Evolved lavas from the Snake River Plain: Craters of the Moon National Monument,Idaho

Holocene lavas from Craters of the Moon (COM) National Monument are representative of differentiated lavas which occur around the margins of the Snake River Plains (SRP) and they range serially in composition from alkali- and phosphorous-rich ferrobasalts to ferrolatites. Petrographic study indicates that these lavas evolved primarily by cotectic crystallization of olivine, plagioclase, magnetite and apatite in the mafic members of the suite (ferrobasalts), and by cotectic crystallization of plagioclase, magnetite, clinopyroxene and minor olivine in the salic members. Quantitative phase relations in the COM lavas, calculated by means of a leastsquares mixing program, indicate that the observed range in composition among these lavas corresponds to at least 70 percent crystallization of a magma similar to the most mafic COM lavas. Anhydrous one-atmosphere experimental crystallization studies fail to reproduce exactly the inferred phase relations; the discrepancy is attributed to the presence of water in the naturally crystallized magmas. The origin of COM parental magma cannot be unequivocably resolved. Available evidence suggests that COM lavas do not represent melts derived directly from the mantle: (1) high Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratios (0.708 to 0.712), (2) relatively high Fe/(Fe+Mg) and excluded-element content in even the most mafic COM lavas, (3) occurrence of megacrysts of inferred high-pressure origin in the Lava Creek flow. Megacrysts occur in the Lava Creek flow as clusters of labradorite, aluminous clinopyroxene, and olivine. Analogy with the experiments of Thompson [1] and least squares mixing calculations indicate that intermediate (ca. 8 to 10 Kbar) pressure fractionation of such megacrysts from olivine tholeiite magma may yield derivative COM-type liquids.     

Picrite xenoliths from the eastern Snake River Plain,Idaho

Large numbers of picrite xenoliths have been found within Hell's Half Acre, a Holocene lava field of the eastern Snake River Plain. Mineralogically and chemically, they are in close agreement with expectations for fractionates and partly substantiate the hypothesis that fractionation is the primary cause of diversity among the region's tholeiite basalts. The fractionation mechanism interpreted for the picrites' origin is crystallization at the growing front of a solidification network. Consideration of the general characteristics of the tholeiite basalts suggests this mechanism of fractionation may have been of major importance within the province. However, to be widespread, it would require that magma reservoirs meet the geometric constraint of dike-like shapes.     

Contrasting climatic histories for the Snake River Plain, Idaho, resulting from multiple thermal maxima

Ten sites near the Snake River Plain have consistent differences in their climatic histories. Sites at low elevation reflect the “early Holocene xerothermic” of the Pacific Northwest, whereas most climatic chronologies at high elevation indicate maximum warmth or aridity somewhat later, ca. 6000 yr ago. This elevational contrast in climatic histories is duplicated at three sites from the central Snake River Plain. For sites in such close proximity, the different chronologies cannot be explained by changes in atmospheric circulation during the late Quaternary. Rather, the differences are best explained by the autecology of the plants involved and the changing seasonal climate. The seasonal climatic sequence predicted by multiple thermal maxima explains the high- and low-elevation chronologies. During the early Holocene, maximum insolation and intensified summer drought in July forced low-elevation vegetation upward. However, moisture was not a limiting factor at high elevation, where vegetation moved upward in response to increased length of growing season coincident with maximum September insolation 6000 yr ago.     

Spatial autocorrelation of Neogene-Quaternary lava along the Snake River Plain,Idaho, USA

The sequence of eruption, spatial pattern, and spatio-temporal relationships among the Neogene-Quaternary rhyolitic and basaltic lava along the Snake River Plain (SRP) in Idaho are analyzed applying the spatial methods of global and local Moran’s I, standard deviational ellipse, and Ripley’s K-function. The results of the analyses by the Moran’s I and K-function methods indicate a higher spatial autocorrelation, hence clustering, of rhyolitic lava compared to the more dispersed basaltic lava in each center of eruption along the SRP. The clustered nature of rhyolitic lava around each caldera either reflects the original spread and large thickness of the rhyolitic lava, or the absence of younger cover strata or lava like the distribution of rhyolite in the present caldera at the Yellowstone National Park. The standard deviational ellipses (SDEs) of the lavas indicate that younger basaltic lava that erupted from newer calderas overlapped older rhyolitic and basaltic lava as the position of the Yellowstone hotspot progressively migrated to the northeast along the SRP. The less eccentric SDEs of rhyolitic lava in each caldera probably reflect the original caldera-scale spread of viscous felsic lava, compared to the more eccentric and larger SDEs of basaltic lava which represent basalt’s wider and more directed spread due to its higher fluidity and ability to flow longer distances along the trend of the SRP. The alignment of the long axes of the lava SDEs with the trend of the Eastern SRP and the trend of systematic spatial overlap of older lava by successively younger basaltic lava corroborate the previously reported migration of the centers of eruption along the ESRP as the Yellowstone hotspot migrated to the northeast.     

Geochronology and Geomorphology of the Pioneer Archaeological Site,Upper Snake River Plain,Idaho, USA

Pioneer is an open‐air, stratified, multicomponent archaeological site located in the upper Snake River Plain of southeastern Idaho, USA. Block excavations provided an opportunity to contribute to the Late Quaternary geomorphic history of the Big Lost River drainage and provide geochronological context of archaeological components at the site. The stratigraphic sequence is interpreted as reflecting multiple depositional episodes and five soil‐formation periods beginning pre‐7200 cal. yr B.P. and lasting to the historic period. The stratigraphic sequence contains an archaeological component dated to ∼3800 cal. yr B.P. and several other components post‐800 cal. yr B.P. Major site formation processes include fluvial deposition and erosion, pedogenesis (accumulation of secondary carbonates), and bioturbation. Periods of increased deposition at Pioneer and elsewhere along the Big Lost River are inferred to have occurred between ∼8400–6500 cal. yr B.P. and ∼2700–400 cal. yr B.P., potentially related to cooler/wetter episodes of the mid‐to‐late Holocene, including increased precipitation during the Medieval Climatic Anomaly (post‐750 cal. yr B.P.). There is also evidence of a high‐energy erosional event at ∼3800 cal. yr B.P. indicating a large middle Holocene flood. Pioneer provides an example of the archaeological and paleoclimatic value of studying alluvial buried soil stratigraphic sequences in arid environments.     

Effect of soil disturbance on recharging fluxes: case study on the Snake River Plain,Idaho National Laboratory,USA

Soil structural disturbance influences the downward flow of water that percolates deep enough to become aquifer recharge. Data from identical experiments in an undisturbed silt-loam soil and in an adjacent simulated waste trench composed of the same soil material, but disturbed, included (1) laboratory- and field-measured unsaturated hydraulic properties and (2) field-measured transient water content profiles through 24 h of ponded infiltration and 75 d of redistribution. In undisturbed soil, wetting fronts were highly diffuse above 2 m depth, and did not go much deeper than 2 m. Darcian analysis suggests an average recharge rate less than 2 mm/year. In disturbed soil, wetting fronts were sharp and initial infiltration slower; water moved slowly below 2 m without obvious impediment. Richards’ equation simulations with realistic conditions predicted sharp wetting fronts, as observed for disturbed soil. Such simulations were adequate for undisturbed soil only if started from a post-initial moisture distribution that included about 3 h of infiltration. These late-started simulations remained good, however, through the 76 d of data. Overall results suggest the net effect of soil disturbance, although it reduces preferential flow, may be to increase recharge by disrupting layer contrasts.     

Implications of spatial reservoir uncertainty for CO2 sequestration in the east Snake River Plain, Idaho (USA)

Basalt-hosted hydrogeologic systems have been proposed for geologic CO₂ sequestration based on laboratory research suggesting rapid mineralization rates. However, despite this theoretical appeal, little is known about the impacts of basalt fracture heterogeneity on CO₂ migration at commercial scales. Evaluating the suitability of basalt reservoirs is complicated by incomplete knowledge of in-situ fracture distributions at depths required for CO₂ sequestration. In this work, a numerical experiment is used to investigate the effects of spatial reservoir uncertainty for geologic CO₂ sequestration in the east Snake River Plain, Idaho (USA). Two criteria are investigated: (1) formation injectivity and (2) confinement potential. Several theoretical tools are invoked to develop a field-based approach for geostatistical reservoir characterization and their implementation is illustrated. Geologic CO₂ sequestration is simulated for 10?years of constant-rate injection at ~680,000 tons per year and modeled by Monte Carlo simulation such that model variability is a function of spatial reservoir heterogeneity. Results suggest that the spatial distribution of heterogeneous permeability structures is a controlling influence on formation injectivity. Analysis of confinement potential is less conclusive; however, in the absence of confining sedimentary interbeds within the basalt pile, rapid mineralization may be necessary to reduce the risk of escape.     

Mid-Pleistocene lavas from the Seguam volcanic center,central Aleutian arc: closed-system fractional crystallization of a basalt to rhyodacite eruptive suite

In contrast to adjacent volcanic centers of the modern central Aleutian arc, Seguam Island developed on strongly extended arc crust. K-Ar dates indicate that mid-Pleistocene, late-Pleistocene, and Holocene eruptive phases constitute Seguam. This study focuses on the petrology of the mid-Pleistocene, 1.07–07 Ma, Turf Point Formation (TPF) which is dominated by an unusual suite of porphyritic basalt and basaltic andesite lavas with subordinate phenocryst-poor andesite to rhyodacite lavas. Increasing whole-rock FeO^*/MgO from basalt to dacite, the anhydrous Plag+Ol+Cpx±Opx±Mt phenocryst assemblage, groundmass pigeonite, and the reaction Ol+Liq=Opx preserved in the mafic lavas indicate a tholeiitic affinity. Thermometry and comparison to published phase equilibria suggests that most TPF basalts crystallized Plag+Ol+Cpx±Mt at 1160°C between about 3–5 kb (±1–2% H₂O), andesites crystallized Plag+Cpx+Opx±Mt at 1000°C between 3–4 kb with 3–5% H₂O, and dacites crystallized Plag +Cpx±Opx±Mt at 1000°C between 1–2 kb with 2–3% H₂O. All lavas crystallized at f _{o 2} close to the NNO buffer. Mineral compositions and textures indicate equilibrium crystallization of the evolved lavas; petrographic evidence of open-system mixing or assimilation is rare. MgO, CaO, Al₂O₃, Cr, Ni, and Sr abundances decrease and K₂O, Na₂O, Rb, Ba, Zr, and Pb increase with increasing SiO₂ (50–71%). LREE enrichment [(Ce/Yb)_n=1.7±0.2] characterizes most TPF lavas; total REE contents increase and Eu anomalies become more negative with increasing SiO₂. Relative to other Aleutian volcanic centers, TPF basalts and basaltic andesites have lower K₂O, Na₂O, TiO₂, Rb, Ba, Sr, Zr, Y, and LREE abundances. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70361–0.70375) and ratios of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.88–18.97), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.58–15.62), ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (38.46–38.55) are the highest measured for any suite of lavas in the oceanic portion of the Aleutian arc. Conversely, Nd values (+5.8 to+6.7) are among the lowest from the Aleutians. Sr, Nd, and Pb ratios are virtually constant from basalt through rhyodacite, whereas detectable isotopic heterogenity is observed at most other Aleutian volcanic centers. Major and trace element, REE, and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions are consistent with the basaltic andesitic, andesitic, dacitic, and rhyodacitic liquids evolving from TPF basaltic magma via closed-system fractional crystallization alone. Fractionation models suggest that removal of 80 wt% cumulate (61% Plag, 17% Cpx, 12% Opx, 7% Ol, and 3% Mt) can produce 20 wt% rhyodacitic residual liquid per unit mass of parental basaltic liquid. Petrologic and physical constraints favor segregation of small batches of basalt from a larger mid-crustal reservoir trapped below a low-density upper crustal lid. In these small magma batches, the degree of cooling, crystallization, and fractionation are functions of the initial mass of basaltic magma segregated, the thermal state of the upper crust, and the magnitude of extension. Tholeiitic magmas erupted at Seguam evolved by substantially different mechanisms than did calc-alkaline lavas erupted at the adjacent volcanic centers of Kanaga and Adak on unextended arc crust. These variable differentiation mechanisms and liquid lines of descent reflect contrasting thermal and mechanical conditions imposed by the different tectonic environments in which these centers grew. At Seguam, intra-arc extension promoted eruption of voluminous basalt and its differentiates, unmodified by interaction with lower crustal or upper mantle wallrocks.     

长白山区二道白河流域早更新世玄武质熔岩的成因

采用岩石化学和同位素分析方法,研究了二道白河流域早更新世玄武质熔岩的成因。玄武质熔岩由钠质拉斑玄武岩和钾质粗面玄武岩、玄武质粗面安山岩组成。它们的REE分配形式比较相近,表明它们来自共同的源区。Sr、Nd、Pb同位素示踪表明,二道白河流域早更新世玄武质熔岩岩浆源区接近于似原始地幔。它们的Mg#=100Mg O/(Mg O+Fe O)低于中国东部新生代玄武岩原始岩浆的Mg#(60~68),Ni(27.76×10-6~200.6×10-6)低于原始地幔,Rb/Sr(0.05~0.09)、Ba/Rb(15.64~264)高于原始地幔,说明这些岩石不是源自原始地幔。玄武质熔岩的DI变化于42~67,具有高Ca、高Sr、Eu正异常,微量元素图解显示玄武岩保留部分熔融趋势,粗面玄武岩、玄武质粗安岩具有结晶分异趋势,岩浆上升过程中发生了不同程度的地壳混染作用。玄武质熔岩的Nb/Ta之比为14.8~15.8,与勘察加半岛深俯冲带火山类似。Nb/Ta-(Na2O-K2O)关系图解显示研究区玄武质岩浆的形成与俯冲板片的部分熔融有关。     

Geochemistry and stratigraphic correlation of basalt lavas beneath the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

 Thirty-nine samples of basaltic core were collected from wells 121 and 123, located approximately 1.8 km apart north and south of the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Samples were collected from depths ranging from 15 to 221 m below land surface for the purpose of establishing stratigraphic correlations between these two wells. Elemental analyses indicate that the basalts consist of three principal chemical types. Two of these types are each represented by a single basalt flow in each well. The third chemical type is represented by many basalt flows and includes a broad range of chemical compositions that is distinguished from the other two types. Basalt flows within the third type were identified by hierarchical K-cluster analysis of 14 representative elements: Fe, Ca, K, Na, Sc, Co, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Yb, Hf, Ta, and Th. Cluster analyses indicate correlations of basalt flows between wells 121 and 123 at depths of approximately 38–40 m, 125–128 m, 131–137 m, 149–158 m, and 183–198 m. Probable correlations also are indicated for at least seven other depth intervals. Basalt flows in several depth intervals do not correlate on the basis of chemical compositions, thus reflecting possible flow margins in the sequence between the wells. Multi-element chemical data provide a useful method for determining stratigraphic correlations of basalt in the upper 1–2 km of the eastern Snake River Plain. Received: 16 February 1996 · Accepted: 1 April 1996     

Evaluation of a pumping test of the Snake River Plain aquifer using axial-flow numerical modeling

The Snake River Plain aquifer in southeast Idaho is hosted in a thick sequence of layered basalts and interbedded sediments. The degree to which the layering impedes vertical flow has not been well understood, yet is a feature that may exert a substantial control on the movement of contaminants. An axial-flow numerical model, RADFLOW, was calibrated to pumping test data collected by a straddle-packer system deployed at 23 depth intervals in four observation wells to evaluate conceptual models and estimate properties of the Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. A delayed water-table response observed in intervals beneath a sediment interbed was best reproduced with a three-layer simulation. The results demonstrate the hydraulic significance of this interbed as a semi-confining layer. Vertical hydraulic conductivity of the sediment interbed was estimated to be about three orders of magnitude less than vertical hydraulic conductivity of the lower basalt and upper basalt units. The numerical model was capable of representing aquifer conceptual models that could not be represented with any single analytical technique. The model proved to be a useful tool for evaluating alternative conceptual models and estimating aquifer properties in this application. Electronic Publication     

Origin of late-cenozoic lavas from the Banda arc,Indonesia: Trace element and Sr isotope evidence

The Banda arc of eastern Indonesia manifests the collision of a continent and an intra-oceanic island arc. The presently active arc is located on what appears to be oceanic crust whereas the associated subduction trench is underlain by continental crust.Recent lavas from the Banda arc are predominantly andesitic and range from tholeiitic in the north through calc-alkaline to high-K calc-alkaline varieties in the southern islands. Defining this regular geochemical variation are significant increases in the abundances of K (2,600–21,000 ppm), Rb (10–90 ppm), Cs (0.5–7.0 ppm), and Ba (100–1,000 ppm) from tholeiitic to high-K calc-alkaline lavas. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the tholeiites are relatively low, from 0.7045 to 0.7047. In the calc-alkaline lavas, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios range from 0.7052 to 0.7095, and in the high-K calc-alkaline lavas from 0.7065 to 0.7080. There is no correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and major and trace element abundances, even among lavas from the same volcano. Late Cenozoic cordierite — bearing lavas from Ambon, north of the presently active arc, are highly enriched in K, Rb and Cs, which together with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of approximately 0.715 is consistent with their derivation from partial melting of pelitic material in the locally — thick crust.The high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in the Recent calc-alkaline lavas are interpreted to result from mixing of a sialic component with a mantle derived component. The most likely cause is subduction and subsequent melting of either sea-floor sediments or continental crust. However, it is probably unrealistic to model this type of deep contamination by simple two-component mixing. Such contamination implies that the volcanic rocks from the Banda arc are at least partly a manifestation of melting at or near the Benioff seismic zone. Temperatures of at least 750–800 ° C at the top of the subducted lithospheric slab at depths of approximately 150 km are also implied; temperatures very close to the solidus of hydrous basalt (eclogite) at such pressure. It is concluded that partial melting of the crustal component of the subducted lithospheric slab may play a significant role in island arc petrogenesis.This paper is the result of a cooperative project with the Geological Survey of Indonesia, Ministry of Mines and Energy     

Origins and evolution of rhyolitic magmas in the central Snake River Plain: insights from coupled high-precision geochronology,oxygen isotope,and hafnium isotope analyses of zircon

We present new high-precision CA-ID-TIMS and in situ U–Pb ages together with Hf and O isotopic analyses (analyses performed all on the same grains) from four tuffs from the 15?10 Ma Bruneau–Jarbidge center of the Snake River Plain and from three rhyolitic units from the Kimberly borehole in the neighboring 10?6 Ma Twin Falls volcanic center. We find significant intrasample diversity in zircon ages (ranges of up to 3 Myr) and in δ¹⁸O (ranges of up to 6‰) and ε_Hf (ranges of up to 24 ε units) values. Zircon rims are also more homogeneous than the associated cores, and we show that zircon rim growth occurs faster than the resolution of in situ dating techniques. CA-ID-TIMS dating of a subset of zircon grains from the Twin Falls samples reveals complex crystallization histories spanning 10⁴–10⁶ years prior to some eruptions, suggesting that magma genesis was characterized by the cyclic remelting of buried volcanic rocks and intrusions associated with previous magmatic episodes. Age-dependent trends in zircon isotopic compositions show that rhyolite production in the Yellowstone hotspot track is driven by the mixing of mantle-derived melts (normal δ¹⁸O and ε_Hf) and a combination of Precambrian basement rock (normal δ¹⁸O and ε_Hf down to ??60) and shallow Mesozoic and Cenozoic age rocks, some of which are hydrothermally altered (to low δ¹⁸O values) by earlier stages of Snake River Plain magmatism. These crustal melts hybridize with juvenile basalts and rhyolites to produce the erupted rhyolites. We also observe that the Precambrian basement rock is only an important component in the erupted magmas in the first eruption at each caldera center, suggesting that the accumulation of new intrusions quickly builds an upper crustal intrusive body which is isolated from the Precambrian basement and evolves towards more isotopically juvenile and lower-δ¹⁸O compositions over time.     

A crustal-scale integrated geophysical and tectonic study of the Snake River Plain region,northwestern U.S.A.

The Pacific Northwest region of North America is a site of very complex tectonomagmatic activity. This activity is due to subduction of the Pacific plate, the associated Cascade chain of volcanoes, micro-plate interactions, and mantle plume activity to the east of the plate margin that produced the Yellowstone hotspot track along the Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP). A number of recent geophysical and geological studies have produced new results that have drawn attention to the complex tectonic setting of the region east of the Cascade Range, and its tectonic evolution is the subject of considerable scientific interest and debate. Numerous seismic studies have specifically focused on the crustal and upper mantle structure of the ESRP and Yellowstone area. However, crustal-scale studies of the Western Snake River Plain (WSRP) are limited. We undertook an integrated analysis of new and existing geophysical data and geologic constraints to study the crustal structure of the WSRP and generated two-dimensional crustal models across it. We observed both differences and similarities in the structural and tectonic evolution of the eastern and western arms of the SRP based on our integrated analysis. From a broader perspective based on recent geological and geophysical studies in the surrounding region, the intersection of the two arms of the SRP emerges as a major element of a complex tectonic intersection that includes the High Lava Plains of eastern Oregon, the Northern Nevada rift, a southwestern extension of the ESRP into northern Nevada, as well as, faulting and volcanism extending north-westward to connect with the Columbia River basalt plateau region. Thus, the goal of this study is to advance our understanding of the tectonomagmatic evolution of the region and to encourage further studies in the region.     

Origin of yellow sand from Tamala Limestone on the Swan Coastal Plain,Western Australia

There has been considerable debate concerning the origin of the Spearwood Dunes on the Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia. In general, it is believed that the Spearwood Dunes are a complex of calcareous coastal dunes deposited during the Quaternary and now consist of an aeolianite core (the Tamala Limestone) plus tracts of surficial residual sand from dissolution thereof. However, in the mid‐seventies a counter view was presented suggesting that the sand was not residual but was transported by aeolian processes from inland sources. At 11 sites on the Swan Coastal Plain a combination of grainsize analysis and heavy‐mineral analysis was used to demonstrate that the sand of the Spearwood Dunes has evolved as a result of in situ weathering of the underlying Tamala Limestone. This supports previous work on the Swan Coastal Plain and other sandplains in Western Australia, suggesting that there has been very little long‐range aeolian transport of sands during the Late Pleistocene.     

Origin of calc-alkaline series lavas at Medicine Lake Volcano by fractionation,assimilation and mixing

The results of experimental studies and examination of variations in major elements, trace elements and Sr isotopes indicate that fractionation, assimilation and magma mixing combined to produce the lavas at Medicine Lake Highland. Some characteristics of the compositional differences among the members of the calc-alkalic association (basalt-andesite-dacite-rhyolite) can be produced by fractional crystallization, and a fractionation model reproduces the major element trends. Other variations are inconsistent with a fractionation origin. Elevated incompatible element abundances (K and Rb) observed in lavas intermediate between basalt and rhyolite can be produced through assimilation of a crustal component. An accompanying increase in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr from ∼ 0.07030 in basalt to ∼0.7040 in rhyolite is also consistent with crustal assimilation. The compatible trace element contents (Ni and Sr) of intermediate lavas can not be produced by fractional crystallization, and suggest a magma-mixing origin for some lavas. Unusual phenocryst assemblages and textural criteria in these lavas provide additional evidence for magma mixing. A phase diagram constructed from the low pressure melting experiments identifies a distributary reaction point, where olivine+augite react to pigeonite. Parental basalts reach this point at low pressures and undergo iron-enrichment at constant SiO₂ content. The resulting liquid line of descent is characteristic of the tholeiitic trend. Calc-alkalic differentiation trends circumvent the distributary reaction point by three processes: fractionation at elevated pH₂O, assimilation and magma mixing.     

The Graveyard Point Intrusion: an Example of Extreme Differentiation of Snake River Plain Basalt in a Shallow Crustal Pluton

The Graveyard Point intrusion is the only known example of awell-exposed differentiated mafic pluton associated with thelate Miocene–Pleistocene magmatism of the western SnakeRiver Plain (SRP). It is exposed in a 6 km by 4 km area adjacentto the Oregon–Idaho border, and exposures range in thicknessfrom 20 to 160 m. The thicker parts of the intrusion are stronglydifferentiated and contain a 25–60 m thick section ofwell-laminated cumulus-textured gabbros that grade upward intopegmatoidal ferrogabbro. Evolved liquids formed sheets of Fe-richsiliceous granophyre. At least two injections of magma are indicatedby abrupt discontinuities in the rock and mineral compositions,and by the lack of mass balance between the bulk intrusion andits chilled borders. The laminated gabbros are interpreted tohave formed from a tongue of augite and plagioclase crystalsthat were carried in with the second pulse of magma. Followingthe final emplacement of the intrusion, in situ differentiationproceeded through a two-stage process: the ferrogabbros areexplained as interstitial liquids forced out of the crystalmush by compaction, and the siliceous granophyres are interpretedto be residual liquids that migrated out of the partly crystallizedferrogabbros in response to the exsolution of volatiles. Becausethe geochemical trend inferred for the mafic to intermediatecomposition liquids in the Graveyard Point intrusion is similarto the trend for many western Snake River Plain lavas, the plutonmay be a good model for shallow sub-volcanic magma chamberselsewhere in the SRP. However, some western SRP lavas containanomalously high concentrations of P₂O₅ , which are best explainedby mixing within the active crustal mush column or with partialmelts of previously formed differentiated mafic intrusions. KEY WORDS: Snake River Plain; mafic intrusions; tholeiitic; sill; granophyre     

Heavy metal pollution in the sediments of the Coeur d'Alene River,Idaho

Analysis of sediment samples collected from the Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho, USA, indicates that the main stem and the south fork of the river are contaminated with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, and Zn) from the local mining operations. Laboratory experiments indicate that these metals in the sediments can be leached and reach saturation concentrations in water in a relatively short period of time. The rate of leaching of heavy metals with distilled water appeared to follow first-order kinetics. The saturation concentrations of Mn and Zn in water reached ppm levels from the leaching process. Cadmium and Pb are much less soluble relative to Zn in the sediments. The high concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments are a source of contamination that should be considered for the water quality management planning of the Coeur d'Alene River-Lake system.     

Origin of high-Si dacite from rhyolitic melt: evidence from melt inclusions in mingled lavas of the 1.6 Ga Gawler Range Volcanics, South Australia

Summary ?Part of the Mesoproterozoic (1.6 Ga) Gawler Range Volcanics in South Australia is composed of mingled feldspar- quartz- phyric dacite, rhyodacite and rhyolite lavas. Field relationships suggest that dacite erupted first, locally grading into rhyodacite, followed by mingled dacite and rhyolite or rhyodacite and rhyolite, and finally in some areas rhyolite, and imply that the three lithofacies co-existed in a compositionally stratified magma chamber. Data on the bulk rock, groundmass and melt inclusion compositions suggest that post-eruption alteration has had very little effect on the original rock compositions. Melt inclusions in quartz from rhyolite and rhyodacite-dacite, respectively, belong to two compositional populations. Inclusions in the rhyolitic quartz have less evolved compositions with lower SiO₂ (72–76.4 wt %) and higher Al₂O₃ (13.2–15.6 wt%) and Na₂O (2.5–4.2 wt%) abundances. In contrast, melt inclusions in quartz from the rhyodacite-dacite are more “evolved” (i.e., 75.5–78.3 wt% SiO₂, 11.2–12.7 wt% Al₂O₃ and 1.7–2.2 wt% Na₂O). The two melt populations define a single compositional trend towards groundmass compositions, which are essentially similar in all three lithofaci es (77.8–80.5 wt% SiO₂, 9.9–11.1  wt% Al₂O₃ and 2.2–2.4 wt% Na₂O). This trend is consistent with the derivation of the groundmass melt from a single precursor melt of rhyolitic composition by means of crystallisation of dominant plagioclase, K-feldspar and minor quartz. Plagioclase-enriched dacite-rhyodacite magma comprises a mixture of the residual melt and plagioclase phenocryst s that accumulated in the upper part of the magma chamber and erupted first. Similar residual melt containing quartz and K-feldspar phenocrysts was present deeper in the magma chamber and erupted later to form quartz-, K-feldspar-phyric rhyolite.

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Zusammenfassung ?Die Bildung von Si-reichem Dacit aus rhyolitischer Schmelze: Evidenz aus Schmelzeinschlüssen in Laven der 1.6 Ga Gawler Range Volcanics, Südaustralien Ein Teil der mesoproterozoischen (1.6 Ga) Gawler Range Volcanics in Südaustralien setzt sich aus “mingled” Feldspat- Quarz-phyrischen dacitischen, rhyodacitischen und rhyolithischen Laven zusammen. Gel?ndebefunde legen nahe, da? die Dacite, die lokal in Rhyodacite übergehen, zuerst eruptierten, gefolgt vom “mingled” Dacit und Rhyolith oder Rhyodacit und Rhyolith. Schlie?lich bildeten sich in einigen Gebieten Rhyolithe. Diese Beobachtungen lassen die Schlu?folgerung zu, da? die drei Lithofazies in einer geschichteten Magmenkammer koexistierten. Die Daten der Gesamtgesteins-, Grundmasse- und Schmelzeinschlu?- Zusammensetzungen zeigen, da? Alterationsvorg?nge nach der Eruption einen sehr minimalen Effekt auf die ursprüngliche Gesteinszusammensetzung hatten. Die Schmelzeinschl üsse in den Rhyolithen und Rhyodaciten geh?ren zwei unterschiedlich en Populationen an. Die Schmelzeinschlüsse in Quarz der Rhyolithe sind weniger deutlich “entwickelt” mit niedrigeren SiO₂ (72–76.4 Gew.%) und h?heren Al₂O₃ (13.2–15.6 Gew.%) und Na₂O-(2.5–4. 2 Gew.%) Gehalten. Im Unterschied dazu sind die Einschlüss e in Quarz aus Rhyodacit-Dacit st?rker “entwickelt” (i.e., 75.5–78.3 Gew.% SiO₂, 11.2–12.7 G ew.% Al₂O₃ und 1.7–2.2 Gew.% Na₂O). Die beiden Populationen von Schmelzeinschlüssen definieren einen einzigen Entwicklungstrend hin zur Zusammensetzung der Grundmasse, die in allen drei Lithofazies ?hnlich ist (77.8–80.5 Gew.% SiO₂, 9.9–11.1 Gew.% Al₂O₃ und 2.2–2.4 Gew.% Na₂O). Dieser Trend ist mit der Herkunft der Grundmasse-bildenden Schmelze aus einer einzigen Ausgangsschmelze rhyolithischer Zusammensetzung infolge der Kristallisation von haupts?chlich Plagioklas, Alkalifeldspat und untergeordnet Quarz konsistent. Dacit-Rhyodacitmagmen, die an Plagioklas angereichert sind, stellen eine Mischung der Residualschmelze mit Plagioklas- Ph?nokristallen, die sich in den oberen Teilen der Magmenkammer akkumuli ert haben, dar; sie eruptierten zuerst. ?hnliche residuale Schmelzen mit Quarz und Akalifeldspat-Ph?nokristallen waren auf die tieferen Teilen der Magmenkammer beschr?nkt; sie eruptierten sp?ter und bildeten die Quarz- und Akalifeldspat-phyrischen Rhyolithe.

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Received April 1, 1999;/revised version accepted July 27, 1999