Petrogenesis of Tertiary Mafic Alkaline Magmas in the Hocheifel, Germany

Primitive nephelinites and basanites from the Tertiary Hocheifelarea of Germany (part of the Central European Volcanic Province;CEVP) have high Mg-number (>0·64), high Cr and Nicontents and strong light rare earth element enrichment butsystematic depletion in Rb, K and Ba relative to trace elementsof similar compatibility in anhydrous mantle. Alkali basaltsand more differentiated magmatic rocks have lower Mg-numberand lower abundances of Ni and Cr, and have undergone fractionationof mainly olivine, clinopyroxene, Fe–Ti oxide, amphiboleand plagioclase. Some nephelinites and basanites approach theSr–Nd–Pb isotope compositions inferred for the EAR(European Asthenospheric Reservoir) component. The Nd–Sr–Pbisotope composition of the differentiated rocks indicates thatassimilation of lower crustal material has modified the compositionof the primary mantle-derived magmas. Rare earth element meltingmodels can explain the petrogenesis of the most primitive maficmagmatic rocks in terms of mixing of melt fractions from anamphibole-bearing garnet peridotite source with melt fractionsfrom an amphibole-bearing spinel peridotite source, both sourcescontaining residual amphibole. It is inferred that amphibolewas precipitated in the asthenospheric mantle beneath the Hocheifel,close to the garnet peridotite–spinel peridotite boundary,by metasomatic fluids or melts from a rising mantle diapir orplume. Melt generation with amphibole present suggests relativelylow mantle potential temperatures (<1200°C); thus themantle plume is not thermally anomalous. A comparison of recentlypublished Ar/Ar ages for Hocheifel basanites with the geochemicaland isotopic composition of samples from this study collectedat the same sample sites indicates that eruption of earlierlavas with an EM signature was followed by the eruption of laterlavas derived from a source with EAR or HIMU characteristics,suggesting a contribution from the advancing plume. Thus, theHocheifel area represents an analogue for magmatism during continentalrift initiation, during which interaction of a mantle plumewith the overlying lithosphere may have led to the generationof partial melts from both the lower lithosphere and the asthenosphere. KEY WORDS: alkali basalts; continental volcanism; crustal contamination; partial melting; Eifel, Germany     

Geochemistry, Petrogenesis and Geodynamic Relationships of Miocene Calc-alkaline Volcanic Rocks in the Western Carpathian Arc, Eastern Central Europe

We report major and trace element abundances and Sr, Nd andPb isotopic data for Miocene (16·5–11 Ma) calc-alkalinevolcanic rocks from the western segment of the Carpathian arc.This volcanic suite consists mostly of andesites and dacites;basalts and basaltic andesites as well as rhyolites are rareand occur only at a late stage. Amphibole fractionation bothat high and low pressure played a significant role in magmaticdifferentiation, accompanied by high-pressure garnet fractionationduring the early stages. Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic dataindicate a major role for crustal materials in the petrogenesisof the magmas. The parental mafic magmas could have been generatedfrom an enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB)-type mantlesource, previously metasomatized by fluids derived from subductedsediment. Initially, the mafic magmas ponded beneath the thickcontinental crust and initiated melting in the lower crust.Mixing of mafic magmas with silicic melts from metasedimentarylower crust resulted in relatively Al-rich hybrid dacitic magmas,from which almandine could crystallize at high pressure. Theamount of crustal involvement in the petrogenesis of the magmasdecreased with time as the continental crust thinned. A strikingchange of mantle source occurred at about 13 Ma. The basalticmagmas generated during the later stages of the calc-alkalinemagmatism were derived from a more enriched mantle source, akinto FOZO. An upwelling mantle plume is unlikely to be presentin this area; therefore this mantle component probably residesin the heterogeneous upper mantle. Following the calc-alkalinemagmatism, alkaline mafic magmas erupted that were also generatedfrom an enriched asthenospheric source. We propose that bothtypes of magmatism were related in some way to lithosphericextension of the Pannonian Basin and that subduction playedonly an indirect role in generation of the calc-alkaline magmatism.The calc-alkaline magmas were formed during the peak phase ofextension by melting of metasomatized, enriched lithosphericmantle and were contaminated by various crustal materials, whereasthe alkaline mafic magmas were generated during the post-extensionalstage by low-degree melting of the shallow asthenosphere. Thewestern Carpathian volcanic areas provide an example of long-lastingmagmatism in which magma compositions changed continuously inresponse to changing geodynamic setting. KEY WORDS: Carpathian–Pannonian region; calc-alkaline magmatism; Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes; subduction; lithospheric extension     

Geochemical response of magmas to Neogene–Quaternary continental collision in the Carpathian–Pannonian region: A review

The Carpathian–Pannonian Region contains Neogene to Quaternary magmatic rocks of highly diverse composition (calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and mafic alkalic) that were generated in response to complex microplate tectonics including subduction followed by roll-back, collision, subducted slab break-off, rotations and extension. Major element, trace element and isotopic geochemical data of representative parental lavas and mantle xenoliths suggests that subduction components were preserved in the mantle following the cessation of subduction, and were reactivated by asthenosphere uprise via subduction roll-back, slab detachment, slab-break-off or slab-tearing. Changes in the composition of the mantle through time are evident in the geochemistry, supporting established geodynamic models.Magmatism occurred in a back-arc setting in the Western Carpathians and Pannonian Basin (Western Segment), producing felsic volcaniclastic rocks between 21 to 18 Ma ago, followed by younger felsic and intermediate calc-alkaline lavas (18–8 Ma) and finished with alkalic-mafic basaltic volcanism (10–0.1 Ma). Volcanic rocks become younger in this segment towards the north. Geochemical data for the felsic and calc-alkaline rocks suggest a decrease in the subduction component through time and a change in source from a crustal one, through a mixed crustal/mantle source to a mantle source. Block rotation, subducted roll-back and continental collision triggered partial melting by either delamination and/or asthenosphere upwelling that also generated the younger alkalic-mafic magmatism.In the westernmost East Carpathians (Central Segment) calc-alkaline volcanism was simultaneously spread across ca. 100 km in several lineaments, parallel or perpendicular to the plane of continental collision, from 15 to 9 Ma. Geochemical studies indicate a heterogeneous mantle toward the back-arc with a larger degree of fluid-induced metasomatism, source enrichment and assimilation on moving north-eastward toward the presumed trench. Subduction-related roll-back may have triggered melting, although there may have been a role for back-arc extension and asthenosphere uprise related to slab break-off.Calc-alkaline and adakite-like magmas were erupted in the Apuseni Mountains volcanic area (Interior Segment) from15–9 Ma, without any apparent relationship with the coeval roll-back processes in the front of the orogen. Magmatic activity ended with OIB-like alkali basaltic (2.5 Ma) and shoshonitic magmatism (1.6 Ma). Lithosphere breakup may have been an important process during extreme block rotations (60°) between 14 and 12 Ma, leading to decompressional melting of the lithospheric and asthenospheric sources. Eruption of alkali basalts suggests decompressional melting of an OIB-source asthenosphere. Mixing of asthenospheric melts with melts from the metasomatized lithosphere along an east–west reactivated fault-system could be responsible for the generation of shoshonitic magmas during transtension and attenuation of the lithosphere.Voluminous calc-alkaline magmatism occurred in the Cãlimani-Gurghiu-Harghita volcanic area (South-eastern Segment) between 10 and 3.5 Ma. Activity continued south-eastwards into the South Harghita area, in which activity started (ca. 3.0–0.03 Ma, with contemporaneous eruption of calc-alkaline (some with adakite-like characteristics), shoshonitic and alkali basaltic magmas from 2 to 0.3 Ma. Along arc magma generation was related to progressive break-off of the subducted slab and asthenosphere uprise. For South Harghita, decompressional melting of an OIB-like asthenospheric mantle (producing alkali basalt magmas) coupled with fluid-dominated melting close to the subducted slab (generating adakite-like magmas) and mixing between slab-derived melts and asthenospheric melts (generating shoshonites) is suggested. Break-off and tearing of the subducted slab at shallow levels required explaining this situation.     

Petrogenesis of Pre-caldera Mafic Lavas, Jemez Mountains Volcanic Field (New Mexico, USA)

The Miocene–Quaternary Jemez Mountains volcanic field(JMVF), the site of the Valles caldera, lies at the intersectionof the Jemez lineament, a Proterozoic suture, and the CenozoicRio Grande rift. Parental magmas are of two types: K-depletedsilica-undersaturated, derived from the partial melting of lithosphericmantle with residual amphibole, and tholeiitic, derived fromeither asthenospheric or lithospheric mantle. Variability insilica-undersaturated basalts reflects contributions of meltsderived from lherzolitic and pyroxenitic mantle, representingheterogeneous lithosphere associated with the suture. The Kdepletion is inherited by fractionated, crustally contaminatedderivatives (hawaiites and mugearites), leading to distinctiveincompatible trace element signatures, with Th/(Nb,Ta) and La/(Nb,Ta)greater than, but K/(Nb,Ta) similar to, Bulk Silicate Earth.These compositions dominate the mafic and intermediate lavas,and the JMVF is therefore derived largely, and perhaps entirely,from melting of fertile continental Jemez lineament lithosphereduring rift-related extension. Significant variations in Pband Nd isotope ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 17·20–18·93;¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0·51244–0·51272) result fromcrustal contamination, whereas ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr is low and relativelyuniform (0·7040–0·7048). We compare theeffects of contamination by low-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr crust with assimilationof high-⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr granitoid by partial melting, with Sr retainedin a feldspathic residue. Both models satisfactorily reproducethe isotopic features of the rocks, but the lack of a measurableEu anomaly in most JMVF mafic lavas is difficult to reconcilewith a major role for residual plagioclase during petrogenesis. KEY WORDS: Jemez Mountains volcanic field; Rio Grande rift; lithospheric mantle; crustal contamination; trace elements; radiogenic isotopes     

Orogenic Volcanism in Eastern Kazakhstan: Composition,Age, and Geodynamic Position

Studies of volcanic rocks in orogenic troughs of Eastern Kazakhstan were carried out. The troughs were formed at late-orogenic stages of evolution of Hercynian Altai collision system. Volcanic rocks are represented by basalts, andesites, dacites and rhyolites. Based on geochemical and isotopic data, the basalts and andesites derived from mafic magmas that formed as a result of partial melting of garnet peridotites in the upper mantle under the orogen. U–Pb zircon data prove two volcanic stages: more-scaled Middle Carboniferous (~311 Ma) and less-scaled Early Permian (297–290 Ma). Basalts and andesites in lower parts of the orogenic troughs and independent dacite-rhyolite structures were formed at the Middle Carboniferous stage. Parental mafic magmas were formed as a result of partial melting of mantle substrates in local transtensional zones along large shear faults. The formation of dacites and rhyolites could have been caused by partial melting of crustal substrates under effect of mafic magmas. Transtensional movements in the lithosphere of orogenic belts may indicate the beginning of collapse of orogens. A smaller volume of basalts and andesites formed at the Early Permian stage. Geochemical data prove the independent episode of partial melting in upper mantle. Synchronous basalts and andesites also appeared at wide territory in Tian Shan, Central Kazakhstan, and Central and Southern Mongolia. Early Permian volcanism indicates general extension of the lithosphere at the postorogenic stages. Large-scaled Early Permian mafic and granitoid magmatism in Central Asia has been interpreted in recent years as the Tarim Large Igneous Province caused by Tarim mantle plume activity. Thus, the extension of the lithosphere and associated volcanism in the Early Permian can be an indicator of the onset of the plume–lithosphere interaction process.

     

Petrogenesis of a Late Jurassic Peraluminous Volcanic Complex and its High-Mg, Potassic, Quenched Enclaves at Xiangshan, Southeast China

A late Mesozoic belt of volcanic–intrusive complexes occursin SE China. Volcanic activity at Xiangshan in the NW of thebelt took place mainly in the Late Jurassic (158–135 Ma).The volcanic rocks from the Xiangshan volcanic complex includerhyolitic crystal tuffs, welded tuffs, rhyolite lavas, porphyriticlavas, and associated subvolcanic rocks. Mineral assemblagesin these magmatic rocks include K-feldspar, plagioclase, quartz,Fe-rich biotite and minor amphibole, orthopyroxene and almandine.Mineral geothermometry indicates a high crystallization temperature(>850°C) for the Xiangshan magmas. The volcanic rocksare generally peraluminous; SiO₂ contents are between 65·4%and 76·8% and the samples have high alkalis, rare earthelements (REE), high field strength elements and Ga contentsand high Ga/Al ratios, but are depleted in Ba, Sr and transitionmetals. Trace element geochemistry and Sr–Nd–O isotopesystematics imply that the Xiangshan magmas were probably derivedfrom partial melting of Middle Proterozoic metamorphic lower-crustalrocks that had been dehydrated during an earlier thermal event.These features suggest an A-type affinity. Quenched mafic enclaves,hosted by the subvolcanic rocks, consist mainly of alkali feldspar,plagioclase, clinopyroxene, phlogopite and amphibole. Geothermometrycalculations indicate that the primary magmas that chilled toform the quenched enclaves had anomalously high temperatures(>1200°C). The quenched enclaves have boninitic affinities;for example, intermediate SiO₂ contents, high MgO and low TiO₂contents, high Mg-numbers and high concentrations of Sc, Ni,Co and V. However, they also have shoshonitic characteristics,e.g. enrichment in alkalis, high K₂O contents with high K₂O/Na₂Oratios, high light REE and large ion lithophile element contents,low initial _Nd values (–4·2) and high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Srratios (0·7081). We suggest a phlogopite-bearing spinelharzburgitic lithospheric mantle source for these high-Mg potassicmagmas. Underplating of such anomalously high-temperature magmascould have induced granulite-facies lower-crustal rocks to partiallymelt and generate the Xiangshan A-type volcanic suite. A back-arcextensional setting, related to subduction of the Palaeo-Pacificplate, is favoured to explain the petrogenesis of the Xiangshanvolcanic complex and quenched enclaves. KEY WORDS: volcanic complex; quenched enclaves; petrology; geochemistry; back-arc extension setting; Xiangshan; SE China     

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Three Series of Cenozoic Basalts from Southeastern China

Cenozoic basaltic volcanism in southeastern China was related to the lithospheric extension and asthenospheric upwelling at the eastern Eurasian continental margin. The cenozoic basaltic rocks from this region can be grouped into three different series: tholeiitic basalts, alkali basalts, and picritic-nephelinitic basalts. Each basalt series has distinctive geochemical features and is not derived from a common source rock by different degrees of partial melting or from a common parental magma by fractional crystallization. The mineralogy, petrography, and major and trace-element geochemistry of the tholeiites are similar to oceanic island basalts, implying that the mantle source for these Chinese continental tholeiites was similar to that of the oceanic island basalts—an asthenospheric mantle. The alkali basalts and picritic-nephelinitic basalts are enriched in incompatible trace elements, and their geochemical features can be interpreted as a result of partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle, or the mixing products of an asthenospheric magma with a component derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle through thermal erosion at the base of the lithosphere. But the lack of a transitional rock type and continuous variational trends among these basalts suggests that the mixing between asthenospheric magmas and lithospheric magmas probably was not significant in the petrogenesis of the basalts from SE China. Low-degree partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle alone can account for the observed geochemical data from these basalts.     

Intraplate volcanism in New Zealand: the role of fossil plume material and variable lithospheric properties

The geologic evolution of the New Zealand microcontinent was characterised by intermittent Cretaceous to Quaternary episodes of intraplate volcanism. To evaluate the corresponding mantle evolution beneath New Zealand with a specific focus on the tectonic evolution, we performed a combined major and trace element and Hf, Nd, Pb, Sr isotope investigation on a suite of representative intraplate volcanic rocks from both main islands and the Chatham Islands. Isotopically, the data set covers a range between “HIMU-like” end member compositions (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 20.57, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.77, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7030, εHf: + 3.8, εNd: + 4.2), compositions tending towards MORB (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 19.01, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.62, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7028, εHf: + 9.9, εNd: + 7.0) and compositions reflecting the influence of subducted sediments (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 18.99, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb: 15.67, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr: 0.7037, εHf: + 4.4, εNd: + 3.9). Whereas volcanism on the Chatham Islands constitutes the HIMU end member of our data set, intraplate volcanic rocks from the North Island are dominated by MORB-like compositions with relatively radiogenic ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb signatures. Volcanic rocks from the South Island form a trend between the three end members. Assuming a polybaric melting column model, the primary melt compositions reflect variations in the degree of melting, coupled to variable average melting depths. As the three isotope and trace element end members occur throughout the volcanic episodes, the “HIMU-like” and the sediment influenced signatures most likely originate from a heterogeneous subcontinental lithospheric mantle, whereas an asthenospheric origin is inferred for the MORB-like component. For the South Island, affinities to HIMU wane with decreasing average melting depths whereas MORB and sediment-like signatures become more distinct. We therefore propose a polybaric melting model involving upper asthenospheric mantle and a lithospheric mantle source that has been modified by subduction components and veins of fossil “HIMU-like” asthenospheric melts. The proportion of asthenospheric versus lithospheric source components is controlled by variations in lithospheric thickness and heat flow, reflecting the different tectonic settings and rates of extension. Generally, low degree melts preferentially tap enriched vein material with HIMU signatures. The widespread occurrence of old Gondwana-derived lithospheric mantle beneath intraplate volcanic fields in East Gondwana is suggested by overall similarities between New Zealand intraplate volcanic rocks and volcanic rocks in East Australia and Antarctica. The petrogenetic model proposed here may therefore serve as a general model for the petrogenesis of Cretaceous to Recent intraplate volcanic rocks in former East Gondwana. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Early Cretaceous magmatism of Mount Hermon, Northern Israel

 Early Cretaceous (146–115 Ma) magmatism in the region of Mt. Hermon, Northern Israel, is part of an extensive Mesozoic igneous province within the Levant associated with the evolution of the Neotethyan passive margin of Gondwana. The initial stages of activity were characterised by the emplacement of tholeiitic dykes (146–140 Ma) which were uplifted and eroded prior to the eruption of a sequence of alkali basalts, basanites and more differentiated alkaline lavas and pyroclastics from 127 to 120 Ma. The latest stages of activity (120–115 Ma) were highly explosive, resulting in the emplacement of diatreme breccias. Trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data for the most primitive Early Cretaceous mafic igneous rocks sampled suggest that they were derived by mixing of melts derived by variable degrees of partial melting of both garnet- and spinel-peridotite-facies mantle sources. Though isotopically heterogeneous, the source of the magmas has many similarities to that of HIMU oceanic island basalts. Earlier Liassic (200 Ma) transitional basalts and Neogene–Quaternary (15–0 Ma) alkali basalts erupted within northern Israel also have HIMU affinities. The petrogenesis of the Early Cretaceous and Cenozoic basalts is explained by partial melting of a lithospheric mantle protolith metasomatically enriched during the Liassic volcanic phase, which may be plume-related. Received: 23 July 1998 / Accepted: 6 December 1999     

A review of the geodynamic setting of large-scale Late Mesozoic gold mineralization in the North China Craton: an association with lithospheric thinning

Abundant gold deposits are distributed along the margins of the North China Craton (NCC). Occurring throughout the Precambrian basement and located in or proximal to Mesozoic granitoids, these deposits show a consistent spatial–temporal association with Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous magmatism and are characterized by quartz lode or disseminated styles of mineralization with extensive alteration of wall rock. Their ages are mainly Early Cretaceous (130–110 Ma) and constrain a very short period of metallogenesis. Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic tracers of ores, minerals and associated rocks indicate that gold and associated metals mainly were derived from multi-sources, i.e., the wall rocks (Precambrian basement and Mesozoic granites) and associated mafic rocks.Previous studies, including high surface heat flow, uplift and later basin development, slow seismic wave speeds in the upper mantle, and a change in the character of mantle xenoliths sampled by Paleozoic to Cenozoic magmas, have been used to suggest that ancient, cratonic mantle lithosphere was removed from the base of the NCC some time after the Ordovician, and replaced by younger, less refractory lithospheric mantle. The geochemistry and isotopic compositions of the mafic rocks associated with gold mineralization (130–110 Ma) indicate that they were derived from an ancient enriched lithospheric mantle source; whereas, the mafic dikes and volcanic rocks younger than 110 Ma were derived from a relatively depleted mantle source, i.e., asthenospheric mantle. According to their age and sources, relation to magmatism and geodynamic framework, the gold deposits were formed during lithospheric thinning. The removal of lithospheric mantle and the upwelling of new asthenospheric mantle induced partial melting and dehydration of the lithospheric mantle and lower crust due to an increase of temperature. The fluids derived from the lower crust were mixed with magmatic and meteoric waters, and resulted in the deposition of gold and associated metals.     

Sampling the Cape Verde Mantle Plume: Evolution of Melt Compositions on Santo Antao, Cape Verde Islands

The volcanic history of Santo Antão, NW Cape Verde Islands,includes the eruption of basanite–phonolite series magmasbetween 7·5 and 0·3 Ma and (melilite) nephelinite–phonoliteseries magmas from 0·7 to 0·1 Ma. The most primitivevolcanic rocks are olivine ± clinopyroxene-phyric, whereasthe more evolved rocks have phenocrysts of clinopyroxene ±Fe–Tioxide ± kaersutite ± haüyne ± titanite± sanidine; plagioclase occurs in some intermediate rocks.The analysed samples span a range of 19–0·03% MgO;the most primitive have 37–46% SiO₂, 2·5–7%TiO₂ and are enriched 50–200 x primitive mantle in highlyincompatible elements; the basanitic series is less enrichedthan the nephelinitic series. Geochemical trends in each seriescan be modelled by fractional crystallization of phenocrystassemblages from basanitic and nephelinitic parental magmas.There is little evidence for mineral–melt disequilibrium,and thus magma mixing is not of major importance in controllingbulk-rock compositions. Mantle melting processes are modelledusing fractionation-corrected magma compositions; the modelssuggest 1–4% partial melting of a heterogeneous mantleperidotite source at depths of 90–125 km. Incompatibleelement enrichment among the most primitive magma types is typicalof HIMU OIB. The Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions of theSanto Antão volcanic sequence and geochemical characterchange systematically with time. The older volcanic rocks (7·5–2Ma) vary between two main mantle source components, one of whichis a young HIMU type with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19·88, 7/4 =–5, 8/4 0, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·7033 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd= 0·51288, whereas the other has somewhat less radiogenicSr and Pb and more radiogenic Nd. The intermediate age volcanicrocks (2–0·3 Ma) show a change of sources to two-componentmixing between a carbonatite-related young HIMU-type source(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19·93, 7/4 = –5, 8/4 = –38,⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·70304) and a DM-like source. A more incompatibleelement-enriched component with 7/4 > 0 (old HIMU type) isprominent in the young volcanic rocks (0·3–0·1Ma). The EM1 component that is important in the southern CapeVerde Islands appears to have played no role in the petrogenesisof the Santo Antão magmas. The primary magmas are arguedto be derived by partial melting in the Cape Verde mantle plume;temporal changes in composition are suggested to reflect layeringin the plume conduit. KEY WORDS: radiogenic isotopes; geochemistry; mantle melting; Cape Verde     

Extreme source heterogeneity and complex contamination patterns along the Cameroon Volcanic Line: New geochemical data from the Bamoun plateau

We investigated mafic and felsic volcanic rocks from the Bamoun plateau, a magmatic province located north of Mount Cameroon, in the continental part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). Basalts and dacites were probably emplaced more than 40 Ma ago, while basanites represent very young volcanic eruptions. Among the basalts, some of them have suffered crustal contamination during their uprise through the continental crust, and their primary trace element and isotopic compositions have been slightly modified. The formation of the dacites was also accompanied by some crustal contamination. Non-contaminated rocks show that the oldest magmas are transitional basalts formed by relatively high degrees of partial melting of a moderately enriched mantle source, probably containing pyroxenites. Recent basanites were produced by very low partial melting degrees of an enriched mantle source with HIMU composition, but different from the source of the nearby Mount Cameroon lavas. The mantle beneath the CVL is thus very heterogeneous, and the tendency towards more alkaline mafic-ultramafic compositions in the youngest volcanic manifestations along the CVL seems to be a general feature of all CVL.     

胶东青山群基性火山岩的Ar-Ar年代学和地球化学特征: 对华北克拉通破坏过程的启示

青山群火山岩是华北克拉通破坏期间最具代表性的地幔或地壳熔融产物,记录了华北深部地质演化的重要信息。本文对胶东青山群基性火山岩进行了40Ar/39Ar定年和岩石地球化学分析,结合前人报道的胶东青山群酸性火山岩资料,发现:(1)基性火山岩喷发年龄为122～113Ma,早于青山群酸性火山岩(110～98Ma);(2)基性和酸性火山岩显示了不同的元素和同位素地球化学特征。岩石成因分析表明,基性火山岩为交代富集地幔部分熔融作用的产物,而酸性火山岩为古老下地壳和中生代底侵岩浆的熔融产物(Ling et al.,2009)。因此,胶东地区青山群火山岩记录了岩浆熔融源区从地幔向下地壳的转变。这与长时间尺度的岩石圈减薄过程中热能由地幔向地壳传递过程相吻合,而不同于地壳拆沉作用所预测的岩浆演化趋势。     

Geochemistry of late Paleozoic mafic igneous rocks from the Kuerti area,Xinjiang, northwest China: implications for backarc mantle evolution

The composition of Kuerti mafic rocks in the Altay Mountains in northwest China ranges from highly geochemically depleted, with very low La, Ta and Nb and high ε_Nd(t) values, to slightly enriched, arc lava-like composition. They display flat to light rare earth element (REE)-depleted patterns and have variable depletions in high field-strength elements (HFSE). These mafic rocks were most probably derived from a variably depleted mantle source containing a subduction component beneath an ancient intra-oceanic backarc basin. Together with the slightly older arc volcanic rocks in the Altay region, the Kuerti mafic rocks display generally positive correlations of their key elemental ratios (e.g., Th/Nb, La/Yb and Th/Yb). These indicate that the more mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) component was contained in these magmas, the less arc component was present in their mantle source. Therefore, we propose a two-stage melting evolution model to interpret the compositional evolution of the Kuerti mafic rocks and associated arc volcanic rocks. First, arc basaltic melts were extracted from the hydrated arc mantle wedge beneath Kuerti, leaving behind a mantle source that is variably depleted in incompatible trace elements. Then, mafic rocks were erupted during seafloor spreading in the Kuerti backarc basin from the upwelling asthenospheric mantle. The variably depleted mantle source produced mafic rocks with composition ranging from arc lava-like to more geochemically depleted than MORB. The recognition of Kuerti mafic rocks as backarc basin basalts (BABB) is consistent with the proposed tectonic model that an active backarc basin–island arc system along the paleo-Asian ocean margin was formed in the Altay region during Devonian–Early Carboniferous. New data further indicate that the final orogenic event in the Altay Mountains, i.e. the collision of the north and south continental plates in the region, most probably took place in Late Carboniferous and Permian.     

Anorthositic Rocks of the Duluth Complex: Examples of Rocks Formed from Plagioclase Crystal Mush

Anorthositic rocks compose 35–40% of the Middle Proterozoic(Keweenawan; 1?1 Ga) Duluth Complex—a large, compositemafic body in northeastern Minnesota that was intruded beneatha comagmatic volcanic edifice during the formation of the Midcontinentrift system. Anorthositic rocks, of which six general lithologictypes occur in one area of the complex, are common in an earlyseries of intrusions. They are characterized on a local scale(meters to kilometers) by nonstratiform distribution of rocktypes, variably oriented plagioclase lamination, and compositeintrusive relationships. Variably zoned, subhedral plagioclaseof nearly constant average An (60) makes up 82–98% ofthe anorthositic rocks. Other phases include granular to poikiliticolivine (Fo_66–38), poikilitic clinopyrox-ene (En'_73–37),subpoikilitic Fe-Ti oxides, and various late-stage and secondaryminerals. Whole-rock compositions of anorthositic rocks are modelled bymass balance to consist of three components: cumulus plagioclase(70–95 wt.%), minor cumulus olivine (0–5%), anda gabbroic postcumulus assemblage (5–27%) representinga trapped liquid. The postcumulus assemblage has textural andcompositional characteristics which are consistent with crystallizationfrom basaltic magma ranging from moderately evolved olivinetholeiite to highly evolved tholeiite (mg=60–25). Sympatheticvariations of mg in plagioclase and in mafic minerals suggestthat cumulus plagioclase, though constant in An, was in approximateequilibrium with the variety of basaltic magma compositionswhich produced the postcumulus assemblages. Standard models of mafic cumulate formation by fractional crystallizationof basaltic magmas in Duluth Complex chambers, although ableto explain the petrogenesis of younger stratiform troctoliticto gabbroic intrusions, are inadequate to account for the field,petrographic, and geochemical characteristics of the anorthositicrocks. Rather, we suggest an origin by multiple intrusions ofplagioclase crystal mushes—basaltic magmas charged withas much as 60% intratelluric plagioclase. The high concentrationsof cumulus plagioclase (70–95%) estimated to compose theanorthositic rocks may reflect expulsion of some of the transportingmagma during emplacement or early postcumulus crystallizationof only plagioclase from evolved hyperfeldspathic magma. Althoughthe evolved compositions of anorthositic rocks require significantfractionation of mafic minerals, geophysical evidence indicatesthat ultramafic rocks are, as exposure implies, rare in theDuluth Complex and implies that plagioclase crystal mushes werederived from deeper staging chambers. This is consistent withinterpretations of olivine habit and plagioclase zoning. Moreover,plagioclase could have been segregated from coprecipitatingmafic phases in such lower crustal chambers because of the buoyancyof plagioclase in basaltic magmas at high pressure. The geochemicaleffects of plagioclase suspension in basaltic magmas are consistentwith observed compositions of cumulus plagioclase in the anorthositicrocks and with the geochemical characteristics of many comagmaticbasalts. The petrogenesis of the anorthositic rocks and theoverall evolution of Keweenawan magmas can be related to thedynamics of intracontinental rift formation.     

Revisiting Early–Middle Jurassic igneous activity in the Nanling Mountains,South China: Geochemistry and implications for regional geodynamics

Early–Middle Jurassic igneous rocks (190–170 Ma) are distributed in an E–W-trending band within the Nanling Tectonic Belt, and have a wide range of compositions but are only present in limited volumes. This scenario contrasts with the uniform but voluminous Middle–Late Jurassic igneous rocks (165–150 Ma) in this area. The Early–Middle Jurassic rocks include oceanic-island basalt (OIB)-type alkali basalts, tholeiitic basalts and gabbros, bimodal volcanic rocks, syenites, A-type granites, and high-K calc–alkaline granodiorites. Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that alkaline and tholeiitic basalts and syenites were derived from melting of the asthenospheric mantle, with asthenosphere-derived magmas mixing with variable amounts of magmas derived from melting of metasomatized lithospheric mantle. In comparison, A-type granites in the study area were probably generated by shallow dehydration-related melting of hornblende-bearing continental crustal rocks that were heated by contemporaneous intrusion of mantle-derived basaltic magmas, and high-K calc-alkaline granodiorites resulted from the interaction between melts from upwelling asthenospheric mantle and the lower crust. The Early–Middle Jurassic magmatic event is spatially variable in terms of lithology, geochemistry, and isotopic systematics. This indicates that the deep mantle sources of the magmas that formed these igneous rocks were significantly heterogeneous, and magmatism had a gradual decrease in the involvement of the asthenospheric mantle from west to east. These variations in composition and sourcing of magmas, in addition to the spatial distribution and the thermal structure of the crust–mantle boundary during this magmatic event, indicates that these igneous rocks formed during a period of rifting after the Indosinian Orogeny rather than during subduction of the paleo-Pacific oceanic crust.     

Post-collisional, Potassic and Ultrapotassic Magmatism of the Northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints on Characteristics of the Mantle Source, Geodynamic Setting and Uplift Mechanisms

Cenozoic, post-collisional, potassic and ultrapotassic igneousrocks in the North Qiangtang, Songpan–Ganzi and NorthKunlun terranes of the northern Tibetan Plateau are distributedalong a semi-continuous, east–west-trending, volcanicbelt, which is over 1200 km in length. Spatially, there is aclose association with major strike-slip faults, thrust faultsand pull-apart basins. The ages of these magmatic rocks rangefrom 45 Ma to the present (the youngest known eruption occurredin 1951); they are shoshonitic, compositionally similar to K-richsubduction-related magmas, and range in SiO₂ from 44 to 66 wt%. There is a relative enrichment of large ion lithophile elements(LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE) in the most primitivemagmatic rocks (MgO >6 wt %) in the North Qiangtang terranecompared with those in the Songpan–Ganzi and North Kunlunterranes; correspondingly, the primitive magmas have higher⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and lower ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios in theNorth Qiangtang terrane than in the Songpan–Ganzi andNorth Kunlun terranes. The dominant factors that control thegeochemical characteristics of the magmas are an enriched asthenosphericmantle source composition, the degree of partial melting ofthis source, and the combined processes of crustal assimilationand fractional crystallization (AFC). Enrichment of the asthenosphereis considered to have occurred by incorporation of subductedsediments into the mantle wedge above a subducted slab of Indianlithosphere during India–Asia convergence. Continentallithospheric mantle, metasomatically enriched during earlierepisodes of subduction, may have also contributed a source componentto the magmas. Trace element modelling indicates that the mantlesource of the most primitive magmas in the North Qiangtang terranecontained higher amounts of subducted sediment (0·5–10%)compared with those in the Songpan–Ganzi and North Kunlunterranes (<2%). The degrees of partial melting required togenerate the primitive potassic and ultrapotassic magmas fromthe enriched mantle sources range from <0·1% to 15%in the three major basement terranes. Energy-constrained AFCmodel calculations show that the more evolved magmatic rocks(MgO <6 wt %) are the results of AFC processes in the middlecrust in the North Qiangtang terrane and the upper crust inthe Songpan–Ganzi and North Kunlun terranes. We proposethat the ultimate driving force for the generation of the post-collisionalpotassium-rich magmatism in north Tibet is the continuous northwardunderthrusting of the Indian continental lithosphere followingIndia–Asia collision. This underthrusting resulted inupwelling of hot asthenosphere beneath north Tibet, squeezedup between the advancing Indian lithosphere and the backstopof the rigid Asian continental lithosphere. Asthenospheric upwellingmay have also contributed to uplift of the northern TibetanPlateau. KEY WORDS: Tibetan Plateau; potassic and ultrapotassic magmatism; enriched asthenospheric mantle source; EC-AFC modelling; geodynamics     

Lithospheric Mantle Evolution beneath the Eifel (Germany): Constraints from Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopes and Trace Element Abundances in Spinel Peridotite and Pyroxenite Xenoliths

The Pb isotope compositions of amphiboles and clinopyroxenesin spinel peridotite and pyroxenite mantle xenoliths from theintra-plate Quaternary volcanic fields of the Eifel province(Germany) are strongly correlated with their Sr–Nd isotopeand trace element compositions. High-temperature anhydrous xenolithsfrom a depth of around 60 km have trace element and Sr–Nd–Pbisotope compositions similar to the depleted source of mid-oceanridge basalts (Depleted MORB Mantle, DMM). Amphibole-bearingxenoliths from shallower depths (<45 km) provide evidencefor three temporally distinct episodes of mantle metasomatismin the subcontinental lithosphere: (1) aqueous fluids from anisotopically enriched (EM-like) mantle reservoir caused amphiboleformation during deformation in the shallow continental lithosphericmantle and may be subduction related, probably associated withthe last major tectonic event that influenced the area (Hercynianorogeny). (2) During a second phase of mantle metasomatism theEM-like lithospheric mantle was affected by melts from an ancient,HIMU-like (high time-integrated µ = ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb) mantlesource. The HIMU-like component introduced by these fluids hada much more radiogenic Pb isotope composition than the asthenosphericsource of the widespread Cenozoic magmatism in Europe and maybe linked to reactivation of ancient subducted crustal domainsduring the Hercynian orogeny or to early Cretaceous deep-sourcedmantle plumes. (3) During a brief final stage the heterogeneouslyenriched EM–HIMU subcontinental lithosphere was locallymodified by basaltic melts migrating along fractures and veinsthrough the upper mantle as a consequence of the Cenozoic Eifelvolcanism. Although a DMM component is completely lacking inthe metasomatic fluids of the metasomatic episodes 1 and 2,the vein melts of episode 3 and the Cenozoic Eifel lavas requiremantle sources containing three end-member components (DMM–HIMU–EM).Thus, mobilization of the more depleted mantle material occurredat the earliest in the Tertiary, contemporaneously with thedevelopment of the extensive rift system and main melt generationin Europe. Alternatively, the variety of Sr–Nd–Pbisotope signatures of the metasomatic agents may have been producedby melting of isotopically distinct mantle domains in a heterogeneousuprising mantle plume. KEY WORDS: Eifel; Europe; mantle xenoliths; metasomatism; Pb isotopes     

Giant swarms of Precambrian mafic dikes and potential diamond resources of ancient platforms

By the examples of the Siberian Platform and Canadian Shield, it is shown that spatial juxtaposition of Phanerozoic diamond-bearing kimberlite fields with giant swarms of Precambrian mafic dikes is caused by both systematic and incidental events. The first of these include (1) origination of mantle plumes and associated lenses of high-temperature mantle melting in the subequatorial “hot belt” of the early Earth, (2) formation of magma chambers that generated mafic dikes in these asthenospheric lenses, (3) shear stress, and (4) ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism of igneous and country rocks. As a result, the association of diamond-bearing high-density mafic and ultramafic rocks was formed under favorable thermal and fluidal conditions. These processes occurred first in the embryonic (multiplate) Neoarchean tectonic setting at a depth of 40–60 km (present-day elevation marks) and then at a deeper (100–150 km) level during the transition to the Proterozoic true plate tectonics. These processes left behind giant swarms of Precambrian mafic dikes, as well as structurally and genetically related deep-seated morphological and density anomalies. The relatively high position of two lithospheric units of diamond-bearing rocks, each underlain by a thick layer of the cold mantle, prevented these units from thermal and mechanical erosion during subsequent plate-tectonic stages characterized by deeper location of asthenospheric layers. The occurrence of clusters of Phanerozoic diatremes in ancient giant swarms of mafic dikes, as well as the enrichment of pipes in xenogenic diamond-bearing material derived from different levels of the tectonically delaminated lithosphere, may be attributed to incidental events that controlled the fertility of a relatively small number of kimberlite pipes.     

Geochronology and geochemistry of early Paleozoic granitic and coeval mafic rocks from the Tannuola terrane (Tuva,Russia): Implications for transition from a subduction to post-collisional setting in the northern part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

Early Paleozoic magmatism of the Tannuola terrane located in the northern Central Asian Orogenic Belt is important to understanding the transition from subduction to post-collision settings. In this study, we report in situ zircon U-Pb ages, whole rock geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotopic data from the mafic and granitic rocks of the eastern Tannuola terrane to better characterize their petrogenesis and to investigate changing of the tectonic setting and geodynamic evolution. Zircon U-Pb ages reveal three magmatic episodes for about 60 Ma from ∼510 to ∼450 Ma, that can be divided into the late Cambrian (∼510–490 Ma), the Early Ordovician (∼480–470 Ma) and the Middle-Late Ordovician (∼460–450 Ma) stages. The late Cambrian episode emplaced the mafic, intermediate and granitic rocks with volcanic arc affinity. The late Cambrian mafic rocks of the Tannuola terrane may originate from melting of mantle source that contain asthenosphere and subarc enriched mantle metasomatized by melts derived from sinking oceanic slab. Geochemical and isotopic compositions indicate the late Cambrian intermediate-granitic rocks are most consistent with an origin from a mixed source including fractionation of mantle-derived magmas and crustal-derived components. The Early Ordovician episode reveal bimodal intrusions containing mafic rocks and adakite-like granitic rocks implying the transition from a thinner to a thicker lower crust. The Early Ordovician mafic rocks are formed as a result of high degree melting of mantle source including dominantly depleted mantle and subordinate mantle metasomatized by fluid components while coeval granitic rocks were derived from partial melting of the high Sr/Y mafic rocks. The latest Middle-Late Ordovician magmatic episode emplaced high-K calc-alkaline ferroan granitic rocks that were formed through the partial melting the juvenile Neoproterozoic sources.These three episodes of magmatism identified in the eastern Tannuola terrane are interpreted as reflecting the transition from subduction to post-collision settings during the early Paleozoic. The emplacement of voluminous magmatic rocks was induced by several stages of asthenospheric upwelling in various geodynamic settings. The late Cambrian episode of magmatism was triggered by the slab break-off while subsequent Early Ordovician episode followed the switch to a collisional setting with thickening of the lower crust and the intrusion of mantle-induced bimodal magmatism. During the post-collisional stage, the large-scale lithospheric delamination provides the magma generation for the Middle-Late Ordovician granitic rocks.