New observations on Rajahmundry Traps of the Krishna-Godavari Basin

The Rajahmundry Traps of the Krishna Godavari Basin (K-G Basin) consist of three distinct basalt flows interbedded with two intertrappean sedimentary horizons, which in turn are underlain by the late Cretaceous fossiliferous limestone bed (infratrappean) and overlain by the Cenozoic Rajahmundry Formation (conglomerate/sandstone). Among the three, the lower flow is characterized by the presence of the physical volcanological features such as rootless cones, tumuli and dyke like forms along with single to multitier columnar and radial jointing. The middle and upper flows are simple, massive and vesicular and exhibit spheroidal weathering. Physical volcanological features and lithological attributes indicate that the lower flow was formed by an explosive volcanic activity in hydrous environment, followed by sub aerial eruption to form the middle and upper flows. The fossiliferous limestone bed is a representative horizon for the K-T boundary mass extinction caused due to intense volcanism. Intertrappean sediments exhibit weathered soil profiles (palaeosols) with limestone beds denoting a distinct time gap during various phases of lava eruption. Evaluation of the palaeogeographic scenario of the Krishna and Godavari Rivers does not provide any evidence for the existence of Cretaceous palaeovalley which would have provided pathway for lava transportation from the Deccan volcanic province of western India to the K-G Basin situated along the east coast. The present study opens up an alternative approach to explain the origin of basalt flows at Rajahmundry. In all probability the lavas could be intrabasinal. NW-SE and NESW faults or their intersection zones are probable pathways for lava eruption in the K-G Basin.     

Age and duration of the Deccan Traps, India: A review of radiometric and paleomagnetic constraints

A review of the available radiometric and paleomagnetic data from the Deccan Flood Basalt Province (DFBP) suggests that the volcanism was episodic in nature and probably continued over an extended duration from 69 Ma to 63 Ma between 31R and 28N. It is likely that the most intense pulse of volcanism at 66.9 ± 0.2 Ma preceded the Cretaceous Tertiary Boundary (KTB, 65.2 ± 0.2Ma) events by R∼1.7Ma. The magnetostratigraphic record in the Deccan lava pile is incomplete and it is therefore possible that the lava flows constituting the reverse polarity sequence were erupted in more than one reversed magnetic chron.     

The emplacement of pahoehoe lavas on Kilauea and in the Deccan Traps

There is a growing interest in deciphering the emplacement and environmental impact of flood basalt provinces such as the Deccan, India. Observations of active volcanism lead to meaningful interpretations of now-extinct volcanic systems. Here, I illustrate and discuss the morphology and emplacement of the modern and active lava flows of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, and based on them, interpret the compound pahoehoe lavas of the Deccan Traps. The latter are vastly larger (areally extensive and voluminous) than Kilauea flows, and yet, their internal architecture is the same as that of Kilauea flows, and even the sizes of individual flow units often identical. Many or most compound flows of the Deccan Traps were emplaced in a gentle, effusive, Kilauea-like fashion. Bulk eruption rates for the Deccan province are unknown, and were probably high, but the local eruption rates of the compound flows were no larger than Kilauea’s. Large (≥ 1000 km³) individual compound pahoehoe flows in the Deccan could have been emplaced at Kilauea-like local eruption rates (1 m³/sec per metre length of fissure) in a decade or less, given fissures of sufficient length (tens of kilometres), now exposed as dyke swarms in the province.     

Palynology and clay mineralogy of the Deccan volcanic associated sediments of Saurashtra,Gujarat: Age and paleoenvironments

The intertrappean sediments associated with Deccan Continental Flood Basalt (DCFB) sequence at Ninama in Saurashtra, Gujarat yielded palynoassemblage comprising at least 12 genera and 14 species including Paleocene taxa such as Intrareticulites brevis, Neocouperipollis spp., Striacolporites striatus, Retitricolpites crassimarginatus and Rhombipollis sp. The lava flows of Saurashtra represent the northwestern most DCFB sequence in India. It is considered that the Saurashtra lava flows represent the earliest volcanic activity in the Late Cretaceous of the Reunion Mantle Plume on the northward migrating Indian Plate. The present finding of the Paleocene palynoflora from Ninama sediments indicate Paleocene age for the associated lava flows occurring above the intertrappean bed which suggests that the Saurashtra plateau witnessed eruption of Deccan lava flows even during Paleocene. The clay mineral investigation of the Ninama sediments which are carbonate dominated shows dominance of low charge smectite (LCS) along with the presence of mica and vermiculite. Based on the clay mineral assemblage it is interpreted that arid climatic conditions prevailed during the sedimentation. The smectite dominance recorded within these sediments is in agreement with global record of smectite peak close to the Maastrichtian–Paleocene transition and climatic aridity.     

<Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar-<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar age of a lava flow from the Bhimashankar Formation,Giravali Ghat,Deccan Traps

We report here a⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar age of 66.0 ± 0.9 Ma (2σ) for a reversely magnetised tholeiitic lava flow from the Bhimashankar Formation (Fm.), Giravali Ghat, western Deccan province, India. This age is consistent with the view that the 1.8–2 km thick bottom part of the exposed basalt flow sequence in the Western Ghats was extruded very close to 67.4 Ma.     

Feeder and post Deccan Trap dyke activities in the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain: Evidence from new 40Ar-39Ar ages

We present new 40Ar-39 Ar plagioclase crystallization ages from the dykes exposed at the northern slope of the Satpura Mountain range near Betul-Jabalpur-Pachmarhi area,~800 km NE of the Western Ghats escarpment.Among the two plateau ages,the first age of 66.56±0.42 Ma from a dyke near Mohpani village represents its crystallization age which is either slightly older or contemporaneous with the nearby Mandla lava flows(63-65 Ma).We suggest that the Mohpani dyke might be one of the feeders for the surrounding lava flows as these lavas are significantly younger than the majority of the main Deccan lavas of the Western Ghats(66.38-65.54 Ma).The second age of 56.95±1.08 Ma comes from a younger dyke near Olini village which cuts across the lava flows of the area.The age correlates well with the Mandla lavas which are chemically similar to the uppermost Poladpur,Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formation lavas of SW Deccan.Our study shows that the dyke activities occurred in two phases,with the second one representing the terminal stage.     

Palynochronology of Lower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary succession of the Rajmahal Formation in the Rajmahal Basin, India

In the Rajmahal Basin Lower Cretaceous rocks are classified under the Rajmahal Formation. It includes a series of volcanic basalt flows and associated sedimentary intertrappean beds. Up to 15 basalt flows have been recorded in this basin. The intertrappean beds comprise sandstone, shale, siltstone, and clay deposits which are rich in spores and pollen. The palynoflora recovered from intertrappean beds shows definite pattern of evolution and diversification. On the basis of its overall composition, distribution pattern of age marker taxa and the First Appearance Datum of key taxa, four palynological assemblages have been identified. The chronology of these assemblages in ascending order is (1) Ruffordiaspora australiensis, (2) Foraminisporis wonthaggiensis, (3) Foraminisporis asymmetricus, and (4) Coptospora verrucosa. These assemblages ascertain the age of the volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Rajmahal Formation in the Rajmahal Basin as Berriasian to Aptian. The palynochronology of the intertrappean beds enables their correlation in the Rajmahal Basin. In different areas of the basin, the palynological dating of the lowermost intertrappean bed within the Rajmahal Formation which overlies the Dubrajpur Formation, has provided a Berriasian to Aptian age. The palynological assemblage indicating the Berriasian age is inferred as the time of the initiation of volcanic activity which continued up to the Aptian in the Rajmahal Basin.     

Age and depositional setting of the Permian Black Dyke Formation: implications for the paleogeography and structural evolution of western Nevada

Abstract

In western Nevada, the Black Dyke Formation includes volcanic rocks overlain conformably by volcaniclastic sediments. At the base, hornblende-phyric basalts with cognate hornblende-bearing gabbroic cumulates are interbedded with tuffs and pyroclastic breccia. Amphiboles give ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 276 Ma. Clinopyroxene-phyric pillow basalts and plagioclase-phyric andesitic lava flows are present higher in the section. Facies changes between exposures reflect development near volcanic centers.

According to our investigations, the Black Dyke Formation is involved in east–west-trending folds overturned toward the south, and overlain unconformably by the Mesozoic Dunlap Formation, which unconformably overlies the Mississippian–Permian Mina Formation. Interpreted until now as tectonic slices within the Luning allochthon, we suggest that the Black Dyke Formation is part of the Sonoma allochthon associated with the Mina Formation. The Sonoma records closure of the Havallah basin (Golconda allochthon), and collision of an arc- trench system with the North American margin.

The Black Dyke Formation exhibits similarities with the Permian arc sequence of the northern Sierra Nevada. Both sequences are characterized by amphibole-bearing breccias, clinopyroxene-phyric pillow-basalts, plagioclase-phyric andesites and overlying volcaniclastic sediments. These sequences developed in the same geodynamic environment (an island- arc). © Elsevier, Paris     

Review: Groundwater development and management in the Deccan Traps (basalts) of western India

The Deccan Traps or the basalts of western India are the largest exposure of basic lava flows covering about 500,000 km². Groundwater occurrence in the Deccan Traps is in phreatic condition in the weathered zone above the hard rock and in semi-confined condition in the fissures, fractures, joints, cooling cracks, lava flow junctions and in the inter-trappean beds between successive lava flows, within the hard rock. Dug wells, dug-cum-bored wells and boreholes or bore wells are commonly used for obtaining groundwater. The yield is small, usually in the range of 1–100 m³/day. The average land holding per farming family is only around 2 ha. Recently, due to the ever increasing number of dug wells and deep bore wells, the water table has been falling in several watersheds, especially in those lying in the semi-arid region of the traps, so that now the emphasis has shifted from development to sustainable management. Issues like climatic change, poverty mitigation in villages, sustainable development, rapid urbanization of the population, and resource pollution have invited the attention of politicians, policy makers, government agencies and non-governmental organizations towards watershed management, forestation, soil and water conservation, recharge augmentation and, above all, the voluntary control of groundwater abstraction in the Deccan Traps terrain.     

Basalts of the Eastern Deccan Volcanic Province,India

The Mandla lobe in the eastern part of the Deccan volcanic province represents an isolated lava pile having a thickness of ∼900 m. The large thickness of this lava pile and its spatial detachment from the western Deccan outcrop points to a plausible second source. The stratigraphic configuration of the central and eastern Deccan lava sequences and their possible stratigraphic correlation are primarily based on geology and chemical signatures of the lava flows. Based on variations in the incompatible element ratios, the lava sequences of Chindwara, Jabalpur-Seoni and Jabalpur-Piparia sections were classified into four informal formations showing similarity with the southwestern formations. Major and trace element abundances in fifteen lava flows of Jabalpur area are similar to that of the southwestern Deccan lava flows. It has been found that the Ambenali Fm. and a few Khandala and Bushe Fm. flows are present in the northeastern Deccan. The regional mapping and detailed petrographic studies coupled with the lateral tracing have enabled the recognition of thirty-seven physically distinct lava flows and is justified by their major-elemental chemistry. The ‘intraflow variations’ studied in some of the flows is very low for most of the major oxides. These thirty-seven lava flows are grouped into eight chemical types. The order of superposition in this sequence reflects that the older flows occur in the west of the outlier at the Seoni-Jabalpur-Sahapura sector whereas, the younger flows are confined to the Dindori-Amarkantak sector in the east. The spatial disposition of the lava flows suggests that the structural complexity in the lava flow sequence in the Mandla lobe lies between Jabalpur and Dindori. The juxtaposition of distinct groups of lava flows are observed near Deori (flows 1 to 4 abeted aginst flows 5 to 14) and Dindori areas. At Dindori and towards its south the distinct lava packages (flows 15 to 27 and flows 28 to 37) are juxtaposed along the course of Narmada river. The possible explanation for this could be the presence of four post-Deccan faults at Nagapahar, Kundam, Deori and Dindori areas. The vertical shift of chemically distinct lava packages at different sectors in the outlier contravenes the idea of small regional dip and favours the presence of four NE-SW trending post-Deccan faults. Major geochemical breaks, when traced out from section to section, exhibit shifting in heights by approximately 150 m near Nagapahar and 300 m near Deori and Dindori areas. The field, petrographic and major-oxide data sets considered in conjuction with the magnetic chron reversal heights, support the inference that four faults trending NE-SW are present in the Mandla lobe.A commonality in the mineralo-chemical attributes of the infra (Lametas)-/inter-trappean as well as weathered Deccan basalt further favours their derivation from Deccan basalt, implying the availability of Deccan basalt during the Maastrichtian Lameta sedimentation. This observation does not match with the models suggesting an extremely short duration of Deccan volcanism (<0.5 Ma) at the KTB, but is congruent with the models advocating a more prolonged Deccan volcanism.     

松辽盆地西斜坡上白垩统青山口组二段及三段底部四级层序格架下沉积微相分布

综合利用地震、录井、测井、岩心资料,建立了松辽盆地西斜坡上白垩统青山口组二段及三段底部四级层序地层格架,查明了四级层序格架内沉积微相的空间分布。青山口组二段划分为2个四级层序(Cg4、Cg3),每个四级层序均可划分为湖泊扩张体系域和湖泊收缩体系域,分别命名为Eg4、Sg4,Eg3、Sg3。西斜坡青山口组二段及三段底部的沉积格局为滨浅湖沉积体(砂坝、泥滩、混合滩)和三角洲前缘沉积体(河口坝、远砂坝)共存。Eg4沉积时期发育了物源来自西部与北部的4个三角洲前缘沉积体,沉积体之间发育滨浅湖混合滩;Sg4沉积时期三角洲沉积体规模较前期扩大,并且发育了物源来自西北方向的三角洲。Eg3沉积时期物源来自西部及北部的三角洲向东推进,东北部三角洲前缘沉积体萎缩;Sg3沉积时期以三角洲前缘沉积占优势,三角洲前缘沉积体错叠连片,滨浅湖沉积大量减少。青山口组二段及三段底部自下而上,沉积区范围和三角洲前缘沉积体的规模逐渐扩大。     

Trace elemental and Nd-Sr-Pb isotopic compositional variation in 37 lava flows of the Mandla lobe and their chemical relation to the western Deccan stratigraphic succession,India

The Mandla lobe is a 900 m thick lava pile that forms a 29,400 km² northeastern extension of the Deccan Traps. Earlier, combined field, petrographic, and major element studies have shown that this lobe comprises 37 lava flows. Using a combination of trace elements (Ba, Ti, Zr, Rb, Sr) and Nb/Zr values, we group the flows into six chemical types (A–F) that are separated stratigraphically. Combined trace element and Nd-Pb-Sr isotopic data, document the presence of lavas resembling those of the Poladpur Formation and less abundantly, the Ambenali Formation of the southwestern Deccan are in conformity with the earlier reconnaissance work. In addition, our data reveal several flows similar to those of the Mahabaleshwar Formation, the type sections of which are located?~?900 km to the southwest. Based on the isotopic data the superposition of Mahabaleshwar-like flows over flows with Ambenali- and Poladpur-like characteristics is in the same stratigraphic order seen in the southwestern Deccan type section. However, from the stratigraphy indicated by the Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) results and the serious discrepancy between the DFA and isotopic data, it seems that few Mandla lobe flows are different and not in the same stratigraphic order as in the southwestern part of the province. To some extent the differences may be explained by faulting along four large post-Deccan normal faults near Nagapahar, Kundam, Deori, and Dindori areas across which offsets of ~150 m have been measured. This post-emplacement faulting accounts for the presence of several chemically Mahabaleshwar-like lavas at the base of the ~900 m thick Mandla lobe pile, at a lower elevation than a thick sequence dominated by chemically Poladpur-like flows. However, presence of common signature lavas (similar to that in the northeastern Deccan) cannot be ruled out in this area. They are similar to Poladpur-type lavas both chemically and isotopically. They appear in different formations and erupted at different times other than Poladpur Formation. Close similarities in petrogenetic processes between the two regions are indicated, although it is not clear whether any of the Mandla lobe lavas are far-traveled counterparts of flows cropping out in the southwestern Deccan, or whether some magma migrated laterally in dike systems over great distances. Feeder dykes have not been found in the study area except for Chakhla-Delakhari Intrusive Complex (CDIC) in Satpura region that shows major and trace elemental similarities with the Seoni lavas, although, long distance transport of magma is yet to be proved. The Poladpur-like Mandla lobe flows appear to be different flows from those of the Poldapur Formation in the southwest, as they are somewhat different in isotopic (higher ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb) composition. They also differ from any known flows in the other southwestern formations, but are broadly similar to flows found in sections across the northern Deccan west of the Mandla lobe.     

The Deccan Trap – Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary connection; new 40Ar/39Ar ages and critical assessment of existing argon data pertinent to this hypothesis

The Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary (KPgB) was dated by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method herein from the western interior of North America at 65.48 ± 0.12 Ma (1σ), in good agreement with other recent published estimates. For the Deccan Traps, India, new argon ages as well as others available in the literature, are assessed for reliability based on (a) statistical reliability of plateau/isochron sections and (b) freshness of material dated utilizing the alteration index method. From tholeiitic lavas from the Composite Western Ghats Section (CWGS), only six ages are found to be reliable estimates of the time of crystallization. These ages along with the magnetic polarity of the lavas agree with the geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) at ∼67–64 Ma. Alkaline rocks from the Anjar area of Kutch, provide three reliable ages that suggest a hiatus in lava extrusion around KPgB. For the Rajahmundry basalts, the upper flow’s age defines its formation during chron 29n; a single age from the lower reversed polarity flow appears somewhat dichotomous when plotted against the GPTS. The reliable lava ages indicate the most voluminous (reversed polarity) sections of the CWGS were extruded at a time statistically indistinguishable from that of the KPgB. The Deccan Trap – KPgB faunal extinction hypothesis remains plausible, but must compete with the latest report, favoring a very close temporal connection (∼0.03 m.y.) between the Chixculub (Impact) Crater and the KPgB.     

Highly heterogeneous Precambrian basement under the central Deccan Traps, India: Direct evidence from xenoliths in dykes

Crustal or mantle xenoliths are not common in evolved, tholeiitic flood basalts that cover huge areas of the Precambrian shields. Yet, the occasional occurrences provide the most direct and unequivocal evidence on basement composition. Few xenolith occurrences are known from the Deccan Traps, India, and inferences about the Deccan basement have necessarily depended on geophysical studies and geochemistry of Deccan lavas and intrusions. Here, we report two basalt dykes (Rajmane and Talwade dykes) from the central Deccan Traps that are extremely rich in crustal xenoliths of great lithological variety (gneisses, quartzites, granite mylonite, felsic granulite, carbonate rock, tuff). Because the dykes are parallel and only 4 km apart, and only a few kilometres long, the xenoliths provide clear evidence for high small-scale lithological heterogeneity and strong tectonic deformation in the Precambrian Indian crust beneath. Measured ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the xenoliths range from 0.70935 (carbonate) to 0.78479 (granite mylonite). The Rajmane dyke sampled away from any of the xenoliths shows a present-day ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.70465 and initial (at 66 Ma) ratio of 0.70445. The dyke is subalkalic and fairly evolved (Mg No. = 44.1) and broadly similar in its Sr-isotopic and elemental composition to some of the lavas of the Mahabaleshwar Formation. The xenoliths are comparable lithologically and geochemically to basement rocks from the Archaean Dharwar craton forming much of southern India. As several lines of evidence suggest, the Dharwar craton may extend at least 350–400 km north under the Deccan lava cover. This is significant for Precambrian crustal evolution of India besides continental reconstructions.     

辽宁北票地区义县组地层划分与对比

辽宁北票地区义县组是一套中生代陆相火山-沉积岩系,主要由中-基性火山熔岩、火山碎屑岩及陆相沉积岩构成.依据火山活动的规律性,将本区义县组划分为4个岩性段,自下而上分别为:一段:底砾岩、基性-中基性火山岩段;二段:湖相沉积(或称珍稀化石层)岩段;三段:基性火山岩段;四段:砾岩段.其中,义县组一段产丰富的以鹦鹉嘴龙为主的古脊椎动物化石.二段产大量热河生物群化石,包括著名的中华龙鸟、孔子鸟和辽宁古果等珍稀化石,是义县组最重要的化石产出层位.从西向东,义县期火山活动具明显的由早到晚、由基性-中性-酸性(偏碱性)的演化特征.     

Primary volcanic structures from a type section of Deccan Trap flows around Narsingpur-Harrai-Amarwara, central India: Implications for cooling history

Field investigations of the Deccan Trap lava sequence along a 70 km traverse in the Narsingpur-Harrai-Amarwara area of central India indicate twenty lava flows comprising a total thickness of around 480 m. Primary volcanic structures like vesicles and cooling joints are conspicuous in this volcanic succession and are used to divide individual flows into three well-defined zones namely the lower colonnade zone, entablature zone, and the upper colonnade zone. The variable nature of these structural zones is used for identification and correlation of lava flows in the field. For twenty lava flows, the thicknesses of upper colonnade zones of eight flows are ∼5 m while those of eight other flows are ∼8 m each. The thicknesses of upper colonnade zones of remaining four flows could not be measured in the field. Using the thicknesses of these upper colonnade zones and standard temperature-flow thickness-cooling time profiles for lava pile, the total cooling time of these sixteen Deccan Trap lava flows has been estimated at 12 to 15 years.     

Geological development of Heard Island,Central Kerguelen Plateau

We report ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar laser step-heating age determinations on 15 stratigraphically controlled lava flows and intrusive rocks from Heard Island, Central Kerguelen Plateau (Indian Ocean). The island history began with uplift of pelagic limestone intruded by 22 Ma gabbro sills. Subaerial and wave erosion levelled the early island, producing an unconformity onto which pillow lavas, tuffaceous sediments and shallow-water, fossiliferous marine siltstone (Drygalski Formation) were deposited, beginning in late Miocene time. Two volcanic systems then formed in the late Quaternary. Big Ben dominates the larger southeast part of the island, while Mount Dixon occupies the northwest Laurens Peninsula. Feeder dykes and the early lava flows in both systems are 400–200 ka. Lava flows with evolved compositions (trachytes, trachyandesites) erupted 100–20 ka. Well-preserved parasitic cones exposed at low elevations are 15–10 ka and younger. Mawson Peak, near the summit of Big Ben, has erupted lava flows as recently as 2007. Heard Island, and nearby active McDonald Island, are subaerial features of a larger Neogene volcanic region of Central Kerguelen Plateau that includes several large sea knolls and recently identified submarine fields of small cones. This broadly distributed volcanic activity is linked to incubation of plume material at the base of the nearly stationary overlying Central Kerguelen Plateau.     

Geochemistry and magnetostratigraphy of deccan flows at Anjar, Kutch

Chemical analysis of nine Deccan flow basalts at Anjar, Kutch, western India, indicates that all, except the uppermost flow F-9, are alkaline. In their major and trace element composition, the alkali basalts resemble Ocean island basalts (OIB). Similarities of many diagnostic trace element ratios (e.g. Sm/Nd, Ba/Nb,Y/Nb and Zr/Nb) are similar to those found in the Réunion Island basalts. The uppermost basalt is tholeiitic and chemically resembles the least contaminated Deccan basalt (Ambenali type). The Anjar basalts have iridium concentration ranging between 2 and 178 pg/g. Some of these values are higher by about an order of magnitude compared to the Ir concentration in other basalts of the Deccan. A synthesis of chemical, palaeomagnetic and geochronologic data enables us to construct a chemical and magnetic stratigraphy for these flows. The three flows below the iridium enriched intertrappean bed (IT III) show normal magnetic polarity whereas all except one of the upper basalts show reversed magnetic polarity. The sequence seems to have started in polarity zones 31N and probably continued up to 28R or 27R. The results presented here support the view that Deccan volcanism in Kutch occurred on a time span of a few million years.     

Volcanisme de l'ı̂le aux Pingouins,archipel Crozet,témoin de l'hétérogénéité du manteau fertile au sud de l'océan IndienPenguins Island,Crozet archipelago,volcanic evidence for a heterogeneous mantle in the southern Indian Ocean

Despite its small area (5.6 km²), the Penguins Island brings magmatic information concerning mantle geochemical heterogeneities in southwestern Indian Ocean. The volcanism that built the island was firstly associated with marine deposits, and secondly with aerial, giving then abundant volcanic breccias and lava flows. The rocks are weakly differentiated and result of magmatic fractionation from picritic to tephritic types. KAr ages are near 1.1 Ma. The magmatic source may be related to a HIMU reservoir or to EMI ± EMII ones, depending on the geochemical evidences that are taken into account. However, comparisons with the Marion Island, on the same oceanic plateau and far to the west, as well as with Kerguelen Islands, far to the east, suggest a very heterogeneous mantle source. To cite this article: A. Giret et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 481–488.     

Age and depositional setting of the Permian Black Dyke Formation: Implications for the paleogeography and structural evolution of western Nevada

In western Nevada, the Black Dyke Formation includes volcanic rocks overlain conformably by volcaniclastic sediments. At the base, hornblende-phyric basalts with cognate hornblende-bearing gabbroic cumulates are interbedded with tuffs and pyroclastic breccia. Amphiboles give ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 276 Ma. Clinopyroxene-phyric pillow basalts and plagioclase-phyric andesitic lava flows are present higher in the section. Facies changes between exposures reflect development near volcanic centers.According to our investigations, the Black Dyke Formation is involved in east-west-trending folds overturned toward the south, and overlain unconformably by the Mesozoic Dunlap Formation, which unconformably overlies the Mississippian-Permian Mina Formation. Interpreted until now as tectonic slices within the Luning allochthon, we suggest that the Black Dyke Formation is part of the Sonoma allochthon associated with the Mina Formation. The Sonoma records closure of the Havallah basin (Golconda allochthon), and collision of an arctrench system with the North American margin.The Black Dyke Formation exhibits similarities with the Permian arc sequence of the northern Sierra Nevada. Both sequences are characterized by amphibole-bearing breccias, clinopyroxene-phyric pillow-basalts, plagioclase-phyric andesites and overlying volcaniclastic sediments. These sequences developed in the same geodynamic environment (an islandarc).