A Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope geochronology and trace element study of lunar meteorite LaPaz Icefield 02205

Rubidium-strontium and samarium-neodymium isotopes of lunar meteorite LaPaz Icefield (LAP) 02205 are consistent with derivation of the parent magma from a source region similar to that which produced the Apollo 12 low-Ti olivine basalts followed by mixing of the magma with small amounts (1-2 wt%) of trace element-enriched material similar to lunar KREEP-rich sample SaU 169. The crystallization age of LAP 02205 is most precisely dated by an internal Rb-Sr isochron of 2991 ± 14 Ma, with an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁸Sr at the time of crystallization of 0.699836 ± 0.000010. Leachable REE-rich phosphate phases of LAP 02205 do not plot on a Sm-Nd mineral isochron, indicating contamination or open system behavior of the phosphates. Excluding anomalous phases from the calculation of a Sm-Nd isochron yields a crystallization age of 2992 ± 85 (initial ε¹⁴³Nd = +2.9 ± 0.8) that is within error of the Rb-Sr age, and in agreement with other independent age determinations for LAP 02205 from Ar-Ar and U-Pb methods. The calculated ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd source ratios for LAP 02205, various Apollo 12 and 15 basalts, and samples with strong affinities to KREEP (SaU 169, NWA 773, 15386) are uncorrelated with their crystallization ages. This finding does not support the involvement of a common KREEP component as a heat source for lunar melting events that occurred after crystallization of the lunar magma ocean.     

The origin of geochemical diversity of lunar mantle sources inferred from the combined U-Pb, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd isotope systematics of mare basalt 10017

The results of our combined U-Pb, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd isotope study of mare basalt 10017 contribute to the understanding of the petrogenetic processes involved in the origin of geochemical diversity in lunar mare basalt sources, as well as the U-Pb isotope systematics of the Moon. The Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, and ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb isotope systems yield concordant crystallization ages of 3.633 ± 0.057 Ga, 3.678 ± 0.069 Ga, and 3.616 ± 0.098 Ga, respectively. The ²³⁵U-²⁰⁷Pb isochron yields an older, though still concordant, age of 3.80 ± 0.12 Ga. Neither the ²⁰⁶Pb-²⁰⁷Pb system nor U-Pb concordia system yields an age for 10017 that is concordant with the age determined from the Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, and ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb systems. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 10017 is 0.69941 ± 7 and the initial ε_Nd is +3.2 ± 0.4. Initial Pb isotopic compositions, determined from the U-Pb isochrons, are ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 31 ± 11 and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 34 ± 15. Together, these initial Pb compositions constrain the μ value of the 10017 source to be 70 ± 30, assuming a single-stage Pb growth model. This is considerably lower than μ values typically estimated for mare basalt sources (∼100-600). Regardless, the μ values calculated for the sources of mare basalts, as well as other lunar samples, show a range that is larger than can be explained by fractionation of U from Pb solely by crystallization of silicate phases and ilmenite during magma ocean solidification and formation of lunar mantle sources. The U-Pb isotope systematics may reflect late-stage formation of a sulfide phase, which strongly fractionates Pb from U but has minimal effect on Rb/Sr or Sm/Nd compositions, during crystallization of the lunar magma ocean.     

Crystal scale anatomy of a dying supervolcano: an isotope and geochronology study of individual phenocrysts from voluminous rhyolites of the Yellowstone caldera

A voluminous (>600 km³) and long-lived (~520–75 ka) phase of rhyolitic eruptions followed collapse of the Yellowstone caldera 640 ka. Whether these eruptions represent a dying cycle, or the growth of a new magma chamber, remains an important question. We use new U–Th zircon ages and δ¹⁸O values determined by ion microprobe, and sanidine Pb isotope ratios determined by laser ablation, to investigate the genesis of voluminous post-caldera rhyolites. The oldest post-caldera rhyolites, erupted between ~520 and 470 ka, exhibit extreme age and oxygen isotopic heterogeneity, requiring derivation from individual parcels of low-δ¹⁸O melts. We find a progressive increase in zircon homogeneity for rhyolite eruptions from ~260 to 75 ka, with homogeneous low-δ¹⁸O zircon values of 2.7–2.8‰ that are in equilibrium with low-δ¹⁸O host melts for the majority of the youngest eruptions. New sanidine Pb isotope data define separate arrays for post-caldera rhyolites and the caldera-forming tuffs that preceded them, indicating that they were not sourced from a mushy Lava Creek Tuff batholith that remained after caldera collapse. Rather, our new age and isotopic data indicate that the post-caldera rhyolites were generated by remelting of a variety of intracaldera source rocks, consisting of pre-Lava Creek Tuff volcanic and plutonic rocks and earlier erupted post-Lava Creek Tuff rhyolites. Batch assembly of low-δ¹⁸O melts starting at ~260 ka resulted in progressive homogenization, followed by differentiation and cooling up until the last rhyolite eruption ~75 ka, a trend that we interpret to be characteristic of a dying magma reservoir beneath the Yellowstone caldera.     

First-principles calculations of equilibrium fractionation of O and Si isotopes in quartz,albite, anorthite,and zircon

In this study, we used first-principles calculations based on density functional theory to investigate silicon and oxygen isotope fractionation factors among the most abundant major silicate minerals in granites, i.e., quartz and plagioclase (including albite and anorthite), and an important accessory mineral zircon. Combined with previous results of minerals commonly occurring in the crust and upper mantle (orthoenstatite, clinoenstatite, garnet, and olivine), our study reveals that the Si isotope fractionations in minerals are strongly correlated with SiO₄ tetrahedron volume (or average Si–O bond length). The ³⁰Si enrichment order follows the sequence of quartz > albite > anorthite > olivine ≈ zircon > enstatite > diopside, and the ¹⁸O enrichment follows the order of quartz > albite > anorthite > enstatite > zircon > olivine. Our calculation predicts that measurable fractionation of Si isotopes can occur among crustal silicate minerals during high-temperature geochemical processes. This work also allows us to evaluate Si isotope fractionation between minerals and silicate melts with variable compositions. Trajectory for δ³⁰Si variation during fractional crystallization of silicate minerals was simulated with our calculated Si isotope fractionation factors between minerals and melts, suggesting the important roles of fractional crystallization to cause Si isotopic variations during magmatic differentiation. Our study also predicts that δ³⁰Si data of ferroan anorthosites of the Moon can be explained by crystallization and aggregation of anorthite during lunar magma ocean processes. Finally, O and Si isotope fractionation factors between zircon and melts were estimated based on our calculation, which can be used to quantitatively account for O and Si isotope composition of zircons crystallized during magma differentiation.     

Accessory mineral U–Th–Pb ages and <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar/<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar eruption chronology,and their bearing on rhyolitic magma evolution in the Pleistocene Coso volcanic field,California

We determined Ar/Ar eruption ages of eight extrusions from the Pleistocene Coso volcanic field, a long-lived series of small volume rhyolitic domes in eastern California. Combined with ion-microprobe dating of crystal ages of zircon and allanite from these lavas and from granophyre geothermal well cuttings, we were able to track the range of magma-production rates over the past 650 ka at Coso. In ≤230 ka rhyolites we find no evidence of protracted magma residence or recycled zircon (or allanite) from Pleistocene predecessors. A significant subset of zircon in the ~85 ka rhyolites yielded ages between ~100 and 200 Ma, requiring that generation of at least some rhyolites involves material from Mesozoic basement. Similar zircon xenocrysts are found in an ~200 ka granophyre. The new age constraints imply that magma evolution at Coso can occur rapidly as demonstrated by significant changes in rhyolite composition over short time intervals (≤10’s to 100’s ka). In conjunction with radioisotopic age constraints from other young silicic volcanic fields, dating of Coso rhyolites highlights the fact that at least some (and often the more voluminous) rhyolites are produced relatively rapidly, but that many small-volume rhyolites likely represent separation from long-lived mushy magma bodies.     

Source, genesis, and timing of giant ignimbrite deposits associated with Ethiopian continental flood basalts

The Ethiopian continental flood basalt (CFB) province (∼30 Ma, > 3 × 10⁵ km³) was formed as the result of the impingement of the Afar mantle plume beneath the Ethiopian lithosphere. This province includes major sequences of rhyolitic ignimbrites generally found on top of the flood basalt sequence. Their volume is estimated to be at least 6 × 10⁴km³, which represents 20% of that of the trap basalts. Their phenocryst assemblage (alkali feldspar, quartz, aegyrine-augite, ilmenite ± Ti-magnetite, richterite, and eckermanite) suggests temperatures in the range of 740 to 900°C. Four units were recognized in the field (Wegel Tena, Jima, Lima Limo, and Debre Birhan areas), each with its own geochemical specificity. Zr/Nb ratios remain constant between basalt and rhyolite in each area, and rhyolites associated with high-Ti or low-Ti basalts are, respectively, enriched or depleted in titanium. Their trace element and isotope (Sr, Nd, O) signatures (high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, compared to those of rhyolites from other CFB provinces) are clearly different from those of typical crustal melts and indicate that the Ethiopian rhyolites are among the most isotopically primitive rhyolites. Their major and trace element patterns suggest that they are likely to be derived from fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas similar in composition to the exposed flood basalts with only limited crustal contribution. Since Ethiopian high-Ti basalts have been shown to form from melting of a mantle plume, it is likely that Ethiopian ignimbrites, at least those that are Ti-rich, also incorporated material from the deep mantle.Rb-Sr isochrons on whole rocks and mineral separates (30.1 ± 0.4 Ma for Wegel Tena and 30.5 ± 0.4 Ma for Jima ignimbrites) show that most of the silicic volcanism occurred within < 2 Ma during the Oligocene. Ignimbritic eruptions resumed in the Miocene during two episodes dated at 15.4 ± 0.2 Ma and 8.0 ± 0.2 Ma for the Debre Birhan area. The Rb-Sr isochron ages of ignimbrites (both Oligocene and Miocene rhyolites) are indistinguishable within uncertainties from the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of the underlying flood basalts. The Oligocene ignimbrites and the underlying trap basalts are synchronous with a shift in the oxygen composition of foraminifera recorded in Indian and Atlantic Ocean cores. The temporal coincidence of Ethiopian Oligocene volcanism, which released immense volumes of S (> 1.4 × 10¹⁵ mol) and Cl (6.4 × 10¹⁵ mol) into the atmosphere over a short time span, with the global cooling event at 30.3 Ma suggests that this volcanism might have accelerated the climate change that was already underway.     

Chemical and isotopic (Pb,Sr) zonation in a peraluminous granite pluton: role of fluid fractionation

The Davis Lake pluton (DLP, ~800 km²) of southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada, part of the large peraluminous South Mountain batholith of ca. 380 Ma (U/Pb zircon, Ar/Ar mica), consists of granite and subordinate topaz–muscovite leucogranite that hosts greisen tin-base metal mineralization. A new Pb–Pb isochron age for leucogranite from the most evolved part of the DLP indicates a crystallization age of 378±3.6 Ma, coincident with other radiometric ages of the DLP (Rb–Sr, Re–Os, Pb–Pb). The intrusion displays a compositional zonation defined by lead and strontium isotopic ratios, as well as some major elements (e.g., Si, F), incompatible trace elements (e.g., Li, Rb, Ta, U, Sn), and elemental ratios (e.g., K/Rb and Nb/Ta). The greisens and the leucogranites that host them are characterized by extreme radiogenic compositions for Pb and Sr, and their chemical-isotopic trends are extensions of the trends displayed by the less evolved granites. The covariations of the isotopic ratios with several major and trace elements and elemental ratios as well as the Pb–Pb and Rb–Sr isochrones indicate that all phases of the intrusion originated from a homogeneous parental magma. The granitoid magma underwent extensive fractional crystallization of feldspars, minor biotite and accessory minerals (monazite, apatite and zircon) in a compositionally zoned magma chamber that was subsequently accompanied by fluid fractionation, during which time the internally derived fluorine-rich fluids modified the Rb/Sr, U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios, leading to distinct variations of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb and ²³²Th/²⁰⁴Pb isotopic ratios. These data therefore document the evolution of a granitic magma through magmatic (i.e., crystal fractionation), orthomagmatic (i.e., crystal-fluid fractionation) and hydrothermal (i.e., fluid fractionation) stages that culminated in the formation of a tin-base metal deposit. The Pb isotope data also constrain the source region for the DLP as being Avalonian basement that, by inference, must underlie much of the Meguma Terrane.Editorial responsibility: T.L. Grove     

Trace element systematics and Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf ages of Larkman Nunatak 06319: Closed-system fractional crystallization of an enriched shergottite magma

Combined ¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd and ¹⁷⁶Lu-¹⁷⁶Hf chronology of the martian meteorite Larkman Nunatak (LAR) 06319 indicates an igneous crystallization age of 193 ± 20 Ma (2σ weighted mean). The individual ¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd and ¹⁷⁶Lu-¹⁷⁶Hf internal isochron ages are 183 ± 12 Ma and 197 ± 29 Ma, respectively, and are concordant with two previously determined ¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd and ⁸⁷Rb-⁸⁷Sr internal isochron ages of 190 ± 26 Ma and 207 ± 14 Ma, respectively (Shih et al., 2009). With respect to the ¹⁴⁷Sm-¹⁴³Nd isotope systematics, maskelynite lies above the isochron defined by primary igneous phases and is therefore not in isotopic equilibrium with the other phases in the rock. Non-isochronous maskelynite is interpreted to result from shock-induced reaction between plagioclase and partial melts of pyroxene and phosphate during transformation to maskelynite, which resulted in it having unsupported ¹⁴³Nd relative to its measured ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio. The rare earth element (REE) and high field strength element (HFSE) compositions of major constituent minerals can be modeled as the result of progressive crystallization of a single magma with no addition of secondary components. The concordant ages, combined with igneous textures, mineralogy, and trace element systematics indicate that the weighted average of the radiometric ages records the true crystallization age of this rock. The young igneous age for LAR 06319 and other shergottites are in conflict with models that advocate for circa 4.1 Ga crystallization ages of shergottites from Pb isotope compositions, however, they are consistent with updated crater counting statistics indicating that young volcanic activity on Mars is more widespread than previously realized (Neukum et al., 2010).     

Constraints on the U-Pb isotopic systematics of Mars inferred from a combined U-Pb, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd isotopic study of the Martian meteorite Zagami

Uranium-lead, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd isotopic analyses have been performed on the same whole-rock, mineral, and leachate fractions of the basaltic martian meteorite Zagami to better constrain the U-Pb isotopic systematics of martian materials. Although the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd systems define concordant crystallization ages of 166 ± 6 Ma and 166 ± 12 Ma, respectively, the U-Pb isotopic system is disturbed. Nevertheless, an age of 156 ± 6 Ma is derived from the ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb isotopic system from the purest mineral fractions (maskelynite and pyroxene). The concordance of these three ages suggest that the ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb systematics of the purest Zagami mineral fractions have been minimally disturbed by alteration and impact processes, and can therefore be used to constrain the behavior of U and Pb in the Zagami source region. The μ value of the Zagami source region can be estimated, with some confidence from the ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb isochron, to be 3.96 ± 0.02. Disturbance of the U-Pb isotopic systems means that this represents a minimum value. The μ value of the Zagami source is significantly lower than the μ values estimated for most basaltic magma sources from Earth and the Moon. This is surprising given the high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio (0.721566 ± 82) and low initial ε_Nd value (−7.23 ± 0.17) determined for Zagami that indicate that this sample is derived from one of the most highly fractionated reservoirs from any known planetary body. This suggests that Mars is characterized by a low bulk planet U/Pb ratio, a feature that is consistent with its relatively volatile-rich nature.The leachates contain terrestrial common Pb that was probably added to the meteorite during handling, curation, or sawing. The mineral fractions, particularly those with significant amounts of impact melt glass, contain a second contaminant. The presence of this contaminant results in Pb-Pb ages that are older than the crystallization age of Zagami, indicating that the contaminant is characterized by a high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratio. Such a contaminant could be produced by removal of single-stage Pb from a relatively high μ martian reservoir before ∼1.8 Ga, and therefore could be an ancient manifestation of hydrous alteration of martian surface material.     

Iron and lithium isotope systematics of the Hekla volcano,Iceland — Evidence for Fe isotope fractionation during magma differentiation

In this study potential iron isotope fractionation by magmatic processes in the Earth's crust was systematically investigated. High precision iron isotope analyses by MC-ICP-MS were performed on a suite of rock samples representative for the volcanic evolution of the Hekla volcano, Iceland. The whole series of Hekla's rocks results from several processes. (i) Basaltic magmas rise and induce partial melting of meta-basalts in the lower part of the Icelandic crust. The resulting dacitic magma evolves to rhyolitic composition through crystal fractionation. During this differentiation the δ^56/54Fe_IRMM-014 values increase successively from 0.051 ± 0.021‰ for the primitive dacites to 0.168 ± 0.021‰ for the rhyolites. This increase can be described by a Rayleigh fractionation model using a constant bulk fractionation factor between all mineral phases (M) and the silicate liquid (L) of Δ^56/54Fe_M–L = ? 0.1‰. (ii) The basaltic magma itself differentiates by crystal fractionation to basaltic andesite composition. No Fe isotope fractionation was found in this series. All basalts and basaltic andesites have an average δ^56/54Fe_IRMM-014 value of 0.062 ± 0.042‰ (2SD, n = 9), identical to mean terrestrial basaltic values reported in previous studies. This observation is consistent with the limited removal of iron from the remaining silicate melt through crystal fractionation and small mineral-melt Fe isotope fractionation factors expected at temperatures in excess of 1050 °C. (iii) Andesites are produced by mixing of basaltic andesite with dacitic melts. The iron isotope composition of the andesites is matching that of the basaltic andesites and the less evolved dacites, in agreement with a mixing process. In the Hekla volcanic suite Li concentrations are positively correlated with indicators of magma differentiation. All Hekla rocks have δ⁷Li values typical for the upper mantle and demonstrate the absence of resolvable Li isotope fractionation during crystal fractionation. As a fluid-mobile trace element, Li concentrations and isotopes are a potential tracer of magma/fluid interaction. At Hekla, Li concentrations and isotope compositions do not indicate any extensive fluid exsolution. Hence, the heavy Fe isotope composition of the dacites and rhyolites can be predominately attributed to fractional crystallisation. Iron isotope analyses on single samples from other Icelandic volcanoes (Torfajökull, Vestmannaeyjar) confirm heavy Fe isotope enrichment in evolving magmas. Our results suggest that the iron isotope composition of highly evolved crust can be slightly modified by magmatic processes.     

Extreme U-Th Disequilibrium in Rift-Related Basalts, Rhyolites and Granophyric Granite and the Timescale of Rhyolite Generation, Intrusion and Crystallization at Alid Volcanic Center, Eritrea

Rhyolite pumices and co-erupted granophyric (granite) xenolithsyield evidence for rapid magma generation and crystallizationprior to their eruption at 15·2 ± 2·9 kaat the Alid volcanic center in the Danikil Depression, Eritrea.Whole-rock U and Th isotopic analyses show ²³⁰Th excesses upto 50% in basalts <10 000 years old from the surroundingOss lava fields. The 15 ka rhyolites also have 30–40%²³⁰Th excesses. Similarity in U–Th disequilibrium, andin Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic values, implies that the rhyolitesare mostly differentiated from the local basaltic magma. Giventhe (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) ratio of the young basalts, and presumablythe underlying mantle, the (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) ratio of the rhyolitesupon eruption could be generated by in situ decay in about 50000 years. Limited (5%) assimilation of old crust would hastenthe lowering of (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) and allow the process to takeplace in as little as 30 000 years. Final crystallization ofthe Alid granophyre occurred rapidly and at shallow depths at20–25 ka, as confirmed by analyses of mineral separatesand ion microprobe data on individual zircons. Evidently, 30000–50 000 years were required for extraction of basaltfrom its mantle source region, subsequent crystallization andmelt extraction to form silicic magmas, and final crystallizationof the shallow intrusion. The granophyre was then ejected duringeruption of the comagmatic rhyolites. KEY WORDS: U-series; zircon; ion microprobe; volcano; geochronology     

Volatile transport during the crystallization of anatectic melts: oxygen, boron and hydrogen stable isotope study on the metamorphic complex of Naxos, Greece

Crystallization of anatectic melts in high-temperature metamorphic terrains releases volatile-rich magmas that can be transported into adjacent lithologies. This study addresses the variations in the oxygen, boron and hydrogen isotopic composition of aplite-pegmatite dikes that formed during the crystallization of anatectic melts in regional high-temperature metamorphism on the island of Naxos, Greece, and propagated upward into the overlying sequences of metamorphic schist. The transport distance of these dikes was increased through a significant horizontal component of travel that was imposed by contemporaneous low-angle extensional shearing. Laser fluorination oxygen isotope analyses of quartz, tourmaline, garnet, and biotite mineral separates from the aplite-pegmatite dikes show a progressive rise in δ¹⁸O values with increasing distance from the core. Oxygen isotope fractionations among quartz, tourmaline, and garnet show temperature variations from > 700°C down to ∼400°C. This range is considered to reflect isotopic fractionation beginning with crystallization at high temperatures in water-undersaturated conditions and then evolving through lower temperature crystallization and retrograde sub-solidus exchange. Two processes are examined for the cause of the progressive increase in δ¹⁸O values: (1) heterogeneous δ¹⁸O sources and (2) fluid-rock exchange between the aplite/pegmatite magmas and their host rock. Although the former process cannot be ruled out, there is as yet no evidence in the exposed sequences on Naxos for the presence of a suitable high δ¹⁸O magma source. In contrast, a tendency for the δ¹⁸O of quartz in the aplite/pegmatite dikes to approach that of the quartz in the metamorphic rock suggests that fluid-rock exchange with the host rock may potentially be an important process. Advection of fluid into the magma is examined based on Darcian fluid flow into an initially water-undersaturated buoyantly propagating aplitic dike magma. It is shown that such advective flow could only account for part of the ¹⁸O-enrichment, unless it were amplified by repeated injection of magma pulses, fluid recycling, and deformation-assisted post-crystallization exchange. The mechanism is, however, adequate to account for hydrogen isotope equilibration between dike and host rock. In contrast, variations in the δ¹¹B values of tourmalines suggest that ¹¹B/¹⁰B fractionation during crystallization and/or magma degassing was the major control of boron geochemistry rather than fluid-rock interaction and that the boron isotopic system was decoupled from that of oxygen.     

Lead isotopes by LA-MC-ICPMS: Tracking the emergence of mantle signatures in an evolving silicic magma system

At Long Valley (LV) model Sr isotope phenocryst ages and absolute U-Pb zircon ages from precaldera Glass Mountain (GM) and caldera-related Bishop Tuff (BT) rhyolites show that these crystals track >1 Myr of evolution of a voluminous rhyolite magmatic system. In detail, strong disparities between the different age populations complicate ideas for a unified model for rhyolite generation, differentiation, and storage. To better elucidate the age discrepancies a new in situ Pb isotope technique has been developed to measure the compositions of 113 individual LV feldspars (mainly sanidine) and their host glasses by UV laser ablation MC-ICPMS. Given sufficient signal the accuracy and precision of this technique approaches that of double-spike thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The utility of our technique for many geologic materials is, however, limited to determining Pb isotope ratios that include ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb, but exclude ²⁰⁴Pb. New zircon ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb crystallization ages were also obtained for two older Glass Mountain domes.A >1.5‰ difference between the Pb isotope compositions of feldspars from older (1.7-2.2 Ma) precaldera Glass Mountain (GM) rhyolites and younger LV rhyolites, including the BT, is found. The Pb isotope data for feldspars and their host glasses lie along a regional trend line between young basalts and evolved crust compositions, spanning ∼15% of that isotopic difference, and show a secular change towards increasing mantle contribution. Most feldspars have Pb isotope compositions that are similar to their host glasses and, as such, there persists an apparent >100 k.y. difference between Sr model feldspar ages and zircon ages for some GM rhyolites. Collectively, the feldspars define a Sr-Pb isotope mixing curve. Evidence for mixing complicates the interpretation that the Sr isotope data solely reflect radiogenic ingrowth. Where isotopically heterogeneous feldspar populations occur, there is greater uncertainty about the veracity of the Sr model ages. Specifically, we find no Pb isotope evidence that BT feldspars grew from older GM-like magmas.The distinct Pb isotope signatures for individual rhyolites and their feldspars support evidence based on zircon dating that LV volcanism did not erupt from a single long-lived magma chamber but rather tapped a number of different magmas. Moreover, contrary to the conventional model of gradual build-up prior to cataclysmic eruption, secular changes in the U-Pb age constraints on magma residence times and the magmas’ distinct Pb isotopic compositions suggest that, at Long Valley, eruptive volumes increase with shorter magma residence time and correlate with greater mantle input. Evidently, the plumbing and therefore activity at Long Valley was influenced by the evolving interaction between source and crustal magma system.     

A detailed Th,Sr and O isotope study of Hekla: differentiation processes in an Icelandic Volcano

²³⁸U–²³⁰Th disequilibria and Sr and O isotope ratios have been measured in a suite of samples from most of the known prehistoric and historic eruptions of Hekla volcano, Iceland. They cover the compositional range from basaltic andesite to rhyolite. Recent basalts erupted in the vicinity of the volcano and a few Pleistocene basalts have also been studied. Geochemical data indicate that the best tracers of magmatic processes in Hekla are the (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) and Th/U ratios. Whereas most geochemical parameters, including Sr, Nd and O isotopes, could be compatible with crystal fractionation, (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) and Th/U ratios differ in the basalts and basaltic andesites (1.05 and 3.2, respectively) and in the silicic rocks, dacites and rhyolites (0.98 and 3.4–3.7, respectively). This observation precludes fractional crystallization as the main differentiation process in Hekla. On the basis of these results, the following model is proposed: basaltic magmas rise in the Icelandic crust and cause partial melting of metabasic rocks, leading to the formation of a dacitic melt. The basaltic magma itself evolves by crystal fractionation and produces a basaltic andesite magma. The latter can mix with the dacitic liquid to form andesites. At higher levels in the magma chamber, the dacitic melt sometimes undergoes further differentiation by crystal fractionation and produces subordinate volumes of rhyolites. Together all these processes lead to a zoned magma chamber. However, complete zoning is achieved only when the repose time between eruptions is long enough to allow the production of significant volumes of dacitic magma by crustal melting. This situation corresponds to the large plinian eruptions. Between these eruptions, the so-called intra-cyclic activity is characterized by the eruption of andesites and basaltic andesites, with little crustal melting. The magmatic system beneath Hekla most probably was established during the Holocene. The shape and the size of the magma chamber may be inferred from the relationships between the composition of the lavas and the location of the eruption sites. In a cross-section perpendicular to Hekla's ridge, a bell-shaped reservoir 5 km wide and 7 km deep appears the most likely; its top could be at depth of 8 km according to geophysical data.     

Rapid extraction of discrete magma batches from a large differentiating magma chamber: the Central Plateau Member rhyolites, Yellowstone Caldera, Wyoming

The Central Plateau Member rhyolites have been erupted between 173 and 70 ka and are the youngest Yellowstone intracaldera rhyolites. They mostly comprise very voluminous lava flows totaling ~600 km³ in volume. Their eruptive vents define two NNW-trending lineaments which are aligned with regional faults. We present new whole rock, glass, and mineral analyses and propose a petrogenetic and volcano-tectonic model for these rhyolites. At a caldera-wide scale, there is a temporal enrichment in elements such as Nb, Y and HREE, and a depletion in Sr, Ba, and Ce/Yb. Simultaneously, clinopyroxene becomes less magnesian while Ti contents in quartz decrease. By contrast, quartz in all rhyolites is rounded and bears long glass re-entrants, suggesting heating. Based on these data and observations, we propose that the Central Plateau Member rhyolites have been generated as follows. A hydrothermally altered low-δ¹⁸O rhyolitic protolith beneath the Mallard Lake Resurgent Dome in the southwestern part of the caldera started to melt at ~250 ka. Repeated heating pulses caused the melting front to expand radially, and a large crystal mush formed beneath much of the caldera. The mush was able to differentiate but not erupt due to its high crystallinity and viscosity. Further inputs of heat and silicic magma in this mush increased the degree of melting, forming crystal-poor magma batches which erupted a few hundred to a few thousand years later through regional faults to form the Central Plateau Member rhyolites.     

Mineral isotope evidence for the contemporaneous process of Mesozoic granite emplacement and gneiss metamorphism in the Dabie orogen

Kinetics of isotopic equilibrium in the mineral radiometric systems of igneous and metamorphic rocks is an important issue in geochronology. It turns out that temperature is the most important factor in dictating isotopic equilibrium or disequilibrium with respect to diffusion mechanism. Contemporaneous occurrence of Mesozoic granites and gneisses in the Dabie orogen of China allows us to evaluate the thermal effect of magma emplacement and associated metamorphism on mineral radiometric systems. Zircon U-Pb, mineral Rb-Sr and O isotope analyses were carried out for a Cretaceous granite and its host gneiss (foliated granite) from North Dabie. Zircon U-Pb dating gave consistently concordant ages of 127 ± 3 Ma and 128 ± 2 Ma for the granite and the gneiss, respectively. A direct correspondence in equilibrium state is observed between the O and Rb-Sr isotope systems of both granitic and gneissic minerals. Mineral O isotope temperatures correlate with O diffusion closure temperatures under conditions of slow cooling, indicating attainment and preservation of O isotope equilibrium in these minerals. The mineral Rb-Sr isochron of granite, constructed by biotite, feldspar, apatite and whole-rock with the O isotope equilibrium, yields a meaningful age of 118 ± 3 Ma, which is in accordance with the mineral Rb-Sr isochron age of 122 ± 1 Ma for the host gneiss. The consistency in both U-Pb and Rb-Sr ages between the granite and the gneiss suggests a contemporaneous process of crystallizing the zircons and resetting the Rb-Sr radiometric systems during magma emplacement and granite foliation. Whereas the zircon U-Pb ages for both granite and gneiss are interpreted as the timing of magma crystallization, the young Rb-Sr isochron ages record the timing of Sr diffusion closure during the slow cooling. Protolith of the gneiss crystallized shortly before intrusion of the granite, so that it was able to be foliated by voluminous emplacement of coeval mafic to felsic magmas derived by anatexis of orogenic lithospheric keel. Therefore, extensional collapse of collision-thickened crust at Early Cretaceous is suggested to trigger the post-collisional magmatism, which in turn serves as an essential driving force for the contemporaneous high-T deformation/metamorphism.     

Robust 24 ± 6 ka Ar/Ar age of a low-potassium tholeiitic basalt in the Lassen region of NE California

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages on the Hat Creek Basalt (HCB) and stratigraphically related lava flows show that latest Pleistocene tholeiitic basalt with very low K₂O can be dated reliably. The HCB underlies ∼ 15 ka glacial gravel and overlies four andesite and basaltic andesite lava flows that yield ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 38 ± 7 ka (Cinder Butte; 1.65% K₂O), 46 ± 7 ka (Sugarloaf Peak; 1.85% K₂O), 67 ± 4 ka (Little Potato Butte; 1.42% K₂O) and 77 ± 11 ka (Potato Butte; 1.62% K₂O). Given these firm age brackets, we then dated the HCB directly. One sample (0.19% K₂O) clearly failed the criteria for plateau-age interpretation, but the inverse isochron age of 26 ± 6 ka is seductively appealing. A second sample (0.17% K₂O) yielded concordant plateau, integrated (total fusion), and inverse isochron ages of 26 ± 18, 30 ± 20 and 24 ± 6 ka, all within the time bracket determined by stratigraphic relations; the inverse isochron age of 24 ± 6 ka is preferred. As with all isotopically determined ages, confidence in the results is significantly enhanced when additional constraints imposed by other isotopic ages within a stratigraphic context are taken into account.     

Geochemistry of intrusive rocks associated with the Latir volcanic field,New Mexico,and contrasts between evolution of plutonic and volcanic rocks

Plutonic rocks associated with the Latir volcanic field comprise three groups: 1) 25 Ma high-level resurgent plutons composed of monzogranite and silicic metaluminous and peralkaline granite, 2) 23–25 Ma syenogranite, and alkali-feldspar granite intrusions emplaced along the southern caldera margin, and 3) 19–23 Ma granodiorite and granite plutons emplaced south of the caldera. Major-element compositions of both extrusive and intrusive suites in the Latir field are broadly similar; both suites include high-SiO₂ rocks with low Ba and Sr, and high Rb, Nb, Th, and U contents. Moreover, both intermediateto siliciccomposition volcanic and plutonic rocks contain abundant accessory sphene and apatite, rich in rare-earth elements (REE), as well as phases in which REE's are essential components. Strong depletion in Y and REE contents, with increasing SiO₂ content, in the plutonic rocks indicate a major role for accessory mineral fractionation that is not observed in volcanic rocks of equivalent composition. Considerations of the rheology of granitic magma suggest that accessory-mineral fractionation may occur primarily by filter-pressing evolved magmas from crystal-rich melts. More limited accessory-mineral crystallization and fractionation during evolution of the volcanic magmas may have resulted from markedly lower diffusivities of essential trace elements than major elements. Accessory-mineral fractionation probably becomes most significant at high crystallinities. The contrast in crystallization environments postulated for the extrusive and intrusive rocks may be common to other magmatic systems; the effects are particularly pronounced in highly evolved rocks of the Latir field. High-SiO₂ peralkaline porphyry emplaced during resurgence of the Questa caldera represents non-erupted portions of the magma that produced the Amalia Tuff during caldera-forming eruption. The peralkaline porphyry continues compositional and mineralogical trends found in the tuff. Amphibole, mica, and sphene compositions suggest that the peralkaline magma evolved from metaluminous magma. Extensive feldspar fractionation occurred during evolution of the peralkaline magmas, but additional alkali and iron enrichment was likely a result of high halogen fluxes from crystallizing plutons and basaltic magmas at depth.     

Oxygen and iron isotope constraints on near-surface fractionation effects and the composition of lunar mare basalt source regions

Oxygen and iron isotope analyses of low-Ti and high-Ti mare basalts are presented to constrain their petrogenesis and to assess stable isotope variations within lunar mantle sources. An internally-consistent dataset of oxygen isotope compositions of mare basalts encompasses five types of low-Ti basalts from the Apollo 12 and 15 missions and eight types of high-Ti basalts from the Apollo 11 and 17 missions. High-precision whole-rock δ¹⁸O values (referenced to VSMOW) of low-Ti and high-Ti basalts correlate with major-element compositions (Mg#, TiO₂, Al₂O₃). The observed oxygen isotope variations within low-Ti and high-Ti basalts are consistent with crystal fractionation and match the results of mass-balance models assuming equilibrium crystallization. Whole-rock δ⁵⁶Fe values (referenced to IRMM-014) of high-Ti and low-Ti basalts range from 0.134‰ to 0.217‰ and 0.038‰ to 0.104‰, respectively. Iron isotope compositions of both low-Ti and high-Ti basalts do not correlate with indices of crystal fractionation, possibly owing to small mineral-melt iron fractionation factors anticipated under lunar reducing conditions.The δ¹⁸O and δ⁵⁶Fe values of low-Ti and the least differentiated high-Ti mare basalts are negatively correlated, which reflects their different mantle source characteristics (e.g., the presence or absence of ilmenite). The average δ⁵⁶Fe values of low-Ti basalts (0.073 ± 0.018‰, n = 8) and high-Ti basalts (0.191 ± 0.020‰, n = 7) may directly record that of their parent mantle sources. Oxygen isotope compositions of mantle sources of low-Ti and high-Ti basalts are calculated using existing models of lunar magma ocean crystallization and mixing, the estimated equilibrium mantle olivine δ¹⁸O value, and equilibrium oxygen-fractionation between olivine and other mineral phases. The differences between the calculated whole-rock δ¹⁸O values for source regions, 5.57‰ for low-Ti and 5.30‰ for high-Ti mare basalt mantle source regions, are solely a function of the assumed source mineralogy. The oxygen and iron isotope compositions of lunar upper mantle can be approximated using these mantle source values. The δ¹⁸O and δ⁵⁶Fe values of the lunar upper mantle are estimated to be 5.5 ± 0.2‰ (2σ) and 0.085 ± 0.040‰ (2σ), respectively. The oxygen isotope composition of lunar upper mantle is identical to the current estimate of Earth’s upper mantle (5.5 ± 0.2‰), and the iron isotope composition of the lunar upper mantle overlaps within uncertainty of estimates for the terrestrial upper mantle (0.044 ± 0.030‰).     

Evolution of silicic magmas in the Kos-Nisyros volcanic center,Greece: a petrological cycle associated with caldera collapse

Multiple eruptions of silicic magma (dacite and rhyolites) occurred over the last ~3 My in the Kos-Nisyros volcanic center (eastern Aegean sea). During this period, magmas have changed from hornblende-biotite-rich units with low eruption temperatures (≤750–800°C; Kefalos and Kos dacites and rhyolites) to hotter, pyroxene-bearing units (>800–850°C; Nisyros rhyodacites) and are transitioning back to cooler magmas (Yali rhyolites). New whole-rock compositions, mineral chemistry, and zircon Hf isotopes show that these three types of silicic magmas followed the same differentiation trend: they all evolved by crystal fractionation and minor crustal assimilation (AFC) from parents with intermediate compositions characterized by high Sr/Y and low Nb content, following a wet, high oxygen fugacity liquid line of descent typical of subduction zones. As the transition between the Kos-Kefalos and Nisyros-type magmas occurred immediately and abruptly after the major caldera collapse in the area (the 161 ka Kos Plateau Tuff; KPT), we suggest that the efficient emptying of the magma chamber during the KPT drew out most of the eruptible, volatile-charged magma and partly solidified the unerupted mush zone in the upper crust due to rapid unloading, decompression, and coincident crystallization. Subsequently, the system reestablished a shallow silicic production zone from more mafic parents, recharged from the mid to lower crust. The first silicic eruptions evolving from these parents after the caldera collapse (Nisyros units) were hotter (up to >100°C) than the caldera-forming event and erupted from reservoirs characterized by different mineral proportions (more plagioclase and less amphibole). We interpret such a change as a reflection of slightly drier conditions in the magmatic column after the caldera collapse due to the decompression event. With time, the upper crustal intermediate mush progressively transitioned into the cold-wet state that prevailed during the Kefalos-Kos stage. The recent eruptions of the high-SiO₂ rhyolite on Yali Island, which are low temperature and hydrous phases (sanidine, quartz, biotite), suggest that another large, potentially explosive magma chamber is presently building under the Kos-Nisyros volcanic center.