Supra-subduction and abyssal mantle peridotites of the Coast Range ophiolite,California

The Coast Range ophiolite (CRO) of California is one of the most extensive tracts of oceanic crust preserved in the North American Cordillera, but its origin has long remained controversial. We present here new data on mineral compositions in mantle peridotites that underlie crustal sections of the ophiolite, and show that these are dominantly refractory harzburgites related to high apparent melting in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) setting. Abyssal peridotite (characterized by high-Al spinels and relatively high Ti, Na, Nd, Sm, Lu, and Hf in pyroxene) occurs at one location where it is associated with SSZ mantle peridotite and volcanic rocks with both oceanic and arc-like geochemistry. SSZ mantle peridotites (characterized by intermediate-Cr/Al or high-Cr spinels, and by extremely low Ti, Na, Nd, Sm, Lu, and Hf in pyroxenes) are associated with crustal sections containing arc-related volcanic rocks, including boninites. This convergence between conclusions based on crustal lithologies and their underlying mantle sections confirms previous proposals that link the CRO to SSZ processes, and seriously undermines hypotheses that invoke formation of the ophiolite at a mid-ocean ridge spreading center.     

Mylonitized peridotites of Songshugou in the Qinling orogen,central China: A fragment of fossil oceanic lithosphere mantle

The Songshugou mylonitized peridotites within the Qinling Group metamorphic rocks in Central China are distributed in the northern part of the Shang-Dan Suture Zone (SDSZ) and contain abundant dunites and harzburgites. The dunites were intensely deformed and mylonitized converting the coarse-grained type to medium- and fine-grained types which contain prominent lenticular structure and relict olivine (Ol) porphyroclasts. Mineralogical and geochemical compositions suggest that the protoliths of the mylonitized peridotites were coarse-grained peridotites of lithospheric mantle origin. The harzburgites occur as enclaves within mylonitic peridotites in the form of lenses or veins. The orthopyroxenes in harzburgites were formed at the expense of Ol and have similar compositions to those of metasomatized harzburgites, characterized by low Al₂O₃, CaO and Cr₂O₃ contents. The harzburgites exhibit the gently U-type REE patterns with enriched incompatible elements (Rb, Ba, Sr, Zr and Hf), suggesting the metasomatic origin. The obvious ductile deformation of the large porphyroclastic orthopyroxene (Opx) suggests that the metasomatism occurred before the deformation. Ductile shearing deformation is indicated by the small fold structures and net-style ductile shearing zones within the Songshugou peridotite massif. The process is also result in the alignment of elongated Ol grains from initially coarse-granular via porphyroclastic to fine-granular texture. The relatively low Fo olivine, together with high Al₂O₃, and CaO contents and the abnormally low total PGE abundance in the fine-grained dunites suggest the ingress of melt/fluid during the mylonitization. The presences of significant amount of amphibole in the peridotites indicate the ingress of hydrous fluids. In general, the Songshugou peridotites have similar compositional characteristics with peridotites of Oman and Troodos ophiolites which are fragments of oceanic lithosphere mantle. One coarse-grained dunite has a T_RD age of 875 Ma. Additionally two stages Paleozoic T_RD ages are obtained from medium-grained and fine-grained dunites (491 Ma and 550 Ma; 446 Ma and 476 Ma). The broadly coeval nature of mylonitization with progressive metamorphism of surrounding amphibolites suggested that the Songshugou peridotites were generated before the early Paleozoic deformation. Our data, combined with the previous work on the surrounding HP/UHP metamorphic rocks, demonstrate that the Songshugou mylonitized peridotites represent fragments of the Neoproterozoic fossil oceanic lithospheric mantle that experienced extensive deformation during the Early Paleozoic subduction processes.     

Chemical transfer between mantle xenoliths and basic magmas: Evidence from oceanic magma chambers. The trinity ophiolite (northern California)

The Trinity ophiolite consists of small magma chambers inside a large mantle body. Xenoliths of mantle peridotite occur both in gabbroic cumulates along the walls and in the matrices of ultrabasic breccias on the floors of the magma chambers. Field relationships and petrographic data suggest that these fragments of original mantle peridotite were modified by contact with basic magmas by modal metasomatism. Quantitative elemental mass transfers determined from the composition, volume and density variations of reacting minerals demonstrate both closed and open system conditions for the major (Si, Al, Ti, Na, Ca, Fe and Mg) and trace elements (Cr, Ni). In the open system, material gains and losses provide information on the composition of the fluid taking part in the metasomatic reaction.

During a first stage of metasomatism the mantle xenoliths were affected by high-temperature reactions at 600 to 925°C. They resulted from the interaction between solid mantle lherzolites and basic melts. The reactions are:

1. (1)those forming orthopyroxene-magnetite simplectite

2. (2)those forming plagioclase-magnetite corona

3. (3)clinopyroxene+spinel I→pargasitic hornblende+spinel II.

Chemical interactions between the upper mantle and oceanic magma chambers occurred as soon as the basic magmas had ascended through the upper mantle. The chemically modified magmas, within oceanic magma chambers, were depleted in Ti, Fe and Na. This could partly explain regional variations of the chemical compositions of primary magmas produced beneath slow-spreading ridges. The breakdown of olivine to orthopyroxene and magnetite participates in the control of the partition of magnetic Fe---Ti oxides between oceanic crust and mantle.

During the second stage, the serpentinization of olivine and the production of talc were superimposed on the products of the first stage. These reactions require large amounts of H₂O. The hydrothermal fluid was probably seawater. It circulated in the brecciated area along the walls and floors of the magma chambers located at shallow depths. Such structural discontinuities thus played the role of penetration channels favoring seawater circulation in the oceanic crust.

All the chemical reactions examined suggest a significant open-system element transfer by infiltrating melts or circulating fluids. The results of this study suggest that caution is required in the interpretation of mineralogical and chemical information provided by mantle xenoliths carried to the surface by ascending magmas.     

祁连造山带玉石沟地幔橄榄岩中挥发分的流体化学和稳定同位素组成及古大洋岩石圈演化意义

Fluid inclusions in olivine and orthopyroxene of mantle peridotites from the Yushigou ophiolite can be divided into three types based on decrepitation temperature,shape and distribution.Type-1 fluid inclusions are characterized by oval or negative crystal shapes and small size(<5μm across).They occur in the cores and mantles of the host crystals,and decrepitated at>840℃.Type- 2 fluid inclusions have irregular or tabular shapes with relatively large size(10～100μm in length).They occur in irregular or circular healed micro-fractures in the host crystals,and decrepitated at 612～710℃.Type-3 fluid inclusions have size and shape,similar to type-2 fluid inclusions but occur in micro-fractures restricted to the margins of the host crystals,and decrepitated at much lower temperature from 190℃to 340℃.The three different types of fluid inclusions are interpreted to represent primary,metasomatic (pseudo-secondary)and secondary inclusions,respectively.Stepwise heating reveals three concentration peaks of volatiles at 200～400℃,400～800℃and 800～1200℃released from olivine and orthopyroxene in harzburgite and dunite from the Yushigou ophiolite, which are considered to correspond to the decrepitation of secondary,metasomatic and primary fluid inclusions at similar temperature ranges.CO2 is a major constituent in the volatiles released at three different temperature intervals.Trace amounts of H_2 and N_2 are present in the volatiles released at<800℃and trace amounts of H_2O and SO_2 are mainly present in the volatiles at 400～800℃.TheδD(-95.2‰,-306.3‰)of H_2O and theδ~(13)C(-15.5～-12.5‰)andδ~(18)O values(1.4～1.9‰)of CO_2 released at<800℃are lower than normal mantle values and suggest the mixing origin of crustal fluids( sedimentary organic)with ocean water,implying that Yushigou AOLM had undergone an intensive metasomatism by a fluid composed of CO_2.H_2O and SO_2,and followed by degassing. In contrast,the volatiles released at 800～1200℃are characterized by trace amounts of H_2 and CO in dunite and SO_2 in harzburgite, much lighterδ~(13)C(-29.1‰～-19.5‰),heavierδ~(13)O(8.8‰)of CO_2 and positive relationship between these isotopic ratios and the concentration of CO_2.Such features can be best explained by mixing of significant terrestrial crustal(organic)and minor mantle volatiles.We proposed that the Yishigou peridotites are more likely to have derived from a continental lithosphere instead of an oceanic lithosphere comprising the Yishigou gabbros and pillowed basalts.A supra-subduction tectonic setting is thus inferred for the Yushigou ophiolite.     

Investigation on mantle peridotites from Neyriz ophiolite, south of Iran: geodynamic signals

Neyriz ophiolite in Abadeh Tashk area appears as four major separated massifs in an area with 125 km², south of Iran. Peridotites including harzburgite, dunite, and lesser low-Cpx lherzolite are the major constituents of the ophiolite with very minor mafic rocks. Usual gabbros of ophiolite complexes are virtually absent from the study area. Mineral modality associated with bulk rock and mineral chemistry of the peridotites show a progression from fertile to ultra-refractory character, reflected by a progressive decrease in modal pyroxenes and in Al₂O₃, CaO, SiO₂, Sc, Ta, V, and Ga values of the studied rocks by approaching chromite deposits. The Neyriz peridotites vary from low-Cpx lherzolite (MgO, 41.97–43.1 wt.%; Al₂O₃, 0.8–1.3 wt.%) with low content of Cr# spinel (36.7–37.6) and Fo olivine (90.79–91.5) to harzburgite (MgO, 44.31–45.25 wt.%;Al₂O₃, 0.29–0.45 wt.%; Cr# spinel, 58.2–73.45; Fo olivine, 91.23–91.56), and then to dunite (MgO, 45.9–49.2 wt.%; Al₂O₃, 0.18–0.48 wt.%) with higher content of Cr# spinel (74.34–79.36) and Fo olivine (91.75–94.68). Compared to modern oceanic settings, mineral and rock composition of low-Cpx lherzolite plot within the field of mid-ocean-ridge environment, whereas those of harzburgite and dunite fall in the field of fore-arc peridotites. As a result of the studies on minerals and whole rock chemistry along with rock interrelationships, we contend that the peridotites were subsequently affected by percolating hydrous boninitic melt from which the high-Cr–Mg, low-Ti chromitites were formed within mantle wedge above the supra-subduction zone in a fore-arc setting.     

Geochemistry of arc-related mantle peridotites and gabbros from the Chaldoran ophiolite,NW Iran

ABSTRACT

The Neo-Tethys-related Chaldoran ophiolite peridotites in NW Iran are remnants of mantle lithosphere, exhumed tectonically during the Late Cretaceous. Harzburgite is the predominant peridotite type, associated with oceanic lower crust cumulate gabbros occasionally. The ophiolite rocks are unconformably overlain by Late Cretaceous-Paleocene sediments. New whole-rock geochemistry of the variably serpentinized harzburgites shows a depleted nature, exemplified by low Al₂O₃, CaO, TiO₂, V and Y and high Ni, Cr and Mg and also low rare earth element (REE) contents. The harzburgites present LREE enrichment. Positive correlations between some LREEs and high field strength elements (HFSE) suggest enrichment of LREEs by melt re-fertilization processes. Cr-spinels have Cr number of [Cr# = Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.53–0.67], showing medium to high degree of partial melting (F = ~17-20%). Both whole-rock and mineral chemistry data show a supra-subduction zone setting and progressive depletion along with increase in spinel Cr# (MOR to fore arc). The cumulate gabbros have high MgO and SiO₂, low TiO₂ and Ti/V < 10 and also low chondrite normalized Dy (<8.5). The gabbro samples show enriched LREEs and LILEs and depleted HREEs and HFSEs with respect to MORBs.

Subduction initiation (SI) model in a fore-arc/proto-fore-arc environment is suggested for the upper mantle evolution of the Chaldoran ophiolite. The rocks have experienced depletion in a second melting process at the later stages of SI and compositions were probably modified by extraction of island arc tholeiitic (IAT) and possibly boninitic (BON) melts. The chemostratigraphic progression for ‘subduction initiation rule (SIR)’ is likely traceable in Chaldoran mafic-ultramafic sequence, which corresponds to the most Neo-Tethyan ophiolites and is similar to MOR to supra-subduction zone (SSZ) evolution of most Iranian ‘Inner’ and ‘Outer Zagros’ ophiolitic peridotites.     

Chemical and chronologic complexity in the convecting upper mantle: Evidence from the Taitao ophiolite, southern Chile

Exposure of the ca. 6 Ma Taitao ophiolite, Chile, located 50 km south of the Chile Triple Junction, allows detailed chemical and isotopic study of rocks that were recently extracted from the depleted mantle source of mid-ocean ridge basalts (DMM). Ultramafic and mafic rocks are examined for isotopic (Os, Sr, Nd, and O), and major and trace element compositions, including the highly siderophile elements (HSE). Taitao peridotites have compositions indicative of variable extents of partial melting and melt extraction. Low δ¹⁸O values for most whole rock samples suggest some open-system, high-temperature water–rock interaction, most likely during serpentinization, but relict olivine grains have δ¹⁸O values consistent with primary mantle values. Most of the peridotites analyzed for Nd–Sr isotopes have compositions consistent with estimates for the modern DMM, although several samples are characterized by ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd indicative of crustal contamination, most likely via interactions with seawater. The peridotites have initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios that range widely from 0.1168 to 0.1288 (γ_Os = −8.0 to +1.1), averaging 0.1239 (γ_Os = −2.4), which is comparable to the average for modern abyssal peridotites. A negative correlation between the Mg^# of relict olivine grains and Os isotopic compositions of whole rock peridotites suggests that the Os isotopic compositions reflect primary mantle Re/Os fractionation produced by variable extents of partial melting at approximately 1.6 Ga. Recent re-melting at or near the spatially associated Chile Ridge further modified these rocks, and Re, and minor Pt and Pd were subsequently added back into some rocks by late-stage melt–rock or fluid–rock interactions.In contrast to the peridotites, approximately half of the mafic rocks examined have whole rock δ¹⁸O values within the range of mantle compositions, and their Nd and Sr isotopic compositions are all generally within the range of modern DMM. These rocks have initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios, calculated for 6 Ma, that range from 0.126 (γ_Os = −1) to as high as 0.561 (γ_Os = +342). The Os isotopic systematics of each of these rocks may reflect derivation from mixed lithologies that include the peridotites, but may also include pyroxenites with considerably more radiogenic Os than the peridotites. This observation supports the view that suprachondritic Os present in MORB derives from mixed mantle source lithologies, accounting for some of the worldwide dichotomy in ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os between MORB and abyssal peridotites.The collective results of this study suggest that this >500 km³ block of the mantle underwent at least two stages of melting. The first stage occurred at 1.6 Ga, after which the block remained isolated and unmixed within the DMM. A final stage of melting recently occurred at or near the Chile Ridge, resulting in the production of at least some of the mafic rocks. Convective stirring of this mantle domain during a >1 Ga period was remarkably inefficient, at least with regard to Os isotopes.     

Burst of high-temperature seawater injection throughout accreting oceanic crust: a case study in Oman ophiolite

Following the discovery of a high temperature (HT) (∼800 °C) and a very high temperature (1000 °C) hydrothermal alteration in the crust of the Oman ophiolite, a systematic structural and petrological study was conducted throughout the entire ophiolite, with supporting isotopic geochemistry. The published results showed that the crustal gabbros are extensively altered down to Moho by a large seawater flux, which was channelled through an identified recharge and discharge circuit. Microcracks, constituting the recharge system, propagated through the hot gabbros, accreting at the ridge and, in spite of their submillimetre width, provided the conduit for the large volume of seawater necessary for the observed alteration. Building on these results, we show here that these microcracks opened and were active over a time of a few tens of thousands years, while the newly accreted gabbros were drifting away from the ridge. Microcrack activity was highly episodic, with bursts of seawater ingression lasting a few days to a few weeks, followed by quiescence periods of a few tens of years. This model of HT, oceanic hydrothermal alteration has several implications concerning fast spreading oceanic ridges.     

内蒙古柯单山蛇绿岩地幔橄榄岩铂族元素(PGEs)的分布特征及分异机制探讨

采用Carius管结合MC-ICPMS法分析了内蒙古柯单山蛇绿岩地幔橄榄岩中Ir、Ru、 Pt 和Pd 的含量,与典型的地幔橄榄岩进行对比研究,发现柯单山地幔橄榄岩中Ir和Ru明显亏损,Pt和Pd强烈富集,具有极高的Pd/Ir值,PGEs地幔标准化配分模式具有较陡的正斜率,明显不同于通常观测到的代表部分熔融残留相中铂族元素配分模式(负斜率或平坦型)。柯单山地幔橄榄岩的Ir和Ru与MgO呈正相关关系,表明Ir和Ru的亏损可能与部分熔融过程中硫化物的消耗程度有关,而与PGEs在硫化物/硅酸盐间的能斯特分配系数没有直接关系; Pt、Pd的富集表明本区的地幔橄榄岩不仅仅是经历过部分熔融的残余,而与来自深海的橄榄岩和大陆岩石圈地幔(SCLM)中的方辉橄榄岩相似,因此推测,本区地幔橄榄岩在部分熔融后又经历了富Pd的熔/流体交代,而熔/流体的来源可能是在岩浆分异演化过程中"熔离"出来的硫化物。     

西藏西南部拉昂错地幔橄榄岩的地球化学特征及其构造意义

拉昂错蛇绿岩位于西藏西南部雅鲁藏布缝合带(YZSZ)的西段,由地幔橄榄岩和侵入其中的基性岩墙组成.拉昂错地幔橄榄岩普遍发育碎斑结构及熔体注入和交代结构,尖晶石的Cr#值具有较广泛的变化(0.32～0.70),大多数样品富集LREE并伴随HFSE的明显增加,少数亏损LREE,前者部分熔融程度为15%～23%,后者为10%左右,这表明它们并不是地幔单阶段部分熔融的残余物,而是MORB型亏损橄榄岩在俯冲过程中再度部分熔融后熔体与残余地幔相互作用的产物,由于熔体不同程度的混合与交代,形成了各种再饱满程度不同的橄榄岩.对拉昂错地幔橄榄岩岩石学和地球化学特征的研究,为探讨YZSZ蛇绿岩带所代表的特提斯洋盆的形成和演化提供了新的证据.     

Non-modal melting in an upwelling mantle column: Steady-state models with applications to REE depletion in abyssal peridotites and the dynamics of melt migration in the mantle

Simple models for trace element fractionation during concurrent melting and melt migration in an upwelling steady-state mantle were developed. Based on petrologic considerations, we divided the mantle column into two regions: a single-lithology lower region that consists of partially molten garnet and spinel lherzolites and a double-lithology upper region where high-porosity dunite channels or melt-filled fractures are embedded in a porous lherzolite/harzburgite matrix. Analytical solutions for the case of a constant and uniform relative melting suction rate and a linearly variable relative melt suction rate were obtained. Key parameters and the first order characteristics of melting and melt migration in a 1-D steady-state mantle column were examined through forward calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. Melting in the upwelling single-lithology column is equivalent to non-modal batch melting, whereas melting and melt migration in the double-lithology region can be viewed as a nonlinear combination of batch melting and fractional melting, depending on the amount of melt extracted to the channel. The degree of melting (F), the degree of melting at the depth of melt-channel initiation (F_d) and the relative rate of melt suction (R) are important in controlling the extent of depletion of the incompatible trace element in the matrix. Spatially variable R affects the abundance of an incompatible trace element in the melt and residual solid the most in near fractional melting. There is a strong nonlinear trade off among the three parameters. Given F_d, it is possible to constrain F and R from incompatible trace element abundances in residual peridotite.To explore the dynamics of melt migration in the mantle, we used the two melting models developed in this study and published REE and Y abundances in diopside in abyssal peridotites from the Central Indian Ridge to infer their melting and melt migration history. Overall, the degrees of melting inferred from the trace element data are not sensitive to the value of F_d used in the inversion and ranges from 10% to 15%. The relative rate of melt suction depends slightly on the choice of F_d and ranges from 0.85 to 1.0 for F_d = 0.05 and 0.75 to 0.97 for F_d = 0. Further, the estimated R is inversely correlated with F, a robust feature independent of the choice of F_d. The upward decrease of R in an upwelling mantle column can be understood in terms of melt focusing in the lower part of the double-lithology region. And finally, given F and R, we found that the permeability and porosity of the lherzolite/harzburgite matrix also increase as a function of F in the melting column, with melt fractions ranging from 0.2% to 0.7% for a grain size of 5 mm.     

The geochemistry of mantle chromitites from the northern part of the Oman ophiolite: inferred parental melt compositions

Chromitites from a single section through the mantle in the Oman ophiolite are of two different types. Low-cr# chromitites, of MORB affinity are found in the upper part of the section, close to the Moho. High-cr# chromitites, with arc affinities are found deeper in the mantle. Experimental data are used to recover the compositions of the melts parental to the chromitites and show that the low-cr# chromitites were derived from melts with 14.5–15.4 wt% Al₂O₃, with 0.4 to 0.9 wt% TiO₂ and with a maximum possible mg# of 0.76. In contrast the high-cr# chromitites were derived from melts with 11.8–12.9 wt% Al₂O₃, 0.2–0.35 wt% TiO₂ and a maximum melt mg# of 0.785. Comparison with the published compositions of lavas from the Oman ophiolite shows that the low-cr# chromitites may be genetically related to the upper (Lasail, and Alley) pillow lava units and the high-cr# chromitites the boninites of the upper pillow lava Alley Unit. The calculated TiO₂–Al₂O₃ compositions of the parental chromitite magmas indicate that the high-cr# chromitites were derived from high-Ca boninitic melts, produced by melting of depleted mantle peridotite. The low-cr# chromitites were derived from melts which were a mixture of two end-members—one represented by a depleted mantle melt and the other represented by MORB. This mixing probably took place as a result of melt–rock reaction. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

班公湖-怒江洋早-中侏罗世洋内俯冲:来自洞错蛇绿岩的证据

本文在班公湖-怒江缝合带中段洞错蛇绿岩中新厘定一套洋内俯冲成因的岩石组合,岩性以橄榄岩、堆晶岩(包括堆晶辉长岩和斜长花岗岩)、辉长岩墙、枕状熔岩和辉绿岩脉等为主。堆晶辉长岩、辉长岩墙和辉绿岩脉锆石U-Pb测年显示,它们形成于中侏罗世(172～165Ma)。辉长岩墙和辉绿岩脉地球化学和锆石Lu-Hf同位素分析显示,它们兼具N-MORB和岛弧玄武岩地球化学特征,且均来自亏损地幔源区,形成过程中受到了俯冲流体的影响。结合区域上同时期的玻安岩、高镁安山岩和钙碱性岩浆岩等资料,我们得出班公湖-怒江缝合带内保存了一套相对完整的早-中侏罗世洋内弧岩石层序,记录了班公湖-怒江洋早-中侏罗世时期的洋内俯冲事件。早-中侏罗世是班公湖-怒江洋快速消减期,洋内俯冲和洋-陆俯冲同时存在。     

Chromite deposits in the northern Oman ophiolite: Mineralogical constraints

Chromite deposits in the northern Oman ophiolitic complex occur in three structural contexts, i.e., (1) at the base of the cumulate series, (2) in the top kilometer of the mantle sequence, and (3) in the deeper parts of the mantle. Types 1 and 2 are characterized by the diversity of interstitial silicates where in decreasing order of abundance olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, and amphibole occur, as opposed to type 3 which contains only olivine. They differ however in ore texture. Similar silicates also occur as euhedral inclusions in chromite crystals, but their proportions are reversed. The composition of the interstitial silicates is comparable to that found in early cumulates. Type-1 and type-2 chromite deposits crystallized from a magma similar to that from which the basal cumulates formed (Al₂O₃, 15.1–16.1 wt%; FeO/MgO, 0.55–0.60). The type-3 chromites were derived from a magma of much lower Al₂O₃ content (12.5 wt%). It is considered that they belong to an older episode in the magmatic evolution of the complex.     

Geochemical make-up of oceanic peridotites from NW Turkey and the multi-stage melting history of the Tethyan upper mantle

We present the whole-rock and the mineral chemical data for upper mantle peridotites from the Harmanc?k region in NW Turkey and discuss their petrogenetic–tectonic origin. These peridotites are part of a Tethyan ophiolite belt occurring along the ?zmir-Ankara-Ercincan suture zone in northern Turkey, and include depleted lherzolites and refractory harzburgites. The Al₂O₃ contents in orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene from the depleted lherzolite are high, and the Cr-number in the coexisting spinel is low falling within the abyssal field. However, the orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in the harzburgites have lower Al₂O₃ contents for a given Cr-number of spinel, and plot within the lower end of the abyssal field. The whole-rock geochemical and the mineral chemistry data imply that the Harmanc?k peridotites formed by different degrees of partial melting (~%10–27) of the mantle. The depleted lherzolite samples have higher MREE and HREE abundances than the harzburgitic peridotites, showing convex-downward patterns. These peridotites represent up to ~16 % melting residue that formed during the initial seafloor spreading stage of the Northern Neotethys. On the other hand, the more refractory harzburgites represent residues after ~4–11 % hydrous partial melting of the previously depleted MOR mantle, which was metasomatized by slab-derived fluids during the early stages of subduction. The Harmanc?k peridotites, hence, represent the fragments of upper mantle rocks that formed during different stages of the tectonic evolution of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere in Northern Neotethys. We infer that the multi-stage melting history of the Harmanc?k peridotites reflect the geochemically heterogeneous character of the Tethyan oceanic lithosphere currently exposed along the ?zmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture zone.     

Chromite crystallization in a multicellular magma flow: Evidence from a chromitite dike in the Oman ophiolite

The investigated chromitite dike is located at the top of an upwelling mantle structure of the Oman ophiolite (Maqsad diapir), in undeformed dunites displaying evidence for magma impregnation and circulation, just below the paleo-ridge axis. The chromitite dike is undeformed, its shape is that of an upward widening tube. It exhibits an internal layering which is roughly perpendicular to the cavity axis and comprises a vertical succession of four main layers showing a graded-bedding. Chromitite magmatic structures are beautifully preserved and result from a progressive crystallization from small euhedral crystals to wide octahedron-shaped nodules; dissolution textures provide evidence for late magmatic desequilibrium; sedimentation structures include flattening of the largest nodules. The silicate matrix comprises poikilitic forsterite and a locally abundant association of primary pargasite and plagioclase and alteration minerals (vesuvianite-chlorite-dolomite); pargasite inclusions are very abundant in the chromite. Chromite composition changes from one layer to the other and from core to rim in the chromite nodules (chromium decreases and titanium increases); Ti contents are generally high (0.4 to 0.8 wt.% TiO₂) with respect to podiform chromites. Platinum-group elements are not abundant but they show a strong fractionation at the scale of the orebody and of the main graded-bedded layers (Pd/Ir ratio varies from 0.5 to 11.5). REE patterns of chromitite parallel to those of gabbros and furthermore display a sea water related hydrothermal alteration (Ce negative anomaly).

The chromitite dike of Maqsad provides evidence for the crystallization of chromitite bodies in subvertical magma conduits below oceanic ridges; it corroborates the model of Cassard et al. (1981) and Lago et al. (1982) concerning the formation of chromitite pods in ophiolites which were later deformed and transposed into the horizontal plane due to the plastic flow prevailing away from the paleo-axial zone. Layering and chromite compositional variations are ascribed to a multicellular convective system segregating various stocks of chromite particles either in the upwelling flow of fresh magma or in the convective cells of fractionated residual magma in the confined part of the cavity. The estimated life-time for the magma influx is very short (<2 months). The parent-magma was probably of MORB-type and already fractionated (Ti-rich and PGE-poor), which is consistent with the strong evidence of magma-peridotite interactions in the core of the Maqsad diapir. Hydrous fluids were present during chromite crystallization (pargasite inclusions) suggesting that fluid-rich melts occur in the upper mantle.     

Unexpectedly high-PGE chromitite from the deeper mantle section of the northern Oman ophiolite and its tectonic implications

Unusually high, platinum-group element (PGE) enrichments are reported for the first time in a podiform chromitite of the northern Oman ophiolite. The chromitite contains Б.5 ppm of total PGE, being highly enriched in the IPGE subgroup (Ir, Os and Ru) and strongly depleted in the PPGE subgroup (Rh, Pt and Pd). Its platinum-group minerals (PGMs) are classified into three types arranged in order of abundance: (1) sulphides (Os-rich laurite, laurite-erlishmanite solid solution and an unnamed Ir sulphide), (2) alloys (Os-Ir alloy and Ir-Rh alloy), and (3) sulpharsenides (irarsite and hollingworthite). The high PGE concentrations are observed only in a discordant chromitite deep in the mantle section, which has high-Cr# (>0.7) spinel with an olivine matrix. All the other types of chromitite (in the Moho transition zone (MTZ) and concordant pods in the deeper mantle section) are poor in PGEs and tend to have spinels with lower Cr# (up to 0.6). This diversity of chromitite types suggests two stages of magmatic activity were responsible for the chromitite genesis, in response to a switch of tectonic setting. The first is residual from lower degree, partial melting of peridotite, which produced low-Cr#, PGE-poor chromitites at the Moho transition zone and, to a lesser extent, within the mantle, possibly beneath a fast-spreading mid-ocean ridge. The second chromitite-forming event involves higher degree partial melting, which produced high-Cr#, PGE-rich discordant chromitite in the upper mantle, possibly in a supra-subduction zone setting.