Plume-Associated Ultramafic Magmas of Phanerozoic Age

A parameterization of experimental data in the 0·2–7·0GPa pressure range constrains both forward models of potentialprimary magma compositions that exit the melting regime in themantle and inverse models for computing the effects of olivinefractionation for any olivine-phyric lava suite. This is usedto infer the MgO contents of primary magmas from Gorgona, Hawaii,Baffin Island and West Greenland. They typically contain 18–20%MgO for wide variations in assumed peridotite source compositions,but MgO can drop to 14–17% for Fe-enriched sources, andincrease to 24–26% for fractional melts from Gorgona.Primary magmas with 18–20% MgO have potential temperaturesof 1520–1570°C. For Gorgona picrites with 24% MgO,the potential temperature and initial melting pressure wereabout 1700°C and 8·0 GPa, respectively; melting washot and deep, consistent with the plume model. There are importantrestrictions to magma mixing in mantle plumes. Primary magmasthat exit the melting regime are both well-mixed aggregate fractionalmelts and isolated fractional melts. The latter can originatefrom a hot plume axis and be in equilibrium with olivines havingmg-numbers of 93·0–93·6, but they have MgOcontents and thermal characteristics that are difficult to constrain. KEY WORDS: komatiite; picrite; basalt; MORB; olivine; mantle plumes; primary magmas; equilibrium melting; accumulated fractional melting     

The Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic Magmatism of the Benue Trough (Nigeria); Geochemical Evidence for the Involvement of the St Helena Plume

The Benue Trough is a continental rift related to the openingof the equatorial domain of the South Atlantic which was initiatedin Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous times. Highly diversifiedand volumetrically restricted Mesozoic to Cenozoic magmaticproducts are scattered throughout the rift. Three periods ofmagmatic activity have been recognized on the basis of ⁴⁰ Ar-³⁹Ar ages: 147–106 Ma, 97–81 Ma and 68–49 Ma.Trace element and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope determinations, performedon selected basaltic samples, allow two groups of basaltic rocksto be identified: (1) a group with a tholeiitic affinity, withZr/Nb=7–11.1; La/Nb = 0.77–1; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr; =0.7042–0.7065¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd;_i = 0.5125–0.5127; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 17.59–18.48;(2) a group with an alkaline affinity, with Zr/Nb = 3.6–6.8;La/Nb=0.53–0.66; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶ Sr_i=0.7029–0.7037; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_i=0.5126–0.5129;²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 18.54–20.42. The geochemical data leadto the conclusion that three types of mantle sources were involvedin the genesis of the Mesozoic to Cenozoic basaltic rocks ofthe Benue, without significant crustal contamination: (1) anenriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle from which the tholeiiticbasalts were derived; (2) a HIMU-type (plume) component fromwhich the alkaline basalticrocks originated; (3) a depletedasthenospheric mantle (N-MORB-type source), which was involvedin the genesis of the alkaline basaltic magmas. According to(1) the postulated location of the St Helena hot spot in theEquatorial Atlantic at about 130 Ma and (2) the isotopic compositionof the alkaline basaltic rocks of the Benue Trough and theirgeochemical similarity with the basalts of St Helena, we concludethat the St Helena plume was involved in the genesis of thealkaline magmatism of the Benue at the time of opening of theEquatorial Atlantic. Moreover, the geochemical similarity betweenthe alkaline magmatism of the Benue Trough and that of the CameroonLine suggests that both magmatic provinces were related to theSt Helena plume. Finally, the temporal change of the mantlesources observed in the Benue Trough can be accounted for bythe recent models of plume dynamics, in the general frameworkof opening of the Equatorial Atlantic. KEY WORDS: Benue Trough; Mesozoic to Cenozoic magmatism; Equatorial Atlantic; mantle sources; St Helena plume ^*;Corresponding author.     

Petrology and Geochemistry of Boninites from the North Termination of the Tonga Trench: Constraints on the Generation Conditions of Primary High-Ca Boninite Magmas

We report here a detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and experimentalstudy of a high-Ca boninite suite from the northern terminationof the Tonga trench. Most samples are strongly olivine porphyriticand show a significant range of phenocryst compositions includinga very refractory olivine-spinel assemblage Fo₉₄–Cr_N =87. They are also characterized by a wide range of incompatible-elementcontents, e.g., (La/Yb)_N varies from 0.5 to 16, whereas compatiblemajor-element concentrations (Al₂O₃, FeO, CaO, SiO₂, and MgO)remain essentially the same. Primary melt compositions for thesuite were established on the basis of an experimental studyof melt inclusions in phenocrysts and numerical modelling ofthe reverse of fractional crystallization. Tongan primary meltsare characterized by high MgO contents (22–24 wt.%) andoriginated in the mantle wedge at pressures of 20–25 kbarand temperatures of 1450–1550 C. H₂O contents in primarymelts were estimated from direct measurements of melt inclusionsby ion probe, and range from 2.0 to 1.0 wt.%, and a strong correlationexists between H₂O and other incompatible element contents.The primary melts crystallized in the presence of an H₂O-richfluid in the temperature range 1390–1150 C and pressuresof 1.7–0.15 kbar. Continuous degassing of melts took placeduring crystallization. Trace-element concentrations in primarymelts were estimated using proton- and ion-probe analyses ofmelt inclusions in olivine, and whole-rock analyses. Our datasuggest that three independent components (D, E1, and E2) wereinvolved. Component D was a refractory mantle depleted in incompatibleelements, likely to be hot ‘dry’ Iherzolite producedby previous melting within a mantle plume. Component E1 wasan H₂O-rich fluid containing LILE and Th, and had an H₂O/K₂Ovalue of 20; it was probably produced by dehydration of thesubducted slab. Component E2 is thought to have been an incompatible-element-enrichedsilicate melt of plume origin. Formation of high-Ca boninitesrequires interaction of hot ‘dry’ residual mantle,associated with plumes, with a subduction-related H₂O-bearingcomponent.     

Nd, Pb and Sr Isotopic Compositions of East African Carbonatites: Evidence for Mantle Mixing and Plume Inhomogeneity

New Pb isotopic data are presented for 10 young Mesozoic toCenozoic (0–116 Ma) carbonatites from a 1400 km long segmentof the East African Rift. Patterns observed in Pb vs Pb, Srvs Pb and Nd vs Pb isotope diagrams define unusual, nearly linear,trends that are interpreted as mixing between two componentsthat are broadly similar to the two mantle end-member components,HIMU and EM1, which were first recognized from ocean-islandbasalts. The two plutons with isotope signatures closest toHIMU and EM1 crop out within 140 km of each other. From thesedata, EM1 and HIMU are now known to occur in both continentaland oceanic settings that are associated with plumes or rifts.Moreover, these isotopic signatures tend to occur in regionswhere seismic tomography indicates prominent low-velocity zonesin the lower mantle. For these reasons, we favour a model forthe origin of the East African Rift carbonatites that involvesmelting and mixing of HIMU and EM1 components contained withinan isotopically heterogeneous mantle plume. We consider theHIMU and EM1 sources to be stored within the deep (lower 1000km) mantle, possibly the core–mantle boundary. The rolethat continental lithosphere plays in carbonatite generationis probably one of concentrating volatiles at the upper levelsof an ascending mantle plume. KEY WORDS: carbonatites; isotopes; rifts; plumes; FOZO     

Post-Collisional Transition from Subduction- to Intraplate-type Magmatism in the Westernmost Mediterranean: Evidence for Continental-Edge Delamination of Subcontinental Lithosphere

Post-collisional magmatism in the southern Iberian and northwesternAfrican continental margins contains important clues for theunderstanding of a possible causal connection between movementsin the Earth's upper mantle, the uplift of continental lithosphereand the origin of circum-Mediterranean igneous activity. Systematicgeochemical and geochronological studies (major and trace element,Sr–Nd–Pb-isotope analysis and laser ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar-agedating) on igneous rocks provide constraints for understandingthe post-collisional history of the southern Iberian and northwesternAfrican continental margins. Two groups of magmatic rocks canbe distinguished: (1) an Upper Miocene to Lower Pliocene (8·2–4·8Ma), Si–K-rich group including high-K (calc-alkaline)and shoshonitic series rocks; (2) an Upper Miocene to Pleistocene(6·3–0·65 Ma), Si-poor, Na-rich group includingbasanites and alkali basalts to hawaiites and tephrites. Maficsamples from the Si–K-rich group generally show geochemicalaffinities with volcanic rocks from active subduction zones(e.g. Izu–Bonin and Aeolian island arcs), whereas maficsamples from the Si-poor, Na-rich group are geochemically similarto lavas found in intraplate volcanic settings derived fromsub-lithospheric mantle sources (e.g. Canary Islands). The transitionfrom Si-rich (subduction-related) to Si-poor (intraplate-type)magmatism between 6·3 Ma (first alkali basalt) and 4·8Ma (latest shoshonite) can be observed both on a regional scaleand in individual volcanic systems. Si–K-rich and Si-poorigneous rocks from the continental margins of southern Iberiaand northwestern Africa are, respectively, proposed to havebeen derived from metasomatized subcontinental lithosphere andsub-lithospheric mantle that was contaminated with plume material.A three-dimensional geodynamic model for the westernmost Mediterraneanis presented in which subduction of oceanic lithosphere is inferredto have caused continental-edge delamination of subcontinentallithosphere associated with upwelling of plume-contaminatedsub-lithospheric mantle and lithospheric uplift. This processmay operate worldwide in areas where subduction-related andintraplate-type magmatism are spatially and temporally associated. KEY WORDS: post-collisional magmatism; Mediterranean-style back-arc basins; subduction; delamination; uplift of marine gateways     

Petrogenesis of Tertiary Mafic Alkaline Magmas in the Hocheifel, Germany

Primitive nephelinites and basanites from the Tertiary Hocheifelarea of Germany (part of the Central European Volcanic Province;CEVP) have high Mg-number (>0·64), high Cr and Nicontents and strong light rare earth element enrichment butsystematic depletion in Rb, K and Ba relative to trace elementsof similar compatibility in anhydrous mantle. Alkali basaltsand more differentiated magmatic rocks have lower Mg-numberand lower abundances of Ni and Cr, and have undergone fractionationof mainly olivine, clinopyroxene, Fe–Ti oxide, amphiboleand plagioclase. Some nephelinites and basanites approach theSr–Nd–Pb isotope compositions inferred for the EAR(European Asthenospheric Reservoir) component. The Nd–Sr–Pbisotope composition of the differentiated rocks indicates thatassimilation of lower crustal material has modified the compositionof the primary mantle-derived magmas. Rare earth element meltingmodels can explain the petrogenesis of the most primitive maficmagmatic rocks in terms of mixing of melt fractions from anamphibole-bearing garnet peridotite source with melt fractionsfrom an amphibole-bearing spinel peridotite source, both sourcescontaining residual amphibole. It is inferred that amphibolewas precipitated in the asthenospheric mantle beneath the Hocheifel,close to the garnet peridotite–spinel peridotite boundary,by metasomatic fluids or melts from a rising mantle diapir orplume. Melt generation with amphibole present suggests relativelylow mantle potential temperatures (<1200°C); thus themantle plume is not thermally anomalous. A comparison of recentlypublished Ar/Ar ages for Hocheifel basanites with the geochemicaland isotopic composition of samples from this study collectedat the same sample sites indicates that eruption of earlierlavas with an EM signature was followed by the eruption of laterlavas derived from a source with EAR or HIMU characteristics,suggesting a contribution from the advancing plume. Thus, theHocheifel area represents an analogue for magmatism during continentalrift initiation, during which interaction of a mantle plumewith the overlying lithosphere may have led to the generationof partial melts from both the lower lithosphere and the asthenosphere. KEY WORDS: alkali basalts; continental volcanism; crustal contamination; partial melting; Eifel, Germany     

Geodynamic Information in Peridotite Petrology

Systematic differences are observed in the petrology and majorelement geochemistry of natural peridotite samples from thesea floor near oceanic ridges and subduction zones, the mantlesection of ophiolites, massif peridotites, and xenoliths ofcratonic mantle in kimberlite. Some of these differences reflectvariable temperature and pressure conditions of melt extraction,and these have been calibrated by a parameterization of experimentaldata on fertile mantle peridotite. Abyssal peridotites are examplesof cold residues produced at oceanic ridges. High-MgO peridotitesfrom the Ronda massif are examples of hot residues producedin a plume. Most peridotites from subduction zones and ophiolitesare too enriched in SiO₂ and too depleted in Al₂O₃ to be residues,and were produced by melt–rock reaction of a precursorprotolith. Peridotite xenoliths from the Japan, Cascades andChile–Patagonian back-arcs are possible examples of arcprecursors, and they have the characteristics of hot residues.Opx-rich cratonic mantle is similar to subduction zone peridotites,but there are important differences in FeO_T. Opx-poor xenolithsof cratonic mantle were hot residues of primary magmas with16–20% MgO, and they may have formed in either ancientplumes or hot ridges. Cratonic mantle was not produced as aresidue of Archean komatiites. KEY WORDS: peridotite; residues; fractional melting; abyssal; cratonic mantle; subduction zone; ophiolite; potential temperature; plumes; hot ridges     

Lithospheric Mantle Evolution beneath the Eifel (Germany): Constraints from Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopes and Trace Element Abundances in Spinel Peridotite and Pyroxenite Xenoliths

The Pb isotope compositions of amphiboles and clinopyroxenesin spinel peridotite and pyroxenite mantle xenoliths from theintra-plate Quaternary volcanic fields of the Eifel province(Germany) are strongly correlated with their Sr–Nd isotopeand trace element compositions. High-temperature anhydrous xenolithsfrom a depth of around 60 km have trace element and Sr–Nd–Pbisotope compositions similar to the depleted source of mid-oceanridge basalts (Depleted MORB Mantle, DMM). Amphibole-bearingxenoliths from shallower depths (<45 km) provide evidencefor three temporally distinct episodes of mantle metasomatismin the subcontinental lithosphere: (1) aqueous fluids from anisotopically enriched (EM-like) mantle reservoir caused amphiboleformation during deformation in the shallow continental lithosphericmantle and may be subduction related, probably associated withthe last major tectonic event that influenced the area (Hercynianorogeny). (2) During a second phase of mantle metasomatism theEM-like lithospheric mantle was affected by melts from an ancient,HIMU-like (high time-integrated µ = ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb) mantlesource. The HIMU-like component introduced by these fluids hada much more radiogenic Pb isotope composition than the asthenosphericsource of the widespread Cenozoic magmatism in Europe and maybe linked to reactivation of ancient subducted crustal domainsduring the Hercynian orogeny or to early Cretaceous deep-sourcedmantle plumes. (3) During a brief final stage the heterogeneouslyenriched EM–HIMU subcontinental lithosphere was locallymodified by basaltic melts migrating along fractures and veinsthrough the upper mantle as a consequence of the Cenozoic Eifelvolcanism. Although a DMM component is completely lacking inthe metasomatic fluids of the metasomatic episodes 1 and 2,the vein melts of episode 3 and the Cenozoic Eifel lavas requiremantle sources containing three end-member components (DMM–HIMU–EM).Thus, mobilization of the more depleted mantle material occurredat the earliest in the Tertiary, contemporaneously with thedevelopment of the extensive rift system and main melt generationin Europe. Alternatively, the variety of Sr–Nd–Pbisotope signatures of the metasomatic agents may have been producedby melting of isotopically distinct mantle domains in a heterogeneousuprising mantle plume. KEY WORDS: Eifel; Europe; mantle xenoliths; metasomatism; Pb isotopes     

Isotopic constraints on the Easter Seamount Chain source

New isotopic data (Sr, Nd and Pb) for lavas from Easter and Salas y Gomez Islands, and nine seamounts along the length of the Easter Seamount Chain (ESC) to the east of these islands, exhibit a regular behavior that is consistent with two-component mixing between a MORB-like source and more enriched mantle (the Easter Plume source) characterized by relatively radiogenic Pb and unradiogenic Sr. Based on the linearity of mixing trends on the isotope diagrams, the plume source appears to have maintained approximately the same isotopic composition over the 20 to 30 Ma history of the Easter Plume sampled by the seamounts. In current nomenclature, the plume source resembles a mix of predominantly HIMU mantle with a small amount of EMI. The proportions of MORB and plume source mantle sampled by the lavas erupted along the ESC vary in a systematic way, with Easter Island and seamounts to the west containing larger fractions of the MORB component than Salas y Gomez Island and the older seamounts to the east. This variability is probably a reflection of the nearness to the spreading center, and therefore lithospheric thickness, at the time of volcanism Received: 27 April 1998 / Accepted: 11 December 1998     

Petrogenesis of the Back-arc East Scotia Ridge, South Atlantic Ocean

The East Scotia Ridge is an active back-arc spreading centrelocated to the west of the South Sandwich island arc in theSouth Atlantic Ocean, consisting of nine main segments, E1 (north)to E9 (south). Major and trace element and Sr–Nd–Pbisotope compositions are presented, together with water contents,for lavas sampled along the active ridge axis. Magmatism alongthe East Scotia Ridge is chemically heterogeneous, but thereis a common mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-type source componentfor all the magmas. An almost unmodified MORB-source mantleappears to underlie the central part of the back-arc. Subductioncomponents are found at the northern and southern ends of theridge, and there is a marked sediment melt input of up to 2%in segment E4. Enriched (plume) mantle is present beneath segmentE2 at the northern end of the ridge, suggesting that plume mantleis flowing westward around the edges of the subducting slab.The southern part of segment E8 is unique in that its magmasource is similar to sub-arc depleted mantle. KEY WORDS: geochemistry; petrogenesis; volcanism; back-arc; subduction     

Constraints on the Source Components of Lavas Forming the Hawaiian North Arch and Honolulu Volcanics

Hawaiian volcanoes, dominantly shields of tholeiitic basalt,form as the Pacific Plate migrates over a hotspot in the mantle.As these shields migrate away from the hotspot, highly alkaliclavas, forming the rejuvenated stage of volcanism, may eruptafter an interval of erosion lasting for 0·25–2·5Myr. Alkalic lavas with geochemical characteristics similarto rejuvenated- stage lavas erupted on the sea floor north ofOahu along the Hawaiian Arch. The variable Tb/Yb, Sr/Ce, K/Ce,Rb/La, Ba/La, Ti/Eu and Zr/Sm ratios in lavas forming the NorthArch and the rejuvenated-stage Honolulu Volcanics were controlledduring partial melting by residual garnet, clinopyroxene, Fe–Tioxides and phlogopite. However, the distinctively high Ba/Thand Sr/Nd ratios of lava forming the North Arch and HonoluluVolcanics reflect source characteristics. These characteristicsare also associated with shield tholeiitic basalt; hence theyarise from the Hawaiian hotspot, which is interpreted to bea mantle plume. Inversion of the batch melting equation usingabundances of highly incompatible elements, such as Th and La,requires enriched sources with 10–55% clinopyroxene and5–25% garnet for North Arch lavas. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Ndratios in lavas forming the North Arch and Honolulu Volcanicsare consistent with mixing between the Hawaiian plume and adepleted component related to mid-ocean ridge basalts. Specifically,the enrichment of incompatible elements coupled with low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Srand high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd relative to bulk Earth ratios is best explainedby derivation from depleted lithosphere recently metasomatizedby incipient melt (<2% melting) from the Hawaiian plume.In this metasomatized source, the incompatible element abundances,as well as Sr and Nd isotopic ratios, are controlled by incipientmelts. In contrast, the large range of published ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Osdata (0·134–0·176) reflects heterogeneitycaused by various proportions of pyroxenite veins residing ina depleted peridotite matrix. KEY WORDS: Hawaiian plume; Honolulu Volcanics; North Arch; plume–lithosphere interaction; rejuvenated stage; trace element geochemistry; alkalic lavas     

Volcanism in the Vitim Volcanic Field, Siberia: Geochemical Evidence for a Mantle Plume Beneath the Baikal Rift Zone

The Baikal Rift is a zone of active lithospheric extension adjacentto the Siberian Craton. The 6–16 Myr old Vitim VolcanicField (VVF) lies approximately 200 km east of the rift axisand consists of 5000 km³ of melanephelinites, basanites, alkaliand tholeiitic basalts, and minor nephelinites. In the volcanicpile, 142 drill core samples were used to study temporal andspatial variations. Variations in major element abundances (e.g.MgO = 3·3–14·6 wt %) reflect polybaric fractionalcrystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i(0·7039–0·7049), ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_i (0·5127–0·5129)and ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf_i (0·2829–0·2830) ratiosare similar to those for ocean island basalts and suggest thatthe magmas have not assimilated significant amounts of continentalcrust. Variable degrees of partial melting appear to be responsiblefor differences in Na₂O, P₂O₅, K₂O and incompatible trace elementabundances in the most primitive (high-MgO) magmas. Fractionatedheavy rare earth element (HREE) ratios (e.g. [Gd/Lu]_n > 2·5)indicate that the parental magmas of the Vitim lavas were predominantlygenerated within the garnet stability field. Forward major elementand REE inversion models suggest that the tholeiitic and alkalibasalts were generated by decompression melting of a fertileperidotite source within the convecting mantle beneath Vitim.Ba/Sr ratios and negative K anomalies in normalized multi-elementplots suggest that phlogopite was a residual mantle phase duringthe genesis of the nephelinites and basanites. Relatively highlight REE (LREE) abundances in the silica-undersaturated meltsrequire a metasomatically enriched lithospheric mantle source.Results of forward major element modelling suggest that meltingof phlogopite-bearing pyroxenite veins could explain the majorelement composition of these melts. In support of this, pyroxenitexenoliths have been found in the VVF. High Cenozoic mantle potentialtemperatures (1450°C) predicted from geochemical modellingsuggest the presence of a mantle plume beneath the Baikal RiftZone. KEY WORDS: Baikal Rift; mafic magmatism; mantle plume; metasomatism; partial melting     

Geochemistry and geochronology of the mafic lavas from the southeastern Ethiopian rift (the East African Rift System): assessment of models on magma sources,plume–lithosphere interaction and plume evolution

Major and trace element and isotopic ratios (Sr, Nd and Pb) are presented for mafic lavas (MgO > 4 wt%) from the southwestern Yabello region (southern Ethiopia) in the vicinity of the East African Rift System (EARS). New K/Ar dating results confirm three magmatic periods of activity in the region: (1) Miocene (12.3–10.5 Ma) alkali basalts and hawaiites, (2) Pliocene (4.7–3.6 Ma) tholeiitic basalts, and (3) Recent (1.9–0.3 Ma) basanite-dominant alkaline lavas. Trace element and isotopic characteristics of the Miocene and Quaternary lavas bear a close similarity to ocean island basalts that derived from HIMU-type sublithospheric source. The Pliocene basalts have higher Ba/Nb, La/Nb, Zr/Nb and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70395–0.70417) and less radiogenic Pb isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.12–18.27) relative to the Miocene and Quaternary lavas, indicative of significant contribution from enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle in their sources. Intermittent upwelling of hot mantle plume in at least two cycles can explain the magmatic evolution in the southern Ethiopian region. Although plumes have been originated from a common and deeper superplume extending from the core–mantle boundary, the diversity of plume components during the Miocene and Quaternary reflects heterogeneity of secondary plumes at shallower levels connected to the African superplume, which have evolved to more homogeneous source.     

Geochronology and Petrogenesis of the Cretaceous Antampombato-Ambatovy Complex and Associated Dyke Swarm, Madagascar

The Antampombato–Ambatovy complex is the largest intrusionin the central–eastern part of the Cretaceous flood basaltprovince of Madagascar, with an exposed surface area of about80 km². It has an ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar incremental heating age of 89·9± 0·4 Ma and a U–Pb age of 90 ± 2Ma. The outcropping plutonic rocks range from dunite and wehrlite,through clinopyroxenite and gabbro, to sodic syenite. A dykeswarm cross-cutting some of the above lithologies (and the nearbyPrecambrian basement rocks) is formed of picritic basalts, alkalito transitional basalts, benmoreites and rhyolites; some ofthe latter are peralkaline. A few basaltic dykes have cumulateolivine textures, with up to 26 wt % MgO and 1200 ppm Ni, whereasothers have characteristics more akin to those of primitiveliquids (9 wt % MgO; Mg-number 0·61; 500 ppm Cr; 200ppm Ni). These basalts have relatively high TiO₂ (2·2wt %) and total iron (14 wt % as Fe₂O₃), and moderate contentsof Nb (10–11 ppm) and Zr (c. 100 ppm). Initial (at 90Ma) Sr- and Nd-isotope ratios of the clinopyroxenites and basaltdykes are 0·7030–0·7037 and 0·51290–0·51283,respectively. Syenites and peralkaline rhyolites have Sr- andNd-isotope ratios of 0·7037–0·7039 and 0·51271–0·51274,respectively. The data suggest derivation of the parental magmasfrom a time-integrated depleted mantle source, combined withsmall amounts of crustal contamination in the petrogenesis ofthe more evolved magmas. The isotopic compositions of the mafic–ultramaficrocks are most similar to those of the mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB)-like igneous rocks of eastern Madagascar, and suggestthe existence of an isotopically ‘depleted’ componentin the source of the entire Madagascar province, even thoughthe Antampombato basalts are chemically unlike the lavas anddykes with the same depleted isotopic signature found in westernMadagascar. If this depleted component is plume-related, thissuggests that the plume has a broadly MORB-source mantle composition.The existence of isotopically more enriched magma types in theMadagascan province has several possible petrogenetic explanations,one of which could be the interaction of plume-related meltswith the deep lithospheric mantle beneath the island. KEY WORDS: geochronology; flood basalts; Antampombato–Ambatovy intrusion; Cretaceous; Madagascar     

Basalts Generated by Decompressive Adiabatic Melting of a Mantle Plume: a Case Study from the Isle of Skye, NW Scotland

The primitive lavas of the Skye Main Lava Series (SMLS) arebasaltic rocks ranging from ne- to hy-normative, and definedas having MgO>7%. They have evolved by olivine(plus minorCr-spinel) fractionation from more picritic parental materialAn artificial data-set has been generated by normalizing allcompositions to 15% MgO by fractional addition of olivine, todefine compositional characteristics of primary magmas. Themost striking feature of the data-set is a very strong negativecorrelation between Si and Fe, as is seen in many oceanic alkalibasalt suites and in localized data-sets from mid-ocean ridgeswhen normalized for fractional crystallization. The SMLS dataare comparable to the compositions of equilibrium melts producedexperimentally by Hirose & Kushiro (Earth and PlanetaryScience Letters, 114, 477–489, 1993) from the relativelySi- and Fe-rich starting composition HK-66. Estimates of depthsand temperatures of last equilibration of the SMLS magmas withtheir mantle source have been made, on the assumption that mantlemelting may have been an equilibrium process. On this basis,it appears that primary magmas, containing 13–15% MgO,were generated by decompressive melting of abnormally hot mantle(estimated minimum mantle potential temperature, TP 1440C),associated with the Iceland plume. Melting was initiated inthe garnet stability field, and segregation is estimated tohave taken place over the pressure range 18–36 kbar (60–112-kmdepth) and a temperature range of 1390–1510 C. The P–Ttrajectory of segregation appears to coincide closely with estimatesof the solid + liquid adiabatfor mantle melting. Alkali basaltswere segregated from the greatest depths and olivine tholeiitesfrom higher levels, though the majority of magmas were derivedfrom near the top of the melting column. After segregation,magmas ascended to the surface, cooling at the rate of 3C/km,and were erupted in a comparatively narrow temperature rangeclose to 1200C. The suitability of HK-66 as a general modelfor mantle composition in ascending plumes is discussed, asmost within-plate primitive basalts in oceanic environmentsshare the same Fe-rich character as the SMLS, in which theycontrast with normal ridge-related magmas. Within-plate plumesmay perhaps tap mantle of abnormally high Fe/Mg, though thepossibility that compositional differences in plume-relatedand normal ridge-related magmas are generated by contrasts inprocess cannot yet be excluded. If, however, a relatively Fe-richreservoir exists deep within the mantle, and acts as the sourcefor plume-related magmatism, then ultimately a global positivecorrelation should exist between estimates ofT_p and the Fe/Mgratio of the sources for individual suites. Corresponding author     

Magma Genesis and Mantle Dynamics at the Harrat Ash Shamah Volcanic Field (Southern Syria)

A geochemical and petrological study of Miocene to recent alkalibasalts, basanites, hawaiites, mugearites, trachytes, and phonoliteserupted within the Harrat Ash Shamah volcanic field was performedto reconstruct the magmatic evolution of southern Syria. Themajor element composition of the investigated lavas is mainlycontrolled by fractional crystallization of olivine, clinopyroxene,± Fe–Ti oxides and ± apatite; feldspar fractionationis restricted to the most evolved lavas. Na₂O and SiO₂ variationswithin uncontaminated, primitive lavas as well as variably fractionatedheavy rare earth element ratios suggest a formation by variabledegrees of partial melting of different garnet peridotite sourcestriggered, probably, by changes in mantle temperature. The isotopicrange as well as the variable trace element enrichment observedin the lavas imply derivation from both a volatile- and incompatibleelement-enriched asthenosphere and from a plume component. Inaddition, some lavas have been affected by crustal contamination.This effect is most prominent in evolved lavas older than 3·5Ma, which assimilated 30–40% of crustal material. In general,the periodicity of volcanism in conjunction with temporal changesin lava composition and melting regime suggest that the Syrianvolcanism was triggered by a pulsing mantle plume located underneathnorthwestern Arabia. KEY WORDS: ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages; intraplate volcanism; mantle plume; partial melting; Syria     

Mantle Dynamics: A Nd, Sr, Pb and O Isotopic Study of the Cameroon Line Volcanic Chain

The Cameroon line comprises a 1600-km long Y-shaped chain of< 30 m.y. old volcanoes and <70 m.y. old plutons extendinginto mainland Africa from the Atlantic island of Pagalu. Thedistribution of basaltic volcanic centres is ideal for comparingsub-continental and sub-oceanic sources for basalts and forstudying the influence of the lithosphere on magma generation.We report Nd, Sr, Pb and O isotopic data for more than thirty(principally basaltic) samples from all the main volcanic centrestogether with data for two granulite facies xenoliths. Thosebasalts which display no obvious evidence of crustal contaminationyield initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios ranging from 0.7029 to 0.7035,Nd between +2 and +7 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb between 19?0 and 20?6.The Nd and Sr isotopic compositions define a field on the lefthand side of the ‘mantle array’ (that is with relativelyunradiogenic Sr) and include some data which show overlap withcompositions observed for St. Helena. ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios extendto 40?4—amongst the more radiogenic observed for alkalibasalts. The Nd and Sr isotopic data are similar in oceanicand continental sectors indicating that the magmas are derivedfrom generally similar mantle sources. Despite this overallsimple picture, the source of the Cameroon line volcanics hasin fact been variable in both time and space. Pb is less radiogenicand Sr is more radiogenic in transitional to hypersthene-normativecompositions. There is a progression to more radiogenic leadisotopic compositions with time for the Cameroon line as a wholethat is most strikingly displayed in the 30 m.y. eruptive historyof Principe. These space-time data are difficult to reconcilewith conventional plume models or with some dispersed ‘plumpudding’ models. The heterogeneities require isolationtimes considerably longer than the age of the south Atlanticsea floor (120 Ma). The eruptive lavas with the most radiogenicPb observed (accompanied by unradiogenic Nd) precisely straddlethe continental edge (i.e. occur in both oceanic and continentalsectors) with no dependency on Nd and Pb concentrations. A modelis proposed which links these observations with the destructionof lithosphere, and the impregnation of the uppermost mantleby the St. Helena hot spot during the formation of the SouthAtlantic ocean. This mantle was subsequently melted to formthe Cameroon line which appears to be derived from a risinghot zone initiated by the early plume activity. The magmaticproducts reflect the mantle mixing that took place during continentalbreakup, the consequent cooling and thickening of the lithosphereand the continued interaction between rising plume componentsand this lithosphere. The depth from which magmas are currentlybeing tapped at the continent/ocean boundary is estimated atless that 150 km.     

On the formation of continental silicic melts in thermochemical mantle convection models: implications for early Earth

Seafloor magnetotelluric (MT) data were collected at seven sites across the Hawaiian hot spot swell, spread approximately evenly between 120 and 800 km southwest of the Hawaiian-Emperor island chain. All data are consistent with an electrical strike direction of 300°, aligned along the seamount chain, and are well fit using two-dimensional (2D) inversion. The major features of the 2D electrical model are a resistive lithosphere underlain by a conductive lower mantle, and a narrow, conductive, ‘plume’ connecting the surface of the islands to the lower mantle. This plume is required; without it the swell bathymetry produces a large divergence of the along-strike and across-strike components of the MT fields, which is not seen in the data. The plume radius appears to be less than 100 km, and its resistivity of around 10 Ωm, extending to a depth of 150 km, is consistent with a bulk melt fraction of 5–10%.A seismic low velocity region (LVR) observed by Laske et al. [Laske, G., Phipp Morgan, J., Orcutt, J.A., 1999. First results from the Hawaiian SWELL experiment, Geophys. Res. Lett. 26, 3397–3400] at depths centered around 60 km and extending 300 km from the islands is not reflected in our inverse model, which extends high lithospheric resistivities to the edge of the conductive plume. Forward modeling shows that resistivities in the seismic LVR can be lowered at most to 30 Ωm, suggesting a maximum of 1% connected melt and probably less. However, a model of hot subsolidus lithosphere of 10² Ωm (1450–1500 °C) within the seismic LVR increasing to an off-swell resistivity of >10³ Ωm (<1300 °C) fits the MT data adequately and is also consistent with the 5% drop in seismic velocities within the LVR. This suggests a ‘hot, dry lithosphere’ model of thermal rejuvination, or possibly underplated lithosphere depleted in volatiles due to melt extraction, either of which is derived from a relatively narrow mantle plume source of about 100 km radius. A simple thermal buoyancy calculation shows that the temperature structure implied by the electrical and seismic measurements is in quantitative agreement with the swell bathymetry.     

The Turiy Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia: Isotopic and Geochemical Evidence for Multi-source Evolution

The Turiy Massif, lying within the Kandalaksha Graben, and onthe southern coast of the Kola Peninsula, contains carbonatites,phoscorites, melilitolites, ijolites and pyroxenites withinone central and four surrounding satellite complexes. Sr–Ndisotopic data from the central complex phoscorites and carbonatites,and the nearby Terskii Coast kimberlites, combined with otherrecently published data on the Devonian Kola Alkaline Province,allow us to redefine the position of the Kola Carbonatite Line(KCL) of Kramm (European Journal of Mineralogy 5, 985–989,1993). We propose that the revised-KCL mantle sources includea lower-mantle plume, and a second enriched source, which alsocontributed to the Terskii Coast and Archangelsk kimberlites.The Turiy Massif silicate rocks and northern complex carbonatiteshave more enriched isotopic signatures than the distinct, anddepleted signatures of the central complex phoscorites and carbonatites,particularly with respect to     

Emplacement of Deep Upper-Mantle Rocks into Cratonic Lithosphere by Convection and Diapiric Upwelling

Rocks containing breakdown products of majoritic garnet, derivedfrom the deep upper mantle, occur in kimberlite xenoliths andin orogenic peridotites from Otrøy in Norway. The Otrøyperidotites are banded harzburgites and dunites with similarcompositions to mantle xenoliths from Precambrian cratons andPhanerozoic supra-subduction-zone peridotites. Pressure–temperature(P–T) paths deduced for the Otrøy peridotites andkimberlite xenoliths from South Africa are consistent with emplacementof deep mantle peridotites into cratonic lithosphere by asthenospherediapirism. Numerical thermo-convection models provide insightinto the possible P–T histories of deep upper-mantle rocks.In the models, material from the base of the convecting systemis transported to depths of 60–100 km by convection andsmall (50–100 km) diapirs. Diapir intrusion induces small-scaleconvection in the low-viscosity deeper part of the thermochemicallydefined lithosphere. Small-scale convection in the craton rootcan produce complex P–T paths, complex recurrent meltinghistories and complex compositional structure in the craton.P–T paths derived from the numerical models for asthenospherediapirism in a hot upper mantle are consistent with the sequenceof sub-solidus P–T conditions deduced for the cratonicperidotites. KEY WORDS: asthenosphere diapirs; cratonic lithosphere; deep upper mantle; majoritic garnet