Magnetic properties of basalts and geodynamics of the rift zone in the southern Red Sea

Magnetic properties of young rift basalts in the southern Red Sea are studied in detail. It is found that basalt samples dredged in the rift zone are characterized by a large spread in magnetic parameters. The magnetic properties of the basalts are shown to indicate a complex evolution of the Red Sea rift zone. Titanomagnetite grains of the basalts are mostly affected by single-phase oxidation processes and have preserved paleomagnetic information. However, basalts discovered near the rift axis yield evidence of multiphase oxidation of titanomagnetite grains, which is untypical of young oceanic basalts. These basalts have high Curie points and large values of the natural remanent magnetization and Koenigsberger parameter. The corresponding samples were taken in nontransform zones where rocks have experienced the action of significant tectonic forces and, moreover, anomalous geomagnetic field patterns correlate with the position of these zones. Using the magnetic properties of the basalts, the northern segment of the rift axis is relocated.     

Nature of magnetic grains and their effect on the remanent magnetization of basalts

The nature of magnetic grains in basalts obtained from different parts of the world has been investigated. Results indicate that magnetic behaviour attributable to cation-deficient magnetite is common in basalts younger than Cretaceous, while that due to multidomain magnetite is widespread in much older rocks. Superparamagnetic grains occur in basalts more abundantly than originally presumed, which seem to be mainly responsible for the viscous remanent magnetization of such samples. Basalts which are inferred to contain predominantly optimum single-domain grains are found to be most suitable for palaeomagnetic work. However, many samples generally contain a wide range of grain sizes and this can account for the observed variation in their magnetic stability. One possible mechanism for the formation of such magnetic grains in basalts and its implications to palaeomagnetism is presented. Basalts whose magnetic behaviour is completely reversible on heating and cooling are very rare and because of this fact the reliability of palaeointensity determinations, involving heating of the samples even for one time, may be reduced to a considerable extent.     

Characteristic magnetic properties of titanomagnetites in continental igneous rocks

Curie temperatures, hysteresis, alternating field properties and anhysteretic and ordinary susceptibilities have been used to characterize the titanomagnetites in a large collection of continental granites, diorites, syenites, anorthosites, gabbros, diabases and basalts. Low-Curie-point titanomagnetites or titanomaghemites were found only in basalts. In all shallow and deep-seated intrusive rocks, the predominant magnetic phase was nearly-titanium-free titanomagnetite with a Curie point of 520–580°C. Most felsic plutonic rocks owed their magnetic properties to coarse, discrete titanomagnetites with truly multidomain properties. Many mafic plutonic rocks (anorthosites, gabbros, norites) displayed bimodal magnetic properties, strong-field properties being due to the discrete titanomagnetites and weak-field properties being due to fine magnetite inclusions in deuterically altered silicates. The Lowrie-Fuller test and the anhysteretic induction curve were the most diagnostic tests of this bimodal behaviour. Grain-size variation within a single diabase dike or sill had a strong expression in all magnetic properties, except H_R/H_c and the Lowrie-Fuller test. On the other hand, the Lowrie-Fuller test was a sensitive indicator of changes in “effective” grain size in basalts due to the subdivision of grains by ilmenite lamellae.     

High-magnetization zones near spreading center discontinuities

Three-dimensional inversions of the magnetic field reveal the presence of zones of high magnetization over the propagating limb of large spreading center discontinuities. The presence of high-magnetization zones is confirmed by rock magnetic measurements where available. Magnetization highs are associated with basalts which tend to have high Fe contents and low Mg numbers. These data suggest that high-magnetization zones observed over large ridge axis discontinuities are associated with highly differentiated basalts enriched in iron. Following Christie and Sinton [1], such highly evolved basalts may be the result of shallow-level crystal fractionation in small magma bodies with a low supply rate. These small magma bodies are postulated to correspond to the first stages in the development of a sub-axial magmatic system as a result of the propagation of one of the limbs of the offset into older lithosphere. Because high-magnetization zones at large ridge axis discontinuities often correspond to gaps in the along-axis extent of a seismically detectable magma chamber, these magma bodies may be smaller than a few hundred meters. Rock magnetic measurements suggest that the enrichment in iron associated with increased differentiation may be accompanied, in a few cases, by an increase in the concentration of titanomagnetite within the basalts and in the magnetization of the rocks. However, the exact relationship between high magnetization intensities and iron enrichment is complex and unclear, and may be significantly affected by factors such as magnetic mineralogy and crystallization history.     

Magnetic scanning and interpretation of paleomagnetic data from Prague Synform’s volcanics

Magnetic images have been produced at the distance of 0.1 mm from the polished basaltic thin sections of rocks from Prague Synform in Barrandian area. Three different magnetic textures were seen and when combined with optical imaging could be related to petrological features. The first magnetic texture revealed that most of the magnetic signature is localized within the amygdales formed later after the basalts became part of the sedimentary sequence. The second texture showed that the basaltic body contains large grain size distribution of magnetic carriers possibly with variable viscous magnetizations. The third texture suggested a presence of magnetic anisotropy of igneous origin. Such textural magnetic information along with the paleomagnetic characteristics of the basaltic rocks of Silurian age constrained the overall geological interpretation.     

Transitional basalts of alkaline or tholeiitic affinity in the somali trap series (southeastern margin of the main Ethiopian rift from 8° 10′ to 8° 70′ Lat. N)

The Trap Series outcropping in the southeastern margin of the Main Ethiopian Rift has a total thickness of not less than 500–600 m. In this series, mainly composed of flood lavas and rare scoriaceous beds, basaltic rocks — which on a serial viewpoint are transitional basalts — are the best represented. Alkali-olivine basalts (with modal and normative nepheline) are interbedded within the lower and middle members of the series, while in the upper members andesine basalts and dark phonolitic tephrites are present. Among the transitional basalts, rocks of alkaline and of tholeiitic affinity are present as shown by petrographic and chemical analyses. On the basis of petrochemical and geovolcanological data, it is probable that these rocks and the phonolitic-tephrites originated from different primary magmas.     

Interpretation of gravimetric and magnetic anomalies in the Cameros Basin (North Spain): combination of deep and shallow sources

Outstanding potential field anomalies (gravimetric and magnetic) in the Cameros Basin (N Spain) follow a WNW-ESE trend, parallel to the geological structures resulting from Mesozoic extension and Tertiary basin inversion. The positive Bouguer gravity anomaly (15 mGal) is interpreted as the result of a strong contrast between the density of Tertiary rocks of the foreland basin and the Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks, combined with crustal thickening in the Iberian Chain with respect to the Ebro Basin. The dipolar magnetic anomaly, slightly shifted to the south with respect to the relative maximum of the Bouguer anomaly, can be interpreted as related to volcanic rocks within the basement, which are linked to Triassic rifting as witnessed by outcrops of basalts along the basin margins. An exhaustive analysis of rock properties (density, magnetic susceptibility and remanence) and basin geometry from other sources (seismic reflection profiles) allow to constrain variations in crustal thickness and the location of large-scale basement faults.     

Magnetic effects associated with chemical changes in igneous rocks

Experimental evidence and theory indicate that chemical changes occur in many igneous rocks at sufficiently low temperatures to significantly affect the remanent magnetization. Some chemical changes lead to self-reversals of magnetization that are not reproducible in laboratory experiments. Such self-reversals appear to be very rare in subaerially-erupted basalts, but they probably are much more common in some other rock types, such as granites and diorites. The stability of the natural remanent magnetization in igneous rocks can be decreased, left unaltered, or increased by chemical changes. In addition, chemical changes will usually affect the intensity of magnetization in a rock; the intensity can increase, decrease, or (rarely) be left unaltered by a chemical change. Such changes are important to consider in the development of improved techniques for obtaining reliable estimates of the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field in the past and in correctly interpreting marine magnetic anomalies. Finally, experiments and theory are presented which suggest that many of the chemical changes in igneous rocks will only occasionally produce significant changes in the direction of the magnetization.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of rift-related volcanic rocks from South Kivu (Zaire)

Two volcanic zones (Bukavu and Kamituga) south of Lake Kivu (southeastern Zaire) are part of the western branch of the Eastern African rift. They were formed during three volcanic cycles, one pre-rift (70-7 Ma old) and the other two syn-rift (7.8-1.9 Ma old and 14,000 y.-sub-Recent, respectively), and evolved from quartz tholeiites of the pre-rift period to alkali basalts of the rift stage. The basaltic rocks, which strongly predominate, are compositionally similar to other rift-related basalts and also to oceanic-island rocks. Most of the basalts have undergone only limited fractional crystallization (5–10%) dominated by olivine and clinopyroxene. The distinct variations of incompatible elements even in rocks of very similar major-element composition imply that the basaltic rocks were derived from a heterogeneous source by variable degrees of melting. The inferred source composition closely resembles that of metasomatized peridotite xenoliths from alkali basalts.     

An examination of the magnetic properties of basalts from Argentina and Iceland and of dolerite from the Great Whin Sill

Summary The natural remanent magnetization (NRM) of basalts from Argentina and Iceland and dolerite from the Great Whin Sill exhibit reversed magnetization. In order to test whether this was due to a self-reversing property of the rocks, samples from these three suites have been examined byx-ray and thermomagnetic techniques. No correlation between the properties of rocks and the sense of the NRM was found. The thermal stability of the magnetic extracts from these rocks was related to their lattice parameters and Curie points.     

Petrogenetic relationships of acid and basic rocks in iceland: Sr-isotopes and rare-earth elements in late and postglacial volcanics

Strontium isotope ratios and rare-earth element abundances have been measured in acid, intermediate and basic rocks from three late to postglacial volcanic complexes, and several other postglacial basalts in Iceland. Late and postglacial basalts in Iceland have been generated from a source region which is essentially homogeneous with respect to⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. The mean⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio for the basalts analysed is 0.70328 and the range is from 0.70317 ± 6to0.70334 ± 5 (2σ).Acid rocks from the Kerlinganfjöll and Namafjall volcanic complexes have⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios which are indistinguishable from analysed basalts from the same complexes. However, intermediate and acid rocks from the Torfajökull complex have significantly higher⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and could not have been derived by fractional crystallization from basaltic magmas similar to those found in the same complex. These latter rocks have most probably been produced by remelting of Tertiary gabbroic rocks in Layer 3. Most of the basalts analysed have higher total rare-earth element abundances than typical dredged ocean-ridge tholeiites, and show less light rare-earth depletion. Intermediate and acid compositions show overall higher abundances and light rare-earth enrichments. The measured rare-earth abundances are compared with abundances generated by differential partial melting of various model source regions.It is shown that both the tholeiitic and alkali basalt compositions could be generated from the same source material by different degrees of partial melting. Variable partial melting of gabbroic material may account for the rare-earth element abundances of both the rhyolitic rocks (small degrees of melting) and the intermediate rocks (more extensive melting).     

Tectonic setting of basic volcanic rocks determined using trace element analyses

Analyses for Ti, Zr, Y, Nb and Sr in over 200 basaltic rocks from different tectonic settings have been used to construct diagrams in which these settings can usually be identified. Basalts erupted within plates (ocean island and continental basalts) can be identified using a Ti-Zr-Y diagram, ocean-floor basalts, and low-potassium tholeiites and calc-alkali basalts from island arcs can be identified using a Ti-Zr diagram (for altered samples) and a Ti-Zr-Sr diagram (for fresh samples). Y/Nb is suggested as a parameter for indicating whether a basalt is of tholeiitic or alkalic nature. Analyses of dykes and pillow lavas from the Troodos Massif of Cyprus are plotted on these diagrams and appear to the tholeiitic ocean-floor rocks.     

Geochemical variation with time in the Cenezoic volcanic rocks of southwest Hokkaido, Japan

Abundances of major and trace elements were determined for the Tertiary volcanic rocks from SW Hokkaido. The Late Miocene to Pliocene volcanic rocks of this region show geochemical features similar to those of the Quaternary rocks, that is, K/Si, Th/Si and LREE/HREE ratios increasing across the arc, east to west, from the Pacific to the Japan Sea side. In contrast, the Early Miocene volcanic rocks, which are geographically restricted to the Japan Sea coast, are distinct from all later volcanics and show “within-plate” characteristics — in particular, high concentrations of HFS elements. The Quaternary basalts have low Hf/Yb ratios and Hf contents, whereas the Early Miocene basalts are high in Hf/Yb and Hf, similar to Hawaiian alkali basalts. The compositional variation with time may result from the progressive depletion of incompatible HFS elements in the mantle source. Th/Yb ratios increase from Early Miocene to Quaternary, possibly reflecting increase in the LIL element contribution to the mantle source during that time.     

Geochemistry of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from southeastern Iran (kouh-e-shahsavaran)

The Upper Tertiary to Quaternary volcanic complex of Kouh-e-Shahsavaran in southeastern Iran is composed of calc-alkaline rocks of island are type (high-alumina basalts, basic andesites, andesites and dacites) even though it was emplaced on the continental basement. The volcanic rocks of the complex are genetically related and were probably derived by low-pressure fractional crystallization of high-Al basalts. The anomalously high content of Sr in some rocks probably reflects an accumulation of plagioclase. The trace element data are consistent with the origin of the parental magma by partial melting of an “enriched” upper mantle peridotite.     

Cenozoic volcanic rocks of eastern China — secular and geographic trends in chemistry and strontium isotopic composition

The Cenozoic volcanic rocks of eastern China are subalkalic to alkalic basalts erupted in an early Tertiary back-arc rift environment and from scattered late Tertiary and Quaternary volcanic centers in a continental area crossed by active faults, driven by subduction of the Pacific plate and the collision of India and Eurasia. Immobile trace elements and major elements conform very well to each other in classification of the 59 rocks for which complete data are reported and they correctly identify the tectonic setting. LIL-element enrichments of the basalts lie between those of P-MORB and ocean island alkalic basalts, and show a secular increase.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of basalts vary from 0.7029 to 0.7048. Alkalic basalts are systematically less radiogenic than geographically coextensive and contemporaneous tholeiitic basalts. Increase of radiogenic Sr with increasing crustal thickness and crustal age and with silica enrichment of the magmas suggests crustal contamination but this is inadequate to explain the LIL-element enrichment patterns and variable LIL-element enrichments. The preferred hypothesis is that the alkalic magmas come from a deeper source, with long-term LIL-element depletion and low Rb/Sr ratio but relatively recent LIL-element enrichment. Conversely the tholeiitic magmas are melts of subcontinental mantle lithosphere that is more LIL-element depleted than the alkalic source, at the time of magma genesis, but has had an elevated Rb/Sr ratio for much of its post-consolidation history.     

Alkalibasalts from the Tyrrhenian sea Basin: Magmatic and geodynamic significance

Petrological characteristics of basaltic rocks from the Tyrrhenian deep-sea are discussed and related to the geotectonic situation. For the first time, distinctly alkaline basalts (hawaiites) have been found in the Tyrrhenian deep-sea. These are typical within-plate basalts related to the tensional fracturing of the Tyrrhenian area. A suggested age of 100,000 years is among the youngest indications for the Tyrrhenian Sea volcanism. Since the Miocene, magmatic activity in the inner Tyrrhenian sea basin evolved from ocean-floor basalts to ocean island tholeiites and transitional basalts, with alkaline basalts as the most recent products. Seamounts in the southern part of the Tyrrhenian deep-sea (Palinuro, Marsili) add shoshonitic and calcalkaline lavas (some with high Mgvalue) to the complexity of the Tyrrhenian magmatic evolution.     

Arc-type and intraplate-type ridge basalts formed at the trench-trench-ridge tripIe junction: Implication for the extensive sub-ridge mantle heterogeneity

Abstract ' In situ basalts' represent the ridge magmatism at and close to the ancient trench-trench-ridge triple junction. Such basalts in the Amami, Mugi, and Setogawa accretionary complexes, Southwest Japan, were described and analysed. The geochemical data show that the ' in situ basalts' include all the types of basalts, ranging from alkali basalts and high-alumina basalts to tholeiites, and the compositions tend towards intermediate and silicic rocks. The data also reveal that the ridge basalts are indistinguishable both from the island arc and intraplate basalts, no affinities with mid-ocean-ridge basalts. The sub-ridge mantle adjacent to the triple junction had a component of sub-arc mantle, and this mantle heterogeneity can be generated by the formation of a slab window.     

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.     

Effect of sea water interaction on strontium isotope composition of deep-sea basalts

Analyses of rim-to-interior samples of fresh tholeiitic pillow basalts, deuterically altered holocrystalline basalts, and older, weathered tholeiitic basalts from the deep sea indicate that ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of the older basalts are raised by low temperature interaction with strontium dissolved in sea water. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr correlates positively with H₂O in these basalts; however, there is little detectable modification of the strontium isotope composition in rocks with H₂O contents less than 1%. The isotope changes appear to be a function of relatively long-term, low-temperature weathering, rather than high-temperature or deuteric alteration. Strontium abundance and isotopic data for these rocks suggest that strontium content is only slightly modified by interaction with sea water, and it is a relatively insensitive indicator of marine alteration. Average Rb-Sr parameters for samples of apparently unaltered basalt are: Rb= 1.11ppm; Sr= 132ppm; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.70247.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of ophiolites from Northern Pindos (Greece)

The ophiolitic complex of Northern Pindos (Greece) contains ocean-floor basalts and low-Ti mafic rocks. The former rocks are similar to recent mid-ocean ridge basalts with a light REE depletion and a La/Yb ratio < 2. The low-Ti rocks resemble boninites in their high Mg and very low Ti and Zr contents and in their REE patterns which have convex-downwards shape with a slight light REE enrichment. However, their Zr/Ti, Ti/V and Zr/Y ratios are lower than in boninites. Both rock-types could be generated by dynamic partial melting of a rising upper mantle diapir. Slight enrichment in light REE, Sr, Rb and Ba in low-Ti rocks could be the result of either metasomatic or alteration processes. Although a subduction zone origin of the sequence is possible, the geochemical data do not necessarily imply such a setting.