Mineral chemical composition and geodynamic significance of peridotites from Nain ophiolite,central Iran

The peridotites from north of the town of Nain in central Iran consist of clinopyroxene-bearing harzburgite and lherzolite with small lenses of dunite and chromitite pods. The lherzolite contains aluminous spinel with a Cr number (Cr^# = Cr/[Cr + Al]) of 0.17. The Cr number of spinels in harzburgite and chromitite is 0.38–0.42 and 0.62, respectively. This shows that the lherzolite and harzburgite resulted from <18% of partial melting of the source materials. The estimated temperature is 1100 ± 200 °C for peridotites, the estimated pressure is <15 ± 2.3 kbar for harzburgites and >16 ± 2.3 kbar for lherzolites and estimated fo₂ is 10^?1±0.5 for peridotites. Discriminant geochemical diagrams based on mineral chemistry of harzburgites indicate a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) to mid-oceanic ridge (MOR) setting for these rocks. On the basis of their Cr^#, the harzburgite and lherzolite spinels are analogous to those from abyssal peridotites and oceanic ophiolites, whereas the chromites in the chromitite (on the basis of Cr^# and boninitic nature of parental melts) resemble those from SSZ ophiolitic sequences. Therefore, the Nain ophiolite complex most likely originated in an oceanic crust related to supra-subduction zone, i.e. back arc basin. Field observations and mineral chemistry of the Nain peridotites, indicating the suture between the central Iran micro-continent (CIM) block and the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone, show that these peridotites mark the site of the Nain–Baft seaway, which opened with a slow rate of ocean-floor spreading behind the Mesozoic arc of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone as a result of change of Neo Tethyan subduction régime during middle Cretaceous.     

New insights on the origin of troctolites from the breakaway area of the Godzilla Megamullion (Parece Vela back‐arc basin): The role of melt‐mantle interaction on the composition of the lower crust

The troctolites and olivine‐gabbros from the Dive 6 K‐1147 represent the most primitive gabbroic rocks collected at the Godzilla Megamullion, a giant oceanic core complex formed at an extinct spreading segment of the Parece Vela back‐arc basin (Philippine Sea). Previous investigations have shown that these rocks have textural and major elements mineral compositions consistent with a formation through multistage interaction between mantle‐derived melts and a pre‐existing ultramafic matrix. New investigations on trace element mineral compositions basically agree with this hypothesis. Clinopyroxenes and plagioclase have incompatible element signatures similar to that of typical‐MORB. However, the clinopyroxenes show very high Cr contents (similar to those of mantle clinopyroxene) and rim having sharply higher Zr/REE ratios with respect to the core. These features are in contrast with an evolution constrained by fractional crystallization processes, and suggest that the clinopyroxene compositions are controlled by melt‐rock interaction processes. The plagioclase anorthite versus clinopyroxene Mg#[Mg/(Mg + Fe^Tot)] correlation of the Dive 6 K‐1147 rocks shows a trend much steeper than those depicted by other oceanic gabbroic sections. Using a thermodynamic model, we show that this trend is reproducible by fractionation of melts assimilating 1 g of mantle peridotite per 1 °C of cooling. This model predicts the early crystallization of high Mg# clinopyroxene, consistent with our petrological observation. The melt‐peridotite interaction process produces Na‐rich melts causing the crystallization of plagioclase with low anorthite component, typically characterizing the evolved gabbros from Godzilla Megamullion.     

A Nd and Sr isotopic study of the Trinity peridotite; implications for mantle evolution

Field evidence indicates that the Trinity peridotite was partially melted during its rise as a part of the upwelling convecting mantle at a spreading center. A SmNd mineral isochron for a plagioclase lherzolite yields an age,T = 427 ± 32 Ma and initialε_Nd = + 10.4 ? 0.4 which is distinctly higher than that expected for typical depleted mantle at this time. This age is interpreted as the time of crystallization of trapped melt in the plagioclase lherzoliteP-T field. This time of crystallization probably represents the time when the massif was incorporated as a part of the oceanic lithosphere. The SmNd model age of the plagioclase lherzolite totalrock isT_CHUR^Nd = 3.4 AE. This suggests that the Trinity peridotite was derived from a mantle that was depleted rather early in earth history. The peridotite contains many generations of pyroxenite dikes and some microgabbro dikes. We report data for two dikes that clearly crosscut the main metamorphic fabric of the peridotite. A microgabbro dike yields a SmNd mineral isochron age ofT = 435 ± 21 Ma andε_Nd = + 6.7 ? 0.3. A pyroxenite dike yields an initialε_Nd = + 7.3 ± 0.4. The initialε_Nd values for the pyroxenite and gabbro dikes are fairly similar to those for the depleted mantle at this time and are distinct from the lherzolite—demonstrating that they are not genetically related. RbSr data do not give any coherent pattern. However, some bounds can be put on initial Sr values ofε_Sr ? ?21 for the plagioclase lherzolite andε_Sr ? ?8.7 for the microgabbro dike. It is plausible that the dikes represent cumulates left behind from island arc magmas that rose through the the oceanic lithosphere within the vicinity of a subduction zone. Major and trace elements and SmNd isotopic data indicate a multiple stage history for the Trinity peridotite; a small melt fraction was extracted from an undepleted source ～ 3.4 AE or more ago to produce the proto-lherzolite; a large fraction of melt (～ 12 to 23%) was extracted from the proto-lherzolite to produce the present rock; the lherzolite was then crosscut by dikes from average depleted mantle ～ 0.44 AE ago. The data are compatible with the depleted mantle source being formed very early in earth history. Although most available data indicate that the depleted upper mantle has been relatively well stirred through time, the Trinity data suggest that very ancient Nd isotopic values are preserved and thus chemical and physical heteorgeneities are sometimes preserved in the depleted source of mid-ocean ridge basalts as well as the oceanic lithosphere which they intrude.     

Glimpses of oceanic lithosphere of the Challenger Deep forearc segment in the southernmost Marianas: The 143°E transect, 5800–4200 m

We studied nine samples of igneous rocks from the inner wall of the Mariana Trench above the Challenger Deep from 4150 to 6100 m depth recovered by manned submersible and ROV. Samples from two regions that bracket the Moho were studied: (i) 7 samples from a N‐S transect a few km to the west of the Shinkai Seep Field; and (ii) 2 samples from the Shinkai Seep Field. Transect samples include olivine‐2 pyroxene hornblendites, amphibole basalts, basaltic andesite, and hornblende andesite. We analyzed three transect samples for ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages; two yielded good plateau ages of 46.5 ±0.5 Ma (hornblendite) and 46.60 ±0.15 Ma (hornblende andesite). These results combined with previously published results, indicate that this crust formed during an intense 46–47 Ma magmatic episode that occurred 5–6 my after subduction initiation. Hornblendites and hornblende basalts formed from primitive magmas, as shown by high MgO (11–21 wt%), Ni (222–885 ppm) and Cr (412–1145 ppm) contents. Electron microprobe analyses indicate that hornblende is Na‐rich (up to 3.0 wt% Na₂O) and that many samples have an atypically large range in plagioclase composition (i.e. individual samples have An < 10 to An 90 plagioclase). Two subgroups can be identified: a mostly deeper depleted suite and a mostly shallower enriched suite. These results indicate that (i) the crust–mantle boundary in this region is transitional, occurring over a ~ 1.5 km interval, with interlayered peridotite and hornblendites between 5800 and 4300 m; and (b) extension to form the Challenger Deep forearc segment occurred by combined stretching of old crust and injection of young basaltic magmas. In contrast to the mostly fresh nature of transect samples, the two samples from the Shinaki Seep Field are intensely altered peridotite and basalt.     

Diapirism of depleted peridotite — a model for the origin of hot spots

A model is proposed for the origin of hot spots that depends on the existence of major-element heterogeneities in the mantle. Generation of basaltic crust at spreading centers produces a layer of residual peridotite ～20–25 km thick directly beneath the crust which is depleted in Fe/Mg, TiO₂, CaO, Al₂O₃, Na₂O and K₂O, and which has a slightly lower density than undepleted peridotite beneath it. Upon recycling of this depleted peridotite back into the deep mantle at subduction zones, it becomes gravitationally unstable, and tends to rise as diapirs through undepleted peridotite. For a density contrast of 0.05 g cm^?3, a diapir 60 km in diameter would rise at roughly 8 cm y^?1, and could transport enough heat to the base of the lithosphere to cause melting and volcanism at the surface. Hot spots are thus viewed as a passive consequence of mantle convection and fractionation at spreading centers rather than a plate-driving force.It is suggested that depleted diapirs exist with varying amounts of depletion, diameters, upward velocities and source volumes. Such variations could explain the occurrence of hot spots with widely varying lifetimes and rates of lava production. For highly depleted diapirs with very low Fe/Mg, the diapir would act as a heat source and the asthenosphere and lower lithosphere drifting across the diapir would serve as the source region of magmas erupted at the surface. For mildly depleted diapirs with Fe/Mg only slightly less than in normal undepleted mantle, the diapir could provide not only the source of heat but also most or all of the source material for the erupted magmas. The model is consistent with isotopic data that require two separate and ancient source regions for mid-ocean ridge and oceanic island basalts. The source for mid-ocean ridge basalts is considered to be material upwelling at spreading centers from the deep mantle. This material forms the oceanic lithosphere. Oceanic island basalts are considered to be derived from varying mixtures of sublithospheric and lower lithospheric material and the rising diapir itself.     

Late Permian post‐ophiolitic trondhjemites from Central Iran: a mark of subduction role in growth of Paleozoic continental crust

Late Permian trondhjemites in the Anarak area occur as stocks and dykes, which cross cut the Anarak ophiolite and its overlying metasedimentary rocks, and are exposed along the northern Anarak east–west main faults. These leucocratic intrusive bodies have enclaves of all ophiolitic units and metamorphic rocks. They are composed of amphibole, plagioclase (oligoclase), quartz, zircon and muscovite. Secondary minerals are chlorite (pycnochlorite), epidote, albite, magnetite and calcite. Whole‐rock major‐ and trace‐element analyses reveal that they are characterized by high SiO ₂ (67.8–71.0 wt%), Al ₂ O ₃ (14.9–17.1 wt%) and Na ₂ O (5.3–8.6 wt%), low K ₂ O (0.1–1.5 wt%; average: 0.8 wt%), low Rb/Sr ratio (0.01–0.40; average: 0.09), low Y (3–6 ppm), negative Ti, Nb and Ta anomalies, slightly negative or positive Eu anomaly, LREE enrichment and fractionated HREE. These rocks present 2 to 40 times enrichment in inclined chondrite‐normalized REE patterns. Geochemical characteristics of the Anarak trondhjemites all reflect melting of a mafic protolith at more than 10 kbar. The field evidence and whole‐rock chemistry reveal that these rocks have been crystallized from magmas derived from melting of subducted Anarak oceanic crust. This study reveals that melting of garnet amphibolite was an important element of continent formation in the study area.     

Petrological, geochemical and chronological constraints for the tectonic setting of the Dongco ophiolite in Tibet

The Dongco ophiolite occurred in the middle-western segment of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone. The thickness of the ophiolite suite is more than 5 km, which is composed, from bottom to top, of the mantle peridotite, mafic-ultramafic cumulates, basic sills (dykes) and basic lava and tectoni- cally emplaced in Jurassic strata (Mugagongru Group). The Dongco cumulates consist of dunite- troctolite-olivine-gabbro, being a part of DTG series of mafic-ultramafic cumulates. The basic lavas are characterized by being rich in alkali (Na2O K2O), TiO2, P2O5 and a LREE-rich type pattern dip- ping right with [La/Yb]=6.94―16.6 as well as a trace elements spider-diagram with normal anomaly of Th, Nb, Ta, Hf. Therefore, the Dongco basic lavas belong to ocean-island basalt (OIB) and dis- tinctly differ from mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) and island-arc basalt (IAB) formed in the plate convergence margin. The basic lavas have higher 87Sr/86Sr (0.704363―0.705007), lower 143Nd/144Nd (0.512708―0.512887) and εNd(t ) from 2.7― 5.8, indicating that they derive from a two-components mixing mantle source of depleted mantle (DM) and enriched mantle (EMI). From above it is ready to see that the Dongco ophiolite forms in oceanic island (OIB) where the mantle source is replaced by a large amount of enriched material, therefore it distinctly differs from these ophiolites formed in island-arc and mid-oecan ridge. Newly obtained SHRIMP U-Pb dating for zircon of the cumulate troctolite is 132 ± 3 Ma and whole-rock dating of ~(39)Ar/~(40)Ar for the basalt is 173.4 ± 2.7 Ma and 140.9 ± 2.8 Ma, indicating that the Dongco ophiolite formed at Early Cretaceous and the middle-western segment of the Bangong-Nujiang oceanic basin was still in the developing and evolving period at Early Cretaceous.     

The effect of mantle composition on density in the extending lithosphere

The density distribution of the lithosphere is non-linear and discontinuous due to complex mineralogy and, most importantly, phase transitions. We evaluate the influence of changes in mantle composition on lithospheric density and its evolution during horizontal stretching, using thermodynamic calculations of the density as a function of pressure, temperature and composition. We also develop a simple parameterization based on end-member mineral reactions and geometric relationships between the geotherm and the phase boundary for comparison. The garnet–spinel peridotite transition leads to a moderate decrease in density of the mantle part of the lithospheric column at the initial stages of stretching. When the crust is sufficiently thinned and temperature is relatively high, plagioclase peridotite becomes stable in the upper part of the mantle. The density reduction due to the plagioclase-in reaction is controlled by bulk Al₂O₃ in the mantle and by the depth of the plagioclase-in reaction, which is mainly governed by the Na₂O/Al₂O₃ ratio. Since Na₂O and Al₂O₃ increase with the fertility of the mantle the phase transition effect is most pronounced for relatively fertile mantle (and strong extension) and can lead to 2.3% density reduction. This is equivalent to heating the entire lithosphere by 700 °C if only the effect of thermal expansion on density is taken into account. The formation of plagioclase peridotite can explain syn-rift uplift in sedimentary basins that experienced large mantle stretching without invoking an unrealistically strong increase in temperature. It might also be responsible for the break-up unconformity observed at continental margins.     

Chrome spinel in normal MORB‐type greenstones from the Paleozoic–Mesozoic Mino terrane,East Takayama area,central Japan: Crystallization course with a U‐turn

Phenocrystic chrome spinel crystallized in normal MORB‐type greenstones in the East Takayama area. Associated phenocryst minerals show a crystallization sequence that was olivine first, followed by plagioclase, and finally clinopyroxene. Chrome spinel ranges from 0.54 to 0.77 in Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) and 0.21 to 0.53 in Cr/(Cr+Al); the Fe³⁺ content varies from 0.07 to 0.22 p.f.u. (O = 4). Significant compositional differences of spinel were observed among the phenocryst mineral assemblages. Chrome spinel in the olivine–spinel assemblage shows a wide range in Cr/(Cr+Al), and is depleted in Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. Chrome spinel in the olivine–plagioclase–clinopyroxene–spinel assemblage is Fe²⁺‐ and Fe³⁺‐rich at relatively high Cr/(Cr+Al) ratios. Basalt with the olivine–plagioclase–spinel assemblage contains both aluminous spinel and Fe²⁺‐ and Fe³⁺‐rich spinel. The assumed olivine–spinel equilibrium suggests that chrome spinel in the olivine–spinel assemblage changed in composition from Cr‐ and Fe²⁺‐rich to Al‐ and Mg‐rich with the progress of fractional crystallization. Chrome spinel in the olivine–plagioclase–clinopyroxene–spinel assemblage, on the other hand, exhibits the reversed variations in Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) and in Cr/(Cr+Al) ratios that decrease and increase with the fractional crystallization, respectively. The entire crystallization course of chrome spinel, projected onto the Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)–Cr/(Cr+Al) diagram, exhibits a U‐turn, and appears to be set on a double‐lane route. The U‐turn point lies in the compositional field of chrome spinel in the olivine–plagioclase–spinel assemblage, and may be explained by plagioclase fractionation that began during the formation of the olivine–plagioclase–spinel assemblage.     

Petrochemical evidence for off-ridge magmatism in a back-arc setting from the Yakuno ophiolite, Japan

Abstract The Permian ophiolite emplaced in the Yakuno area, Kyoto Prefecture, consists of metavolcanic sequences, metagabbro and a troctolitic intrusion. The metavolcanics are associated with thick mudstone through a contact that shows the flowage of lava over unconsolidated mud layers on the sea floor. The metavolcanics and metagabbro have rare earth element (REE) patterns that are similar to enriched (E)‐ and transitional (T)‐types ([La/Yb]_N = 0.77–11.2) of mid‐oceanic ridge basalts (MORB), whereas their Nb/La ratios (0.40–1.20) are as low as those of back‐arc basin basalts (BABB). Cr‐spinels in the metavolcanic rocks have Cr? of 40–73 and an Fe³⁺? of 9–24, numbers which are comparable to the values of BABB. These lines of evidence suggest that the Yakuno ophiolite originated more likely from an early stage back‐arc basin rather than from an oceanic plateau, as has been suggested by some researchers. The troctolitic body that intrudes as a 0.5‐km long lens in the metagabbro is composed of troctolite, olivine gabbro and microgabbro. The troctolite is marked by an olivine–plagioclase crystallization sequence, different from the commonly observed olivine–clinopyroxene sequence in other mafic/ultramafic cumulates of the Yakuno ophiolite. The microgabbro, with a composition close to that of the parental magma of the troctolite, is depleted in light REE ([La/Yb]_N = 0.18–0.55) so that it has an REE pattern that mimics normal (N)‐type MORB. The interstitial clinopyroxene of the troctolite has highly variable TiO₂ contents (0.2–1.4 wt%), which is interpreted to result from postcumulus crystallization of heterogeneous intercumulus melts. The troctolitic intrusion may represent a late stage intrusion that formed in an off‐ridge environment during sea floor spreading of the back‐arc basin. The geochemical variation observed in the Yakuno ophiolite, ranging from N‐ to E‐MORB affinities, reflects the changes in both mantle source compositions and processes involved in magma generation during the evolution of the back‐arc basin.     

High-pressure partial melting of garnet pyroxenite: possible mafic lithologies in the source of ocean island basalts

Many ocean island basalts (OIB) that have isotopic ratios indicative of recycled crustal components in their source are silica-undersaturated and unlike silicic liquids produced from partial melting of recycled mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). However, experiments on a silica-deficient garnet pyroxenite, MIX1G, at 2.0-2.5 GPa show that some pyroxenite partial melts are strongly silica-undersaturated [M.M. Hirschmann et al., Geology 31 (2003) 481-484]. These low-pressure liquids are plausible parents of alkalic OIB, except that they are too aluminous. We present new partial melting experiments on MIX1G between 3.0 and 7.5 GPa. Partial melts at 5.0 GPa have low SiO₂ (<48 wt%), low Al₂O₃ (<12 wt%) and high CaO (>12 wt%) at moderate MgO (12-16 wt%), and are more similar to primitive OIB compositions than lower-pressure liquids of MIX1G or experimental partial melts of anhydrous or carbonated peridotite. Solidus temperatures at 5.0 and 7.5 GPa are 1625 and 1825°C, respectively, which are less than 50°C cooler than the anhydrous peridotite solidus. The liquidus temperature at 5.0 GPa is 1725°C, indicating a narrow melting interval (∼100°C). These melting relations suggest that OIB magmas can be produced by partial melting of a silica-deficient pyroxenite similar to MIX1G if its melting residue contains significant garnet and lacks olivine. Such silica-deficient pyroxenites could be produced by interaction between recycled subducted oceanic crust and mantle peridotite or could be remnants of ancient oceanic lower crust or delaminated lower continental crust. If such compositions are present in plumes ascending with potential temperatures of 1550°C, they will begin to melt at about 5.0 GPa and produce appropriate partial melts. However, such hot plumes may also generate partial melts of peridotite, which could dilute the pyroxenite-derived partial melts.     

Petrology of the Green Knobs diatreme and implications for the upper mantle below the Colorado Plateau

Peridotite inclusions, crystal fragments, and kimberlite breccia at Green Knobs, New Mexico, have been studied to evaluate compositions and processes in the upper mantle below the Colorado Plateau. Most peridotite inclusions are spinel lherzolites and harzburgites, or their partly hydrated equivalents, in the Cr-diopside group. Orthopyroxene-rich websterites and olivine websterites comprise 3% of the peridotites and formed as cumulates. Typical anhydrous or slightly hydrated peridotites contain aluminous, calcic diopside (5–7% Al₂O₃), aluminous orthopyroxene (3–6% Al₂O₃), spinel, and olivine (near Fa₉). Geothermometers based on different mineral pairs yield temperatures from above 1100°C to below 700°C in single rocks. High values, derived from pyroxenes with included exsolution lamellae, may approximate temperatures of primary crystallization. Low values, based on olivine-spinel and olivine-clinopyroxene pairs, approach upper mantle temperatures before eruption. In rare samples, some spinel grains are rimmed by garnet while others are not rimmed; garnet formation was controlled by nucleation kinetics. About one-third of the peridotites were deformed shortly before eruption, with effects ranging from mild cataclasis to the production of ultramylonites.Discrete crystals of garnet, olivine (near Fa₈), and Cr-diopside represent garnet peridotite. Eclogites were not found. The garnet peridotite is more depleted than overlying spinel peridotite, and it is not a likely source for the minettes associated with the kimberlites.The mantle below Green Knobs consists of spinel peridotite from 45 to perhaps 60 km depth immediately underlain by more-depleted garnet peridotite. The position of the spinel-garnet transition may be fixed by kinetics. The kimberlite may have been produced when heat from ascending minette magma released volatiles from otherwise depleted garnet peridotite. Resulting gas-solid mixtures erupted along zones of deformation associated with Colorado Plateau monoclines. Sheared lherzolites formed during renewed movement along these zones.     

Compositional characteristics and geodynamic significance of late Miocene volcanic rocks associated with the Chah Zard epithermal gold–silver deposit,southwest Yazd,Iran

Whole‐rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic data are presented for late Miocene volcanic rocks associated with the Chah Zard epithermal Au–Ag deposit in the Urumieh‐Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), Iran, to investigate the magma source, petrogenesis and the geodynamic evolution of the study area. The Chah Zard andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks are characterized by significant Large Ion Lithophile Element (LILE) and Light Rare Earth Element (LREE) enrichment coupled with High Field Strength Element (HFSE) depletion. Our geochemical data indicate an adakitic‐like signature for the volcanic rocks (e.g. SiO₂ > 62 wt%, Al₂O₃ > 15 wt%, MgO < 1.5 wt%, Sr/Y > 70, La/Yb > 35, Yb < 1 ppm, and Y < 18 ppm, and no significant Eu anomalies), distinguishing them from the other volcanic rocks of the UDMA. The Chah Zard volcanic rocks have similar Sr and Nd isotopic compositions; the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(i) ratios range from 0.704 902 to 0.705 093 and the ε_Nd(i) values are from +2.33 to +2.70. However, the rhyolite porphyry represents the final stage of magmatism in the area and has a relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio (0.705 811). Our data suggest that the andesitic magmas are from a heterogeneous source and likely to result from partial melting of a metasomatized mantle wedge associated with a mixture of subducted oceanic crust and sediment. These melts subsequently underwent fractional crystallization along with minor amounts of crustal assimilation. Our study is consistent with the model that the volcanic host rocks to epithermal gold mineralization in the UDMA are genetically related to late Miocene Neo‐Tethyan slab break‐off beneath Central Iran.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology of the Daraban leucogranite,Mawat ophiolite,Northeastern Iraq: A record of the subduction to collision history for the Arabia–Eurasia plates

The Mawat ophiolite is part of the Mesozoic Neo‐Tethyan ophiolite belt of the Middle East and is located in the Zagros Imbricate Zone of Iraq. It represents fossil fragments of the Neo‐Tethyan oceanic lithosphere within the Alpine collisional system between the Arabian and Eurasia Plates. The first U–Pb zircon dating of the Daraban leucogranite from the Mawat ophiolite provides a ²⁰⁷Pb–²⁰⁶Pb age of 96.8 ± 6.0 Ma. The age is 59.0 ± 6.0 m.y. older than the previously published age of the Daraban leucogranite obtained by ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar muscovite dating method. The U–Pb dating of magmatic zircons collected from the Daraban leucogranite, which intrudes into the Mawat ophiolite, reveals that melting of the pelagic sediment beneath the hot Zagros proto‐ophiolite in an intra‐oceanic arc environment led to anatexis at the subduction front and the generation of granitic melts at 96.8 ± 6.0 Ma, which were emplaced in the overlaying mantle wedge. This process was a response to the initial formation of the Neo‐Tethys ophiolite above a northeast‐dipping intra‐oceanic subduction zone at 96.8 ± 6.0 Ma. Published ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar muscovite dating from the same leucogranite dike yields plateau ages of 37.7 ± 0.3 Ma, reflecting that the age was reset during the Arabia–Eurasia continental collision. Therefore, the bimodal age populations from the granitic intrusion in the Mawat ophiolite preserve a record of the subduction to the collision cycle of the Zagros Orogenic Belt. The 59.0 ± 6.0 m.y. age difference from the Daraban leucogranite represents the duration of the subduction‐collision cycle of the Zagros Orogenic Belt in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and the time span for the closure of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean along the northern margin of the Arabian plate.     

Oligocene crustal xenolith‐bearing alkaline basalt from Jandaq area (Central Iran): implications for magma genesis and crustal nature

The Oligocene alkaline basalts of Toveireh area (southwest of Jandaq, Central Iran) exhibit northwest–southeast to west–east exposure in northwest of the central‐east Iranian microcontinent (CEIM). These basalts are composed of olivine (Fo_70–90), clinopyroxene (diopside, augite), plagioclase (labradorite), spinel, and titanomagnetite as primary minerals and serpentine and zeolite as secondary ones. They are enriched in alkalis, TiO₂ and light rare earth elements (La/Yb = 9.64–12.68) and are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (Cs, Rb, Ba) and high field strength elements (Nb, Ta). The geochemical features of the rocks suggest that the Toveireh alkaline basalts are derived from a moderate degree partial melting (10–20%) of a previously enriched garnet lherzolite of asthenospheric mantle. Subduction of the CEIM confining oceanic crust from the Triassic to Eocene is the reason of mantle enrichment. The studied basalts contain mafic‐ultramafic and aluminous granulitic xenoliths. The rock‐forming minerals of the mafic‐ultramafic xenoliths are Cr‐free/poor spinel, olivine, Al‐rich pyroxene, and feldspar. The aluminous granulitic xenoliths consist of an assemblage of hercynitic spinel + plagioclase (andesine–labradorite) ± corundum ± sillimanite. They show interstitial texture, which is consistent with granulite facies. They are enriched in high field strength elements (Ti, Nb and Ta), light rare earth elements (La/Yb = 37–193) and exhibit a positive Eu anomaly. These granulitic xenoliths may be Al‐saturated but Si‐undersaturated feldspar bearing restitic materials of the lower crust. The Oligocene Toveireh basaltic magma passed and entrained these xenoliths from the lower crust to the surface.     

The role of lithospheric phase transitions on seafloor flattening at old ages

Uplift of old ocean seafloor relative to the familiar t^1/2 curve is generally presumed to be a consequence of an additional heat source at the base of the oceanic lithosphere. Several geodynamical mechanisms have been invoked to explain this behavior. We have taken a petrological rather than geodynamical approach and considered whether the causes of the flattening can be found within the conductive portion of the lithosphere, where viscous creep is insignificant. Accordingly, self-consistent calculations of the phase assemblages of several candidate mantle compositions have been performed, subject to the constraint of experimentally determined calorimetric measurements. We have found that, in general, for temperatures below around 800°C and pressures greater than 10 kbar, the phase change from spinel peridotite to garnet peridotite has a significantly negative Clapeyron slope, which could cause some amount of uplift of old seafloor. The transition, for representative thermal profiles, should be depressed from about 35 km (at 40 Ma) to 45 km (at 160 Ma). Since spinel peridotite is of lower density the net effect is to raise the seafloor topography. The extent of the uplift, which depends primarily on the Al₂O₃ content of the peridotite and on the effective thermal diffusivity of the lithosphere, should be on the order of 140–220 m.     

Chromitite and peridotite from Rayat, northeastern Iraq, as fragments of a Tethyan ophiolite

Ophiolitic rocks (chromitites and serpentinized peridotites) were petrologically examined in detail for the first time from Rayat, in the Iraqi part of the Zagros thrust zone, an ophiolitic belt. Almost all the primary silicates have been altered out, but chromian spinel has survived from alteration and gives information about the primary petrological characteristics. The protolith of the serpentinite was clinopyroxene-free harzburgite with chromian spinel of intermediate Cr# (= Cr/[Cr + Al] atomic ratio) of 0.5 to 0.6. The harzburgite with that signature is the most common in the mantle section of the Tethyan ophiolites such as the Oman ophiolite, and is the most suitable host for chromitite genesis. Except for one sample, which has Cr# = 0.6 for spinel, the Cr# of spinel is high, around 0.7, in chromitite. The variation in Cr# of spinel in chromitite observed here has been also reported in the Oman ophiolite. The peridotite with chromitite pods exposed at Rayat was derived from an ophiolite similar in petrological character to the Oman ophiolite, one of the typical Tethyan ophiolites (fragments of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere). This result is consistent with the previous interpretation based on geological analysis.     

Origin of fine‐grained peridotite xenoliths from Iraya volcano of Batan Island,Philippines: deserpentinization or metasomatism at the wedge mantle beneath an incipient arc?

Abstract Peridotite xenoliths from the subarc mantle, which have been rarely documented, are described from Iraya volcano of the Luzon arc, the Philippines, and are discussed in the context of wedge-mantle processes. They are mainly harzburgite, with subordinate dunite, and show various textures from weakly porphyroclastic (C-type) to extremely fine-grained equigranular (F-type). Textural characteristics indicate a transition from the former to the latter by recrystallization. The F-type peridotite has inclusion-rich fine-grained olivine and radially aggregated orthopyroxene, being quite different in texture from ordinary mantle-derived peridotites previously documented. Despite their strong textural contrast, the two types do not show any systematic difference in modal composition. The harzburgite of C-type has ordinary mantle peridotite mineralogy; olivine is mostly Fo91–92 and chromian spinel mostly has Cr#s (= Cr/[Cr + Al] atomic ratios) from 0.3 to 0.6. Olivine is slightly more Fe-rich (Fo89–91) and spinel is more enriched in Cr (the Cr#, 0.4–0.8) and Fe³⁺ in F-type peridotites than in C-type harzburgite. Orthopyroxene in F-type peridotites is relatively low in CaO (<1 wt%), Al₂O₃ (<2 wt%) and Cr₂O₃ (<0.4 wt%). The F-type peridotite was possibly formed from the C-type one by recrystallization including local dissolution and precipitation of orthopyroxene assisted by fluid (or melt) of subduction origin. Textural characteristics, however, indicate a deserpentinization origin from abyssal serpentinite of which protolith was a C-type peridotite. In this scenario the initial abyssal serpentinite was possibly dehydrated due to an initiation of magmatic activity beneath an incipient oceanic arc like Batan Island. The F-type peridotite is characteristic of the upper mantle of island arc, especially of incipient arc.     

Geodynamic significance of ultramafic xenoliths from Eastern Serbia: Relics of sub-arc oceanic mantle?

A suite of highly depleted peridotite xenoliths in East Serbian Palaeogene basanites represents the lithospheric mantle beneath the Balkan Peninsula. The xenoliths are harzburgites, clinopyroxene-poor lherzolites and rare dunites. They contain mostly <5 vol.% of modal clinopyroxene and are characterized by high Mg# in silicates (>91), high Cr# in spinel (mostly 0.5–0.7), and by distinctively low Al₂O₃ contents in orthopyroxene (mostly 1–2 wt.%). They have experienced some mantle metasomatism which has slightly obscured their original composition. Nevertheless, the general characteristics of the xenoliths imply a composition which is significantly more depleted than most non-cratonic sub-continental mantle xenolith suites, as well as orogenic peridotites and abyssal peridotites. Geological and compositional evidence suggests that the xenoliths do not represent Archean mantle. The existence of Proterozoic mantle cannot be entirely excluded, although it is in disagreement with geological evidence. On the other hand, the studied xenoliths are compositionally very similar to peridotites of modern oceanic sub-arc settings. The existence of such a depleted lithospheric mantle segment is also inferred from the presence of rare orthopyroxene-rich xenoliths in the same suite. These are interpreted to have originated as lithospheric precipitates of high-Mg, SiO₂-saturated magmas that require a highly depleted mantle source. Such source is typically required by boninitic-like magmas of intraoceanic suprasubduction settings. A proposed geodynamic model to explain these observations involves accretion or underplating of the lower parts of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere during the Upper Jurassic closure of the eastern branch of the Vardar ocean.     

Geochemistry and petrology of garnet‐bearing S‐type Shir‐Kuh Granite,southwest Yazd,Central Iran

The Jurassic Shir‐Kuh granitoid batholith in Central Iran intrudes Lower Jurassic sandstones and shales. The batholith consists of three main facies: (i) a granodioritic facies to the north; (ii) a monzogranitic facies spread throughout the batholith; and (iii) a leucogranitic facies along the northwestern margin. The granodiorites are composed mainly of plagioclase, quartz, K‐feldspar, biotite, and some muscovite, garnet, cordierite, ilmenite, zircon, apatite, and monazite. This facies contains variable amounts of restite minerals which are mainly defined by calcic plagioclase cores and small aggregates of biotite. The monzogranites, with mineral assemblages similar to those in the granodiorites, range from relatively mafic (cordierite‐bearing) to felsic (muscovite‐rich) rocks. The leucogranites, exposed as small stock and dykes, consist mainly of quartz, K‐feldspar, and sodic plagioclase. The batholith is peraluminous, calc‐alkaline, and typical of S‐type, as indicated by Na₂O content (2.74%), molecular Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O) (A/CNK) ratio (1.17), K₂O/Na₂O ratio (1.39), and isotopic data ([⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr]_i = 0.715). The rocks are characterized by enrichment in large ion lithophile elements such as Rb, Th and K and depletion in high field strength elements such as Nb and Ti. Chondrite‐normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns are characterized by light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment, with values of (La/Yb)_N between 4.5 and 19.53, unfractionated heavy rare earth element (HREE) with values of (Gd/Yb)_N between 0.98 and 2.88, and a distinct negative Eu. The parental magma of the Shir‐Kuh Granite was derived from a plagioclase‐rich metasedimentary source (local anatexis of metagreywacke) in the crust, with heat input from mantle melt components. The separation of restite crystals from the primary melt followed by the fractional crystallization appears to have been an effective differentiation process in the batholith.