Petrogenesis of acid rocks of the deccan traps

The acid rocks of the Deccan Traps including microgranites, felsites, rhyolites and related rocks are contined to tectonically weak zones in Western India. The significance of their distribution is discussed and the opinions expressed on the genesis of the rocks are critically reviewed. In their formation, fractional crystallization of tholeiitie basalt magma, which is supposed to be the parental one, was aided in certain localities by the melting of the sialic crust and assimilation or partial melting of the pre-Deccan Trap rocks. Evidence for the latter is found in the gradational contacts of the acid rocks with the earlier rocks, their association with cruptive centres or faulted zones and absence of any definite trend of variation in petrographical and chemical characters. Some of the rhyolitic rocks are also formed due to hydrothermal alteration of sedimentaries along the Narmada Valley.     

Mineralogical and geochemical study of a newly discovered mafic granulite, northwest China: Implications for tectonic evolution of the Altay Orogenic Belt

Abstract A mafic granulite body was newly discovered in the Altay Orogenic Belt, northwest China. The rocks comprise a suite of coarse‐grained and fine‐grained granulites. Orthopyroxenes (hypersthenes) in the rocks have high X_Mg and low Al₂O₃ contents, whereas clinopyroxenes have low TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents. Amphiboles and biotites have a high Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺) ratio and low contents of F and Cl. The peak metamorphic pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions are estimated as 750–780°C and 6–7 kbar, and retrograde P–T conditions are in the range of 590–620°C and 2.3–3.7 kbar, indicating significant decompression. Metamorphic reactions and P–T estimates define a clockwise P–T path. Geochemically, the rocks are high in Mg/(Mg + Fe) and Al₂O₃, depleted in U, Th, K and Rb, and characterized by light rare earth element enrichment and a weak positive Eu anomaly. The Altay mafic granulite shows depleted Nb, P and Ti contents in the mid‐oceanic ridge basalt normalized spider diagram. The geochemical characteristics suggest that the protolith of the Altay mafic granulite was calc‐alkaline basalt and andesite with an island‐arc affinity. The rock has a high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio with ?Nd(0) > 0, indicating derivation from a mantle‐depleted source. In the present study, a two‐stage model for the evolution of the Altay mafic granulite is proposed: an early stage in which calc‐alkaline basalt and andesite with island‐arc affinity were subducted into a deeper level of the crust and subjected to granulite‐facies metamorphism generating the mafic granulite, followed by the later stage exhumation of the system into the upper crust by the late Paleozoic thrusting.     

The geology of the igneous complex of the Barda hills,saurashtra, Gujarat state (India)

The Barda group of hills represents a centre of laccolithic intrusion. The rocks encountered here are pierite basalt, rhyolite, obsidian, granophyre, felsite, aplite and diorite. There is evidence for both « Fissure Type » and « Central Volcanic Type » of igneous activity in the region, which seem to have occurred in three different phases. The parent magma has been shown to be tholeiitic in composition. The acid rocks may have been formed by crystal fractionation along with diffusion of alkalis and volatiles. The origin of diorite is attributed to a process of hybridization.     

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.     

Delineation of Subtrappean Mesozoic Sediments in Deccan Syneclise, India, Using Travel-Time Inversion of Seismic Refraction and Wide-Angle Reflection Data

2-D shallow velocity structure is derived by travel-time inversion of the first arrival seismic refraction and wide-angle reflection data along the E–W trending Narayanpur–Nandurbar and N–S Kothar–Sakri profiles, located in the Narmada–Tapti region of the Deccan syneclise. Deccan volcanic (Trap) rocks are exposed along the two profiles. Inversion of seismic data reveals two layered velocity structures above the basement along the two profiles. The first layer with a P-wave velocity of 5.15–5.25 km s^?1 and thickness varying from 0.7–1.5 km represents the Deccan Trap formation along the Narayanpur–Nandurbar profile. The Trap layer velocity ranges from 4.5 to 5.20 km s^?1 and the thickness varies from 0.95 to 1.5 km along the Kothar–Sakri profile. The second layer represents the low velocity Mesozoic sediments with a P-wave velocity of 3.5 km s^?1 and thickness ranging from about 0.70 to 1.6 km and 0.55 to 1.1 km along the E–W and N–S profiles, respectively. Presence of a low-velocity zone (LVZ) below the volcanic rocks in the study area is inferred from the travel-time ‘skip’ and amplitude decay of the first arrival refraction data together with the prominent wide-angle reflection phase immediately after the first arrivals from the Deccan Trap formation. The basement with a P-wave velocity of 5.8–6.05 km s^?1 lies at a depth ranging from 1.5 to 2.45 km along the profiles. The velocity models of the profiles are similar to each other at the intersection point. The results indicate the existence of a Mesozoic basin in the Narmada–Tapti region of the Deccan syneclise.     

The basic instrusions at Chirha and Tikwa,Shahdol district,M.P.

While mapping parts of the Shahdol district, the author for the first time noticed a dolerite dyke at Tikwa and a basalt sill at Chirha intrusive into the Gondwanas (Supra-Barakars). Though the dolerite dyke shows no noteworthy features in the field, the sill encloses xenoliths of Supra-Barakar sandstone in its basal portion. The present paper gives an account of the mode of occurrence, petrography and age relationship of these intrusions. The presence of abundant xenocrysts of quartz in the basalt sill leads the author to term it a quartz-xenocryst-basalt. The occurrence of Deccan Trap flows in the close proximity of the intrusions suggest that they may be related to the period of Deccan Trap activity.     

Gravity and magnetic signatures of volcanic plugs related to Deccan volcanism in Saurashtra, India and their physical and geochemical properties

The Bouguer anomaly and the total intensity magnetic maps of Saurashtra have delineated six circular gravity highs and magnetic anomalies of 40-60 mGal (10⁻⁵m/s²) and 800-1000 nT, respectively. Three of them in western Saurashtra coincide with known volcanic plugs associated with Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), while the other three in SE Saurashtra coincide with rather concealed plugs exposed partially. The DVP represents different phases of eruption during 65.5±2.5 Ma from the Reunion plume. The geochemical data of the exposed rock samples from these plugs exhibit a wide variation in source composition, which varies from ultramafic/mafic to felsic composition of volcanic plugs in western Saurashtra and an alkaline composition for those in SE Saurashtra. Detailed studies of granophyres and alkaline rocks from these volcanic plugs reveal a calc-alkaline differentiation trend and a continental tectonic setting of emplacement. The alkaline plugs of SE Saurashtra are associated with NE-SW oriented structural trends, related to the Gulf of Cambay and the Cambay rift basin along the track of the Reunion plume. This indicates a deeper source for these plugs compared to those in the western part and may represent the primary source magma. The Junagadh plug with well differentiated ring complexes in western Saurashtra shows well defined centers of magnetic anomaly while the magnetic anomalies due to other plugs are diffused though of the same amplitude. This implies that other plugs are also associated with mafic/ultramafic components, which may not be differentiated and may be present at subsurface levels. Paleomagnetic measurements on surface rock samples from DVP in Saurashtra suggest a susceptibility of 5.5×10⁻² SI units with an average Koenigsberger ratio (Q_n) of almost one and average direction of remanent magnetization of D=147.4° and I=+56.1°. The virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) position computed from the mean direction of magnetization for the volcanic plugs and Deccan basalt of Saurashtra is 30°N and 74°W, which is close to the VGP position corresponding to the early phases of Deccan eruption. Modeling of gravity and magnetic anomalies along two representative profiles across Junagadh and Barda volcanic plugs suggest a bulk density of 2900 and 2880 kg/m³, respectively and susceptibility of 3.14×10⁻² SI units with a Q_n ratio of 0.56 which are within the range of their values obtained from laboratory measurements on exposed rock samples. The same order of gravity and magnetic anomalies observed over the volcanic plugs of Saurashtra indicates almost similar bulk physical properties for them. The inferred directions of magnetization from magnetic anomalies, however, are D=337° and 340° and I=−38° and −50° which represent the bulk direction of magnetization and also indicate a reversal of the magnetic field during the eruption of these plugs. Some of these plugs are associated with seismic activities of magnitude ≤4 at their contacts. Based on this analysis, other circular/semi-circular gravity highs of NW India can be qualitatively attributed to similar subsurface volcanic plugs.     

Origin of contemporaneous tholeiitic and K-rich alkalic lavas: a case study from the northern Deccan Plateau,India

Concurrently erupted, alternating Deccan Trap flows of tholeiitic and potassic alkalic basalt outcrop along both banks of the Narmada River near Navgam. Nearby, around Rajpipla, early tholeiites are overlain by K-rich alkalic flows and intrusives, which are themselves cut by later tholeiitic dikes. Nd and Sr isotopic ratios of a wide variety of rocks from both areas form a single correlated array, which reflects mixing between positive ε_JUV and negative ε_JUV endmembers. There is an almost complete overlap between values for tholeiitic and alkalic samples; thus, both alkalic and tholeiitic primary magmas must have been produced that were isotopically much alike. A Rajpipla rhyolite also falls on the array, near the midpoint. For positive values of ε_JUV(T) the array is indistinguishable from that defined by the lower group of tholeiites at Mahabaleshwar, some 450 km to the south, implying a similar or identical high ε_JUV mantle source. The negative ε_JUV component, apparently different from either of the two at Mahabaleshwar, may have been continental crust or enriched mantle. Both alkalic and tholeiitic groups display wide overlapping ranges in incompatible elements other than K, Rb, and Ba—particularly in Sr and Nb. This partial decoupling of incompatible elements, in conjunction with the isotopic similarity between the two classes of rocks, is strongly suggestive of an enrichment event in portions of the mantle source shortly before magmatism.     

The southeast Australian lithospheric mantle: isotopic and geochemical constraints on its growth and evolution

Trace elements and isotopic compositions of whole rocks and mineral separates are reported for 15 spinel-bearing harzburgite and lherzolite xenoliths from southeastern Australia. These samples have an exceedingly large range in isotopic compositions, with⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ranging from 0.70248 to 0.70834 and ε_Nd values ranging from +12.7 to −6.3. This range in isotopic compositions can be found in xenoliths from a single locality. The isotopic compositions of clinopyroxene separates and their whole rocks were found to be different in some xenoliths. Samples containing small glass pockets, which replace pre-existing hydrous minerals, generally show only small differences in isotopic composition between clinopyroxene and whole rock. In a modally metasomatized peridotite, significant differences in the Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of a coexisting phlogopite-clinopyroxene pair are present. Coexisting clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes from an anhydrous lherzolite have Sr isotopic compositions that are significantly different (0.70248 versus 0.70314), and yield an apparent age of 625 Ma, similar to that found previously by Dasch and Green [1]. However, the Nd isotopic compositions of the clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene are identical indicating recent (within 40 Ma) re-equilibration of Nd.Sr and Nd concentrations in the whole rocks and clinopyroxenes show an excellent positive correlation, and have an average Sr/Nd ratio of 15. This ratio is similar to the primitive mantle value, as well as that found in primitive MORBs and OIBs, but is much lower than that measured in island arc basalts and what might be predicted for a subduction zone-derived fluid. This indicates that a significant proportion of the Sr and Nd in these peridotites is introduced as a basaltic melt with intraplate chemical characteristics.The isotopic compositions of the peridotites reflect long-term, small-scale heterogeneities in the continental lithospheric mantle, and are in marked contrast to the near uniform isotopic compositions of the host alkali basalts (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.7038–0.7041andε_Nd = +3.6 to +2.9). A minimum of three evolutionary stages are identified in the growth of the continental lithospheric mantle: an early basalt depletion event, recording the initial development and stabilization of the lithospheric mantle, followed by at least two enrichment episodes. These observations are consistent with continental lithospheric mantle growth involving the underplating of refractory peridotite diapirs.     

Provenance discrimination and Source-to-Sink studies from a dryland fluvial regime： An example from Kachchh,western India

Tracing the sediment delivery from its source terrain to its ultimate sink envisage multiple factors that play a vital role in understanding present day erosional engine.To accomplish this,it is significant to distinguish the variable end-members contributing to the basin.The findings from the study of dryland coastal fluvial regime in Kachchh(Western India),which is one of the end members contributing to the Gulf of Kachchh coast(partial sink) and finally to the Arabian Sea(ultimate sink) have been presented here.Multi-proxy sediment provenance proxies such as grain-size,clay minerals,geochemistry and magnetic minerals have been employed to evaluate the provenance discriminating characteristics of the Kachchh dryland fluvial system and factors influencing them.The results of different proxies indicate that the provenance signatures of uplands are quite characteristic with magnetic susceptibility(χ) values of 20×10~(-7)m~3kg~(-1) and smectite(S)/kaolinite(K) ratio between 0.26 and 0.49.The middle reaches show marked increase in magnetic mineral concentration with χ values(140×10~(-7)m~3kg~(-1))and S/K ratio(4.92),while the estuarine tract shows χ values(80×10~(-7)m~3kg~(-1)),S/K ratio(1.90) and,characteristic heavy minerals(i.e.mica minerals),probably reflect the interplay between land and sea oscillations.Major sources of sediments within catchment scale were identified,viz.,upland sedimentary rocks(Juran and Bhuj Formation sandstone-shale) and middle reaches volcanic(Deccan Trap Formation basalt) rocks.The present study draw cautions in provenance of sediment discrimination in areas influenced by Deccan basalt that has the overwhelming sediment delivery and a comparatively subdued effects of other provenance signatures.The studied proxies of mineralogy of clays,magnetic minerals and geochemistry of heavy and major elements serve as the potential for fingerprint of sediment source regions and hence behold a strong position in source to sink studies globally.     

High-pressure phase equilibria in a garnet lherzolite,with special reference to Mg2+Fe2+ partitioning among constituent minerals

Phase equilibria in a natural garnet lherzolite nodule (PHN 1611) from Lesotho kimberlite and its chemical analogue have been studied in the pressure range 45–205 kbar and in the temperature range 1050–1200°C. Partition of elements, particularly Mg²⁺Fe²⁺, among coexisting minerals at varying pressures has also been examined. High-pressure transformations of olivine(α) to spinel(γ) through modified spinel(β) were confirmed in the garnet lherzolite. The transformation behavior is quite consistent with the information previously accumulated for the simple system Mg₂SiO₄Fe₂SiO₄. At pressures of 50–150 kbar, a continuous increase in the solid solubility of the pyroxene component in garnet was demonstrated in the lherzolite system by means of microprobe analyses. At 45–75 kbar and 1200°C, the Fe²⁺/(Mg + Fe²⁺) value becomes greater in the ascending order orthopyroxene, Ca-rich clinopyroxene, olivine and garnet. At 144–146 kbar and 1200°C, garnet exhibits the highest Fe²⁺/(Mg + Fe²⁺) value; modified spinel(β) and Ca-poor clinopyroxene follow it. When the modified spinel(β)-spinel(γ) transformation occurred, a higher concentration of Fe²⁺ was found in spinel(γ) rather than in garnet. As a result of the change in the Mg²⁺Fe²⁺ partition relation among coexisting minerals, an increase of about 1% in the Fe₂SiO₄ component in (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄ modified spinel and spinel was observed compared with olivine.These experimental results strongly suggest that the olivine(α)-modified spinel(β) transformation is responsible for the seismic discontinuity at depths of 380–410 km in the mantle. They also support the idea that the minor seismic discontinuity around 520 km is due to the superposition effect of two types of phase transformation, i.e. the modified spinel(β)-spinel(γ) transformation and the pyroxene-garnet transformation. Mineral assemblages in the upper mantle and the upper half of the transition zone are given as a function of depth for the following regions: 100–150, 150–380, 380–410, 410–500, 500–600 and 600–650 km.     

Palaeomagnetism and the Deccan Trap volcanism

The results of palacomagnetic studies made on the Deccan Traps by various workers are reviewed in the light of the recent palaeomagnetic data on these rocks and the general geological information. It is suggested that: (a) the earlier altitude-polarity classification of the Deccan Traps, suggesting that the flows below the general elevation of 2000±200 feet above mean sea level are of reversed magnetic polarity while those above this horizon are normal, is not without exceptions; (b) the geomagnetic field reversed its polarity several times during the eruption of these lavas; (c) the Deccan Trap eruptions probably consisted of several phases of volcanicity over a protracted period; and (d) the phases of Deccan Trap volcanism, the phases of Himalayan upheaval, and the northward drift of the Indian landmass were rather concrescent events.     

Impact of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the Removal of F− by Magnesium Potassium Phosphate

This study investigates the influence of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ on the removal of F^? by magnesium potassium phosphate (MPP) from water. The kinetic experiments reveal that the F^? concentration decreased from 3.5 to 3.31 mg L^?1 in a single (F^?) system and to 1.45 mg L^?1 in a ternary system (F^?, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) after 1 min, respectively. Thus, the F^? removal efficiencies are found to increase by about 53% with the co‐active effect of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the solution. Moreover, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are almost completely removed in the F^?, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ system. According to the pseudo‐first‐order modeling, the rate constants k for F^?, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ are 0.00348, 0.0106, and 0.0159 min^?1 respectively; thus, Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > F^?. In the ternary system, the removal efficiencies are 53.29–66.03% for F^?, 99.99–100% for Ca²⁺, and 87.21–95.19% for Mg²⁺ with initial pH 5–10. The removal efficiencies of F^? increases with increases in initial concentrations of F^?, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. The removal of F^? is governed by two routes: 1) adsorption by electrostatic interactions and outer sphere surface complexation; 2) co‐precipitation with Ca₃(PO₄)₂, CaHPO₄, Mg₃(PO₄)₂, and Mg(OH)₂.     

Chemical characteristics of some basaltic rocks of India

An analysis of the chemical characteristics of about 200 basaltic rocks of India indicate that the rocks of Pavagarh, Girnar, Rajmahal, Mundwara, Cuddapah and Panjal Trap form independent magmatic series of mixed type having entirely different chemical characteristics relative to the Deccan basalt. The tholeiitic and olivine or alkaline basalts do not seem to form independent magma types. The present study indicates that the rocks belonging to the above magma types coexist together and may represent differentiates of a single magma series.     

Petrography and geochemistry of basaltic rocks from the Conrad fracture zone on the America-Antarctica Ridge

Intrusive and extrusive basaltic rocks have been dredged from the Conrad fracture zone (transecting the slow-spreading America-Antarctica Ridge). The majority of rocks recovered are holocrystalline with the dominant mineral assemblage being plagioclase plus clinopyroxene with or without minor Fe-Ti oxides (olivine occurs in only three samples) and many of the samples show evidence of extensive alteration. Secondary minerals include chlorite, actinolite, K- and Na-feldspar, analcite and epidote. In terms of bulk chemistry the rocks are characterized by their generally evolved and highly variable compositions (e.g.Mg^*=0.65?0.35;TiO₂=0.7?3.6%;Zr=31?374ppm;Nb=<3?21ppm;Y=17?96ppm;Ni=100?9ppm), but with respect to the immobile incompatible element ratios (e.g. Zr/Nb, Y/Nb, La/Sm) are similar to “normal” or depleted mid-oceanic ridge basalts.Quantitative major and trace element modelling indicate that most of the variation observed can be attributed to low-pressure fractional crystallization of plagioclase plus clinopyroxene in approximately equal proportions with or without minor Fe-Ti oxides. The range in composition can be accounted for by up to 76% fractional crystallization. Although ferrobasalts have not frequently been associated with slow spreading ridges, the extreme differentiation observed in the Conrad fracture zone basalts implies some additional constraint other than spreading rate on the formation of ferrobasalt and reaffirms the importance of extensive crustal differentiation during the production of this basalt type.     

Titanium solubility in coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene at very high pressure: the significance of exsolved rutile in garnet

Exsolution microstructures including ilmenite±garnet in clinopyroxene and rutile in garnet are common in clinopyroxenite and eclogite from the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane. In order to understand the phase relations and Ti solubility in both garnet and clinopyroxene in a natural TiO₂-bearing system, several experiments at 5-15 GPa, 1000-1400°C were carried out using the multianvil high-pressure apparatus. The Hujianlin ilmenite-rich garnet clinopyroxenite showing exsolution microstructure was selected as starting material, because it closely approaches a composition lying in the TiO₂-CaO-MgO-FeO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system. Except for minor melt in one experiment at 1400°C and 5 GPa, other run products contain majoritic garnet+clinopyroxene±ilmenite (or rutile) and exhibit neoblastic texture. With increasing pressure, Ti and Ca, Mg and Si contents of neoblastic garnet increase with decreasing Al. The principal coupled substitutions are Ca²⁺Ti⁴⁺→2Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺Mg²⁺→2Al³⁺ responding to majorite component increase. Titanium solubility (0.8-4.5 wt% as TiO₂) in garnet and Grt_Ti/Cpx_Ti ratio have a pronounced positive correlation with pressure between 5 and 15 GPa. On the other hand, the coexisting clinopyroxene contains low Ti (0.17-0.53 wt% as TiO₂), and shows no significant pressure effect. Rutile exsolution in garnet is coupled to that of pyroxene exsolution; both are exsolved from majoritic garnet on decompression. Therefore, the amount of such exsolved lamellae is a potential indicator of high-pressure metamorphism in exhumed rocks, whereas the TiO₂ content of clinopyroxene coexisting with garnet is not sensitive to pressure change.     

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.     

Iron-magnesium order-disorder in an orthopyroxene crystal from the Johnstown meteorite

Equilibrium reversals of Fe²⁺Mg distribution between the M1 and M2 sites of an orthopyroxene from the Johnstown meteorite were achieved at several temperatures between 700 and 1000°C. One single crystal was used for the whole thermal treatment and for collecting all the X-ray data after quenching. The intracrystalline ion exchange for the bulk chemical composition: (Mg_1.453Fe_0.441Cr_0.024Ca_0.054Mn_0.015Fe_0.005Ti_0.003Al_0.005)(Si_1.960Al_0.040)O₆ is given by: ln K_D = −3027(±39)/T(K) + 0.872(±0.013)> where K_D is the distribution coefficient for the reaction: Fe_M2²⁺ + Mg_M1 = Mg_M2 + Fe_M1²⁺.A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of part of the crystal showed the presence of very thin augite lamellae and Guinier-Preston zones indicating a relatively rapid cooling of the host rock at temperatures close to 1000°C. The new temperature scale yields a relatively high quenching temperature of 379 (±8)°C for the pyroxene which appears consistent with a rapid cooling (estimated few degrees per hundred years) of a magmatic cumulate excavated by an impact on its parental body.     

��A�䨡 lava flows in the Deccan Volcanic Province, India, and their significance for the nature of continental flood basalt eruptions

Newly identified ??a?? lava flows outcrop intermittently over an area of ~110?km² in the western Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP), India. They occur in the upper Thakurvadi Formation in the region south of Sangamner. The flows, one of which is compound, are 15?C25?m thick, and exhibit well-developed basal and flow-top breccias. The lavas have microcrystalline groundmasses and are porphyritic or glomerocrystic and contain phenocrysts of olivine, clinopyroxene or plagioclase feldspar. They are chemically similar to compound p??hoehoe flows at a similar stratigraphic horizon along the Western Ghats. Petrographic and geochemical differences between ??a?? flows at widely spaced outcrops at the same stratigraphic horizon suggest that they are the product of several eruptions, potentially from different sources. Their presence in the DVP could suggest relative proximity to vents. This discovery is significant because ??a?? lavas are generally scarce in large continental flood basalt provinces, which typically consist of numerous inflated compound p??hoehoe lobes and sheet lobes. Their scarcity is intriguing, and may relate to either their occurrence only in poorly preserved or exposed proximal areas or to the flat plateau-like topography of flood basalt provinces that may inhibit channelization and ??a?? formation, or both. In this context, the ??a?? flow fields described here are inferred to be the products of eruptions that produced unusually high-effusion-rate lavas compared to typical flood basalt eruptions. Whether these phases were transitional to lower intensity, sustained eruptions that fed extensive low effusion rate p??hoehoe flow fields remains unclear.     

The petrology, phase relations and tectonic setting of basalts from the taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand and the Kermadec Island arc - havre trough, SW Pacific

Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) and the Kermadec arc-Havre Trough (KAHT) is related to westward subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Indo-Australian Plate. The tectonic setting of the TVZ is continental whereas in KAHT it is oceanic and in these two settings the relative volumes of basalt differ markedly. In TVZ, basalts form a minor proportion (< 1%) of a dominant rhyolite (97%)-andesite association while in KAHT, basalts and basaltic andesites are the major rock types. Neither the convergence rate between the Pacific and Indo-Australian Plates nor the extension rates in the back-arc region or the dip of the Pacific Plate Wadati-Benioff zone differ appreciably between the oceanic and continental segments. The distance between the volcanic front and the axis of the back-arc basin decreases from the Kermadec arc to TVZ and the distance between trench and volcanic front increases from around 200 km in the Kermadec arc to 280 km in TVZ. These factors may prove significant in determining the extent to which arc and backarc volcanism in subduction settings are coupled.All basalts from the Kermadec arc are porphyritic (up to 60% phenocrysts) with assemblages generally dominated by plagioclase but with olivine, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene. A single dredge sample from the Havre Trough back arc contains olivine and plagioclase microphenocrysts in glassy pillow rind and is mildly alkaline (< 1% normative nepheline) contrasting with the tholeiitic nature of the other basalts. Basalts from the TVZ contain phenocryst assemblages of olivine + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene; orthopyroxene phenocrysts occur only in the most evolved basalts and basaltic andesites from both TVZ and the Kermadec Arc.Sparsely porphyritic primitive compositions (Mg/(Mg+Fe²) > 70) are high in Al₂O₃ (>16.5%), and project in the olivine volume of the basalt tetrahedron. They contain olivine (Fo₈₇) phenocrysts and plagioclase (> An₆₀) microphenocrysts. These magmas have ratios of CaO/Al₂O₃, A1₂O₃/TiO₂ and CaO/TiO₂ in the range of MORB and MORB picrites and can evolve to the low-pressure MORB cotectic by crystallisation of olivine±plagiociase. Such rocks may be the parents of other magmas whose evolutionary pathways are complicated by interaction of crystal fractionation, crystal accumulation and mixing processes and the filtering action of crust of variable density and thickness. The interplay of these processes likely accounts for the scatter of data about the cotectic. More evolved rocks from both TVZ and KAHT contain clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene phenocrysts and their compositions merge with basaltic andesites and andesites. Stepwise least-squares modelling using phenocryst assemblages in proportions observed in the rocks suggest that crystal fractionation and accumulation processes can account for much of the diversity observed in the major-element compositions of all lavas.We conclude that the parental basaltic magmas for volcanism in the TVZ and KAHT segments are similar thereby implying grossly similar source mineralogy. We attribute the diversity to secondary processes influencing liquids as they ascended through complex plumbing systems in the sub arc mantle and cross.