE patterns are unchanged compared to their fresh rock equivalents. All the REE fractionation ratios (La/Yb)_cn, (La/Sm)_cn, (Tb/Yb)_cn, (Ce/Ce¹)_cn and (Eu/Eu¹)_cn are low in the phyllic altered facies. (Eu/Eu¹)_cn in both advanced and silicic facies is low too. In all alteration zones, high field strength elements (HFSE) (e.g. Ti, Zr, Nb) are depleted whereas transition elements (e.g. V, Cr, Co, Ni, Fe) are enriched. Geochemically speaking, trace and rare earth elements behave highly selective in different facies.     

REE-HFSE distribution/partitioning between garnetiferous restites and TTG from Nademavinapura area,Western Dharwar craton

The major part of the Peninsular Gneiss in Dharwar craton is made up of Trondjhemite-Tonalite-Granodiorite (TTG) emplaced at different periods ranging from 3.60 to 2.50 Ga. The sodic-silicic magma precursors of these rocks have geochemical features characteristic of partial melting of hydrated basalt. In these TTGs, enclaves of amphibolites (± garnet) are abundant. These restites are considered to be the residue of a basaltic crust after its partial melting. A detailed study of these (residue) enclaves reveals textures formed due to the process of partial melting. Major, trace and REE analysis of these residue enclaves and the melt TTGs and microprobe analysis of the coexisting minerals show partitioning of REE and HFSE between the precursor melt of TTGs and the upper amphibolite facies residues. Formation of garnetiferous amphibolites with biotite, Cpx and plagioclase consequent to melting, has squeezed the original MORB type of basaltic crust and given rise to the TTGs, depleted in Y, Yb, K₂O, MgO, FeO, TiO₂ and enriched in La, Th, U, Zr and Hf. Coevally during the process of melting, the hydrated basalt was depleted in Na₂O, Al₂O₃, LREE, Th, U and enriched in K₂O, MgO, Nb, Ti, Yb, Y, Sc, Ni, Cr and Co. Mineral chemistry of co-existing garnet-biotite and amphibole-plagioclase in these amphibolitic (restite) enclaves indicates an average temperature of 700 ± 50° C and pressure of 5 ± 1 Kbar. These data are inferred to indicate that during the garnet stability field metamorphism, effective fractionation of HREE and HFSE has taken place between the restites having Fe-Mg silicates, ilmenites and the extracted melt generated from the MORB type of hydrated basalt. These results are strongly substantiated by the reported melting experiments on hydrated basalts.     

Petrogenetic modeling of Hawaiian tholeiitic basalts: A geochemical approach

The abundances of 29 elements, including nine REE (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb and Lu), have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis in 33 tholeiitic basalts from Mauna Loa, Kohala, Mauna Kea, Lanai and Koolau. These data have been combined with data provided by A. V. Murali et al. on seven basalts from Kilauea for geochemical evaluation.Partial melting models based on the partitioning of the REE and Sc suggest that these basalts can be produced from three distinct source compositions. Thus, the basalts from Mauna Kea, Kohala and Kilauea are generated by 2–10% partial melting of similar source materials in the compositional range 82 ± 4% olivine plus orthopyroxene (ol + opx), 14 ± 3% clinopyroxene (cpx) and 4 ± 1% garnet (gar). Similar amounts of melting of source materials having 74 ± 6% ol + opx, 21 ± 5% cpx and 5 ± 1% gar produce the basalts of Mauna Loa and Lanai. A source material composed of 86 ± 4% ol + opx, 11 ± 2% cpx and 3 ± 1% gar is proposed for the generation of basalts from Koolau.The olivine-crystallization model suggested here requires absolute REE abundances in the preferred Mauna Kea, Kohala and Kilauea source to range from 1.1× (times chondrite) for the LREE (La) to about 1.3× for the HREE; in the Mauna Loa and Lanai source, La is about 1.0× and the HREE are about 1.6×; and in the Koolau source, La is ~0.7× and the HREE are ~0.9×.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Cambrian boninites and low-Ti andesites from Heathcote,Victoria

In the Heathcote Greenstone Belt of central Victoria, a sequence of boninites and low-Ti andesites is overlain and intruded by tholeiitic basalts with affinities to backarc basin basalts. Two suites of boninites have been identified: one (Type A) with Ti/Zr ratios of 63±4, (La/Yb)_N of 2–3 and HREE 5 times chondritic levels. The other suite (Type B) overlies Type A boninites and has Ti/Zr ratios of 23±3 and lower TiO₂ and HREE contents (2–3 × chondrite), but shows significantly greater LREE enrichment, with (La/Yb)_N greater than 5. Fractionation within both suites was largely controlled by the low-Ca pyroxenes protoenstatite and enstatite. Plagioclase-phyric low-Ti, high-Mg andesites occur in fault contact with the boninites, and have Ti/Zr and (La/Yb)_N ratios very close to those of Type B boninites, but at higher absolute abundances of TiO₂ and HREE. They are not related to either boninite suite by any realistic fractionation scheme, but originated from the same source as Type B boninites by approximately half the degree of partial melting that generated the boninites.Type A boninites could have been generated when LILE-enriched hydrous fluids derived from a subducted slab invaded depleted, clinopyroxene-poor lherzolite at depths less than 30 km, and initiated H₂O-undersaturated partial melting. In a later partial melting event at similar depths, continued influx of metasomatic fluids into by now highly-depleted peridotite could have generated Type B boninites and low-Ti andesites. The presence of boninites and low-Ti andesites in the Cambrian Heathcote and Mount Wellington Greenstone Belts in southeastern Australia suggests that the early history of the Lachlan Foldbelt took place in a subduction-related, intraoceanic setting.