Feeder and post Deccan Trap dyke activities in the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain: Evidence from new 40Ar-39Ar ages

We present new 40Ar-39 Ar plagioclase crystallization ages from the dykes exposed at the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain range near Betul-Jabalpur-Pachmarhi area,~800 km NE of the Western Ghats escarpment.Among the two plateau ages,the first age of 66.56±0.42 Ma from a dyke near Mohpani village represents its crystallization age which is either slightly older or contemporaneous with the nearby Mandla lava flows(63-65 Ma).We suggest that the Mohpani dyke might be one of the feeders for the surrounding lava flows as these lavas are significantly younger than the majority of the main Deccan lavas of the Western Ghats(66.38-65.54 Ma).The second age of 56.95±1.08 Ma comes from a younger dyke near Olini village which cuts across the lava flows of the area.The age correlates well with the Mandla lavas which are chemically similar to the uppermost Poladpur,Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formation lavas of SW Deccan.Our study shows that the dyke activities occurred in two phases,with the second one representing the terminal stage.     

Basalts of the Eastern Deccan Volcanic Province,India

The Mandla lobe in the eastern part of the Deccan volcanic province represents an isolated lava pile having a thickness of ∼900 m. The large thickness of this lava pile and its spatial detachment from the western Deccan outcrop points to a plausible second source. The stratigraphic configuration of the central and eastern Deccan lava sequences and their possible stratigraphic correlation are primarily based on geology and chemical signatures of the lava flows. Based on variations in the incompatible element ratios, the lava sequences of Chindwara, Jabalpur-Seoni and Jabalpur-Piparia sections were classified into four informal formations showing similarity with the southwestern formations. Major and trace element abundances in fifteen lava flows of Jabalpur area are similar to that of the southwestern Deccan lava flows. It has been found that the Ambenali Fm. and a few Khandala and Bushe Fm. flows are present in the northeastern Deccan. The regional mapping and detailed petrographic studies coupled with the lateral tracing have enabled the recognition of thirty-seven physically distinct lava flows and is justified by their major-elemental chemistry. The ‘intraflow variations’ studied in some of the flows is very low for most of the major oxides. These thirty-seven lava flows are grouped into eight chemical types. The order of superposition in this sequence reflects that the older flows occur in the west of the outlier at the Seoni-Jabalpur-Sahapura sector whereas, the younger flows are confined to the Dindori-Amarkantak sector in the east. The spatial disposition of the lava flows suggests that the structural complexity in the lava flow sequence in the Mandla lobe lies between Jabalpur and Dindori. The juxtaposition of distinct groups of lava flows are observed near Deori (flows 1 to 4 abeted aginst flows 5 to 14) and Dindori areas. At Dindori and towards its south the distinct lava packages (flows 15 to 27 and flows 28 to 37) are juxtaposed along the course of Narmada river. The possible explanation for this could be the presence of four post-Deccan faults at Nagapahar, Kundam, Deori and Dindori areas. The vertical shift of chemically distinct lava packages at different sectors in the outlier contravenes the idea of small regional dip and favours the presence of four NE-SW trending post-Deccan faults. Major geochemical breaks, when traced out from section to section, exhibit shifting in heights by approximately 150 m near Nagapahar and 300 m near Deori and Dindori areas. The field, petrographic and major-oxide data sets considered in conjuction with the magnetic chron reversal heights, support the inference that four faults trending NE-SW are present in the Mandla lobe.A commonality in the mineralo-chemical attributes of the infra (Lametas)-/inter-trappean as well as weathered Deccan basalt further favours their derivation from Deccan basalt, implying the availability of Deccan basalt during the Maastrichtian Lameta sedimentation. This observation does not match with the models suggesting an extremely short duration of Deccan volcanism (<0.5 Ma) at the KTB, but is congruent with the models advocating a more prolonged Deccan volcanism.     

Tectono-magmatic evolution of the west coast of india

The west and east coasts of India (WCI & ECI) have distinct histories of their own. The WCI originated subsequent to ECI, which has the imprint of two hotspots - Marion and Reunion, evolved through several stages of rifting, magmatism and isostatic movements. Important among them are: felsic magmatism associated with doming (93 Ma); mafic magmatism related to rifting (88 Ma); origin of the Western Ghats of India and the east facing scarp of Madagascar (all the three related to separation of Madagascar from India); mafic (Deccan) volcanism in the north-western parts of India (67 Ma); rifting of Seychelles micro-continent and lava cover from the north-western parts of India along the Carlsberg ridge (62 Ma/A 27); isostatic subsidence relating to loading of Deccan basalts; subsidence of Bombay offshore region due to reactivation of SONATA rift; separation of Laccadive-Chagos ridge from the southern part of Mascarene plateau because of shifting of the Central Indian Ridge (40 Ma); buckling of South India and tilting of the Peninsula northward due to collision and subduction. These events make the WCI unique and endowed with a great deal of dynamism.     

<Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar-<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar age of a lava flow from the Bhimashankar Formation,Giravali Ghat,Deccan Traps

We report here a⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age of 66.0 ± 0.9 Ma (2σ) for a reversely magnetised tholeiitic lava flow from the Bhimashankar Formation (Fm.), Giravali Ghat, western Deccan province, India. This age is consistent with the view that the 1.8–2 km thick bottom part of the exposed basalt flow sequence in the Western Ghats was extruded very close to 67.4 Ma.     

Oil and Gas Production in the Amu Dar'ya Basin of Western Uzbekistan and Eastern Turkmenistan

The Deccan flood basalt province of west-central India has been linked to the Reunion plume, and reconstructions suggest that the Kutch region was over the plume at the time of Deccan volcanism at 65-68 Ma. Field relations and isotopic data indicate that the alkaline basalts of Kutch, which occur to the NNW of the main Deccan tholeiitic province, preceded the main flood-basalt volcanism and are related to the limited plume incubation period. Several plugs of these alkali basalts contain small spinel peridotite xenoliths of mantle origin. The minerals of the spinel peridotites have been analyzed for their major, trace, and rare-earth element (REE) concentrations using electron micro-probe and LAM-ICPMS techniques. The modes and mineral chemistry, especially of the clinopyroxenes, indicate a fertile mantle; modeling of the clinopyroxene REE data is consistent with <5 to 15% of partial melting of a primitive mantle source material in the spinel peridotite field. Subsequent cryptic metasomatism introduced LREE, U, Th, and Zr. The xenoliths may represent: (1) young lithosphere generated during the lithospheric extension that preceded the main Deccan volcanism; or (2) material from the uppermost parts of the rising plume, brought to the surface by the first stages of the volcanism. Their low equilibration temperatures (≤900°C) and their textural and chemical similarity to xenolith suites from other Phanerozoic intraplate settings favor the first alternative. However, the extensive cryptic metasomatism may reflect the influence of the rising Deccan plume.     

The age of Earth’s largest volcano: Tamu Massif on Shatsky Rise (northwest Pacific Ocean)

This study presents laser step-heating ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age determinations of basaltic lava samples from Tamu Massif, the oldest and largest edifice of the submarine Shatsky Rise in the northwest Pacific and Earth’s proposed largest volcano. The rocks were recovered during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 324, which cored 160 m into the igneous basement near the summit of Tamu Massif. The analyzed lavas cover all three major stratigraphic groups penetrated at this site and confirm a Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous age for the onset of Shatsky Rise volcanism. Lavas analyzed from the lower and middle section of the hole yield plateau ages between 144.4 ± 1.0 and 143.1 ± 3.3 Ma with overlapping analytical errors (2σ), whereas a sample from the uppermost lava group produced a significantly younger age of 133.9 ± 2.3 Ma suggesting a late or rejuvenated phase of volcanism. The new geochronological data infer minimum (average) melt production rates of 0.63–0.84 km³/a over a time interval of 3–4 million years consistent with the presence of a mantle plume.     

西藏罗布莎群中火山岩夹层LA-ICP-MS 锆石U-Pb 年龄及其意义

针对泽当西郊贡巴日北坡剖面罗布莎群砾岩下部厚约15m的火山岩夹层进行锆石定年,测试结果表明,该火山岩LA-ICP-MS 锆石U-Pb年龄为18.7±0.2Ma,罗布莎群下伏花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石 U-Pb年龄为29.9±0.4Ma。据此认为,罗布莎群砾岩初始沉积时代约为20Ma前。火山岩的出现表明,中新世布尔迪加尔期罗布莎群发育一期火山活动,结合前人研究认为,沿雅鲁藏布江结合带的狭长范围内自西向东发育一期火山活动,代表雅鲁藏布江缝合带的一次活化,其时空分布特征与冈底斯带中新世钾质—超钾质火山活动具有显著的相似性。     

Geochronology and magmatic evolution of the Huautla volcanic field: last stages of the extinct Sierra Madre del Sur igneous province of southern Mexico

The Huautla volcanic field (HVF), in the Sierra Madre del Sur (SMS), is part of an extensive record of Palaeogene magmatism reflecting subduction of the Farallon plate along the western edge of North America. Igneous activity resulting from Farallon subduction is also exposed to the north, in the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) and Mesa Central (MC) provinces. We present the results of a stratigraphic and K–Ar, Ar–Ar, and U–Pb geochronological study of the Huautla volcanic successions, in order to refine our knowledge on the petrologic and temporal evolution of the northern SMS and gain insights on magmatic–tectonic contrasts between the SMS and the SMO–MC provinces. The HVF is made up of lava flows and pyroclastic successions that overlie marine Cretaceous sequences and post-orogenic continental deposits of Palaeogene age. In the study area, the main Oligocene succession is pre-dated by the 36.7 million years its caldera west of the Sierra de Huautla. The HVF succession ranges in age from ～33.6 to 28.1 Ma and comprises a lower group of andesitic–dacitic lava flows, an intermediate sequence of ignimbrites and dacitic lavas, and an upper group of andesitic units. The silicic succession comprises a crystal-poor ignimbrite unit (i.e. the Maravillas ignimbrite; 31.4 ± 0.6, 32.0 ± 0.4 Ma; ～260 km³), overlain by a thick succession of dacitic lavas (i.e. the Agua Fría dacite; 30.5 ± 1.9, 31.0 ± 1.1 Ma). Integration of the new stratigraphic and geochronological data with prior information from other explosive centres of the north-central SMS allows us to constrain the temporal evolution of a silicic flare-up episode, indicating that it occurred between 37–32 Ma; it consisted of three major ignimbrite pulses at ～36.5, ～34.5, and ～33–32 Ma and probably resulted from a progressive, mantle flux-driven thermomechanical maturation of the continental crust, as suggested in the HVF by the transition from andesitic to voluminous siliceous volcanism. The information now available for the north-central sector of the SMS also allows recognition of differences between the temporal and spatial evolution of magmatism in this region, and of that documented in the southern SMO and MC provinces, suggesting that such contrasts are probably related to local differences in configuration of the subduction system. At ～28 Ma, the MC and southern SMO provinces experienced a trenchward migration of volcanism, associated with slab rollback; on the other hand, the broad, more stable distribution of Oligocene magmatism in the central and north oceanic plate was subducting at a low angle.     

中亚造山带北山南部下泥盆统火山—沉积地层的岩相、时代及古地理意义

中亚造山带北山南部的火山—沉积地层对探讨古地理演化有重要意义。本文通过北山南部双鹰山地块5条剖面实测,将该区火山—沉积地层分为4种相组合19种岩相,并通过LA- ICP- MS锆石U- Pb测年获得酸性火山岩夹层年龄(418. 9±1. 2 Ma、417. 8±1. 2 Ma、417. 5±1. 4 Ma),证明各剖面均形成于早泥盆世洛赫科夫期(Lochkovian)。双鹰山地块南缘的下泥盆统由共生火山岩相(coherent facies)和原生火山岩相组合(primary volcanic facies)构成,是熔岩溢流、爆发坠落、火山碎屑流和岩浆侵出的产物,代表陆上隆升的普林尼型(Plinian)古火山作用。双鹰山地块中部墩墩山盆地充填序列自下而上由原生火山岩相组合、含火山碎屑沉积岩相组合(volcanogenic sedimentary facies)和正常沉积的河流相组合构成,代表火山活动逐步减弱和水体深度逐步加深的沉积过程。墩墩山盆地火山—沉积层序指示伸展构造背景,与同造山期磨拉石建造有显著区别。     

Early Proterozoic central-type volcano in the Pechenga structure and its relation to the ore-bearing gabbro-wehrlite complex of the Kola Peninsula

The Zapolyarnyi volcanic center is confined to the boundary between the oldest volcanic formations (I and II) of the Pechenga complex. Its structure and rock association are significantly different from those of numerous eruptive centers of areal basaltic volcanism in the Pechenga structure. It is an oval-shaped body, 700 × 300 m in size, composed of volcanic eruptive lava breccia. The clastic material of the breccia includes angular and partially molten fragments of granites, pegmatoid granites, epidosites, quartz, and feldspars embedded in basaltic lava. The basalts are titanium-rich and iron-rich varieties enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, and Sr); they are similar in composition, including Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic characteristics, to the ferropicrites of the youngest volcanic formation (IV) and their differentiation products. The basalts of the volcanic center show ε_Nd(T) values from ?3.13 to ?1.17. In general, these rocks definitely represent the vent facies of an Early Proterozoic central-type volcano. The age of the basalt of the volcanic center is 1918 ± 3 Ma (U-Pb method on zircon) and is similar to the previously determined age of volcanics of volcanic formation IV (1990 ± 40 Ma, Sm-Nd method). The rocks of this formation participated 2000–1900 Ma ago in the formation of the volcanoplutonic ore-bearing ferropicrite-gabbro-wehrlite association of the Pechenga structure. The age of the ore-bearing Pilguyarvi gabbro-wehrlite intrusion was constrained between 1987 ± 5 Ma (U-Pb method on zircon) and 1980 ± 10 Ma (U-Pb method on baddeleyite). In addition, the first data were obtained for the age of comagmatic olivine norites of the Nyasyucka dike complex in the northeastern flank of the Pechenga structure (1941 ± 3 Ma, U-Pb method on baddeleyite) and the peridotites of the Allarechka ore field in the southern framing of the Pechenga structure (1918 ± 29 Ma, U-Pb method on zircon), which were previously considered Archean. Taking into account the geological and geochemical characteristics of the rocks of the Zapolyarnyi paleovolcano and the identical age of the Ludikovian intrusions, it can be concluded that the basalts of the paleovolcano were formed during late stages of the evolution of Early Proterozoic basic-ultrabasic magmatism, which was characterized by extensive explosive activity and strong magmatic differentiation responsible for the generation of the ore-bearing intrusions of the ferropicrite-gabbro-wehrlite association.     

Combined U/Pb and (U–Th)/He geochronometry of basalt maars in Western Carpathians: implications for age of intraplate volcanism and origin of zircon metasomatism

The age of intraplate volcanism in northern Pannonian Basin of Carpathians is revisited using a combination of zircon U/Pb, zircon (U–Th)/He and apatite (U–Th)/He dating techniques, complemented by electron microprobe (EMP) characterisation of dated minerals. A total of six maar structures and diatremes in the South-Slovakian Volcanic Field (SSVF) were dated and the obtained new ages yielded the following key findings: Two isolated maars in SE part indirectly dated by geomorphologic constraints to Late Pleistocene are actually of Pliocene (2.8 ± 0.2 Ma) and Late Miocene (5.5 ± 0.6 Ma) ages. In contrast, two maars in NW part of the study area are of Late Pliocene age (4.1 ± 0.4 and 5.2–5.4 Ma), younger than the Late Miocene age (~6.5 Ma) inferred previously from K/Ar data on the proximal basaltic lava flows. These maars therefore belong to the second volcanic phase that was previously identified only in SE part of the SSVF. In the light of the new geochronologic data, it seems likely that the Pliocene phreatomagmatic eruptions may have occurred along extension-related, NW- and NE-trending orthogonal faults. EMP analyses and imaging revealed an extensive syn- and post-growth metasomatic replacement by dissolution-reprecipitation in the majority of zircons. Abundant silicate melt inclusions in porous metasomatised parts of the zircons are diagnostic of magmatic rather than hydrothermal metasomatism. Consistent ages of the metasomatised and non-metasomatised zones do not indicate disturbance of the U–Pb system during the metasomatism. Enrichment in U and Th loss in the metasomatised zircons are diagnostic of an increasing oxygen fugacity triggered by degassing of the volatile residual melt during the final stages of alkali basalt fractionation. Rare zircon-to-baddeleyite transformation was probably connected with lowered silica activity in carbonated basaltic magmas in south-eastern part of the study area.     

Neotectonic and volcanic characteristics of the Karasu fault zone (Anatolia,Turkey): The transition zone between the Dead Sea transform and the East Anatolian fault zone

The Karasu Rift (Antakya province, SE Turkey) has developed between east-dipping, NNE-striking faults of the Karasu fault zone, which define the western margin of the rift and west-dipping, N–S to N20°–30°E-striking faults of Dead Sea Transform fault zone (DST) in the central part and eastern margin of the rift. The strand of the Karasu fault zone that bounds the basin from west forms a linkage zone between the DST and the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ). The greater vertical offset on the western margin faults relative to the eastern ones indicates asymmetrical evolution of the rift as implied by the higher escarpments and accumulation of extensive, thick alluvial fans on the western margins of the rift. The thickness of the Quaternary sedimentary fill is more than 465 m, with clastic sediments intercalated with basaltic lavas. The Quaternary alkali basaltic volcanism accompanied fluvial to lacustrine sedimentation between 1.57 ± 0.08 and 0.05 ± 0.03 Ma. The faults are left-lateral oblique-slip faults as indicated by left-stepping faulting patterns, slip-lineation data and left-laterally offset lava flows and stream channels along the Karasu fault zone. At Hacılar village, an offset lava flow, dated to 0.08 ± 0.06 Ma, indicates a rate of left-lateral oblique slip of approximately 4.1 mm·year^–1. Overall, the Karasu Rift is an asymmetrical transtensional basin, which has developed between seismically active splays of the left-lateral DST and the left-lateral oblique-slip Karasu fault zone during the neotectonic period.     

Deccan volcanism linked to the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary mass extinction: New evidence from ONGC wells in the Krishna-Godavari Basin

A scientific challenge is to assess the role of Deccan volcanism in the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary (KTB) mass extinction. Here we report on the stratigraphy and biologic effects of Deccan volcanism in eleven deep wells from the Krishna-Godavari (K-G) Basin, Andhra Pradesh, India. In these wells, two phases of Deccan volcanism record the world’s largest and longest lava mega-flows interbedded in marine sediments in the K-G Basin about 1500 km from the main Deccan volcanic province. The main phase-2 eruptions (∼80% of total Deccan Traps) began in C29r and ended at or near the KTB, an interval that spans planktic foraminiferal zones CF1–CF2 and most of the nannofossil Micula prinsii zone, and is correlative with the rapid global warming and subsequent cooling near the end of the Maastrichtian. The mass extinction began in phase-2 preceding the first of four mega-flows. Planktic foraminifera suffered a 50% drop in species richness. Survivors suffered another 50% drop after the first mega-flow, leaving just 7 to 8 survivor species. No recovery occurred between the next three mega-flows and the mass extinction was complete with the last phase-2 mega-flow at the KTB. The mass extinction was likely the consequence of rapid and massive volcanic CO₂ and SO₂ gas emissions, leading to high continental weathering rates, global warming, cooling, acid rains, ocean acidification and a carbon crisis in the marine environment.     

Contrasting tectonic settings in Northern Chon Aike Igneous Province of Patagonia: subduction and mantle plume-related volcanism in the Marifil formation

ABSTRACT

The northern zone of the Chon Aike Igneous Province, located in the North Patagonian Massif, exhibits extensive outcrops of Jurassic volcanic rocks of the Marifil Formation. In the Arroyo Verde area, the initial volcanic stage of the Marifil Formation, that we denominate V0 (192.6 ± 2.5 Ma), includes coulées, megabreccias and lapilli tuffs assigned to plinian-type volcanism. This magmatism was generated by cold-wet-oxidized magmas that resemble those produced in active continental margins and volcanic arcs. The second stage, located unconformably over the first, includes welded lava-like ignimbrites, massive lapilli tuff and rhyolitic lava flow that resemble the Snake River-type volcanism. The magma that produces this volcanic stage exhibit the characteristics of hot-dry-reduced magmas emplaced in intraplate continental environments associated with continental rifting. This stage coincides with the V1 volcanic episode early recorded in the Marifil Formation.     

Anyui Volcano in Chukotka: Age,structure, pecularities of rocks’ composition and eruptions

The study of lavas and pyroclastics from Anyui Volcano made it possible to reconstruct succession of its eruption events. The age of the eruption is estimated by isotopic methods to be 0.248 ± 0.030 Ma. It is established that the last episode of volcanic activity in northeastern Russia occurred 0.2?0.5 Ma ago (in its continental part, 0.2?0.3 Ma ago). This episode is chronologically close to the last peak in activation of volcanism in the Arctic and Subarctic regions. The absence of features indicating glacial influence on lavas from Anyui Volcano provides grounds for an assumption that no significant glaciations took place in the continental areas of western Chukotka during the last 250 ka.     

Neotectonic and volcanic characteristics of the Karasu fault zone (Anatolia,Turkey): The transition zone between the Dead Sea transform and the East Anatolian fault zone

Abstract

The Karasu Rift (Antakya province, SE Turkey) has developed between east-dipping, NNE-striking faults of the Karasu fault zone, which define the western margin of the rift and westdipping, N-S to N20°-30°E-striking faults of Dead Sea Transform fault zone (DST) in the central part and eastern margin of the rift. The strand of the Karasu fault zone that bounds the basin from west forms a linkage zone between the DST and the East Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ). The greater vertical offset on the western margin faults relative to the eastern ones indicates asymmetrical evolution of the rift as implied by the higher escarpments and accumulation of extensive, thick alluvial fans on the western margins of the rift. The thickness of the Quaternary sedimentary fill is more than 465 m, with clastic sediments intercalated with basaltic lavas. The Quaternary alkali basaltic volcanism accompanied fluvial to lacustrine sedimentation between 1.57 ± 0.08 and 0.05 ± 0.03 Ma. The faults are left-lateral oblique-slip faults as indicated by left-stepping faulting patterns, slip-lineation data and left-laterally offset lava flows and stream channels along the Karasu fault zone. At Hacilar village, an offset lava flow, dated to 0.08 ± 0.06 Ma, indicates a rate of leftlateral oblique slip of approximately 4.1 mm?year^?1. Overall, the Karasu Rift is an asymmetrical transtensional basin, which has developed between seismically active splays of the left-lateral DST and the left-lateral oblique-slip Karasu fault zone during the neotectonic period. © 2001 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS     

Cones and craters on Mount Pavagadh,Deccan Traps: Rootless cones?

Rootless cones, also (erroneously) called pseudocraters, form due to explosions that ensue when a lava flow enters a surface water body, ice, or wet ground. They do not represent primary vents connected by vertical conduits to a subsurface magma source. Rootless cones in Iceland are well studied. Cones on Mars, morphologically very similar to Icelandic rootless cones, have also been suggested to be rootless cones formed by explosive interaction between surface lava flows and ground ice. We report here a group of gentle cones containing nearly circular craters from Mount Pavagadh, Deccan volcanic province, and suggest that they are rootless cones. They are very similar morphologically to the rootless cones of the type locality of Myvatn in northeastern Iceland. A group of three phreatomagmatic craters was reported in 1998 from near Jabalpur in the northeastern Deccan, and these were suggested to be eroded cinder cones. A recent geophysical study of the Jabalpur craters does not support the possibility that they are located over volcanic vents. They could also be rootless cones. Many more probably exist in the Deccan, and volcanological studies of the Deccan are clearly of value in understanding planetary basaltic volcanism.     

K-Ar dating,whole-rock and Sr-Nd isotope geochemistry of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks around the Gümüşhane area: implications for post-collisional volcanism in the Eastern Pontides,Northeast Turkey

Volcanic rocks from the Gümü?hane area in the southern part of the Eastern Pontides (NE Turkey) consist mainly of andesitic lava flows associated with tuffs, and rare basaltic dykes. The K-Ar whole-rock dating of these rocks range from 37.62?±?3.33 Ma (Middle Eocene) to 30.02?±?2.84 Ma (Early Oligocene) for the andesitic lava flows, but are 15.80?±?1.71 Ma (Middle Miocene) for the basaltic dykes. Petrochemically, the volcanic rocks are dominantly medium-K calc-alkaline in composition and show enrichment of large ion lithophile elements, as well as depletion of high field strength elements, thus revealing that volcanic rocks evolved from a parental magmas derived from an enriched mantle source. Chondrite-normalized rare-earth element patterns of the volcanic rocks are concave upwards with low- to-medium enrichment (La_CN/Lu_CN?=?3.39 to 12.56), thereby revealing clinopyroxene- and hornblende-dominated fractionations for andesitic-basaltic rocks and tuffs, respectively. The volcanic rocks have low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70464 to 0.70494) and εNd_(i) values (+1.11 to +3.08), with Nd-model ages (T_DM) of 0.68 to 1.02 Ga, suggesting an enriched lithospheric mantle source of Proterozoic age. Trace element and isotopic data, as well as the modelling results, show that fractional crystallization and minor assimilation played an important role in the evolution of the volcanic rocks studied. The Eocene to Miocene volcanism in the region has resulted from lithospheric delamination and the associated convective thinning of the mantle, which led to the partial melting of the subduction-metasomatized lithospheric mantle.     

湘南西山花岗质火山-侵入杂岩形成时代的确定

湖南南部西山火山侵入杂岩中3个代表性岩石单元(花岗岩、碎斑熔岩和流纹岩 )的产状、岩石化学、微量元素和同位素地球化学特征显示 ,它们同空间、同物质来源。全岩Rb Sr定年结果表明 :花岗岩、碎斑熔岩和流纹岩的形成时代分别为156±6Ma、159±2Ma和154±11Ma ,87Sr/86Sr初始值分别为0.71779、0.71738和0.71774 ,其中碎斑熔岩的锆石SHRIMP定年结果为156±2Ma ,它们在误差范围内基本相同 ,为中侏罗世晚期同一构造岩浆事件中陆壳活化的产物。     

The Rajahmundry Traps, Andhra Pradesh: Evaluation of their petrogenesis relative to the Deccan Traps

Geochemical and geochronological data for rocks from the Rajahmundry Traps, are evaluated for possible correlation with the main Deccan province. Lava flows are found on both banks of the Godavari River and contain an intertrappean sedimentary layer. Based on⁴⁰Ar/³⁹ Ar age data, rocks on the east bank are post K-T boundary, show normal magnetic polarity, and belong to chron 29N. Their chemistry is identical to lavas in the Mahabaleshwar Formation in the Western Ghats, ∼1000km away. It was suggested earlier that the genetic link between these geographically widely separated rocks resulted from lava flowing down freshly incised river canyons at ∼ 64 Ma. For the west bank rocks, recent paleomagnetic work indicates lava flows below and above the intertrappean (sedimentary) layer show reversed and normal magnetic polarity, respectively. The chemical composition of the west bank flow above the intertrappean layer is identical to rocks on the east bank. The west bank lava lying below the sedimentary layer, shows chemistry similar to Ambenali Formation lava flows in the western Deccan.⁴⁰Ar/³⁹ Ar dating and complete chemical characterization of this flow is required to elucidate its petrogenesis with respect to the main Deccan Province.