Existence of andesitic primary magma: An example from southwest Japan

A high-magnesian andesite (SiO₂ 58.50%, MgO 9.47%) occurs at Teraga-Ike in southwest Japan. It belongs to the Setouchi volcanic rocks of middle Miocene age and carries olivine and bronzite as phenocrysts (4.2 and 1.4 modal percent, respectively). This andesite is characterized by Mg-values as high as 75, suggesting that it may be a primary andesite. Olivine phenocrysts (Fo_87–91) are in equilibrium with the groundmass (= liquid) on the basis of Fe-Mg exchange partitioning between olivine and liquid, and they have high NiO contents (up to 0.45%). Chromite inclusions in olivine and rarely bronzite have high Cr₂O₃ contents (max. 54.87%). These features strongly suggest that the Teraga-Ike andesite keeps the chemical composition of the primary magma generated in the upper mantle, and therefore verify the existence of primary andesite magmas.     

High-magnesium primary magmas from Haleakala Volcano, east Maui, Hawaii: petrography, nickel, and major-element constraints

For any given volcanic field the compositions of primary melts provide important constraints on models of magmatic processes and volcanic eruptions. In this paper, based on petrography, olivine and bulk rock compositions, two tholeiitic picrites (samples C122 and C123) from Haleakala Volcano, east Maui are evaluated as possible primary melts. Sample C122 (bulk rock MgO = 16.6%) has a high apparent Mg-Fe exchange coefficient, K_D, between olivine phenocrysts and bulk rock (0.6). However, major-elements and Ni mass-balance calculations show that the olivines in C122 are in equilibrium with the residual melt (matrix) after closed-system equilibrium fractionation of 25 wt.% olivine. Therefore, the Mg/Fe ratio, Ca content, and Ni content of C122 are consistent with the hypothesis that the bulk composition of C122 is close to a primary melt formed by partial melting of a mantle containing olivine with composition around Fo₈₉ to Fo₉₁. The uniform composition and small size (mostly 0.2–0.3 mm) of the olivine, and the glass patches in the matrix suggest fast ascent, and rapid cooling at shallow depth for C122. On the contrary, sample C123, which has an apparent K_D (between the most mafic olivine megacrysts and the bulk rock) close to the equilibrium value (0.27), the multiple planar subgrain boundaries in most of the olivine crystals indicate that it may not be a primary melt unless the deformed olivines are generated at magmatic condition as phenocrysts. If the deformed subgrain boundary texture in olivine could indeed be generated at magmatic condition, then the wide compositional range of olivine crystals in C123 (Fo₇₄ to Fo₉₁) suggests multi-stage crystallization over a wide range of cooling temperatures.The compositions of the two picrites, and a differentiated basalt which does not contain xenocrysts suggest that the Haleakala tholeiites are derived from primary melts with at least 16–17 wt.% MgO. Lavas with such high MgO content are rare in Haleakala and other Hawaiian volcanoes; therefore, most Hawaiian tholeiites must have undergone extensive fractionation histories.     

The November 2002 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise,Réunion: tracking the pre-eruptive thermal evolution of magma using melt inclusions

The November 2002 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise in the Indian Ocean was typical of the activity of the volcano from 1999 to 2006 in terms of duration and volume of magma ejected. The first magma erupted was a basaltic liquid with a small proportion of olivine phenocrysts (Fo₈₁) that contain small numbers of melt inclusions. In subsequent flows, olivine crystals were more abundant and richer in Mg (Fo_83–84). These crystals contain numerous melt and fluid inclusions, healed fractures, and dislocation features such as kink bands. The major element composition of melt inclusions in this later olivine (Fo_83–84) is out of equilibrium with that of its host as a result of extensive post-entrapment crystallization and Fe²⁺ loss by diffusion during cooling. Melt inclusions in Fo₈₁ olivine are also chemically out of equilibrium with their hosts but to a lesser degree. Using olivine–melt geothermometry, we determined that melt inclusions in Fo₈₁ olivine were trapped at lower temperature (1,182 ± 1°C) than inclusions in Fo_83–84 olivine (1,199–1,227°C). This methodology was also used to estimate eruption temperatures. The November 2002 melt inclusion compositions suggest that they were at temperatures between 1,070°C and 1,133°C immediately before eruption and quenching. This relatively wide temperature range may reflect the fact that most of the melt inclusions were from olivine in lava samples and therefore likely underwent minor but variable amounts of post-eruptive crystallization and Fe²⁺ loss by diffusion due to their relatively slow cooling on the surface. In contrast, melt inclusions in tephra samples from past major eruptions yielded a narrower range of higher eruption temperatures (1,163–1,181°C). The melt inclusion data presented here and in earlier publications are consistent with a model of magma recharge from depth during major eruptions, followed by storage, cooling, and crystallization at shallow levels prior to expulsion during events similar in magnitude to the relatively small November 2002 eruption.     

Fayal dans l’Atlantique et Rapa dans le Pacifique: deux séries faiblement alcalines évoluant sous conditions anhydres

Though in two different geodynamic sites, the Isles of Fayal (Azores, North Atlantic) and Rapa (Australes, Pacific) show large similitudes. The two series differentiated under dry conditions by a process of crystal fractionation with low oxygen fugacity. Olivine is present in both series and evolves from Fo₈₃ to Fo₅ (Rapa) and from Fo₇₇ to Fo₂₂ (Fayal). The two series present some features of the tholeiitic series, even though their high contents in incompatible elements (K₂O, TiO₂, etc.) and normative Ne (0.30 in basalt) would assimilate them to alkaline series. These apparent conflicting datas are explained by an anhydrous melting (<15%) under high pressure (>15kb) of an undepleted pyrolitic mantle, according to a recent proposal byJaques andGreen (1980).     

Magma–conduit interaction at Piton de la Fournaise volcano (Réunion Island): a melt and fluid inclusion study

Major-element, Cl, S, F analyses have been performed on a wide selection of melt inclusions trapped in olivine (Fo_81–87) from scoria and crystal-rich lapilli samples of Piton de la Fournaise volcano. As a whole, they display a transitional basaltic composition. The melt inclusions (8–9 wt.% MgO, 0.62–0.73 wt.% K₂O) are in equilibrium with olivines (Fo_81–85) in the samples from the Central Feeding Zone and the South-East Feeding Zone and show a slight alkaline affinity. The melt inclusions in olivines (Fo_85–87) from the North-West Rift (NWR) contain 9.3–9.7 wt.% MgO and 0.54–0.58 wt.% K₂O, with a more tholeiitic tendency. In oceanitic lavas and crystal-rich lapilli, the olivine xenocrysts are recognisable by the presence of one or more secondary shear plane fracture(s) filled up with CO₂ and alkali-rich basaltic melt inclusions. In dunite nodules, olivines present also contain several secondary shear plane fracture(s) filled up with CO₂ and high-SiO₂ melt inclusions. Secondary CO₂-rich fluid inclusions in olivine (Fo_85–87) from the NWR samples indicate PCO₂ up to 500 MPa whereas, PCO₂ ranges from 95 MPa to few tenths of bars in the other samples. Both the primary melt inclusions and the secondary fluid inclusions strongly suggest that the olivine crystallises and accumulates over a wide depth range (15 km). It is envisioned that cumulative pockets with low residual porosity are repeatedly percolated with a CO₂-rich fluid phase, possibly associated with basaltic to SiO₂-rich melts, and are finally disrupted and entrained to the surface when vigorous magma transfer occurs. The SiO₂-rich residual melts in early-formed dunitic or gabbroic bodies may have acted as contaminant agents for the more alkali character of magmas vented through the central feeding system, where a well-developed cumulative system is thought to exist. Finally, the existence of secondary fluid and melt inclusions in olivines implies that the dunitic bodies are weakened on the micrometric scale.     

Experimental investigation of reaction coronas on olivine in Apollo 14 high-grade breccias

Reaction coronas of pyroxene ± ilmenite occur around clasts of olivine in Apollo 14 high-grade metamorphic breccias. In experiments of several months duration, there was no evidence of corona formation at 1000°C, but at 1050°, withfO₂ at or above Ilm-Ru-Fe and below Fe-Fe₁?x O, incipient coronas formed around Fo_50–70 in synthetic 14311 matrix. In addition, withfO₂ controlled by Ilm-Ru-Fe at 1050°C, the olivines reduced to Fo₆₈, En₆₉ + Fe. Reduction of olivine under these conditions is inconsistent with the calculated stability relations and is attributed to uncertainties in the activity coefficient for olivine or pyroxene. The experiments also suggest that vesicularity in the Apollo 14 high-grade breccias may correlate with the amount of glassy material in their unmetamorphosed precursors. The metamorphic event is attributed to burial in a hot ejecta blanket, such as that of the Imbrium event.     

Estimates of possible diffusional effects in trace element separations

Igneous material dredged from the Rio Grande rise, South Atlantic Ocean, includes basaltic rocks, some having mafic nodules and megacrysts, and volcanic breccias composed largely of basaltic fragments. These samples represent the only volcanic rocks recovered from this aseismic rise. Bulk compositions show alkalic basalt, trachybasalt, and trachyandesite; the rock types are similar to those of nearby Tristan da Cunha, Gough, and the Walvis ridge. Microprobe analyses show basaltic groundmass to have olivine, Fo₈₅, pyroxene, Fs₁₃Wo₄₆, feldspar, An₇₁, plus interstitial alkali feldspar. Mafic nodules and megacrysts have olivine, Fo_86–90 and pyroxene Fs_6–7.5Wo_45–46; Al₂O₃ 2.5–4 wt.%.The Rio Grande rise rocks have compositional characteristics of an alkalic basaltic suite, and not of mid-ocean ridge tholeiite. Based on mineral compositions, nodules and megacrysts in basalt are interpreted as cognate inclusions. Because oceanic alkalic basaltic rocks are almost invariably associated with islands and seamounts, the Rio Grande rise probably represents a series of alkalic-basalt islands that formed and eventually subsided during rifting of the South Atlantic; the dredged volcanic breccias are probably slump deposits from those volcanoes. This interpretation lends support to the Rio Grande rise having formed at a hot spot, but the possibility of alkalic rocks having formed along fracture zones should not be discounted.     

Chromian spinel lamellae in olivine from the Iwanai-dake peridotite mass,Hokkaido, Japan

Lamellar inclusions of chromian spinel (Cr/Cr + Al> 0.7), clinopyroxene and chromian spinel-clinopyroxene symplectite occur in olivines from alpine-type peridotites which have equilibrated at relatively low temperature (<700°C). They occur most commonly in dunite with very magnesian olivine (Fo₉₃ to Fo₉₅) and discrete grains of Cr-rich spinel. Olivine which initially equilibrated with magnesian and Cr-rich liquid had contained small amounts of calcium and trivalent chromium in the octahedral site, and lamellar chromian spinel and diopsidic clinopyroxene exsolved during the annealing process. The ordinary depletion of chromium or absence of chromian spinel lamellae in olivines in igneous rocks may be partly due to the effective exclusion of chromium from olivine upon cooling.     

The influence of oxidation state on the electrical conductivity of olivine

The electrical conductivity of a single crystal of San Carlos olivine (Fo₉₂, 0.16 wt.% Fe₂O₃) has been measured as a function of temperature and oxygen fugacity (fO₂). After heating to 1338°C at fO₂ = 10^?12 atm., the conductivity at 950°C was 10^?5 (ohm-m)^?1, almost 3 orders of magnitude less than that measured in air. This decrease is due to the reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺. Further heating to 1500°C at fO₂ = 10^?14 atm., decreased the electrical conductivity at 950°C to 10^?6 (ohm-m)^?1. When recovered at room temperature, the speciment had Fo₉₆ composition and contained small, opaque blebs distributed throughout the crystal. Derivations of temperature profiles for the earth's mantle from conductivity-depth models must take account of the important role played by iron oxidation state in the electrical conductivity of olivine.     

Composition,temperature, and thickness of the lithosphere of the Archean Kaapvaal craton

A new model is proposed for the structure of the Kaapvaal craton lithosphere. Based on chemical thermodynamics methods, profiles of the chemical composition, temperature, density, and S wave velocities are constructed for depths of 100–300 km. A solid-state zone of lower velocities is discovered on the S velocity profile in the depth interval 150–260 km. The temperature profiles are obtained from absolute values of P and S velocities, taking into account phase transformations, anharmonicity, and anelastic effects. The examination of the sensitivity of seismic models to the chemical composition showed that relatively small variations in the composition of South African xenoliths result in lateral temperature variations of ～200°C. Inversion of some seismic profiles (including IASP91) with a fixed bulk composition of garnet peridotites (the primitive mantle material) leads to a temperature inversion at depths of 200–250 km, which is physically meaningless. It is supposed that the temperature inversion can be removed by gradual fertilization of the mantle with depth. In this case, the craton lithosphere should be stratified in chemical composition. The depleted lithosphere composed by garnet peridotites exists to depths of 175–200 km. The lithospheric material at depths of 200–250 km is enriched in basaltoid components (FeO, Al₂O₃, and CaO) as compared with the material of garnet peridotites but is depleted in the same components as compared with the fertile substance of the underlying primitive mantle. The material composing the craton root at a depth of ～275 km does not differ in its physical and chemical characteristics from the composition of the normal mantle, and this allows one to estimate the thickness of the lithosphere at 275 km. The results of this work are compared with data of seismology, thermal investigations, and thermobarometry.     

A petrogenetic study of the garnet pyroxenite enclaves in spinel peridotite,North Dabieshan,China

Recently, garnet pyroxenite enclaves within peridotites occurring near Raobazhai, Huoshan County, have been discovered. The garnet pyroxenite is small pods, decimeters in size, enclosed within intensively serpentinized peridotites. Major mineral components comprise: garnet (Prp_25–35), sodium augite (Jd_10–25) with a small amount of ilmenite. There are two stages of retrometamorphism: the retrogressive granulite facies mineral assemblage is superimposed by that of amphibolite facies. The host rocks of the garnet pyroxenite are spinel peridotites, including spinel harzburgite and lherzolite. Due to intensive serpentinitization, only 5%–40% of the relic olivine (Fo_92–93) are preserved. The orthopyroxenes are Mg-rich (En_87–93) with bending of cleavages and granulation at their margins showing intracrystalline plasticity. On the basis of garnet-clinopyroxene Fe−Mg exchange equilibrium geothermometry proposed by Ellis & Green (1979) and Krogh (1988)K _D=4.06–5.28;T=793–919°C,P=1.5 GPa are estimated for the garnet pyroxenite. It is inferred that the peridotites are mantle rocks about 60 km in depth. During the exhumation of the orogenic belt, it was tectonically emplaced into the lower crust in the solid state and then uplifted to the shallow depth. Obviously, this kind of garnet pyroxenite must be petrogenetically related to its host rock. The REE distribution pattern and the Ni−Co−Sc diagram reveal that they are chemically equivalent to the basaltic melt and ultramafic residua respectively derived from partial melting of mantle rocks.

     

Effects of stress reduction on geomechanical and acoustic relationship of overconsolidated sands

Relationship between different geomechanical and acoustic properties measured from seven laboratory-tested unconsolidated natural sands with different mineralogical compositions and textures were presented. The samples were compacted in the uniaxial strain configuration from 0.5 to 30 MPa effective stress. Each sand sample was subjected to three loading–unloading cycles to study the influence of stress reduction. Geomechanical, elastic and acoustic parameters are different between normal compaction and overconsolidation (unloaded and reloaded). Stress path (K₀) data differ between normal consolidated and overconsolidated sediments. The K₀ value of approximately 0.5 is founded for most of the normal consolidated sands, but varies during unloading depending on mineral compositions and textural differences. The K₀ and overconsolidation ratio relation can be further simplified and can be influenced by the material compositions. K₀ can be used to estimate horizontal stress for drilling applications. The relationship between acoustic velocity and geomechanical is also found to be different between loading and unloading conditions. The static moduli of the overconsolidated sands are much higher than normal consolidated sands as the deformation is small (small strain). The correlation between dynamic and static elastic moduli is stronger for an overconsolidation stage than for a normal consolidation stage. The results of this study can contribute to geomechanical and acoustic dataset which can be applied for many seismic-geomechanics applications in shallow sands where mechanical compaction is the dominant mechanism.     

A petrogenetic study of the garnet pyroxenite enclaves in spinel peridotite,North Dabieshan,China

Recently, garnet pyroxenite enclaves within peridotites occurring near Raobazhai, Huoshan County, have been discovered. The garnet pyroxenite is small pods, decimeters in size, enclosed within intensively serpentinized peridotites. Major mineral components comprise: garnet (Prp_25–35), sodium augite (Jd_10–25) with a small amount of ilmenite. There are two stages of retrometamorphism: the retrogressive granulite facies mineral assemblage is superimposed by that of amphibolite facies. The host rocks of the garnet pyroxenite are spinel peridotites, including spinel harzburgite and lherzolite. Due to intensive serpentinitization, only 5%–40% of the relic olivine (Fo_92–93) are preserved. The orthopyroxenes are Mg-rich (En_87–93) with bending of cleavages and granulation at their margins showing intracrystalline plasticity. On the basis of garnet-clinopyroxene Fe?Mg exchange equilibrium geothermometry proposed by Ellis & Green (1979) and Krogh (1988)K _D=4.06–5.28;T=793–919°C,P=1.5 GPa are estimated for the garnet pyroxenite. It is inferred that the peridotites are mantle rocks about 60 km in depth. During the exhumation of the orogenic belt, it was tectonically emplaced into the lower crust in the solid state and then uplifted to the shallow depth. Obviously, this kind of garnet pyroxenite must be petrogenetically related to its host rock. The REE distribution pattern and the Ni?Co?Sc diagram reveal that they are chemically equivalent to the basaltic melt and ultramafic residua respectively derived from partial melting of mantle rocks.     

Origin of high-magnesian andesites in the Setouchi volcanic belt,southwest Japan,I. Petrographical and chemical characteristics

High-magnesian andesites of middle Miocene age occur in southwest Japan, forming an obvious volcanic belt. These andesites have low FeO*/MgO ratios (0.546–0.931), and are rich in Ni (101–312 ppm), Co (30.0–45.1 ppm), and Cr (208–756 ppm). They are relatively aphyric (phenocrysts <10 vol.%), and the phenocrysts of magnesian olivine (～Fo₈₈) are in equilibrium with the host high-magnesian andesite magmas on the basis of the Fe-Mg exchange partitioning. These features suggest that the high-magnesian andesites are not differentiated or accumulative; they appear to represent primary andesites generated in the upper mantle. These southwest Japanese high-magnesian andesites are rich in incompatible elements, and show light rare earth enrichment relative to boninites, suggesting that the former is derived from a less depleted mantle source than the latter.     

Transient and steady-state creep of pure forsterite at low stress

Thirty-one single crystals of synthetic forsterite, Fo₁₀₀, were deformed in 69 compressional creep tests in a 0.1-MPa confining atmosphere of H₂ + Ar. Temperature ranged from 1753 to 2023 K and stress σ (= σ₁ - σ₃) from 1.5 to 37.8 MPa. Steady-state creep under these conditions follows an empirical law of the form: strain rate $\text{?}\text{?}\text{= A}{}_{\mathrm{zigma;}}{}^{\mathrm{n}}\text{exp}\text{(}\text{?Q}\text{RT}\text{)}$ where A, n, and Q are constants. General characteristics of Fo₁₀₀ creep — uniformity of strain, shape change as a function of orientation of σ, relative deformation resistance of different orientations — match those of natural olivine single crystals of composition Fo₉₂. Specific constants in the flow law, however, are distinctly new: for σ oriented along [111]_c (equidistant from the three principal crystallographic axes), values for Fo₁₀₀ are n = 2.9 ± 0.2 and Q = 0.67 ± 0.03 MJ/mol (160 ± 7 kcal/mol). A single law covers the range 3 < σ < 30 MPa and 1753 < T < 1953 K. Steady-state deformation is preceded by a transient period of strain softening. High strain rates at σ ? 10 MPa render the transient barely resolvable; it apparently displaces the steady-state flow law by approximately ?0.5% in strain. At σ ? 7.8 MPa, the amount of strain imparted to a sample of the [101]_c orientation is typically <0.1% after one hour.     

Chemical and isotopic variations in fumarolic discharge and thermal waters at Vulcano Island (Aeolian Islands, Italy) during 1996: evidence of resumed volcanic activity

Gas samples from some fumaroles at ‘La Fossa' crater and Baia di Levante on Vulcano Island and from a diffuse soil gas emission were analysed during 1995–1996, along with water samples from thermal wells in the area of Vulcano Porto. During 1996, we observed a significant increase both in the gas/steam ratio and in the CO₂ concentration, as well as strong variations in δ¹³C_CO2, δD_H2O and δ¹⁸O_H2O of fumarolic gases. These variations are probably related to an increased inflow of deep fluids of magmatic origin. The temperatures of fumaroles did not show remarkable variations except for fumarole F11. In this case, temperature increased by about 80°C from February to August 1996. During the same period, remarkable variations in temperature, phreatic level and chemical and isotopic composition of water were also recorded in one of the geothermal wells in the Vulcano Porto area (Camping Sicilia; T60°C). The observed variations in this well are probably related to a pressure build-up, occurring at least in the surficial part of the system, because of increased gas flux and/or decreased permeability of the fumarolic degassing system. Chemical and isotopic composition of the water showed that during this evolutionary phase, the content of fumarolic condensate in this well was about 80 to 90%. Based on the observation of physical and chemical variables of the Camping Sicilia fluids, during this phase of activity, it is concluded that this area is affected by a phreatic eruption hazard if a volcanic episode with high energy discharge in a limited time span occurs. It follows that this well may be considered as a preferential point for volcanic activity monitoring, both in the case of normal routine surveillance and in the case of inaccessibility to the crater area.     

Petrogenesis of basalts from the project FAMOUS area: experimental study from 0 to 15 kbars

Tholeiitic basalt glasses from the FAMOUS area of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are among the most primitive basaltic liquids reported from the ocean basins. One of the more primitive of these[Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) = 0.68;Ni= 232ppm;TiO₂ = 0.61] glasses (572-1-1) was selected for an experimental investigation. This study found olivine to be the liquidus phase from 1 atm to 10.5 kbar where it is replaced by clinopyroxene. The sequence of appearance of phases at 1 atm pressure is olivine (1268°C), plagioclase (1235°C) and clinopyroxene (1135°C). The sample is multiply saturated at 10.5 kbar with olivine (Fo₈₈), clinopyroxene (Wo₃₂En₆₀Fs₉), and orthopyroxene (Wo₅En₈₃Fs₁₂). From the 1-atm data we have measured (FeO/MgO) olivine/(FeO*/MgO) liquid (K′_D) for olivine-melt pairs equilibrated at 12 temperatures in the range 1268–1205°C.K′_D varies from 0.30 at 1205°C to 0.27 at 1268°C. Analysis of high-pressure olivine melt pairs indicates a systematic increase inK′_D with pressure.Evaluation of the 1-atm experiments reveals that fractionation of olivine followed by olivine + plagioclase can generate much of the variation in major element chemistry observed in the FAMOUS basalt glasses. However, it cannot account for the entire spectrum of glass compositions — particularly with respect to TiO₂ and Na₂O. The variations in these components are such as to require different primary liquids.Comparison of clinopyroxene microphenocrysts/xenocrysts found in oceanic tholeiites with experimental clinopyroxenes reveal that the majority of those in the tholeiites may have crystallized from the magma at pressures greater than ～ 10 kbar and are not accidental xenocrysts. Clinopyroxene fractionation at high pressures may be a viable mechanism for fractionating basaltic magmas.The major and minor element mineral/meltK′_d's from our experiments have been used to model the source region residual mineralogy for given percentages of partial melting. These data suggest that ～20% partial melting of a lherzolite source containing 0–10% clinopyroxene can generate the major and minor element concentrations in the parental magmas of the Project FAMOUS basalt glasses.     

Magma-reservoir crystallization processes: small-scale dikes in cumulate gabbros, Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawaii

 Gabbroic xenoliths that represent cumulate environments within Mauna Kea Volcano are, in rare examples, penetrated by small-scale (<7 cm) dikes. We examined four dike/host composite xenoliths to establish how this evidence for magma seemingly injected into cumulate gabbro fits into the evolution of igneous processes in shield volcano magma reservoirs. Olivine, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase compositions in both host gabbros and dikes are characteristically tholeiitic and evolved (Fo_71–66, cpx-Mg # 79–77, An_72–51) with respect to Hawaiian magmatism. Dikes, however, when compared with their host gabbros, have slightly greater abundances of some incompatible elements and slightly more evolved olivine compositions (e.g., Fo₆₈ vs Fo₇₁₎. Compared with Mauna Kea lava compositions, both host gabbros and dikes have lower incompatible-element abundances, positive Eu anomalies, and, notable for dikes, major-element compositions unlike those of lavas (e.g., SiO₂<46 wt.%). The small-scale dikes, therefore, also have cumulate characteristics. We interpret them as representing late-stage liquids (e.g., <5 wt.% MgO, based on <Fo₇₀) "squeezed" from solidifying cumulus piles of evolved (e.g., ∼Fo₇₀) gabbroic assemblages. The compositions of the dikes, however, do not match those of the most evolved liquids expected in reservoirs because they appear to have lost interstitial liquids (e.g., positive Eu anomalies, low abundances of some trace elements). Because minerals in the dikes were in equilibrium with highly evolved liquids, conditions for small-scale dike formation in cumulate environments apparently occur only at the last stages of reservoir magma differentiation and solidification. Received: 25 February 1997 / Accepted: 14 June 1997     

Paleomagnetic results from the Narosura and Magadi volcanics of Kenya

Results of a paleomagnetic study carried out on the exposed volcanic rocks on the western side of the South Kenya Rift Valley are presented. Nine stratigraphic groups ranging in age from Miocene to Pleistocene were sampled. The rocks consist of basalts, trachytes, nephelinites, melanephelinites, olivine melanephelinites and ignimbrites. Paleomagnetic poles obtained for different age ranges are as follows: Period I (0.64–0.72 Ma), 116°E, 85°N (A₉₅ = 6°); Period II (1.6–6.9 Ma), 297°E, 84°N (A₉₅ = 4°); Period III (12.0–15.0 Ma), 34°E, 80°N (A₉₅ = 9°). The results for Period II show large secular variations which are in disagreement with the model predictions for near-equatorial sites.     

Petrography and geochemistry of upper Triassic sandstones from the Tumengela Formation in the Woruo Mountain area,North Qiangtang Basin,Tibet: Implications for provenance,source area weathering,and tectonic setting

The petrography and major and trace element concentrations of the sandstones from the Tumengela Formation in the Woruo Mountain area, North Qiangtang Basin, are studied to determine their provenance, intensity of weathering and tectonic setting. The detrital compositions of the Tumengela sandstone samples are dominated by quartz (58.0–70.1 %, average 64.7 %) and lithic fragments (21.8–35.9 %, average 27.3 %), but low in feldspar content (4.9–12.9 %, average 8.0 %). The sandstones can be classified as litharenite and feldspathic litharenite according to their detrital compositions, which is consistent with the geochemical data. The detrital modal compositions reflect that these sandstones are probably derived from a recycled orogenic source. The index of chemical variability (ICV) and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio values suggest that the compositional maturity and recycling were moderate. The weathering indices such as the chemical index of alteration (CIA), plagioclase index of alteration (PIA), chemical index of weathering (CIW), and Al₂O₃–(CaO* + Na₂O)–K₂O (A–CN–K) diagram indicate that the intensities of weathering in the source area were moderate. The Al₂O₃/TiO₂, Th/Co, La/Sc, La/Co, Th/Sc, Cr/Th ratio values and the discriminant function of the Tumengela sandstones indicate that the sediments were mainly derived from felsic source rocks, while also mixed with intermediate source rocks. The comparison of rare earth element patterns and its Eu anomalies to the probable source rocks infer that the sandstones were derived from the combination of granite, rhyolite, dacite, and gneisses. The proximal central uplift belt was probably the primary provenance area as evidenced by the petrographical and geochemical features of the Tumengela sandstones. The multidimensional tectonic discrimination diagram based on major elements show a collision setting (80 %) combined with a rift setting (20 %) for the Tumengela sandstones, which is consistent with the general geology of the study areas.