Petrology of a 2.41 Ga remarkably fresh komatiitic basalt lava lake in Lion Hills,central Vetreny Belt,Baltic Shield

 In the central Vetreny Belt, southeastern Baltic Shield, an areally extensive 110 m deep lava lake is exposed consisting of remarkably fresh differentiated komatiitic basalt. During eruption, the liquid had a temperature of 1380–1400 °C and contained ∼15% MgO. The lava ponded in a large topographic depression soon after eruption. The differentiation of the lava lake was controlled by settling of transported olivine and chromite phenocrysts and caused the origin of prominent internal layering. The last portions of the trapped liquid crystallized at temperatures of 1250– 1070 °C. A Sm-Nd isochron of 2410±34 Ma for whole rock samples, olivine, augite and pigeonite separates from the lava lake provides a reliable estimate for the time of formation of the uppermost sequences in the Vetreny Belt. This age is in good agreement with the Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isochron ages of 2449±35 and 2424±178 Ma for the volcanic rocks from the same stratigraphic level in the northwestern Vetreny Belt. Modeling of Nd-isotopes and major and trace elements shows that the komatiitic basalts at Lion Hills may have had a komatiite parent depleted in highly incompatible elements. It can be shown that this initial liquid was contaminated by 7–9% of Archaean upper crustal material from the adjacent Vodla and Belomorian Blocks en route to the surface thus acquiring the observed geochemical and isotope signatures including relative enrichment in Zr, Ba, and LREE, negative Nb- and Ti-anomalies and ɛNd(T) of −1. Received: 8 December 1995/Accepted: 26 March 1996     

The Vetreny Poyas (Windy Belt) subprovince of southeastern Fennoscandia: An essential component of the ca. 2.5–2.4 Ga Sumian large igneous provinces

Ca. 2.5–2.4 Ga Sumian magmatism is widespread in the Karelia and Kola cratons of Fennoscandia and probably represents at least two intermixed large igneous provinces (LIPs). It is distinct from other Paleoproterozoic LIPs (Jatulian 2.22–2.1 Ga and Ludicovian 2.06–1.96 Ga) elsewhere in the Fennoscandian Shield. A poorly understood portion of Sumian magmatism is the Vetreny Poyas (Windy Belt) subprovince, which covers ∼75,000 km² in southeastern Fennoscandia. This subprovince consists of four genetically related complexes which developed at different levels in the crust: a volcanic complex (komatiitic basaltic lava flows on Golets, Levgora and Myandukha hills, and Victoria lava lake on Levgora hill), a subvolcanic complex (mafic–ultramafic sills and lopoliths including Ruiga, Kirichgora, Kozhozero and Undozero), plutonic complexes (Burakovsky and Vyzhiga) and a dyke complex (gabbronoritic Avdeyevo and Shala dykes and peridotitic Vinela and Koppalozero dykes). Similar patterns are present in other Sumian belts elsewhere in Karelia, for instance in southern Lapland and the Kola Peninsula.     

Geochemical and Petrological Studies on the Early Carboniferous Sidingheishan Mafic–Ultramafic Iintrusion in the Southern Margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, NW China

The Sidingheishan mafic-ultramafic intrusion is located in the eastern part of the Northern Tianshan Mountain, along the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in northern Xinjiang autonomous region of China. The Sidingheishan intrusion is mainly composed of wehrlite, olivine websterite, olivine gabbro, gabbro and hornblende gabbro. At least two pulses of magma were involved in the formation of the intrusion. The first pulse of magma produced an olivine-free unit and the second pulse produced an olivine-bearing unit. The magmas intruded the Devonian granites and granodiorites.An age of 351.4±5.8 Ma(Early Carboniferous) for the Sidingheishan intrusion has been determined by U-Pb SHRIMP analysis of zircon grains separated from the olivine gabbro unit. A U-Pb age of 359.2±6.4 Ma from the gabbro unit has been obtained by LA-ICP-MS. Olivine of the Sidingheishan intrusion reaches 82.52 mole% Fo and 1414 ppm Ni. On the basis of olivine-liquid equilibria, it has been calculated that the MgO and FeO included in the parental magma of a wehrlite sample were approximately10.43 wt% and 13.14 wt%, respectively. The Sidingheishan intrusive rocks are characterized by moderate enrichments in Th and Sm, slight enrichments in light REE, and depletions in Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf. The ε_(Nd)(t) values in the rock units vary from +6.70 to +9.64, and initial ~(87)Sr/~(86)Sr ratios range between 0.7035 and0.7042. Initial ~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb, ~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb values fall in the ranges of 17.23-17.91,15.45-15.54 and 37.54-38.09 respectively. These characteristics are collectively similar to the Heishan intrusion and the Early Carboniferous subduction related volcanic rocks in the Santanghu Basin, North Tianshan and Beishan area. The low(La/Gd)_(PM) values between 0.26 and 1.77 indicate that the magma of the Sidingheishan intrusion was most likely derived from a depleted spinel-peridotite mantle.(Th/Nb)_(PM)ratios from 0.59 to 20.25 indicate contamination of the parental magma in the upper crust.Crystallization modeling methods suggest that the parental magma of the Sidingheishan intrusion was generated by flush melting of the asthenosphere and subsequently there was about 10 vol%contamination from a granitic melt. This was followed by about 5 vol% assimilation of upper crustal rocks. Thus, the high-Mg basaltic parental magma of Sidingheishan intrusion is interpreted to have formed from partial melting of the asthenosphere during the break-off of a subducted slab.     

Os isotope systematics of komatiitic basalts from the Vetreny belt, Baltic Shield: evidence for a chondritic source of the 2.45 Ga plume

The Vetreny belt in the southeast Baltic Shield is a large volcano-sedimentary basin containing a 4- to 8-km-thick sequence of basaltic to komatiitic lavas, which were erupted ~2.45 Ga ago in a continental rift setting during the interaction of a mantle plume and the Archean continental crust of the Karelian granite-greenstone terrane. Re-Os isotope data for olivine cumulate samples and chromite separates from Victoria's lava lake and Golets flow 3 define isochrons with ages of 2387ᇍ and 2432ᆶ Ma, respectively. These ages are in good agreement with the previously reported, and new, Nd-Pb and U-Pb zircon ages. These data, coupled with the evidence for immobile behavior of the Re and Os, indicate that the Re-Os system remained closed since the lava eruption. The weighted average initial %¹⁸⁷Os values range between -0.43ǂ.10 for Golets flow 3 and -0.07ǂ.13 for the lava lake. A single chromite separate from Golets flow 1 has a %¹⁸⁷Os(T) of -0.06ǂ.15. Nd-Pb isotope and lithophile trace element data for the Vetreny belt komatiitic basalts were used to monitor the effect of crustal contamination on the Os isotope system and to estimate the initial Os isotope composition of the Vetreny plume source to be approximately chondritic with a %¹⁸⁷Os(T) of -0.9. This implies that the mantle source evolved with a long-term nearly chondritic Re/Os ratio. The data provide further evidence that, by the end of the late Archean, the Earth's upper mantle was well homogenized with respect to the highly siderophile elements, added during the accretion of a late veneer, on a time scale of ~1 Ga.     

Origin of Meso-Proterozoic post-collisional leucogranite suites (Kaokoveld, Namibia): constraints from geochronology and Nd, Sr, Hf, and Pb isotopes

Leucocratic granites of the Proterozoic Kaoko Belt, northern Namibia, now preserved as meta-granites, define a rock suite that is distinct from the surrounding granitoids based on their chemical and isotopic characteristics. Least evolved members of this ~1.5–1.6-Ga-old leucogranite suite can be distinguished from ordinary calc-alkaline granites that occur elsewhere in the Kaoko Belt by higher abundances of Zr, Y, and REE, more radiogenic initial ε_Nd values and unradiogenic initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. The leucogranites have high calculated zircon saturation temperatures (mostly > 920°C for least fractionated samples), suggesting that they represent high-temperature melts originating from deep crustal levels. Isotope data (i.e., ε_Ndi: +2.3 to –4.2) demonstrate that the granites formed from different sources and differentiated by a variety of processes including partial melting of mantle-derived meta-igneous rocks followed by crystal fractionation and interaction with older crustal material. Most fractionation-corrected Nd model ages (T_DM) are between 1.7 and 1.8 Ga and only slightly older than the inferred intrusion age of ca. 1.6 Ga, indicating that the precursor rocks must have been dominated by juvenile material. Epsilon Hf values of zircon separated from two granite samples are positive (+11 and +13), and Hf model ages (1.5 and 1.6 Ga) are similar to the U–Pb zircon ages, again supporting the dominance of juvenile material. In contrast, the Hf model ages of the respective whole rock samples are 2.3 and 2.4 Ga, demonstrating the involvement of older material in the generation of the granites. The last major tectonothermal event in the Kaoko Belt in the Proterozoic occurred at ca. 2.0 Ga and led to reworking of mostly 2.6-Ga-old rocks. However, the presence of 1.6 Ga “post-collisional” granites reflects addition of some juvenile mantle-derived material after the last major tectonic event. The results suggest that similar A-type leucogranites are potentially more abundant in crustal terranes but are masked by AFC processes. In the case of the Kaoko Belt, it is suggested that this rock suite indicates a yet unidentified period of mantle-derived crustal growth in the Proterozoic of South Western Africa.     

Origin of ultra-nickeliferous olivine in the Kevitsa Ni–Cu–PGE-mineralized intrusion, northern Finland

The 2,058 ± 4 Ma mafic–ultramafic Kevitsa intrusion is located in the Central Lapland greenstone belt, northern Finland. It is hosted by a Paleoproterozoic volcano–sedimentary sequence that contains komatiitic volcanic rocks and sulfide- and graphite-rich black schists. Economic Ni–Cu–(PGE) sulfide mineralization occurs in the middle part of the ultramafic lower unit of the intrusion. Two main types of ore are distinguished, “normal” and “Ni–PGE” ores. The normal ore is characterized by ~2 to 6 vol% disseminated sulfides and average Ni and Cu grades of 0.3 and 0.42 wt %, respectively (Ni/Cu < 1). The Ni–PGE ore has broadly similar sulfide contents, but a higher Ni grade and lower Cu grade. As a result, the Ni/Cu ratio reaches 15, much higher than in the normal ore. The Ni–PGE ores occur as irregular, discontinuous, lense-like bodies in the ultramafic rocks. Notably, the olivines in the Ni–PGE ore contain extremely high Ni contents of up to 14,000 ppm, which is significantly higher than the Ni content of olivine in other mafic–ultramafic igneous rocks globally (up to ~5,000 ppm) and in harmony with the associated Ni-rich sulfide assemblage containing pentlandite, millerite and pyrite. Microprobe mapping of olivine from the Ni–PGE ore suggests relatively low and homogeneous S contents and homogeneous distribution of Ni, Mg, Fe, which is inconsistent with the presence of sulfide inclusions in the olivine grains, or diffusion of Ni from interstitial sulfides into the olivine grains. We therefore conclude that Ni substitutes for Mg in the olivine lattice. The clinopyroxenes from the Ni–PGE ore also have unusually high Ni concentrations reaching 1,500 ppm and show a positive correlation with the nickel content of the associated olivine. The Ni_cpx/Ni_olivine is ~0.1 to 0.2 corresponding to high T partitioning of Ni between clinopyroxene and olivine. K _D of 20 can account for the partitioning of nickel between olivine and the sulfide phase, consistent with magmatic equilibration. These data suggest that the olivine, clinopyroxene, and sulfides all crystallized from a basaltic magma with an unexceptionally high Ni content ranging from 300 to 1,100 ppm. The Ni–PGE ores are spatially associated with ultramafic xenoliths. Olivine in these ultramafic xenoliths have relatively high Fo contents (up to 90 mol %) and high Ni contents (up to 5,200 ppm) suggesting that the xenoliths formed from a komatiitic parental magma. It is proposed that assimilation by the Kevitsa magma of massive or semi-massive sulfides associated with komatiitic rocks elevated the Ni content of the magma and resulted in the formation of Ni–PGE ores and related extremely Ni-rich olivines.     

Isotope Lu–Hf composition of detrital zircon from paragneisses of the Sharyzhalgai uplift: evidence for the Paleoproterozoic crustal growth

We present results of study of the trace-element and Lu–Hf isotope compositions of zircons from Paleoproterozoic high-grade metasedimentary rocks (paragneisses) of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton (Irkut terrane of the Sharyzhalgai uplift). Metamorphic zircons are represented by rims and multifaceted crystals dated at ~ 1.85 Ga. They are depleted in either LREE or HREE as a result of subsolidus recrystallization and/or synchronous formation with REE-concentrating garnet or monazite. In contrast to the metamorphic zircons, the detrital cores are enriched in HREE and have high (Lu/Gd)_n ratios, which is typical of igneous zircon. The weak positive correlation between ¹⁷⁶Lu/¹⁷⁷Hf and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf in the zircon cores evidences that their Hf isotope composition evolved through radioactive decay in Hf = the closed system. Therefore, the isotope parameters of these zircons can give an insight into the provenance of metasedimentary rocks. The Paleoproterozoic detrital zircon cores from paragneisses, dated at ~ 2.3–2.4 and 2.0–1.95 Ga, are characterized by a wide range of ε_Hf values (from + 9.8 to –3.3) and model age T ^C 2.8–2.0 Ga. The provenance of these detrital zircons included both rocks with juvenile isotope Hf parameters and rocks resulted from the recycling of the Archean crust with a varying contribution of juvenile material. Zircons with high positive ε_Hf values were derived from the juvenile Paleoproterozoic crustal sources, whereas the lower ε_Hf and higher T ^C values for zircons suggest the contribution of the Archean crustal source to the formation of their magmatic precursors. Thus, at the Paleoproterozoic stage of evolution of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, both crustal recycling and crustal growth through the contribution of juvenile material took place. On the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton, detrital zircons with ages of ~ 2.3–2.4 and 1.95–2.0 Ga are widespread in Paleoproterozoic paragneisses of the Irkut and Angara–Kan terranes and in terrigenous rocks of the Urik–Iya graben, which argues for their common and, most likely, proximal provenances. In the time of metamorphism (1.88–1.85 Ga), the age of Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons (2.4–2.0 Ga), and their Lu–Hf isotope composition (ε_Hf values ranging from positive to negative values) the paragneisses of the southwestern margin of the Siberian craton are similar to the metasedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts of the North China Craton. In the above two regions, the sources of detrital zircons formed by both the reworking of the Archean crust and the contribution of juvenile material, which is evidence for the crustal growth in the period 2.4–2.0 Ga.     

Nd–Hf–Sr–Pb isotopes and trace element geochemistry of Proterozoic lamproites from southern India: Subducted komatiite in the source

The probable sources of some of the famous Indian diamonds are the 1.2 Ga old Krishna lamproites of Southern India, a rare Proterozoic occurrence of lamproites which are usually Cretaceous or younger in age. In this study we report Nd, Sr, Pb and Hf isotopes and multiple trace element concentrations of the Krishna lamproites. The goals are to evaluate mantle-processes and the petrogenesis of these ultrapotassic rocks of extreme chemical composition in light of these geochemical data, including their major element compositions.The Krishna lamproites show nearly uniform, parallel rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns with high concentrations and extreme light-REE enrichment (La/Yb_(N) = 41–88), high average concentrations of Ba (∼ 1200 ppm), Sr (∼ 1200 ppm), Zr (∼ 930 ppm), La (∼ 230 ppm), high U/Pb and Th/U ratios with notable absence of any Eu-anomaly. These rocks are typically porphyritic without any evidence of crystal accumulation, and have moderately high Mg-numbers (59–73) along with high Ni (average ∼ 301 ppm, highest 819 ppm) and Cr (average ∼ 183 ppm, highest 515 ppm) concentrations that show a positive correlation with MgO (wt.%), implying a role of olivine in the melt source. The low SiO₂ content (lowest 37.8%, average 49%) and high Nb (average 147 ppm), Zr, Sr, as well as Ni and Cr in these rocks indicate lack of upper continental crustal contribution in the genesis of these rocks. The initial Pb-isotopic composition of these lamproites is unusual in that in a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb vs. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plot, these rocks plot to the left of the 1.2 Ga geochron (age of emplacement), unlike most mantle-derived rocks. This Pb-isotopic signature and the superchondritic Nb/Ta ratios (average 23.6) of these rocks rule out their derivation from a metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle. The high ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb at low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb indicates an Archean component in the source of these rocks. We argue that this Archean crustal component, which produced the low-SiO₂ lamproites along with the high Ni and Cr must have been ultrabasic, and we propose a model in which these lamproites formed by partial melting of metasomatized, subducted Archean komatiite in a peridotite mantle-source assemblage. In addition, these rocks display initial Hf isotopic compositions similar to Al-depleted komatiites, and high Nb/U, Nb/Th, and TiO₂ as well as low Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratios (1.1–4.2) and average CaO/Al₂O₃ of ∼ 1.6 that are also similar to Archean komatiites. This is also supported by the initial Pb isotopic composition of the Krishna lamproites, requiring evolution in a variably high U/Pb, Th/Pb reservoir early in earth history, possibly resulting from preferential segregation of Pb relative to U and Th in the sulfides of the komatiite.The Al-depleted subducted komatiitic component was enriched by carbonate metasomatism in the peridotitic mantle. This metasomatism was responsible for the observed Nd–Hf isotope characteristics, specifically variable ε_Nd(T) at relatively constant ε_Hf(T) in the lamproites. This Nd–Hf-isotopic characteristic seems to be common in global lamproites of all ages. Our proposed model for the genesis of the Krishna lamproites involving a subducted komatiitic source may also be applicable for other global lamproites from cratonic settings, as older komatiite-bearing subducted crustal components were possibly ubiquitous in the architecture of ancient cratonic mantle.     

Petrology,geochemistry and geochronology of the magmatic suite from the Jianzha Complex,central China: Petrogenesis and geodynamic implications

The intermediate–mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Jianzha Complex (JZC) at the northern margin of the West Qinling Orogenic Belt have been interpreted to be a part of an ophiolite suite. In this study, we present new geochronological, petrological, geochemical and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data and provide a different interpretation. The JZC is composed of dunite, wehrlite, olivine clinopyroxenite, olivine gabbro, gabbro, and pyroxene diorite. The suite shows characteristics of Alaskan-type complexes, including (1) the low CaO concentrations in olivine; (2) evidence of crystal accumulation; (3) high calcic composition of clinopyroxene; and (4) negative correlation between FeO^tot and Cr₂O₃ of spinels. Hornblende and phlogopite are ubiquitous in the wehrlites, but minor orthopyroxene is also present. Hornblende and biotite are abundant late crystallized phases in the gabbros and diorites. The two pyroxene-bearing diorite samples from JZC yield zircon U–Pb ages of 245.7 ± 1.3 Ma and 241.8 ± 1.3 Ma. The mafic and ultramafic rocks display slightly enriched LREE patterns. The wehrlites display moderate to weak negative Eu anomalies (0.74–0.94), whereas the olivine gabbros and gabbros have pronounced positive Eu anomalies. Diorites show slight LREE enrichment, with (La/Yb)_N ratios ranging from 4.42 to 7.79, and moderate to weak negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu¹ = 0.64–0.86). The mafic and ultramafic rocks from this suite are characterized by negative Nb–Ta–Zr anomalies as well as positive Pb anomalies. Diorites show pronounced negative Ba, Nb–Ta and Ti spikes, and typical Th–U, K and Pb peaks. Combined with petrographic observations and chemical variations, we suggest that the magmatism was dominantly controlled by fractional crystallization and crystal accumulation, with limited crustal contamination. The arc-affinity signature and weekly negative to moderately positive ε_Nd(t) values (−2.3 to 1.2) suggest that these rocks may have been generated by partial melting of the juvenile sub-continental lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized previously by slab-derived fluids. The lithologies in the JZC are related in space and time and originated from a common parental magma. Geochemical modeling suggests that their primitive parental magma had a basaltic composition. The ultramafic rocks were generated through olivine accumulation, and variable degrees of fractional crystallization with minor crustal contamination produced the diorites. The data presented here suggest that the subduction in West Qinling did not cease before the early stage of the Middle Triassic (∼242 Ma), a back-arc developed in the northern part of West Qinling during this period, and the JZC formed within the incipient back-arc.     

Mafic-ultramafic magmatism of the Early Precambrian (from the Archean to Paleoproterozoic)

Compositional evolution of the Archean mafic-ultramafic volcanics is considered in comparison with evolution of the Paleoproterozoic volcanism using available data on the Baltic shield, Pilbara (Australia) and Superior (Canada) cratons, and the Isua greenstone belt (Greenland). The Archean volcanics of mantle origin are of two major types, represented (a) by komatiite-basaltic complexes (komatiites, komatiitic and tholeiitic basalts) and (b) by geochemical analogs of boninites (GAB) and siliceous high-Mg series (SHMS) of volcanic rocks. As is established, the komatiitic and GAB volcanism ceased in the terminal Archean, whereas the SHMS rocks prevailed in the Paleoproterozoic to become extinct about 2 Ga ago in connection with transition to the Phanerozoic type of tectonomagmatic activity. Geochemical trends of mafic-ultramafic associations occurring in the considered cratons are not uniform, being of particular character to certain extent. With transition from the Paleo- to Neoarchean, rock associations of both types reveal a minor increase in Ti and Fe contents. Comparatively high Fe₂O_3tot TiO₂, and P₂O₅ concentrations (maximal ones in the Archean), which are characteristic of the Neoarchean (2.75–2.70 Ga) basalts from the Superior and Pilbara cratons or the Baltic shield, represent a result of relatively high-Ti intracratonic magmatic activity that commenced in that period practically for the first time in the Earth history. This magmatic activity of the Neoarchean was not as intense as the high-Mg basaltic volcanism, and the absolute maximum in concentrations of the above components was attained only 2.2–1.9 Ga ago, at the time of appearance in abundance of Fe-Ti picrites and basalts typical of the Phanerozoic intraplate magmatism. The Archean volcanic complexes demonstrate gradual secular increase in concentrations of incompatible elements (LREE inclusive) and growth of Nb/Th ratio that apparently reflected the progressing influence of mantle plumes. In the early Paleoproterozoic (2.5–2.35 Ga), values of that ratio considerably declined in the SHMS rocks and then quickly grew in the Middle Paleoproterozoic volcanics (2.2–1.9 Ga) to attain finally the values typical of the Phanerozoic magmas associated in origin with mantle plumes. The ?_Nd(T) parameter was decreasing with time from positive values in the Paleoarchean to negative ones in the SHMS rocks of the Paleoproterozoic most likely in response to grown proportion of ancient crustal material in magmatic melts. Since the mid-Paleoproterozoic, the ?_Nd(T) values turn in general into positive again reflecting change in the character of magmatic activity: the SHMS melts gave place at that time to the Fe-Ti picrite-basaltic magmas. The primary crust of the Earth was presumably of sialic composition and originated during solidification from the bottom upward of the global magma ocean a few hundreds kilometers deep, when most fusible components migrated up to the surface to form there the granitic crust. Geological history of the Earth commenced at the appearance time of granite-greenstone terranes and granulite belts separating them, the first large tectonic structures formed under influence of raising mantle superplumes.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Khopoli mafic intrusion,Deccan Traps,India

The Khopoli intrusion, exposed at the base of the Thakurvadi Formation of the Deccan Traps in the Western Ghats, India, is composed of olivine gabbro with 50–55 % modal olivine, 20–25 % plagioclase, 10–15 % clinopyroxene, 5–10 % low-Ca pyroxene, and <5 % Fe-Ti oxides. It represents a cumulate rock from which trapped interstitial liquid was almost completely expelled. The Khopoli olivine gabbros have high MgO (23.5–26.9 wt.%), Ni (733–883 ppm) and Cr (1,432–1,048 ppm), and low concentrations of incompatible elements including the rare earth elements (REE). The compositions of the most primitive cumulus olivine and clinopyroxene indicate that the parental magma of the Khopoli intrusion was an evolved basaltic melt (Mg# 49–58). Calculated parental melt compositions in equilibrium with clinopyroxene are moderately enriched in the light REE and show many similarities with Deccan tholeiitic basalts of the Bushe, Khandala and Thakurvadi Formations. Nd-Sr isotopic compositions of Khopoli olivine gabbros (εNd_t?=??9.0 to ?12.7; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.7088–0.7285) indicate crustal contamination. AFC modelling suggests that the Khopoli olivine gabbros were derived from a Thakurvadi or Khandala-like basaltic melt with variable degrees of crustal contamination. Unlike the commonly alkalic, pre- and post-volcanic intrusions known in the Deccan Traps, the Khopoli intrusion provides a window to the shallow subvolcanic architecture and magmatic processes associated with the main tholeiitic flood basalt sequence. Measured true density values of the Khopoli olivine gabbros are as high as 3.06 g/cm³, and such high-level olivine-rich intrusions in flood basalt provinces can also explain geophysical observations such as high gravity anomalies and high seismic velocity crustal horizons.     

Sub-arc mantle heterogeneity in oxygen isotopes: evidence from Permian mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Integrated zircon–olivine O–Hf isotope data have been successfully used to unravel the nature of the source mantle for the early Permian post-collisional mafic–ultramafic intrusive rocks in the southern margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt in NW China. Olivine crystals with forsterite (Fo) contents varying from 91 to 87 mol% from the Permian Pobei mafic–ultramafic complex in the region yield highly elevated δ¹⁸O from 6.0 to 7.2‰. These values are much higher than typical mantle values (~?5.3‰) and are apparently at odds with the mantle-like ε_Nd(t) values of whole rocks (4.9–5.4). Magmatic zircon crystals from troctolite and gabbroic rocks show divergent oxygen and hafnium isotopic compositions: mantle-like ε_Hf(t) values from 5.1 to 11.9 and crust-like δ¹⁸O values from 7.6 to 10.1‰. The observed increase of δ¹⁸O values from olivine (an early crystallizing phase) to zircon (a late crystallizing phase) in the mafic–ultramafic rocks is generally consistent with an AFC process. However, this process cannot fully explain the highly elevated δ¹⁸O values (6–7‰) for the most primitive olivine containing Fo as high as mantle olivine (>?90 mol%) and the mantle-like Hf isotope composition of zircon. Mixing calculation indicates that such highly unusual isotope compositions can be explained by the previous source mantle contamination with subducted sediment-derived melts and slab-derived fluids. Our results show that the combination of zircon O–Hf isotopes and olivine oxygen isotopes is more effective than the data of zircon or olivine alone to distinguish the effect of AFC process from source contamination. The results from this study provide a new line of evidence that the sub-arc mantle is not homogeneous in oxygen isotopes.     

Re-Os systematics of komatiites and komatiitic basalts at Dundonald Beach, Ontario, Canada: Evidence for a complex alteration history and implications of a late-Archean chondritic mantle source

Osmium isotopic compositions, and Re and Os concentrations have been examined in one komatiite unit and two komatiitic basalt units at Dundonald Beach, part of the 2.7 Ga Kidd-Munro volcanic assemblage in the Abitibi greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada. The komatiitic rocks in this locality record at least three episodes of alteration of Re-Os elemental and isotope systematics. First, an average of 40% and as much as 75% Re may have been lost due to shallow degassing during eruption and/or hydrothermal leaching during or immediately after emplacement. Second, the Re-Os isotope systematics of whole rock samples with ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os ratios >1 were reset at ∼2.5 Ga, possibly due to a regional metamorphic event. Third, there is evidence for relatively recent gain and loss of Re in some rocks.Despite the open-system behavior, some aspects of the Re-Os systematics of these rocks can be deciphered. The bulk distribution coefficient for Os (D_Os^solid/liquid) for the Dundonald rocks is ∼3 ± 1 and is well within the estimated D values obtained for komatiites from the nearby Alexo area and stratigraphically-equivalent komatiites from Munro Township. This suggests that Os was moderately compatible during crystal-liquid fractionation of the magmas parental to the Kidd-Munro komatiitic rocks. Whole-rock samples and chromite separates with low ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os ratios (<1) yield a precise chondritic average initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 0.1083 ± 0.0006 (γ_Os = 0.0 ± 0.6) for their well-constrained ∼2715 Ma crystallization age. The chondritic initial Os isotopic composition of the mantle source for the Dundonald rocks is consistent with that determined for komatiites in the Alexo area and in Munro Township, suggesting that the mantle source region for the Kidd-Munro volcanic assemblage had evolved with a long-term chondritic Re/Os before eruption. The chondritic initial Os isotopic composition of the Kidd-Munro komatiites is indistinguishable from that of the projected contemporaneous convective upper mantle. The uniform chondritic Os isotopic composition of the Kidd-Munro komatiites contrasts with the typical large-scale Os isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle sources for ca. 89 Ma komatiites from the Gorgona Island, arc-related rocks and present-day ocean island basalts. This suggests that the Kidd-Munro komatiites sampled a late-Archean mantle source region that was significantly more homogeneous with respect to Re/Os relative to most modern mantle-derived rocks.     

Differentiated Mafic–Ultramafic Intrusions of the Kruglogorsky Type in the Noril’sk Area: Petrology and Ore Potential

Intrusions of the Kruglogorsky type are an integral part of magmatic formations in the Noril’sk area. The marginal portions of these intrusions are composed of microdolerite, dolerite, and contact gabbrodolerite. The central parts of the intrusions consist of leucogabbro and of olivine-free, olivine-bearing, and olivine gabbro-dolerite. Leucogabbro is a characteristic rock of this type of intrusions and sometimes composes up to half of the thicknesses of the rock units. The rocks with plagioporphyritic textures are widespread. Olivine-free, olivine-bearing, and olivine gabbro-dolerite occur as horizons with indistinct boundaries, which are unevenly distributed over the vertical sections of the lithological units. The olivine is the most magnesian (Fo_89-64) and richest in Ni (up to 0.23 wt % NiO) in the olivine gabbro-dolerite. The clinopyroxene is represented by augite (Fs_12-29). The rock-forming minerals are typically zoned. The Sr isotopic composition of the rocks (calculated for an age of 250 Ma) varies within a considerable range (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.705972–0.708006), due to metasomatic alterations. The variations in the Nd and Sr isotopic composition of the Kruglogorsky intrusion are close to those in rocks of the Noril’sk-type ore-bearing intrusions. The olivine-bearing and taxitic gabbro-dolerite host Pt–Cu–Ni ore mineralization, which are of economic value for disseminated ores of the Talnakh area.     

Ore Genesis of the Kalatongke Cu–Ni Sulfide Deposits, Western China: Constraints from Volatile Chemical and Carbon Isotopic Compositions

The Kalatongke Cu–Ni sulfide deposits located in the East Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, western China are the largest magmatic sulfide deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of the volatiles trapped in olivine, pyroxene and sulfide mineral separates were analyzed by vacuum stepwise-heating mass spectrometry. The results show that the released volatiles are concentrated at three temperature intervals of 200–400°C, 400–900°C and 900–1200°C. The released volatiles from silicate mineral separates at 400–900°C and 900–1200°C have similar chemical and carbon isotopic compositions, which are mainly composed of H2O (av. ~92 mol%) with minor H2, CO2, H2S and SO2, and they are likely associated with the ore-forming magmatic volatiles. Light δ13CCO2 values (from ?20.86‰ to ?12.85‰) of pyroxene indicate crustal contamination occurred prior to or synchronous with pyroxene crystallization of mantle-derived ore-forming magma. The elevated contents of H2 and H2O in the olivine and pyroxene suggest a deep mantle-originated ore-forming volatile mixed with aqueous volatiles from recycled subducted slab. High contents of CO2 in the ore-forming magma volatiles led to an increase in oxygen fugacity, and thereby reduced the solubility of sulfur in the magma, then triggered sulfur saturation followed by sulfide melt segregation; CO2 contents correlated with Cu contents in the whole rocks suggest that a supercritical state of CO2 in the ore-forming magma system under high temperature and pressure conditions might play a key role in the assemblage of huge Cu and Ni elements. The volatiles released from constituent minerals of intrusion 1# have more CO2 and SO2 oxidized gases, higher CO2/CH4 and SO2/H2S ratios and lighter δ13CCO2 than those of intrusions 2# and 3#. This combination suggests that the higher oxidation state of the volatiles in intrusion 1# than intrusions 2# and 3#, which could be one of key ore-forming factors for large amounts of ores and high contents of Cu and Ni in intrusion 1#. The volatiles released at 200–400°C are dominated by H2O with minor CO2, N2+CO and SO2, with δ13CCO2 values (?25.66‰ to ?22.98‰) within the crustal ranges, and are considered to be related to secondary tectonic– hydrothermal activities.     

The composition and formation of Miocene tholeiites in the Central European Cenozoic plume volcanism (CECV)

Tholeiites accompanying a majority of alkali basalts are restricted to the highly productive central part of the CECV plume activity in Vogelsberg and Hessian Depression. They mainly occur as quartz tholeiites which according to experiments of partial melting and material balances are products of olivine tholeiitic primary melts. The differentiation from olivine to quartz tholeiitic melts took place in lower crustal magma chambers where olivine tholeiitic melt intruded due to a density comparable with that of the country rocks. The fractionation due to separation of olivine and some clinopyroxene caused contamination of tholeiite magmas by tonalitic partial melts from the wall rocks of the magma chambers. The latter process is indicated by relatively high Rb, K and Pb and low Nb concentrations and by Nd, Sr and Pb isotopes. Contaminating crustal melts, which roughly attained a proportion of 10%, contained very low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios from a Nd/Sm fractionation as old as 2.6 Ga. This is the first evidence from mafic rocks of this high age in the lower crust beneath Central Europe. Modelling with incompatible elements allows to recognize olivine tholeiites as products of about 1% partial melting of plume rocks consisting of 35% primitive and 65% depleted mantle materials. The production of tholeiites other than alkali basalts is restricted to the highest plume activity and the largest fraction of MORB type source rocks. Received: 10 December 1999 / Accepted: 23 June 2000     

Physical volcanology and geochemistry of Palaeoarchaean komatiite lava flows from the western Dharwar craton,southern India: implications for Archaean mantle evolution and crustal growth

ABSTRACT

Palaeoarchaean (3.38–3.35 Ga) komatiites from the Jayachamaraja Pura (J.C. Pura) and Banasandra greenstone belts of the western Dharwar craton, southern India were erupted as submarine lava flows. These high-temperature (1450–1550°C), low-viscosity lavas produced thick, massive, polygonal jointed sheet flows with sporadic flow top breccias. Thick olivine cumulate zones within differentiated komatiites suggest channel/conduit facies. Compound, undifferentiated flow fields developed marginal-lobate thin flows with several spinifex-textured lobes. Individual lobes experienced two distinct vesiculation episodes and grew by inflation. Occasionally komatiite flows form pillows and quench fragmented hyaloclastites. J.C. Pura komatiite lavas represent massive coherent facies with minor channel facies, whilst the Bansandra komatiites correspond to compound flow fields interspersed with pillow facies. The komatiites are metamorphosed to greenschist facies and consist of serpentine-talc ± carbonate, actinolite–tremolite with remnants of primary olivine, chromite, and pyroxene. The majority of the studied samples are komatiites (22.46–42.41 wt.% MgO) whilst a few are komatiitic basalts (12.94–16.18 wt.% MgO) extending into basaltic (7.71 – 10.80 wt.% MgO) composition. The studied komatiites are Al-depleted Barberton type whilst komatiite basalts belong to the Al-undepleted Munro type. Trace element data suggest variable fractionation of garnet, olivine, pyroxene, and chromite. Incompatible element ratios (Nb/Th, Nb/U, Zr/Y Nb/Y) show that the komatiites were derived from heterogeneous sources ranging from depleted to primitive mantle. CaO/Al₂O₃ and (Gd/Yb)_N ratios show that the Al-depleted komatiite magmas were generated at great depth (350–400 km) by 40–50% partial melting of deep mantle with or without garnet (majorite?) in residue whilst komatiite basalts and basalts were generated at shallow depth in an ascending plume. The widespread Palaeoarchaean deep depleted mantle-derived komatiite volcanism and sub-contemporaneous TTG accretion implies a major earlier episode of mantle differentiation and crustal growth during ca. 3.6–3.8 Ga.     

Major and trace element geochemistry and isotope (Sr, Nd, Pb, O) systematics of an Archaean basement involved in a 2.0 Ga very high-temperature (1000°C) metamorphic event: In Ouzzal Massif, Hoggar, Algeria

The In Ouzzal granulitic massif is composed mainly of various meta-igneous rocks which, in spite of Rb, U, Th, Cs and some K and Sr mobility, can be dated and generally classified according to their chemical composition as follows. Basic and ultrabasic granulites interlayered with the metasediments correspond to (1) ultrabasic cumulates from dislocated tholeiitic bodies, (2) ancient komatiitic to high-Mg tholeiitic basalts similar to the suites found in Archaean greenstone belts and (3) calcalkaline protoliths of high-K andesitic composition. No geochronological constraints are available apart from the depositional age of some associated sediments which is younger than 2.70 Ga detrital zircons, and the Nd model age of the andesitic granulites of c. 3.4 Ga. In spite of the high-grade metamorphism, the acidic magmatic precursors of the charnockites can be divided in three groups. (1) The most juvenile acid orthogneisses are trondhjemitic or tonalitic in composition, being similar to the TTG suites which are classically considered to be formed by partial melting of mantle-derived protoliths. The 3.3–3.2 Ga T_DM indicates a possible age of separation from the mantle reservoir while the plutons may have been emplaced between 3.3 and 2.7 Ga (U–Pb zircon & Nd ages). (2) A group of alkaline granitic gneisses, similar in composition to rift-related-granites, were emplaced at 2650±10 Ma (U–Pb & Rb–Sr ages) in a thick continental crust. (3) Calcalkaline granodioritic and monzogranitic suites derived from the partial melting of continental precursors (3.5–3.3 Ga), in lower to middle levels of the continental crust. They were emplaced close to 2.5 Ga during crustal thickening. The very high-temperature metamorphism occurred at 2002±7 Ma from the age of synfoliation intrusions and was probably related to major overthrusting. Retrogressive metamorphism is dated at 1.95 Ga from garnet-Nd ages. In spite of the very high-temperature conditions, partial melting during granulite facies metamorphism may be restricted to scarce cordierite-bearing monzogranitic gneisses. The 2.0 Ga VHT metamorphism could be related to overthrusting, extensional or underplating processes.     

Sources of Paleozoic granitic rocks and isotopic heterogeneity of the continental crust of the Aktau–Dzhungar microcontinent,Central Kazakhstan

Several generations of Paleozoic granitic rocks are studied with Sm–Nd isotopic methods in the northwestern part of the Aktau–Dzhungar microcontinent of Central Kazakhstan (Atasu–Mointy divide). The initial Nd isotopic composition of the granitic rocks varies in a relatively narrow range from–0.1 to–3.5ε; the Nd model ages are also similar (1.11–1.46 Ga). These results indicate that the crustal source of all the Paleozoic granitic rocks of the region had similar composition and, probably, age. It is shown that the t_Nd(DM) values of the Paleozoic granites reflect different proportions between ancient and juvenile material in the crustal source.     

Petrogenesis of ultramafic and mafic rocks of the Thompson Nickel Belt,Manitoba

Abundant sill-like bodies of serpentinized ultramafic rocks, with associated nickel sulfide deposits, are found on the western side of the Thompson Nickel Belt near the Moak Lake-Setting Lake cataclastic fault zone. The ultramafic rocks range in composition from dunite to orthopyroxenite and feature variable alteration. Chemical variation across the bodies is suggestive of in-situ differentiation controlled mainly by olivine and orthopyroxene. Relative abundances of some elements, incompatible for olivine and orthopyroxene, suggest a parental liquid of komatiitic affinity. Ultramafic and mafic rocks are petrogenetically linked. A high degree of partial melting of mantle material and subsequent low-pressure crystal fractionation are responsible for the spectrum of composition from ultramafic to mafic.Publication 19-84, Ottawa-Carleton Centre for Geoscience Studies