The French Guyana doleritic dykes: geochemical evidence of three populations and new data for the Jurassic Central Atlantic Magmatic Province

A petrographic and geochemical study of 15 Early Jurassic and 7 Proterozoic dolerites of French Guyana, and of one Jurassic dolerite from Ivory-Coast were carried out. The Early Jurassic SSW-NNE trending dykes have doleritic aphyric or gabbroic phyric texture. Their chemical compositions, slightly under-saturated to over-saturated, show moderate to low Mg-ratios (63–36), high TiO₂ contents (1.85–3.56 wt.%), weak rare earth element fractionation [1.8<(La/Yb)_n <4.6], negative Sr-anomalies (0.41<Sr* <0.91) and positive TiO₂-anomalies (1.2<TiO₂*<2.15). They correspond to sub-alkaline high-Ti basalts (HTiB). The La/Nb ratio (1.18±0.23) is close to that of the OIB-type Deccan basalts and incompatible element ratios: Rb/Nb_n (1.07±0.3), Zr/Y (4.6±0.8) are intermediate between those of HTiB in Deccan and those of HTiB in Paraná. These geochemical signatures and recent isotopic data of Bertrand et al. [Bertrand, H., Liegeois, J.P., Deckart, K., Féraud, G., 1999. High-Ti tholeiites in Guinea and Their Connection with the Central Atlantic CFB Province: Elemental and Nd-Sr-Pb Isotopic Evidence for Preferential Zone of Mantle Upwelling in Cause of Rifting. AGU spring meeting (Abst. p 317)] suggest that their magmatic source is different from that of the other basalts of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). Such signatures are restricted to a central zone coinciding with the Panafrican Rokelides suture. We propose a model of sub-lithospheric preferential channelling of an asthenospheric ascent in this zone. Two other groups of dykes were identified in French Guyana. Compared to the Jurassic ones the Proterozoic dykes have NNW-SSE and E-W trending direction, more important LILE enrichment, low TiO₂ contents (<2 wt%) and Nb–Ta negative anomalies. Their calc-alkaline signature could be the result of a previous subduction and may be related to the 1800 Ma Venturi-Tapajós event, which contaminated the mantle source.     

Compositional effect on the pressure derivatives of bulk modulus of silicate melts

Although the bulk moduli (K_T0) of silicate melts have a relatively narrow range of values, the pressure derivatives of the isothermal bulk modulus (K_T0^′) can assume a broad range of values and have an important influence on the compositional dependence of the melt compressibility at high pressure. Based on the melt density data from sink/float experiments at high pressures in the literature, we calculate K_T0^′ using an isothermal equation of state (EOS) (e.g., Birch–Murnaghan EOS and Vinet EOS) with the previously determined values of room-pressure density (ρ₀) and room-pressure bulk modulus (K_T0). The results show that best estimates of K_T0^′ vary considerably from ~ 3 to ~ 7 for different compositions. K_T0^′ is nearly independent of Mg # (molar Mg/(Mg + Fe)), but decreases with SiO₂ content. Hydrous melts have anomalously small K_T0^′ leading to a high degree of compression at high pressures. For anhydrous melts, K_T0^′ is ~ 7 for peridotitic melts, ~ 6 for picritic melts, ~ 5 for komatiitic melts, and ~ 4 for basaltic melts.     

Deep melting of old subducted oceanic crust recorded by superchondritic Nb/Ta in modern island arc lavas

Niobium–tantalum systematics of slab-derived melts are powerful tracers that discriminate residual high-pressure rutile-bearing eclogite from low-pressure garnet-bearing amphibolite in subducting plates. Previously reported low Nb–Ta ratios in modern slab melts suggested a predominance of shallow melting in the presence of residual amphibole and that deep melting of rutile-bearing eclogitic slabs, devoid of residual amphibole, is volumetrically insignificant. This study evaluates Nb/Ta in combination with other trace element systematics of modern intra-oceanic and slab melt-related arc lavas from the south-western volcanic chain of the Solomon Islands that cover over 1000 km of the SW Pacific plate border. After a change of subduction polarity, an old subducted Pacific slab and a recently subducting Indian–Australian slab are both present beneath the arc. Solomon arc lavas show sub- to superchondritic Nb–Ta ratios (ca. 10 to 27) which is the largest range ever reported in modern island arc lavas. The large range of Nb/Ta likely results from enrichment of the depleted sub-arc mantle by two distinct slab-derived melts in addition to fluids. One minor slab melt component is derived from the shallow and recent subducting Indian–Australian plate where amphibole is still a significant residual phase. The second slab melt component is predominant in Solomon arc lavas and can be attributed to deep rutile–eclogite-controlled melting of old subducted Jurassic Pacific oceanic crust where residual amphibole is entirely absent or insignificant. The deep Pacific slab melt component is the most likely origin of the extremely high and superchondritic Nb/Ta signatures that produce the upper half of the observed range of Nb/Ta in Solomon arc lavas. The slab melt component that enriched the sub-arc mantle with an unusually high Nb/Ta signature is derived from an initially intact Pacific plate that was probably subject to a slab break-off event and subsequent melting at depths exceeding 100 km. The geochemical evidence presented here shows that old and cold subducted oceanic crust, which is initially not torn, may resist shallow melting but can melt at greater depths instead. The resulting slab melts are generated in the presence of residual rutile-bearing eclogite and significantly fractionate Nb–Ta ratios which may be of relevance at a global scale.     

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

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

Trace element characteristics of partial melts produced by melting of metabasalts at high pressures: Constraints on the formation condition of adakitic melts

Modern adakite, Archean tonalite-trondhjemite- granodiorite (TTG) and adakitic rocks derived from lower continental crust are high Na and Al felsic rocks and are characterized by strong heavy REE and Y de- pletion and high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, which sug…     

Lower crustal melting via magma underplating: Elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic constraints from late Mesozoic intermediate–felsic volcanic rocks in the northeastern North China Block

Ar–Ar dating, major and trace element analyses, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope results of two groups of Lower Cretaceous (erupted at 126 and 119 Ma, respectively) intermediate–felsic lava from the northeastern North China Block (NCB) suggest their derivation from melting of mixtures between the heterogeneous lower crust and underplated basalts. Both groups exhibit high‐K calc‐alkaline to shoshonitic affinities, characterized by light rare earth element (LREE) and large ion lithophile element (LILE) enrichment and variable high field strength element (HFSE, e.g. Nb, Ta and Ti) depletion, and moderately radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions. Compared with Group 2, Group 1 rocks have relatively higher K₂O and Al₂O₃/(CaO + K₂O + Na₂O) in molar ratio, higher HFSE concentrations and lower Nb/Ta ratios, and higher Sr–Nd–Pb isotope ratios. Group 1 rocks were derived from a mixture of an enriched mantle‐derived magma and a lower crust that has developed radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions, whereas the Group 2 magmas were melts of another mixture between the same mantle‐derived component and another type of lower crust having even lower Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic ratios. Shift in source region from Group 1 to Group 2 coincided with a change in melting conditions: hydrous melting of both the underplated basalt and the lower crust produced the earlier high‐Nb and low‐Nb/Ta melts with little or no residual Ti‐rich phases; while the younger low‐Nb and high‐Nb/Ta magmas were melted under a water‐deficient system, in which Ti‐rich phases were retained in the source. Generation of the two groups of intermediate–felsic volcanic rocks was genetically linked with the contemporaneous magma underplating event as a result of lithospheric thinning in the eastern NCB.     

Geochemical approach to magmatic evolution of Mt. Erciyes stratovolcano Central Anatolia, Turkey

Erciyes stratovolcano, culminating at 3917 m, is located in the Cappadocian region of central Anatolia. During its evolution, this Quaternary volcano produced pyroclastic deposits and lava flows. The great majority of these products are calc-alkaline in character and they constitute Kocdag and Erciyes sequences by repeated activities. Alkaline activity is mainly observed in the first stages of Kocdag and approximately first-middle stages of Erciyes sequences. Generally, Kocdag and Erciyes stages terminate by pyroclastic activities. The composition of lavas ranges from basalt to rhyolite (48.4–70.5 wt.% SiO₂). Calc-alkaline rocks are represented mostly by andesites and dacites. Some compositional differences between alkaline basaltic, basaltic and andesitic rocks were found; while the composition of dacites remain unchanged. All these volcanics are generally enriched in LIL and HFS elements relative to the orogenic values except Rb, Ba, Nb depleted alkaline basalt. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic composition of the volcanics range between 0.703344–0.703964, 0.512920–0.512780 for alkaline basalts and change between 0.704322–0.705088, 0.512731–0.512630 for alkaline basaltic rocks whereas calc-alkaline rocks have relatively high Sr and Nd isotopic ratios (0.703434–0.705468, 0.512942–0.512600). Low Rb, Ba, Nb content with high Zr/Nb, low Ba/Nb, La/Yb ratio and low Sr isotopic composition suggest an depleted source component, while high Ba, Rb, Nb content with high La/Yb, Ba/Nb, low Zr/Nb and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios indicate an OIB-like mantle source for the generation of Erciyes alkaline magma. These elemental and ratio variations also indicate that the different mantle sources have undergone different degree of partial melting episodes. The depletion in Ba, Rb, Nb content may be explained by the removal of these elements from the source by slab-derived fluids which were released from pre-collisional subduction, modified the asthenospheric mantle. The chemically different mantle sources interacted with crustal materials to produce calc-alkaline magma. The Ba/Nb increase of calc-alkaline samples indicates the increasing input of crustal components to Erciyes volcanics. Sr and Nd isotopic compositions and elevated LIL and HFS element content imply that calc-alkaline magma may be derived from mixing of an OIB-like mantle melts with a subduction-modified asthenospheric mantle and involvement of crustal materials in intraplate environments.     

The northwestern Ethiopian Plateau flood basalts: Classification and spatial distribution of magma types

The extensive, complex, continental flood basalt (CFB) province which occurs in Ethiopia and Yemen consists of Oligocene prerift volcanism related to the Africa–Arabia continental break-up. Basalts from the northwestern Ethiopian Plateau exhibit a particularly large range of compositions and, for the first time in the Afro-Arabian CFB province, low-Ti basalts have been encountered. Major and some trace element data have been used to identify distinct geochemical groups and evaluate the role of differentiation processes. Three magma types have been distinguished: two high-Ti groups (HT1 and HT2) and one low-Ti group (LT). The transitional to tholeiitic LT suite exhibits low TiO₂ (1–2.6%), Fe₂O₃^* (10.5–14.8%), CaO/Al₂O₃ (0.4–0.75), Nb/La (0.55–0.85) and high SiO₂ (47–51%). In contrast, the HT2 suite exhibits high TiO₂ (2.6–5%), Fe₂O₃^* (13.1–14.7%), CaO/Al₂O₃ (0.9–1.43), Nb/La (1.1–1.4) and low SiO₂ (44–48.3%). The HT1 series is intermediate between the LT and HT2 groups. These three groups of lavas originated from different parental magmas. They display distinct differentiation trends, either controlled by the removal of a shallow level gabbroic (Pl+Ol+Cpx) assemblage (LT and HT1 suites) or by deeper Ol+Cpx fractionation (HT2 suite). Most of this thick continental flood lava pile was emplaced over a short time interval (about 1–2 Ma). The three contrasted magma types do not reflect a temporal evolution of their sources but rather a strong spatial control. Indeed, the northwestern Plateau may be subdivided into two different subprovinces as all the low-Ti basalts are located in the northern part of the plateau, and the high-Ti basalts are exposed in the eastern and southern parts. The LT and HT1 basalts display compositional ranges similar to those of the low- and high-Ti groups from other main CFB provinces (e.g. Parana, Deccan, Karoo, Siberia, …). However, the HT2 group exhibits extreme OIB-like compositions. This unusual geochemical signature suggests the involvement of deep mantle in the genesis of the HT2 magmas. The LT compositions rather reflect the participation of the continental lithosphere, through mantle derived melts and/or crustal contamination.     

The solubility mechanisms of volatiles in silicate melts and their relations to crystal-andesite liquid equilibria

The anionic structure of magmatic liquids has been estimated at 1 atm and at pressures corresponding to those of the upper mantle. These estimates are based predominantly on spectroscopic data on binary metal oxide-silica and ternary metal oxide-silica-alumina melts. Structural information on melt compositions in aluminate-silica joins has been used to provide detailed information on the role of Al³⁺ in natural magma at atmospheric and high pressure.Regardless of pressure, andesitic melts may be described as combinations of chain, sheet, and three-dimensional network units. Nearly all Al³⁺ in the magmatic liquid resides in the three-dimensional network units. This Al³⁺ is locally charge-balanced with Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺. In the latter two cases, Al³⁺ and Si⁴⁺ are ordered, whereas for Na⁺ and K⁺, Si⁴⁺ and Al³⁺ are randomly mixed. Solution of water in natural magma results in the formation of new nonbridging oxygens in addition to OH groups attached to Si⁴⁺ and metal cations.On the basis of determined solution mechanisms of CO₂ and H₂O in silicate melts, thermodynamic properties of HO+CO₂, fluids and hydrous silicate melts and melting phase relations in peridotite-H₂O-CO₂, systems, it is found that natural andesitic magma in equilibrium with spinel Iherzolite in the upper mantle (10–20 kbar) must contain at least 5–7 wt.% H₂O. Andesitic magma with 5–7 wt.% H₂O in solution may be described as a mixture of Al-free three-dimensional units, sheets, and chains with a small proportion (less than 10%) of monomers.     

Chromite in the Paricutin lava flows (1943–1952)

Small euhedral chromite crystals are found in olivine macrophenocrysts (Fo_80–84) from the basaltic andesites (150 ppm Cr) erupted in 1943–1947, and in orthopyroxene macrophenocrysts of the andesites (75 ppm Cr) erupted in 1947–1952. The majority of the chromite octahedra are 5–20 μm in diameter, and some are found in clusters and linear chains of three or more oriented chromite crystals. The composition of the majority of the chromite grains within olivine and orthopyroxene macrophenocrysts is Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg)=0.5–0.6, Cr/(Cr+Al)=0.5–0.6 and Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺+Al+Cr)=0.2–0.3. The chromite crystals in contact with the groundmass are larger, subhedral, and grade in composition from chromite cores to magnetite rims. Comparison of the composition of chromite with those of other volcanic rocks shows that the most primitive Paricutin chromite is richer in total iron and higher in Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺+Al+Cr) than primary chromite in most lavas. The linear chains of oriented chromite octahedra are found in olivine and orthopyroxene macrophenocrysts, and in the groundmass. These chromite chains are thought to result from diffusion-controlled crystallization because of the very high partition coefficient (1000) of Cr between chromite and melt. We conclude that chromite was a primary phase in the lavas at the time of extrusion and that magnetite only crystallized after extrusion during cooling of the lava flows. The presence of chromite microphenocrysts in andesitic lavas containing as little as 70 ppm Cr can be explained by dissolved H₂O in the melt depressing the liquidus temperature for orthopyroxene such that chromite becomes a liquidus phase. The influence of dissolved H₂O can also explain the lack of plagioclase macrophenocrysts in most of the lavas and the relatively high partition coefficient (20) of Ni between olivine and melt and the high partition coefficient (40) of Cr between orthopyroxene and melt. The liquidus temperature of the basaltic andesite is estimated to have been less than 1140°C, assuming H₂O>1 wt.%, and the log f_O2 to have been above that of the QFM buffer. The chromite and orthopyroxene liquidus temperature of the andesites, assuming H₂O>1 wt.%, is estimated to have been 1100°C or less. The derivation of the later andesites from the earlier basaltic andesites has been explained by a combination of fractional crystallization of olivine, orthopyroxene and plagioclase, and assimilation of xenoliths. The significantly lower Cr, Ni and Mg of the andesites may have been in part due to the separation of olivine macrophenocrysts plus enclosed chromite crystals from the earlier basaltic andesites.     

Characteristics of the mantle source region of sodium lamprophyres and petrogenetic tectonic setting in northeastern Hunan,China

~~Characteristics of the mantle source region of sodium lamprophyres and petrogenetic tectonic setting in northeastern Hunan,China~~     

Source depletion and extent of melting in the Tongan sub-arc mantle

The fluid immobile High Field Strength Elements (HFSE) Nb and Ta can be used to distinguish between the effects of variable extents of melting and prior source depletion of the Tongan sub-arc mantle. Melting of spinel lherzolite beneath the Lau Basin back-arc spreading centres has the ability to fractionate Nb from Ta due to the greater compatibility of the latter in clinopyroxene. The identified spatial variation in plate velocities and separation of melt extraction zones, combined with extremely depleted lavas make Tonga an ideal setting in which to test models for arc melt generation and the role of back-arc magmatism.We present new data acquired by laser ablation-ICPMS of fused sample glasses produced without the use of a melt fluxing agent. The results show an arc trend towards strongly sub-chondritic Nb/Ta (< 17) with values as low as 7.2. Melting models show that large degree melts of depleted MORB mantle fail to reproduce the observed Nb/Ta. Alternatively, incorporation of residual back-arc mantle that has undergone less than 1% melting into the sub-arc melting regime reproduces arc values. However, the extent of partial melting required to produce the composition of the Lau Basin back-arc basalts averages 7%. This apparent discrepancy can be explained if only the lowermost 4 km of the residua from the mantle melt column beneath the back-arc is added to the source of arc magmas. We have identified that the degree of arc/back-arc coupling displayed in the rock record provides an index of the depth of hydrous melting beneath the arc. In this case, this would imply a depth of ~ 75 km for generation of arc magmas, indicating that hydrous melting in the mantle wedge is triggered by the breakdown of hydrous phases in the subducting slab.     

The Hasan Dagi stratovolcano (Central Anatolia, Turkey): evolution from calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism in a collision zone

The Hasan Dagi volcano is one of the two large Plio-Quaternary volcanoes in Cappadocia (Central Anatolia, Turkey). Three stages of edifice construction have been identified for this volcano: Paleovolcano, Mesovolcano and Neovolcano. Most samples from Hasan Dagi volcano are calc-alkaline and define an almost complete trend from basaltic andesite to rhyolite. However, the more recent (Neovolcano) mafic samples are alkaline basalts. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the oldest lavas (Keçikalesi (13 Ma) and Paleo-Hasan Dagi (7 Ma)) are significantly different from those of the younger lavas (Meso- and Neo-Hasan Dagi (<1 Ma)). Calcic plagioclase and pigeonite are typically observed in these older lavas. The Paleovolcano basalts are depleted in alkalis and display a tholeiitic tendency whereas the differentiated lavas are depleted in Na₂O but enriched in K₂O compared to younger lavas. There is an evolution through time towards higher TiO₂, Fe₂O₃^*, MgO, Na₂O and K₂O and lower Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ which is reflected in the basalt compositions. All the basalts display multi-element patterns typical of continental margin magmas with a significant enrichment in LILE (K, Rb, Ba and Th) and LREE and strong (Paleovolcano) to moderate (Meso- and Neovolcano) negative Nb, Zr and Ti anomalies. However, the younger basalts are the most enriched in incompatible elements, in agreement with their alkaline affinities and do not systematically display negative HFSE anomalies. REE data suggest an hydrous amphibole-bearing crystallization history for both Meso- and Neovolcano lavas. The distinction between the older and younger lavas is also apparent in trace element ratios such as Nb/Y, Ti/Y and Th/Y. These ratios indicate the role of a subducted component±crustal contamination in the genesis of the Hasan Dagi lavas, particularly for the oldest lavas (Keçikalesi and Paleo-Hasan Dagi). The decreasing influence of this component through time, over the last 6–7 m.y., has been accompanied by an increasing contribution of melt-enriched lithosphere. Although the range of variation of Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic ratios is small (0.70457–0.70515; 0.51262–0.51273; 18.80–18.94; 15.64–15.69; 38.87–39.10), it also reflects the evolution of the magma sources through time. Indeed, the youngest (Neovolcano) and most primitive basalts display significantly lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr than the Paleo- and Mesovolcano basalts, whereas the Mesovolcano basalts display more radiogenic Pb than Paleovolcano samples. Magma mixing processes between initially heterogeneous and/or variably contaminated magmas may account for the genesis of the less differentiated and intermediate lavas (48–57% SiO₂). Meso- and Neovolcano differentiated lavas (60–68% SiO₂) are either derived from the analyzed basalts or from more primitive and more depleted magmas by fractional crystallization±some crustal contamination (AFC). Furthermore, the highly differentiated samples (72–75% SiO₂) are not strongly contaminated. The strong calc-alkaline character of Hasan Dagi lavas, in the absence of contemporaneous subduction, must reflect the heritage of the early subduction of the Afro–Arabian plate under the Eurasian plate. The evolution towards alkaline compositions through time is clearly related to the development of extensional tectonics in Central Anatolia in the Late Miocene.     

Nb/Ta variations of mafic volcanics on the Archean- Proterozoic boundary: Implications for the Nb/Ta imbalance

Hofmann[1] found that the depleted mantle (DM) and bulk continental crust (BCC) are simply compen-satory in terms of many elements and elemental ratios. High-field-strength elements (HFSE) (e.g., Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta and Ti) are immobile and thus useful to track the primary features of the ancient mafic volcanics. It has been long considered that Nb-Ta behave as identical twins during magmatic processes, based on their matching atomic radii and valence state and hence coherent geochemical affi…     

Viscosity measurements of subliquidus magmas: Alkali olivine basalt from the Higashi-Matsuura district, Southwest Japan

We carried out viscosity measurements and sampling of a crystal suspension derived from alkali olivine basalt from the Matsuura district, SW Japan, at subliquidus temperatures from 1230 °C to 1140 °C under 1 atm with NNO oxygen buffered conditions. Viscosity increased from 31 to 1235 Pa s with a decrease in temperature from 1230 to 1140 °C. On cooling, olivine first appeared at 1210 °C, followed by plagioclase at 1170 °C. The crystal content of the sample attained 31 vol.% at 1140 °C (plagioclase 22%, olivine 9%). Non-Newtonian behaviors, including thixotropy and shear thinning, were pronounced in the presence of tabular plagioclase crystals. The cause of such behavior is discussed in relation to shear-induced changes in melt–crystal textures. Relative viscosities, η_r (= η_s / η_m, where η_s and η_m are the viscosities of the suspension and the melt, respectively), were obtained by calculating melt viscosities from the melt composition and temperature at 1 atm using the equation proposed by Giordano and Dingwell [Giordano, D., Dingwell, D.B., 2003. Non-Arrhenian multicomponent melt viscosity: a model. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 208, 337–349.]. The obtained relative viscosities are generally consistent with the Einstein–Roscoe relation, which represents η_r for suspensions that contain equant and equigranular crystals, even though the crystal suspension analyzed in the present experiments contained tabular plagioclase and granular olivine of various grain sizes. This consistency is attributed to the fact that the effect of crystal shape was counterbalanced by the effect of the dispersion of crystal size. The applicability of the Einstein–Roscoe equation with respect to crystal shape is discussed on the basis of the present experimental results. Our experiments and those of Sato [Sato, H., 2005. Viscosity measurement of subliquidus magmas: 1707 basalt of Fuji volcano. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 100, 133–142.] show that the relationship between relative viscosity and crystal fraction is consistent with the Einstein–Roscoe relationship for axial ratios that are smaller than the critical value of 4–6.5, but discrepancies occur for higher ratios.     

Magma–conduit interaction at Piton de la Fournaise volcano (Réunion Island): a melt and fluid inclusion study

Major-element, Cl, S, F analyses have been performed on a wide selection of melt inclusions trapped in olivine (Fo_81–87) from scoria and crystal-rich lapilli samples of Piton de la Fournaise volcano. As a whole, they display a transitional basaltic composition. The melt inclusions (8–9 wt.% MgO, 0.62–0.73 wt.% K₂O) are in equilibrium with olivines (Fo_81–85) in the samples from the Central Feeding Zone and the South-East Feeding Zone and show a slight alkaline affinity. The melt inclusions in olivines (Fo_85–87) from the North-West Rift (NWR) contain 9.3–9.7 wt.% MgO and 0.54–0.58 wt.% K₂O, with a more tholeiitic tendency. In oceanitic lavas and crystal-rich lapilli, the olivine xenocrysts are recognisable by the presence of one or more secondary shear plane fracture(s) filled up with CO₂ and alkali-rich basaltic melt inclusions. In dunite nodules, olivines present also contain several secondary shear plane fracture(s) filled up with CO₂ and high-SiO₂ melt inclusions. Secondary CO₂-rich fluid inclusions in olivine (Fo_85–87) from the NWR samples indicate PCO₂ up to 500 MPa whereas, PCO₂ ranges from 95 MPa to few tenths of bars in the other samples. Both the primary melt inclusions and the secondary fluid inclusions strongly suggest that the olivine crystallises and accumulates over a wide depth range (15 km). It is envisioned that cumulative pockets with low residual porosity are repeatedly percolated with a CO₂-rich fluid phase, possibly associated with basaltic to SiO₂-rich melts, and are finally disrupted and entrained to the surface when vigorous magma transfer occurs. The SiO₂-rich residual melts in early-formed dunitic or gabbroic bodies may have acted as contaminant agents for the more alkali character of magmas vented through the central feeding system, where a well-developed cumulative system is thought to exist. Finally, the existence of secondary fluid and melt inclusions in olivines implies that the dunitic bodies are weakened on the micrometric scale.     

Viscosity of a Teide phonolite in the welding interval

The viscosity of a natural phonolitic composition with variable amounts of H₂O has been experimentally determined. The starting materials were crystal-free phonolitic glasses from Montaña Blanca, situated within the Las Cañadas caldera of Teide. Dry phonolitic melt viscosities were determined using concentric cylinder viscometry in the low viscosity range. The glassy quench products of these runs were then hydrated by high pressure synthesis in a piston–cylinder apparatus to generate a suite of samples with water contents ranging from 0.02 to 3.75 wt%. Samples thus hydrated were quenched rapidly and prepared (cut and polished) for the determination of water contents by infrared spectroscopy before and after experimental viscometry. The viscosities of the melts (dry and hydrated) were determined at 1 bar using a micropenetration technique. Samples were stable under the measurement conditions up to 3.75 wt% H₂O. Homogeneity of water content was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and total water contents were calculated using absorptivity coefficients for compositions extremely close to that investigated here. The variation of viscosity as a function of water content and temperature can be described in the high viscosity interval of relevance to many welding processes by the non-Arrhenian expression:

(1)

log₁₀ η=−5.900−0.286 ln (H₂O)+(10775.4−394.8(H₂O))/(T−148.7+21.65 ln (H₂O))

whereas the high viscosity range alone is adequately described by the Arrhenian expression

(2)

log₁₀ η=−10.622−0.738 ln (H₂O)+(17114.3−590.4(H₂O))×1/T

where η is the viscosity in Pa s, H₂O is the water content in wt% and T is the temperature in K.These results are particularly useful for the scaling of conditions extant during the welding of phonolitic products of Montaña Blanca. The welding of glassy phonolitic rocks is enhanced by the lower viscosity of these melts with respect to calcalkaline rhyolites. The ratio of viscosities of phonolitic to calcalkaline rhyolitic melts is a complex function of temperature and water content and reaches up to 10^4.5 at 0.1 wt% H₂O and 500°C. Abundant evidence of welding and remobilisation of pyroclastic and spatter products of Teide system volcanism are consistent with these experimental observations.     

Genesis of high-magnesium andesites and associated basalts from Saga–Futagoyama, northwest Kyushu, southwest Japan

High-magnesium andesites associated with basalts erupted after the opening of the Sea of Japan are present at Saga–Futagoyama in northwest Kyushu, southwest Japan. High Mg/(Mg + Fe) [=0.84] of orthopyroxene phenocrysts and bulk rock Mg–Fe–Ni compositions suggest that these high-magnesium andesites were originally primitive melts insignificantly modified in crustal magma chambers. K_D^Ca–Na [= (Ca/Na)_pl/(Ca/Na)_{bulk rock}] ranges from 1.21 to 0.97 and suggests that the high-magnesium andesite magmas would originally have contained H₂O less than 1.8 wt.%. Nb/La does not show a negative correlation with respect to SiO₂. These lines of evidence indicate that hydrous components derived from the subducting slab would not have played a significant role in the genesis of the high-magnesium andesite magmas. Instead, the normative olivine − quartz − [CaTs + Jd] compositions and a negative correlation between Sr/Nd and SiO₂ indicate that the basalt-high-magnesium andesite association would have been formed by multi-stage partial melting of relatively anhydrous source at pressure ranging from 1.5 to 0.5 GPa.     

Geochemical characteristics of Cretaceous basaltic rocks in South China and constraints on Pacific plate subduction

The South China, including Yangzi Craton and the Cathaysian Block, belongs to the southern part of East Asia continent. It borders Pacific plate on the east side and Qinling-Dabie Orogen on the north side. During the middle-late Cretaceous, a number of downfaulted red basins (the terrestrial sedimentary basins in Fig. 1) and volcanic- sedimentary basins had been developed in South China[1,2], in which the con-temporaneous basaltic rocks were generally distributed (Fig. 1). Although the …     

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.