Trace elements in alkali basalts and their inclusions in the Dariganga area,Mongolia

Alkali basalts of Dariganga contain inclusions of dunite, harzburgite, peridotite, and eclogite-like rock. The dunites and peridotites contain few trace elements, but these are somewhat more abundant in the eclogite-like rock, and the alkali basalts are rather rich in them. The trace elements show a more or less continuous change in abundance that can be related by recognized crystal-chemical laws to the major elements of the minerals that are present in the various rock types. Hypotheses for the origin of basaltic magma are discussed in relation to the trace-element distribution in the Dariganga rocks, but it is concluded that the available evidence does not permit any definite decision as to which is correct.     

Geochemistry of peridotite xenoliths in alkali basalts from Jeju Island, Korea

Abstract   Ultramafic xenoliths in alkali basalts from Jeju Island, Korea, are mostly spinel lherzolites with subordinate amounts of spinel harzburgites and pyroxenites. The compositions of major oxides and compatible to moderately incompatible elements of the Jeju peridotite xenoliths suggest that they are residues after various extents of melting. The estimated degrees of partial melting from compositionally homogeneous and unfractionated mantle to form the residual xenoliths reach 30%. However, their complex patterns of chondrite-normalized rare earth element, from light rare earth element (LREE)-depleted through spoon-shaped to LREE-enriched, reflect an additional process. Metasomatism by a small amount of melt/fluid enriched in LREE followed the former melt removal, which resulted in the enrichment of the incompatible trace elements. Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of the Jeju xenoliths display a wide scatter from depleted mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB)-like to near bulk-earth estimates along the MORB–oceanic island basalt (OIB) mantle array. The varieties in modal proportions of minerals, (La/Yb)_N ratio and Sr-Nd isotopes for the xenoliths demonstrate that the lithospheric mantle beneath Jeju Island is heterogeneous. The heterogeneity is a probable result of its long-term growth and enrichment history.     

Spinel peridotite xenoliths in the West Carpathian late cenozoic alkali basalts and their tectonic significance

In the Late Cenozoic West Carpatian alkali olivine basalts spinel peridotite xenoliths have been found. Their mineral composition corresponds to those found in this type of xenoliths in alkali basalts throughout the world (Mg-rich olivine, Cr-diopside, clinopyroxene, spinel). For the studied West Carpathian alkali olivine basalts kaersutite amphibole and clinopyroxene magacrysts are characteristic. The presence of the xenoliths under consideration in the boundary zone between Tatra and Pannonian blocks is the consequence of tectonic conditions (thickness of the Crust) in the area mentioned as distinct from the other West Carpathian areas of alkali olivine basalt occurrences.     

Hot-spots,mantle plumes and a model for the origin of ultramafic xenoliths in alkali basalts

The Wilson-Morgan hypothesis of hot-spots, characterized by high heat flow, positive gravity anomaly and alkalic volcanism, assumes that such hot-spots are surface expressions of mantle plumes rising by thermal convection. Possible evidence of this mantle upwelling is shown here from textural, structural and chemical aspects of ultramafic xenoliths in alkalic basalts. The xenolith-bearing basalts are constanly associated with Wilson-Morgan hot-spots in the ocean basins and with their continental counterparts in the rift valleys which show extensional tectonics. Most of the xenoliths are considered to be accidental fragments of the lithosphere in the host basalts. One remarkable aspect of xenoliths from all parts of the world is their ubiquitous tectonite fabric. The microstructures of these xenoliths are due to plastic deformation. Some of the xenoliths from Baja California show characteristic deformational features which are also found in the marginal parts of diapirically intruded high-temperature peridotite massifs. A model is proposed for the origin of xenoliths in alkalic basalts by mantle upwelling in which the plastic deformation of the xenoliths reflects this dynamic uprise.     

Mineralogy,chemistry and crystallization sequence of clay minerals in altered tholeiitic basalts from the Peru Trench

Petrographic examination of amygdules and veins associated with moderately altered pillow basalts dredged from the Peru Trench has revealed that a consistent pattern of mineral crystallization has occurred. This sequence is: (1) green, weakly pleochroic clay (R.I. > 1.56); (2) dark yellowish brown, non-pleochroic clay (R.I. > 1.56); (3) light yellowish brown to colorless, fibrous, weakly pleochroic clay (R.I. < 1.56); and (4) calcite or celadonite. Chemical and X-ray diffraction analyses suggest that all clay mineral amygdule and vein fillings are dominated by intimate mixtures of an Fe-rich saponite and nontronite with very small admixtures of serpentine and illite. It is argued that sequential mineral fillings of fractures and vesicles may provide significant information about the chemistry of circulating interstitial fluids. For the pillow basalts studied the first-formed clays were enriched in nontronite, thereby suggesting Fe-rich fluids. These in turn were followed by saponite-rich clays and calcite. The change from Fe-and Mg-rich fluids to dominantly Ca-rich fluids is thought to correspond to a change from mafic mineral alteration to plagioclase alteration in the pillow basalts. An increase in the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio of clays toward the centers of vesicles may indicate a change toward a more oxidizing environment of alteration.     

Petrogenesis of anhydrous clinopyroxenite xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts in alkali basalts from the Ganseong area of South Korea

Late Cenozoic alkali basalts in the Ganseong area of South Korea contain abundant ultramafic xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts. Anhydrous clinopyroxene‐rich wehrlite–clinopyroxenites make up the majority of the xenolith population and range from wehrlite through olivine clinopyroxenite to clinopyroxenite. This study investigates the petrogenesis of wehrlite–clinopyroxenite xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts on the basis of petrography and mineral and whole‐rock chemistry. Observations such as an absence of carbonate or apatite, high Ti/Eu ratio, and clinopyroxene‐dominated mineralogy lead us to rule out peridotite–melt reactions as the origin of the Ganseong wehrlites– olivine clinopyroxenites. The whole‐rock compositions (e.g. high abundance of CaO at a given MgO content and low abundance of incompatible elements, such as U, K, P, and Ti compared with mafic melts) indicate that the pyroxenites do not represent crystallized magma itself, but are rather cumulates with a small amount of residual liquid. Anhydrous and orthopyroxene‐free mineral assemblages, crystallization sequence of olivine→clinopyroxene→plagioclase, and mineral chemistries (e.g. low Cr# and high TiO₂ abundances in spinels and high TiO₂ and Na₂O abundances in clinopyroxenes at a given Mg#) suggest that relatively anhydrous intraplate alkaline basalt is the most likely candidate for the parent magma. Texture and compositions of the clinopyroxene megacrysts preclude a cognate origin via high‐pressure crystallization of the host magma. The clinopyroxene megacrysts occupy the Fe‐rich end of the compositional trends defined by wehrlite–pyroxenite clinopyroxenes. Progressive decreases in Mg# and an absence of significant compositional gaps between pyroxenite xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts indicate fractionation and differentiation of a similar parental magma. We suggest that the clinopyroxene megacrysts represent fragments of pegmatitic clinopyroxenites crystallized from more advanced fractionation stages of the evolution of a series of magmatic liquids formed Ganseong wehrlite–clinopyroxenites.     

The Harrat Al-Birk basalts in southwest Saudi Arabia:characteristic alkali mafic magmatism related to Red Sea rifting

Harrat Al-Birk volcanics are products of the Red Sea rift in southwest Saudi Arabia that started in the Tertiary and reached its climax at ~ 5 Ma.This volcanic field is almost monotonous and is dominated by basalts that include mafic-ultramafic mantle xenoliths(gabbro,websterite,and garnet-clinopyroxenite).The present work presents the first detailed petrographic and geochemical notes about the basalts.They comprise vesicular basalt,porphyritic basalt,and flow-textured basalt,in addition to red and black scoria.Geochemically,the volcanic rock varieties of the Harrat Al-Birk are low- to medium-Ti,sodic-alkaline olivine basalts with an enriched oceanic island signature but extruded in a within-plate environment.There is evidence of formation by partial melting with a sort of crystal fractionation dominated by clinopyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides.The latter have abundant titanomagnetite and lesser ilmenite.There is a remarkable enrichment of light rare earth elements and depletion in Ba,Th and K,Ta,and Ti.The geochemical data in this work suggest Harrat Al-Birk basalts represent products of watersaturated melt that was silica undersaturated.This melt was brought to the surface through partial melting of asthenospheric upper mantle that produced enriched oceanic island basalts.Such partial melting is the result of subducted continental mantle lithosphere with considerable mantle metasomatism of subducted oceanic lithosphere that might contain hydrous phases in its peridotites.The fractional crystallization process was controlled by significant separation of clinopyroxene followed by amphiboles and Fe-Ti oxides,particularly ilmenite.Accordingly,the Harrat Al-Birk alkali basalts underwent crystal fractionation that is completely absent in the exotic mantle xenoliths(e.g.Nemeth et al.in The Pleistocene Jabal Akwa A1 Yamaniah maar/tuff ring-scoria cone complex as an analogy for future phreatomagmatic to magmatic explosive eruption scenarios in the Jizan Region,SW Saudi Arabia 2014).     

The subcontinental versus suboceanic debate,I Lead-neodymium-strontium isotopes in primary alkali basalts from a shield area the Ahaggar volcanic suite

Pb, Nd and Sr isotopic compositions have been determined in lherzolite-xenolith-bearing alkali-basalts from the center of the African shield. The present data are very similar to those reported for ocean-island basalts and do not support the hypothesis of different mantle sources for alkali-basalts from continental and oceanic areas. From these observations and on the basis of data obtained for xenolith in kimberlite and for tholeiitic continental basalts one may infer the following terrestrial mantle structure: whereas oceanic tholeiites would originate in upper oceanic mantle, oceanic and continental alkali basalts would come from the lower mantle and tholeiitic continental basalts from the continental lithosphere.     

Petrology and geochemistry of alkali basalts and ultramafic inclusions from the palei-aike volcanic field in Southern Chile and the origin of the patagonian plateau lavas

The Palei-Aike volcanic field, the southernmost unit of the Patagonian plateau lavas, consists of Pleistocene to Recent alkali olivine basalts petrologically and geochemically similar to alkali basalts from diverse tectonic environments. The Palei-Aike basalts have lower SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ and higher TiO₂ and P₂O₃ than published analyses of other Patagonian plateau basalts. Garnet, garnet + spinel-, and phlogopite-peridotites, not reported from other Patagonian plateau lavas or from elsewhere in South America, are common inclusions within Palei-Aike lavas along with spinel-lherzolite, dunite, granulites, and aluminous clinopyroxene megacrysts. The inclusion of these high-pressure assemblages indicates a mantle origin for the Palei-Aike lavas. The Patagonian plateau lavas are located in a tectonic position similar to back-arc basins, and their origin may be a consequence of subduction. The origin and distinct chemical features of the Palei-Aike basalts may be due in part to thermal or mechanical perturbations of the mantle related to changes in plate boundaries and motions in the vicinity of the unstable trench-transform triple junction formed by the South American, Antarctic and Scotia plates.     

Some rock magnetic properties of mid-Cretaceous basalts from Israel and India (Rajmahal traps), and their bearing on palaeointensity experiments

A wide range of rock magnetic properties have been determined from two collections of mid-Cretaceous basalts; one from Israel, the other from the Rajmahal traps in northeast India. Deuteric oxidation is rare in both collections, with titanium-rich titanomagnetite being the principal remanence carrier in most cases. There are a number of differences in rock magnetic properties between the two groups. Some of these seem to be primary, whereas others appear to be caused by hydrothermal alteration and weathering, which are more prevalent in the Indian rocks. These rocks are being used in palaeointensity experiments, from which it is hoped to determine the strength of the Earth's magnetic field during the long period of normal polarity in the mid-Cretaceous. Thellier palaeointensity experiments have been performed on two samples from each site. The degree of agreement between the two results is highly variable. The low blocking temperatures and the presence of secondary viscous components in many samples make Thellier palaeointensity experiments very difficult. A further problem is that of thermal alteration, two main types of which are observed. The first manifests itself as a large and sudden increase in partial thermoremanent magnetization (pTRM) capacity, and the second as a steady decrease in the size of pTRM with increasing temperature.     

Giant phenocryst basalts in the deccan trap

This paper gives an account of some unusual porphyritic basalts containing very large phenocrysts of plagioclase, averaging from 3 cm to 5 cm in length, and at places as large as 10 to 12 cm in length. These flows have been noticed at more than 20 localities, spread all over Western Maharashtra, occurring between levels of 100 feet below sea level (seen in a drill-core) and an elevation of more than 4000 feet above sea level. They appear to have a considerable lateral extent, some of them having been observed to extend for more than ten miles. In vertical extent, the flows were found to vary from 40 to 150 feet. The giant phenocrysts commonly show cross-twinning. In some flows due to repeated cross-twinning they give star shaped appearance. At places they also occur in clusters. In portions of some flows the tablets seem to have settled at the bottom and are seen in horizontal positions. In hydrothermally altered portions of some flows the phenocrysts are altered and in some patches seem to have been completely destroyed. As a rule, the plagioclase weathers more quickly than the ground mass producing a very characteristic pitted appearance. Some flows seem to have contained large crystals of olivine which have been altered to iddingsite. Highly vesicular and amygdaloidal giant phenocrvst basalts are also met with.     

Partial melting controls on the northwest Kyushu basalts from Saga-Futagoyama

Abstract   The major element and compatible trace element compositions of the northwest Kyushu basalts (NWKBs) collected from Saga-Futagoyama were analyzed to examine the petrogenesis of these basalts. Although nepheline-normative alkaline basalts are not found in the basalts from Saga-Futagoyama, the Saga-Futagoyama basalts almost cover the major element variations of NWKBs. The basalts can be chemically divided into two groups: an Fe-poor group (IPG) and an Fe-rich group (IRG). The compositional variation of IPG basalts is essentially controlled by the partial melting of the source as suggested by the following: (i) bulk rock MgO, FeO and NiO compositions indicate that some IPG samples were equilibrated with mantle olivine; and (ii) correlations between Al₂O₃, CaO and MgO are consistent with those of experimental partial melts of peridotites. The inconsistent behaviors of the elements compatible with clinopyroxene (Cpx), such as V (Sc and Cu), preclude the significant role of the fractional crystallization of Cpx and spinel in IPG variation. IPG basalts have low Al and high Fe concentrations compared to the products of melting experiments involving peridotites and pyroxenites, suggesting that the IPG source would have a lithology and bulk rock composition different from those of typical peridotites and pyroxenites. IRG basalts have negative correlations between Fe₂O₃* and MgO, and between V and Fe₂O₃*/MgO, indicating that IRG basalts would have fractionated Cpx. However, the anomalously Fe-rich feature of IRG basalts compared with NWKBs collected from other areas suggests that the role of Cpx fractionation in NWKBs is minor. Relatively low melting temperatures would have principally caused the large chemical variation of NWKBs.     

Nd and Sr isotope geochemistry of hydrous mantle nodules and their host alkali basalts: implications for local heterogeneities in metasomatically veined mantle

Nd and Sr isotopic data on pargasite Iherzolite inclusions, kaersutite megacrysts and their host alkali basalts are presented here to clarify some questions regarding isotopic equilibration during mantle metasomatism and the role of metasomatism in basalt genesis. Five alkali basalts from Nunivak Island within the Aleutian back-arc basin, have⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.70251–0.70330 and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of 0.51289–0.51304. On a Nd versus Sr isotope composition diagram the basalts overlap the fields of MORB and ocean island basalts. Pargasites and mica separated from hydrous nodules found in these basalts have a range in⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70256–0.70337 but identical¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of 0.51302. The metasomatic fluid represented by the pargasite is in isotopic equilibrium, both for Sr and Nd, with the dry mantle as represented by diopside. Eight alkali basalts from the Ataq diatreme, South Yemen, have⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr range of 0.70335–0.70426 and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd range of 0.51252–0.51305. On a Nd versus Sr isotope composition diagram the basalts from Ataq plot in two distinct fields, (1) within the field of ocean island basalts, and (2) within the range of continental rift basalts but to the left of the Nd-Sr correlation line, somewhat similar to the Skye and Oslo rift basalts. Diopside and pargasite separated from three nodules at Ataq have a more complex history than those at Nunivak. Two nodules contain pargasite and diopside with identical⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios but different¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios. A third nodule contains diopside with a¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio similar to that of other diopsides.The Nunivak basalts are derived from a source with a time-integrated light-REE depletion, in contrast to the light-REE-enriched nature of the basanites. This is best explained by a recent metasomatic event in the source region which increased the LIL element content of the peridotite thus accommodating higher degrees of melting. The Ataq volcanic rocks seem to tap different sources characterized by both light-REE enrichment and depletion, in contrast to the uniform source of the Nunivak basanites. Production of the Ataq basanites is believed to involve anataxis of metasomatically veined continental mantle where local mantle heterogeneities survived the melting event.     

Study on lithogeochemistry of Middle Jurassic basalts from southern China represented by the Fankeng basalts from Yongding of Fujian Province

There exists an E-W trending Middle Jurassic volcanic zone in southern China. The Fankeng basalts in the Yongding basin of Fujian Province are considered to be a typical example. The Fankeng basalts have TiO2 contents in the range of 1.92%-3.21%. They are classified as high-Ti basalts. They also have higher total Fe (averaging FeO* = 11.09%). The Middle Jurassic Fankeng basalts from southwestern Fujian have obvious distinctive lithogeochemical features from early Cre- taceous basalts from southeastern coast of China. They have higher HFSE, such as Th, Nb, Ta, Zr and Ti. Their element ratios related with HFSE, such as Zr/Ba, La/Nb, La/Ta ,Zr/Y, Ti/Y, Ba/Nb, K/Ti and Rb/Zr are similar to those of OIB. The most samples have ε Nd(T) of-0.70-0.24, which are near chondrite. Some samples have higher ε Nd(T) of 1.87-3.55.Therefore, these basaltic magmas might be derived from depleted asthenospheric mantle. The lithogeochemical characteristics of the Fankeng basalts may be caused by interaction between asthenosphere and lithosphere at the time. The (Early-) Middle Jurassic basalts and gabbros from southeastern Hunan, southern Jiangxi and northern Guangdong provinces show similar geochemical features to those of the Fankeng basalts from the Yongding of Fujian. Occurrence of these OIB-type basalts in the area may be regarded as the petrological mark of upwelling of asthenosphere at the time. Upwelling of asthenosphere has led to tectonic extension and the formation of rifted basin in the area.     

Fractional crystallization in open systems of variable composition: Correlations between element concentrations

Fractional crystallization in open systems is modelled in a general mathematical form. The estimation of element concentrations in liquid and solid phases is done by means of a system of coupled nonlinear first order differential equations. With special, physically founded assumptions on distribution coefficients and source terms in the equations several special cases can be derived which are known in the literature.As an application, correlations between solid-phase concentrations of major elements, trace elements and isotopes are derived which can be used for the interpretation of geological processes. Especially the changes of strontium and rubidium concentrations of magmatic rocks are discussed in the progression of magma differentiation. In a second example the evolution of trace elements in the West-Erzgebirge (G.D.R.) as an open crystallizing magmatic system is discussed.     

Strontium isotopes in basalts from the Pacific Ocean basin

Basalts being erupted in the Pacific Ocean Basin vary in Sr isotopic composition in a simple geographic pattern. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr increases away from the East Pacific Rise to very high values for islands in the south-central Pacific. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr variations are almost certainly related to past segregation of Rb, K, and other large cations. The segregation process was probably incipient partial melting which resulted in various mantle zones being enriched or depleted.     

Triple oxygen isotope constraints on the origin of ocean island basalts

Understanding the origin of ocean island basalts(OIB) has important bearings on Earth's deep mantle.Although it is widely accepted that subducted oceanic crust, as a consequence of plate tectonics, contributes material to OIB's formation, its exact fraction in OIB's mantle source remains ambiguous largely due to uncertainties associated with existing geochemical proxies. Here we show, through theoretical calculation, that unlike many known proxies, triple oxygen isotope compositions(i.e.D^(17 )O) in olivine samples are not affected by crystallization and partial melting. This unique feature, therefore, allows olivine D^(17 )O values to identify subducted oceanic crusts in OIB's mantle source. Furthermore, the fractions of subducted ocean sediments and hydrothermally altered oceanic crust in OIB's mantle source can be quantified using their characteristic D^(17 )O values. Based on published D^(17 )O data, we estimated the fraction of subducted oceanic crust to be as high as 22.3% in certain OIB, but the affected region in the respective mantle plume is likely to be limited.     

An experiment on the magnetic hysteresis and remanence of Rajmahal basalts

Summary Hysteresis curves of Rajmahal Trap basalts in Bihar are drawn and their coercivities obtained. The experimental arrangements and the procedure are described. The initial remanent magnetisation curves of the specimens are also drawn with the help of the same arrangement. Coercive forces of the rock specimens tested range from 70 to 237 oersteds. The values of saturation magnetisation and remanent magnetisation of two typical specimens are also given.     

Comments on petrogeneses and the tectonic setting of Columbia River basalts

Data on major and a few trace element contents for specimens of five formational-scale units of the Columbia River Basalt Group are reviewed and compared with those for other flood basalts and the Chyulu basalts of Kenya. Flows of the Grande Ronde Formation, which constitutes more than two-thirds by volume of the Columbia River Basalt Group, in several respects resemble calc-alkaline rocks, and they plot in the field for magmas erupted at destructive plate margins on a ThHfTa diagram. These features of Grande Ronde flows may be related to the anomalous setting of the Columbia River Basalt Group as a whole. Calc-alkaline characteristics are exhibited by other flood basalts but rarely to the degree shown by Grande Ronde flows. Few if any of the Columbia River basalts represent primary magmas. Rather, they generally have been affected by multi-stage fractionation, and perhaps also by interaction with lower crustal rocks. Their compositions also may reflect partial melting of fragments of subducted lithospheric slabs.     

Mineralogical and textural studies on basalts in parts of malwa plateau

Malwa plateau is composed mainly of basalt traps. The basalt flows are of uniform character and the total thickness varies from 50 m to 135 m. A number of flows have been identified, indicating breaks in the continuity of the eruptions. The breaks were of shorter nature as evidenced by the presence of thin discontinuous bands of intertrappean sediments. The trap maintains a uniform horizontal attitude with well developed joints and is sometimes scoriaceous. Petrographically, these basalts are divisible into porphyritic, massive and vesicular types. The rock types are composed essentially of plagioclase, pyroxene, iron ore and glass. Stray occurrences of olivine have been noted from the lower section of the flows. The plagioclase ranges in composition between An 59 and An 68 and the pyroxene is diopsidic augite. The rocks are fine grained, aphanitic showing porphyritic, glomeroporphyritic, intergranular, micro-ophitic and flow textures. It is concluded that the lava flowed out quietly, in some cases through fissures, and that the area is away from the main centres of differentiation.