Interaction of Continental Lithosphere and Asthenospheric Melts below the Geronimo Volcanic Field, Arizona, U.S.A

Spinel lherzolite and pyroxenite inclusions from the Geronimovolcanic field, Arizona (and Dish Hill, California) record,in their constituent minerals, a chronology of diverse mantledepletion and enrichment events. Certain portions of the lithosphericmantle have remained relatively isolated for considerable periodsof time(1–4 b.y.) while wall rock adjacent to conduitsof basanite has been recently (< 0-2 b.y.) modified. Evidenceexists for a widespread ancient (1–4 b.y.) partial meltingresidue, now recognizable as MORB-like mantle below the southwesternU.S.A. Trace element enrichment (0?9 b.y.) has increased thelight rare earth element (LREE) and Sr content of many refractoryperidotites without any mineralogical changes to the host rock.The fluids/melt responsible for this enrichment have a complexhistory involving heterogeneous mantle sources. In contrast,modal metasomatism of the mantle (< 0.2 b.y.) in aureolesaround evolved derivatives of basanite has petrographicallyand chemically transformed this ancient partial melting residue.The metasomatic fluids responsible for such metasomatism havean asthenospheric mantle source identical to the host magma.It is proposed that modal metasomatism occurs in contact metamorphicaureoles that surround apophyses of basanitic silicate meltin the lithospheric mantle. The gradient in CO₂/(CO₂ ? H₂O)ratio that must surround such veins in the upper mantle (<20 kb) may encourage the development of enrichment fronts. Immediatelyadjacent to the vein, a wet zone with a relatively low CO₂/(CO₂? H₂O) ratio would allow a precipitation of mica ? amphibole.Beyond this a dry zone with a higher CO₂/(CO₂ ? H₂O) ratio wouldhasten chemical but not petrographic transformation of the wallrock.     

Magma mixing in the San Francisco Volcanic Field,AZ

A wide variety of rock types are present in the O'Leary Peak and Strawberry Crater volcanics of the Pliocene to Recent San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF), AZ. The O'Leary Peak flows range from andesite to rhyolite (56–72 wt % SiO₂) and the Strawberry Crater flows range from basalt to dacite (49–64 wt % SiO₂). Our interpretation of the chemical data is that both magma mixing and crustal melting are important in the genesis of the intermediate composition lavas of both suites. Observed chemical variations in major and trace elements can be modeled as binary mixtures between a crustal melt similar to the O'Leary dome rhyolite and two different mafic end-members. The mafic end-member of the Strawberry suite may be a primary mantle-derived melt. Similar basalts have also been erupted from many other vents in the SFVF. In the O'Leary Peak suite, the mafic end-member is an evolved (low Mg/(Mg+ Fe)) basalt that is chemically distinct from the Strawberry Crater and other vent basalts as it is richer in total Fe, TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MnO, Na₂O, K₂O, and Zr and poorer in MgO, CaO, P₂O₅, Ni, Sc, Cr, and V. The derivative basalt probably results from fractional crystallization of the more primitive, vent basalt type of magma. This evolved basalt occurs as xenolithic (but originally magmatic) inclusions in the O'Leary domes and andesite porphyry flow. The most mafic xenolith may represent melt that mixed with the O'Leary dome rhyolite resulting in andesite preserved as other xenoliths, a pyroclastic unit (Qoap), porphyry flow (Qoaf) and dacite (Darton Dome) magmas. Thermal constraints on the capacity of a melt to assimilate (and melt) a volume of solid material require that melt mixing and not assimilation has produced the observed intermediate lavas at both Strawberry Crater and O'Leary Peak. Textures, petrography, and mineral chemistry support the magma mixing model. Some of the inclusions have quenched rims where in contact with the host. The intermediate rocks, including the andesite xenoliths, contain xenocrysts of quartz, olivine and oligoclase, together with reversely zoned plagioclase and pyroxene phenocrysts. The abundance of intermediate volcanic rocks in the SFVF, as observed in detail at O'Leary Peak and Strawberry Crater, is due in part to crustal recycling, the result of basalt-driven crustal melting and the subsequent mixing of the silicic melts with basalts and derivative magmas.     

Geochemical exploration for mineralized breccia pipes in northern Arizona,U.S.A.

Thousands of solution-collapse breccia pipe crop out in the canyons and on the plateaus of northern Arizona. Over 80 of these are known to contain U or Cu mineralized rock. The high-grade U ore associated with potentially economic concentrations of Ag, Pb, Zn, Cu, Co and Ni in some of these pipes has continued to stimulate mining and exploration activity in northern Arizona, despite periods of depressed U prices. Large expanses of northern Arizona are comprised of undissected high plateaus; recognition of pipes in these areas is particularly important because mining access to the plateaus is far better than to the canyons. The small size of the pipes, generally less than 600 ft (200 m) in diameter, and limited rock outcrop on the plateaus, compounds the recognition problem. Although the breccia pipes, which bottom in the Mississippian Redwall Limestone, are occasionally exposed on the plateaus as circular features, so are unmineralized near-surface collapse features that bottom in the Permian Kaibab and Toroweap Formations. The distinction between these two classes of circular features is critical during exploration for this unique type of U deposit.Various geochemical and geophysical exploration methods have been tested over these classes of collapse features. Because of the small size of the deposits, and the low-level geochemical signatures in the overlying rock that are rarely dispersed for distances in excess of several hundred feet, most reconnaissance geochemical surveys, such as hydrogeochemistry or stream sediment, will not delineete mineralized pipes.Several types of detailed geochemical surveys made over collapse features, located through examination of aerial photographs and later field mapping, have been successful at delineating collapse features from the surrounding host rock: (1) Rock geochemistry commonly shows low level Ag, As, Ba, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn anomalies over mineralized breccia pipes; (2) Soil surveys appear to have the greatest potential for distinguishing mineralized breccia pipes from the surrounding terrane. Although the soil anomalies are only twice the background concentrations for most anomalous elements, traverses made over collapse features show consistent enrichment inside of the feature as compared to outside; (3) B. Cereus surveys over a known mineralized pipe show significantly more anomalous samples collected from within the ring fracture than from outside of the breccia pipe; (4) Helium soil-gas surveys were made over 7 collapse features with discouraging results from 5 of the 7 features.Geophysical surveys indicate that scaler audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) and E-field telluric profile data show diagnostic conductivity differences over mineralized pipes as compared to the surrounding terrane. These surveys, coupled with the geochemical surveys conducted as detailed studies over features mapped by field and aerial photograph examination, can be a significant asset in the selection of potential breccia pipes for drilling.     

Metamorphism, isotopic ages and composition of lower crustal granulite xenoliths from the Cretaceous Salta Rift, Argentina

Crustal xenoliths from basanitic dikes and necks that intruded into continental sediments of the Cretaceous Salta Rift at Quebrada de Las Conchas, Provincia Salta, Argentina were investigated to get information about the age and the chemical composition of the lower crust. Most of the xenoliths have a granitoid composition with quartz-plagioclase-garnet-rutile ± K-feldspar as major minerals. The exceedingly rare mafic xenoliths consist of plagioclase-clinopyroxene-garnet ± hornblende. All xenoliths show a well equilibrated granoblastic fabric and the minerals are compositionally unzoned. Thermobarometric calculations indicate equilibration of the mafic xenoliths in the granulite facies at temperatures of ca. 900 °C and pressures of ca. 10 kbar. The Sm-Nd mineral isochron ages are 95.1 ± 10.4 Ma, 91.5 ± 13.0 Ma, 89.0 ± 4.2 Ma (granitoid xenoliths), and 110.7 ± 23.6 Ma (mafic xenolith). These ages are in agreement with the age of basanitic volcanism (ca. 130–100 and 80–75 Ma) and are interpreted as minimum ages of metamorphism. Lower crustal temperature at the time given by the isochrons was above the closure temperature of the Sm-Nd system (>600–700 °C). The Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr isotopic signatures (¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.1225–0.1608; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_{t 0} = 0.512000–0.512324; ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr = 0.099–0.172; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_{t 0} = 0.708188–0.7143161) and common lead isotopic signatures (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.43–18.48; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.62–15.70; ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.22 –38.97) of the granitoid xenoliths are indistinguishable from the isotopic composition of the Early Paleozoic metamorphic basement from NW Argentina, apart from the lower ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratio of the basement. The Sm-Nd depleted mantle model ages of ca. 1.8 Ga from granitoid xenoliths and Early Paleozoic basement point to a similar Proterozoic protolith. Time constraints, the well equilibrated granulite fabric, P-T conditions and lack of chemical zoning of minerals point to a high temperature in a crust of nearly normal thickness at ca. 90 Ma and to a prominent thermal anomaly in the lithosphere. The composition of the xenoliths is similar to the composition of the Early Paleozoic basement in the Andes of NW Argentina and northern Chile. A thick mafic lower crust seems unlikely considering low abundance of mafic xenoliths and the predominance of granitoid xenoliths. Received: 21 July 1998 / Accepted: 27 October 1998     

The petrology of lower crustal xenoliths from the Executive Committee Range, Marie Byrd Land Volcanic Province, West Antarctica

Alkaline magmas from the late-Cenozoic Marie Byrd Land Volcanic Province, West Antarctica, have entrained lithospheric xenoliths which vary from spinel lherzolites to supracrustal rocks. Lower crustal xenoliths have been collected from the Executive Committee Range (Mounts Hampton in the north and Mount Sidley in the south) in central Marie Byrd Land, and their petrological characteristics together with preliminary geochemical data are discussed here. Granulite xenoliths include metaigneous gabbros and norites with varying proportions of clinopyroxene, spinel and either olivine or orthopyroxene. Pyroxenites occur together with granulites, which on the basis of their similar mineral assemblage, texture and composition are considered to be related to the granulites. The composition of xenoliths from Mounts Hampton and Sidley differ (e.g. Mount Sidley xenoliths have Mg# 32–80, are relatively LREE enriched and have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70286–0.70376 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.512864–0.512870, whereas Mount Hampton xenoliths have Mg# 68–78, are LREE depleted and have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70420–0.70458 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.512771–0.512819), defining a major lateral lower crustal discontinuity beneath the Executive Committee Range. Relict igneous textures and low abundances of incompatible elements indicate that the xenoliths initially formed as cumulates rather than as trapped melts. The xenolith suite differs in composition to the host rocks (Mount Sidley VOLCANICS = ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70300–0.70312 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of 0.512814–0.512907) and cannot be co-genetic with them. They are interpreted here to represent the cumulates of mantle melts that evolved by crystal fractionation at lower crustal depths.     

Geochemical signatures of possible deep-seated ore deposits in Tertiary volcanic centers, Arizona and New Mexico, U.S.A.

A reconnaissance geochemical survey of stream drainages within 21,000 km² of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico shows broad zones of low-level to moderate contrast anomalies, many associated with mid-Tertiary eruptive centers and Tertiary fault zones. Of these eruptive centers, few are known to contain metallic deposits, and most of those known are minor. This, however, may be more a function of shallow erosion level than an indication of the absence of mineralization, since hydrothermal alteration and Fe-Mn-oxide staining are widespread, and geochemical anomalies are pervasive over a larger part of the region than outcrop observations would predict. Accordingly, interpretations of the geochemical data use considerations of relative erosion levels, and inferred element zonalities, to focus on possible undiscovered deposits in the subsurface of base-, precious-, and rare-metal deposits of plutonic-volcanic association. In order to enhance the identification of specific deep targets, we use the empirically determined ratio: This ratio is based on reported metal contents of nonmagnetic heavy-mineral samples from the drainage sediment, determined by emission spectrographic analysis. Before the ratio was computed for each sample site, the data were normalized to a previously estimated regional threshold value. A regional isopleth map was then prepared, using a cell-averaging computer routine, with contours drawn at the 25th, 50th, 75th, 80th, 90th, 95th and 99th percentiles of the computed data.     

Chemical and Isotopic Studies of Ultramafic Inclusions from the San Carlos Volcanic Field, Arizona: A Bearing on their Petrogenesis

Compositions of the principal minerals and Pb, Nd, and Sr isotopeanalyses of clinopyroxene (cpx) separates are reported for TypeI spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Peridot Mesa vent ofthe San Carlos Volcanic Field. The principal phases are in chemicalequilibrium within each inclusion. Systematic changes in mineralcomposition accompany lithological changes from fertile lherzolitesto infertile harzburgites. These changes are consistent witha fusion residue origin for the major element component of thexenoliths, as noted previously by Frey & Prinz (1978). ExcessFe is additionally present in some inclusions. Pyroxene equilibrationtemperatures calculated using the Wells (1977) geothermometerfall in the narrow range of 1022?34?C (1 s.d.). Equilibrationpressures poorly limit corresponding depths to anywhere between30 and 65 km within the lithospheric mantle. The geotherm is‘advective’ and elevated by 500?C at the depth ofsampling over a reference conductive shield geotherm. The highheat flow measured at the surface results from a combinationof extension and magmatism, with the temperature perturbationextending into the lithospheric mantle. ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (0?51251–0?51367) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios(0?70190–0?70504) in cpx demonstrate gross isotopic heterogeneitybeneath the Peridot Mesa vent. This largely overlaps the oceanicmantle array, although four inclusions have Nd greater thanmid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). PM-228J with _Nd = +20 is themost extreme yet reported for a spinel Iherzolite. Pb abundancesin cpx (generally <0?03ppm) are far lower than previouslyreported values. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios (17?5–19?1) overlapoceanic basalts and do not correlate with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio. However,some of the inclusions exhibit MORB-like ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratiosbut much higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, which suggests a possiblegenetic link of detached lithospheric mantle with certain oceanicislands. Metasomatic trace element enrichment processes are most widespreadin the infertile (Al-poor, Cr-rich) inclusions, as noted byFrey & Prinz (1978). This systematic relationship is a localfeature of the mantle and suggests that some degree of meltingoccurs commensurately with incompatible element addition. Inparticular, anhydrous peridotite above its volatile-presentsolidus that was flushed with C-O-H fluids containing incompatibleelements would melt and form an enriched infertile fusion residue.The ascending magmas responsible for forming Type II peridotiteveins are the most probable source of the volatiles and mayin some cases react to produce chemical gradients in the wall-rock.Prior metasomatism is also evident isotopically in some inclusions.Overall, the lithospheric mantle beneath Peridot Mesa has suffereda multi-stage history of enrichment, depletion and melting atvarious times since it became attached to the crust above.     

Impact of agricultural development on regional drainage in the lower Santa Cruz valley,Arizona, U.S.A.

The development of irrigation agriculture on valley floors in the southwestern United States has substantially altered natural drainage systems. This study discusses five anthropogenic factors that have altered the hydrologic function of a dryland basin floor in south-central Arizona. These factors are: (1) upstream urbanization and channel entrenchment, (2) dam construction, (3) artificial diversion of drainage, (4) obstruction of flow by transportation routes, and (5) stream channelization. The first two factors have altered hydrologic inputs to the basin floor, the third and fourth factors have changed regional and local patterns of flooding, and the fifth factor has resulted in channel instability and reduced flood attenuation. These five factors, along with a recent increase in the frequency of incursions of tropical moisture into southern Arizona, have enhanced flow variability and the potential for devastating flooding on the basin floor. This research demonstrates the need for basin-wide approaches to stream management in drylands and illustrates the importance of basing management decisions on geomorphic information concerning fluvial forms and processes.     

Geochemical evidence for Se mobilization by the weathering of pyritic shale, San Joaquin Valley, California, U.S.A.

Acidic (pH 4) seeps issue from the weathered Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene marine sedimentary shales of the Moreno Formation in the semi-arid Coast Ranges of California. The chemistry of the acidic solutions is believed to be evidence of current reactions ultimately yielding hydrous sodium and magnesium sulfate salts, e.g. mirabilite and bloedite, from the oxidation of primary pyrite. The selenate form of Se is concentrated in these soluble salts, which act as temporary geological sinks. Theoretically, the open lattice structures of these hydrous minerals could incorporate the selenate (SeO₄⁻²) anion in the sulfate (SO₄⁻²) space. When coupled with a semi-arid to arid climate, fractional crystallization and evaporative concentration can occur creating a sodium-sulfate fluid that exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limit of 1000 μg l⁻¹ for a toxic Se waste. The oxidative alkaline conditions necessary to ensure the concentration of soluble selenate are provided in the accompanying marine sandstones of the Panoche and Lodo Formations and the eugeosynclinal Franciscan assemblage. Runoff and extensive mass wasting in the area reflect these processes and provide the mechanisms which transport Se to the farmlands of the west-central San Joaquin Valley. Subsurface drainage from these soils consequently transports Se to refuge areas in amounts elevated to cause a threat to wildlife.     

Chemical and Isotopic Characteristics of Gabbroic Xenoliths from Hannuoba,China

Nine pieces of gabbroic xenoliths from Hannuoba were examined for their major and trace elements and Nd,Sr and Pb isotopes.The results show that the gab-broic xenoliths are of more mafic basaltic composition .Their abundances show narrow variations in major elements.The trace element contents are highly variable in contrast with those of host basalts and lherzolite xenoliths.The gabbroic xenoliths are rich in Nd(0.51159-0.51249),Sr(0.70491-0.70768) and low in radiogenic Pb(16.283-17.046, 15.191-15.381 and 36.999-37.476),significantly different from basalts and lherzolites in isotopic space.The calculated Nd and Pb model ages are about 3.0-3.5 Ga.The rocks have relatively low equilibrium T(-850℃) and P(0.8-0.9 Gpa).They could be inter-preted to be the product of upper mantle melting at the boundary between the lower crust and the upper mantle.Their chemical and isotopic variations can be ascribed to different degrees of melting,segregation and long-term evolution.     

Geochemical characteristics of Tertiary oils derived from siliceous sources in Japan, Russia and U.S.A.

Siliceous sourced Tertiary oils from the Circum-Pacific area of Japan, Russia and the U.S.A. have a heavy carbon isotope composition, monomodal n-alkane distributions, and nearly identical regular sterane compositions with a predominance of C₂₇ homologues. These are consistent with open marine depositional environments dominated by diatomaceous organic matter. However, a number of alkane and biomarker parameters such as Pr/Ph, CPI, relative concentration of 28,30-bisnorhopane, and the C₃₅/C₃₄ homohopane ratio indicate more oxic depositional environments for the source rocks of Japan and Russia. In contrast to the California Monterey Formation sourced oils, petroleums with low maturity levels from the North Sakhalin basin, Russia and the Akita basin, Japan have lower concentrations of asphaltenes and sulphur and are characterized by higher API gravities. A correlation of extractable organic matter from source rocks vs the least matured petroleums demonstrates that oil expulsion in siliceous shales of the Akita basin occurs at a maturity level corresponding to R_o≥0.65%, which is in the range of the conventional oil window (R_o = 0.6−1.1%).     

Photonic dating of prehistoric irrigation canals at Phoenix,Arizona, U.S.A.*

A number of archeological features, including in‐filled irrigation canals of uncertain prehistoric age, occur within the Holocene floodplain of the Salt River at Phoenix, Arizona. In the first attempt to date irrigation‐canal sediments using luminescence methods, we obtained age estimates of 1640 ± 190 yr B.P. (1σ) (multi‐aliquot or MA) and 1621 ± 95 yr B.P. (post‐IR single‐aliquot‐regenerative‐dose or SAR) for a single sample from the base of the oldest canal‐infilling deposits (all IR‐PSL ages reported in this article are in calendar years before A.D. 2001). For the remaining canal samples, weighted mean luminescence ages of 819 ± 45 yr (MA) and 826 ± 32 yr (post‐IR SAR) were obtained. Thus from photonic dating we can resolve the first and last phases of canal use at this Phoenix site: initiation at ca. 1600 years ago and final use at ca. 800 years ago. These results demonstrate the power of SAR luminescence sediment dating to enhance our understanding of prehistoric irrigation‐canal development and usage here and elsewhere in the world. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Petrogenesis of alkalic and calcalkalic volcanic rocks of Mormon Mountain Volcanic Field,Arizona

The Cenozoic Mormon Mountain Volcanic Field (MMVF) of northern Arizona is situated in the transition zone between the Basin and Range and the Colorado Plateau. It is composed of alkalic to sub-alkalic basalts and calcalkalic andesites, dacites, and rhyodacites. Despite their spatial and temporal association, the basalts and the calcalkalic suite do not seem to be co-genetic. The petrogenesis of primitive MMVF basalts can be explained as the result of different degrees of partial melting of a relatively homogenous, incompatible element-enriched peridotitic source. The variety of evolved basalt types was the result of subsequent fractional crystallization of olivine, spinel, and clinopyroxene from the range of primitive basalts. Crustal contamination seems to have occurred, but affected only the highly incompatible element abundances. The formation of MMVF calcalkalic rocks is most readily explained by small to moderate amounts of partial melting of an amphibolitic lower crust. This source is LREE-enriched but depleted in Rb and relatively unradiogenic Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0.7040). Calcalkalic rhyodacites may also be derived from andesitic parents by fractional crystallization. The overall petrogenesis of the MMVF complex is the result of intra-plate volcanism where mantle-derived magmas intrude and pass through thick continental crust.     

安徽女山麻粒岩包体的地球化学特征:下地壳组成及其构造属性初探

女山麻粒岩包体的Mg#值总体较低（28－51），在化学成分上主要表现为偏中性，没有明显的辉石、石榴子石或Fe-Ti氧化物的堆晶作用，但部分有斜长石的堆晶作用，略具Eu,Sr正异常，部分则有斜长石的分离结晶，略具Eu,Sr负异常。另外，女山麻粒岩包体亏损Rb,Th,Nb,Ta,富集Ba,LREE,Zr,Hf等，具较高的Nb/Ta,Zr/Hf比值，麻粒岩相变质作用过程造成了Rb的强烈亏损，但对Nb,Ta,U,Th的影响较弱。女山麻粒岩包体的形成过程中存在岩浆的结晶分异作用，通过分离结晶混染作用模型（AFC）模拟，表明华北克拉通太古宙基性火山岩和中必一麻粒岩分别为较可能的初始岩浆和混合源，初始岩浆经过10％－40％的AFC可以形成女山麻粒岩包体的微量元素组成。总体上，女山麻粒岩包体的主元素、微量元素特征均相似于华北克拉通太古宙中性麻粒岩、华北克拉通下地壳平均值，而与扬子克拉通下地壳平均值得明显差别。因此女山地区下地壳可能仍属华北克拉通的一部分，因而支持Li(1994)的碰撞拆离模式。     

U–Pb and Hf isotopic analysis of zircon in lower crustal xenoliths from the Navajo volcanic field: 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and metamorphism beneath the Colorado Plateau

Zircon from lower crustal xenoliths erupted in the Navajo volcanic field was analyzed for U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotopic compositions to characterize the lower crust beneath the Colorado Plateau and to determine whether it was affected by ∼1.4 Ga granitic magmatism and metamorphism that profoundly affected the exposed middle crust of southwestern Laurentia. Igneous zircon in felsic xenoliths crystallized at 1.73 and 1.65 Ga, and igneous zircon in mafic xenoliths crystallized at 1.43 Ga. Most igneous zircon has unradiogenic initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=+4.1–+7.8) and 1.7–1.6 Ga depleted mantle model ages, consistent with 1.7–1.6 Ga felsic protoliths being derived from “juvenile” Proterozoic crust and 1.4 Ga mafic protoliths having interacted with older crust. Metamorphic zircon grew in four pulses between 1.42 and 1.36 Ga, at least one of which was at granulite facies. Significant variability within and between xenoliths in metamorphic zircon initial Hf isotopic compositions (ɛ_Hf=−0.7 to +13.6) indicates growth from different aged sources with diverse time-integrated Lu/Hf ratios. These results show a strong link between 1.4 Ga mafic magmatism and granulite facies metamorphism in the lower crust and granitic magmatism and metamorphism in the exposed middle crust.     

Crustal xenoliths from Calbuco Volcano,Andean Southern Volcanic Zone: implications for crustal composition and magma-crust interaction

Crustal xenoliths in the 1961 andesite flow of Calbuco Volcano, in the southern Southern Volcanic Zone (SSVZ) of the Andes, consist predominantly of pyroxene granulites and hornblende gabbronorites. The granulites contain plagioclase+pyroxene+magnetite±amphibole, and have pronounced granoblastic textures. Small amounts of relict amphibole surrounded by pyroxene-plagioclase-magnetite-glass symplectites are found in some specimens. These and similar textures in the gabbronorites are interpreted as evidence of dehydration melting. Mineral and bulk rock geochemical data indicate that the granulites are derived from an incompatible trace element depleted basaltic protolith that underwent two stages of metamorphism: a moderate pressure, high temperature stage accompanied by melting and melt extraction from some samples, followed by thermal metamorphism after entrainment in the Calbuco andesite lavas. High _Nd ^T values (+4.0 to +8.6), Nd-isotope model ages of 1.7–2.0 Ga, and trace element characteristics like chondrite normalized La/Yb< and La/Nb1 indicate that the protoliths were oceanic basalts. Similar oceanic metabasalts of greenschist to amphibolite facies are found in the Paleozoic metamorphic belt that underlies the Chilean coastal ranges. Mineral and bulk rock compositions of the gabbronorite xenoliths indicate that they are cognate, crystallizing from the basaltic andesite magma at Calbuco. Crystallization pressures for the gabbros based on total Al contents in amphibole are 6–8 kbar. These pressures point to middle to lower crustal storage of the Calbuco magma. Neither granulite nor gabbro xenoliths have the appropriate geochemical characteristics to be contaminants of Calbuco andesites, although an ancient sedimentary contaminant is indicated by the lava compositions. The presence of oceanic metabasaltic xenoliths, together with the sedimentary isotopic imprint, suggests that the lower crust beneath the volcano is analogous to the coastal metamorphic belt, which is an accretionary complex of intercalated basalts and sediments that formed along the Paleozoic Gondwanan margin. If this is the case, the geochemical composition of the lower and middle crust beneath the SSVZ is significantly different from that of most recent SSVZ volcanic rocks.