Basalt geochemistry as a diagnostic indicator of tectonic setting

Basalt geochemistry can be used as a diagnostic indicator for determining the tectonic setting of origin, because specific plate tectonic settings often impart distinctive geochemical characteristics. For example: (1) mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and oceanic island basalts (OIB) have clearly distinguishable trace element and Sr-Nd isotope geochemical characteristics; (2) arc related basalts, including IOAB (intra-oceanic arc basalts), IAB (island arc basalts) and CAB (continental arc basalts), exhibit following distinguishing features: all are characterized by low Nb/La ratios (<0.85) and negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies; most exhibit low Nb concentrations (<8 ppm), high positive ɛ_Nd values and low enrichment of incompatible elements except the continental arc shoshonitic basalts that possess high concentrations of incompatible trace elements and lower to negative ɛ_Nd values; (3) although contamination by continental crust or lithosphere can impart subduction-like signature (e.g., low Nb, low Ta and low Ti) and lead to misidentification of contaminated continental intraplate basalts as arc related, there are still some essential differences between continental intraplate basalts and arc related ones; such as: uncontaminated continental intraplate basalts have high Nb concentrations, Nb/La > 1, “hump-shaped” OIB-like trace element patterns and moderate positive ɛ_Nd values that distinguish them from the arc related ones; whereas, the contaminated continental intraplate basalts are characterized by pronounced negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies, but their concentrations of incompatible trace elements are conspicuously higher than those of subduction-zone basalts that also distinguishes them from the arc related ones; (4) an important difference between back-arc basin basalts (BABB) and the MORB is that the former exhibit both MORB-like and arc-like geochemical characteristics; (5) most oceanic plateau basalts (OPB) show diagnostic geochemical characteristics of enriched MORB (E-MORB) to transitional MORB (T-MORB); only the Kerguelen Plateau is an exception; the early (pre 90 Ma) volcanism of the Kerguelen Plateau is associated with the Early Cretaceous break-up of Gondwana and displays features of continental flood basaltic volcanism; with time, the tectonic setting of the Kerguelen plume-derived volcanism changed from a rifted continental margin setting (133–118 Ma) through a young, widening ocean (118–40 Ma), finally to an oceanic intraplate setting (~40 Ma to the present).Tectonic discrimination diagrams should not be used in isolation, but can still be useful as part of holistic geochemical characterization. For example: (1) MORB and OIB are distinguishable from each other in the 3Tb-Th-2Ta diagram; (2) the arc related basalts, including IOAB, IAB and CAB, constantly plot in the arc-related basalts fields in the Th/Yb-Ta/Yb diagram; (3) the 3Tb-Th-2Ta diagram can be utilized to fully illustrate both MORB-like and arc-like characteristics of BABB; (4) some discriminant diagrams (such as Zr/Y-Zr, Th/Yb-Ta/Yb, 3Tb-Th-2Ta and Hf/3-Th-Nb/16 diagrams) can be used to distinguish continental intra plate basalts from arc related ones; (5) although there are not any discrimination diagrams published that delineate an OPB field, some trace element diagrams can still reveal diagnostic characteristics of the OPB.     

Tholeiitic and alkalic basalts of the oldest Pacific Ocean crust

Approximately 160 Ma old basaltic lavas obtained from ODP Site 801 in the Pigafetta Basin represent the first Jurassic oceanic crust recovered in the Pacific Ocean and the oldest in situ oceanic crust discovered anywhere. The basement consists of an upper alkali olivine basalt sequence and a lower tholeiitic sequence separated by a yellow Fe-rich hydrothermal sedimentary deposit. The aphyric and sparsely plagiodase-olivine±spinel phyric tholeiites exhibit depleted, open–system fractionated characteristics with trace element abundances and Pb–Nd isotopic compositions similar to normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB). The aphyric alkali basalts, although showing some overlap in isotopic composition with MORB, exhibit strong similarities in terms of incompatible element abundances to ocean island basalts (OIB). They could represent either OIB-type off-axis volcanism or an alkalic event possibly associated with the waning stages of spreading axis volcanism in the Pigafetta Basin. All lavas have undergone low-grade anoxic smectite–carbonate alteration, although flows underlying the Fe-rich sediments have suffered hydrothermal alteration and fracturing.     

Stratigraphy and geochemistry of pillow basalts within the ophiolitic mélange of the Izmir–Ankara–Erzincan suture zone: implications for the geotectonic character of the northern branch of Neotethys

The Izmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture zone of Turkey is a broad zone of ophiolitic mélange containing numerous fragmented blocks ranging in age from Triassic to Cretaceous. Stratigraphic sequences for various mélange units are compared, together with the geochemistry of associated basaltic pillow lavas of Cretaceous age. A review of geochemical data for the pillow lavas demonstrate: (a) a dominant group of alkalic basalts with enriched incompatible elements, variable Zr/Y and Zr/Nb ratios, and (b) a range of tholeiitic basalts with slightly depleted to mildly enriched (normalized) rare earth patterns, (La/Yb)_N 0.4-3.0, and generally low Zr/Y ratios. The alkalic basalts can be chemically matched to Pacific Ocean seamounts, although the close association of red radiolarites and cherts suggests that many basalts represent the margins of such structures, rather than the main seamount edifice. Nd-Sr isotope data are typical for ocean island basalts and represent an admixture of a dominant EM-1 source and a depleted MORB-like source. Enhanced δ¹⁸O compositions are a consequence of submarine alteration and not crustal contamination. Tholeiitic compositions have affinities with both N- and E-type MORB, although most are probably representative of tholeiitic ocean islands. Overall the basalts are mainly representative of structures built on the ocean floor, rather than the oceanic crust itself, being scraped off the subducting crust and preserved in the mélange of the accretionary wedge.     

Geochemical fingerprinting of oceanic basalts with applications to ophiolite classification and the search for Archean oceanic crust

Two geochemical proxies are particularly important for the identification and classification of oceanic basalts: the Th–Nb proxy for crustal input and hence for demonstrating an oceanic, non-subduction setting; and the Ti–Yb proxy for melting depth and hence for indicating mantle temperature and thickness of the conductive lithosphere. For the Th–Nb proxy, a Th/Yb–Nb/Yb projection demonstrates that almost all oceanic basalts lie within a diagonal MORB–OIB array with a principal axis of dispersion along the array. However, basalts erupted at continental margins and in subduction zones are commonly displaced above the MORB–OIB array and/or belong to suites with principal dispersion axes which are oblique to the array. Modelling of magma–crust interaction quantifies the sensitivity of the Th–Nb proxy to process and to magma and crustal compositions. For the Ti–Yb proxy, the equivalent Ti/Yb–Nb/Yb projection features a discriminant boundary between low Ti/Yb MORB and high Ti/Yb OIB that runs almost parallel to the Nb/Yb axis, reflecting the fact that OIB originate by melting beneath thicker lithosphere and hence by less melting and with residual garnet. In the case of volcanic-rifted margins and oceanic plume–ridge interactions (PRI), where hot mantle flows toward progressively thinner lithosphere (often becoming more depleted in the process), basalts follow diagonal trends from the OIB to the MORB field. Modelling of mantle melting quantifies the sensitivity of the Ti–Nb proxy to mantle potential temperature and lithospheric thickness and hence defines the petrogenetic basis by which magmas plot in the OIB or MORB fields. Oceanic plateau basalts lie mostly in the centre of the MORB part of that field, reflecting a high degree of melting of fertile mantle. Application of the proxies to some examples of MORB ophiolites helps them to be further classified as C (contaminated)-MORB, N (normal)-MORB, E (enriched)-MORB and P (plume)-MORB ophiolites, which may add a useful dimension to ophiolite classification. In the Archean, the hotter magmas, higher crustal geotherms and higher Th contents of contaminants all result in widespread crustal input that is easy to detect geochemically with the Th–Nb proxy. Application of this proxy to Archean greenstones demonstrates that almost all exhibit a crustal component even when reputedly oceanic. This indicates, either that some interpretations need to be re-examined or that intra-oceanic crustal input is important in the Archean making the proxy less effective in distinguishing oceanic from continental settings. The Ti–Yb proxy is not effective for fingerprinting Archean settings because higher mantle potential temperatures mean that lithospheric thickness is no longer the critical variable in determining the presence or absence of residual garnet.     

Arc‐nascent back‐arc signature in metabasalts from the Neoarchaean Jonnagiri greenstone terrane,Eastern Dharwar Craton,India

The Neoarchaean Jonnagiri greenstone terrane (JGT) is located at the centre of the arcuate Hutti–Jonnagiri–Kadiri–Kolar composite greenstone belt in the eastern Dharwar Craton. High MgO (MgO = ~14 wt.%; Nb = 0.2 ppm), low Nb (LNB) (MgO = 7.8–12 wt.%; Nb = 0.1–5.1 ppm) and high Nb basalts (HNB) (MgO = 5.6–10.1 wt.%; Nb = 9.0–10.6 ppm) metamorphosed to lower amphibolite facies are identified based on their geochemical compositions. These metabasalts exhibit depleted HFSE (Nb–Ta, Zr–Hf), pronounced LREE and LILE enrichments suggesting contribution from subduction‐related components during their genesis. Th and U enrichment over Nb–Ta indicates influx of fluids dehydrated from subducted oceanic lithosphere. The high MgO basalts with higher Mg# (51) than that of the associated LNB and HNB (Mg# = 34–47) represent early fractionated melts of subduction‐modified mantle peridotite. The LNB were produced by partial melting of mantle wedge metasomatized by slab‐dehydrated fluids, whereas the HNB represents melts of subducted oceanic crust and hybridized mantle wedge. Lower Dy/Yb and variable La/Yb ratios suggest their generation at shallower depth within spinel peridotite stability field. The low Ce–Yb trend of these metabasalts reflects intraoceanic type subduction which straddles the fields of arc and back‐arc basin basalts, resembling the Mariana‐type arc basalts. The Jonnagiri metabasalts were derived in a paired arc‐back‐arc setting marked by nascent back‐arc rift system that developed in the proximity of an intraoceanic arc. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elemental and isotopic variations in subduction related basalts: evidence for a three component model

Subduction related basalts display wide ranges in large ion lithophile element ratios (e.g., Rb/Ba and Rb/ Sr) which are unlikely to result from mixing, but suggest a role for small degree partial melting of a relatively Rb-poor mantle wedge source. However, these variations do not correlate with other trace element criteria, such as the depletions of high field strength elements (HFSE) and light rare earth elements (LREE) relative to the LILE, which characterise subduction related magmatism. Integration of radiogenic isotope and trace element data demonstrates that the elemental enrichment cannot be simply related to two component mixtures inferred from isotopic variations. Thus a minimum of three components is required to describe the geochemistry of subduction zone basalts. Two are subduction related: high Sr/Nd material is derived from the dehydration of subducted basaltic ocean crust, and a low Sr/Nd component is thought to be from subducted terrigenous sediment. The third component is in the mantle wedge, it is usually similar to the source of MORB, particularly in its isotopic composition. However, in some cases, notably continental areas, more enriched mantle wedge material with relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and elevated incompatible trace element contents may be involved Mixing of these three components is capable of producing both the entire range of Sr, Nd and Pb isotope signatures observed in destructive margin basalts, and their distinctive trace element compositions. The isotope differences between Atlantic and Pacific island arc basalts are attributed to the isotope compositions of sediments in the two oceans.     

Zinc,Copper, and Lead Geochemistry of Oceanic Igneous Rocks—Ridges,Islands, and Arcs

Variations in the abundances of Zn, Cu, and Pb are found to be useful in identifying tectonic regimes and separating oceanisland basalts into enriched- and depleted-source categories. The average Zn, Cu, and Pb contents of normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (N-MORB) are 84, 70, and 0.35 ppm, respectively. Differences in average Zn contents for various ridges reflect more the varying degrees of differentiation than variations of Zn content in the source rocks. At a Mg# of 70, or Mg#₇₀, which is taken to represent primitive MORB, many MORB sequences converge at a Zn content of 58 ± 6 ppm, which is close to the value for primitive mantle (50 ppm) and ordinary chondrites (～55 ppm). Values of 0.1 to 0.15 ppm Pb in MORB at Mg#₇₀, best defined at the superfast-spreading Southern East Pacific Rise, are similar to estimates of Pb in the primitive mantle (0.12 to 0.18 ppm). They also are near the lower end of the range for ordinary chondrites. The very slow spreading Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge has a sequence with higher Pb contents, in addition to a more normal sequence, which has a visual best value of 0.4 ppm Pb at Mg#₇₀. With the exception of the Walvis Ridge, Zn and Cu appear to be little affected by proximity to hotspots (i.e., E-MORB); however, Pb contents are higher and average about 0.6 ppm.

Both Zn and Pb in MORB are incompatible elements (i.e., favor the melt), but Cu is a compatible element. At Mg#₇₀, there is the suggestion of a value of 100 ppm for Cu, with lower values possibly representing partial removal of sulfides and their associated Cu from the source. Nonetheless, Cu contents of primitive MORB tend to be much higher than even high estimates for the primitive mantle (28 ppm), and are closer to ordinary chondrites (～90 ppm). Therefore, Zn, Cu, and Pb all approximate chondritic values in the primitive MORB melt.

Average contents of Zn, Cu, and Pb in oceanic island basalts (OIB) are 115, 62, and 3.2 ppm, respectively. At Mg#₇₀, values of Zn and Cu are similar to the respective averages for OIB, with Zn higher and Cu lower than MORB. At a Mg# of ～40, however, OIB and MORB tend to have similar Zn contents. With further differentiation, OIB trachytes can contain >200 ppm Zn. Unlike MORB, OIB can differentiate to high Cu contents of 200 ppm at Mg#s of 40 to 60. In contrast to Zn and Cu, Pb regresses to a value of 0.83 ppm at Mg#₇₀ for Hawaiian and Reunion volcanics, which is much less than the average value for Pb in OIB volcanics, but higher than for MORB.

Average Zn, Cu, and Pb contents of magmatic-arc basalts are 77, 108, and 1.9 ppm, respectively. In basalts, Zn tends to be incompatible, but a dual incompatible and compatible behavior can occur at high SiO₂ contents. Dacites may average near 55 ppm Zn, but peralkalic rhyolite can contain >300 ppm Zn. A dual compatible and incompatible nature occurs for Cu. Most common, particularly in submarine volcanics, is a compatible trend, with a Cu content of around 80 ppm at a Mg# of 60, which decreases to less than 40 ppm at a Mg# of 30. The incompatible trend of increasing Cu can achieve >200 ppm at a Mg# of 30, leaving a gap approaching 100 ppm at that Mg#. The gap is less obvious on a plot of Cu vs. SiO₂, but is still there. The compatible trend is proposed to result from sulfur-saturated magmas, whereas the incompatible trend is believed to result from sulfur-deficient magmas. Support for this hypothesis is found in sparse sulfur-isotope data. Zn and Cu both can be incompatible over an extended range of Mg#s or silica content. When Zn and Cu are both compatible, Cu decreases more than twice as rapidly as Zn.

Primitive magmas at Mg#₇₀ average about 50 ppm Zn for submarine Mariana arc basalts and 58 ppm for forearc boninites, contents close to MORB values. Mariana arc basalts have a Zn content of ～45 ppm estimated at Mg#₇₀. Cu varies more widely than Zn in primitive magmas, being about 50 ppm Cu for Mariana Islands volcanics and 120 ppm for Kermadec Islands volcanics, a range broadly around MORB values. Average Pb contents are 1.9 ppm for island-arc tholeiites, 5.6 ppm for high-Al basalt, and 3.2 ppm for alkali basalt with average boninite of approximately 1.8 ppm. Back-arc-basin basalts in the deepest parts of the Mariana trough have Pb contents of 0.45 ppm, but more shallow parts may exceed 1.0 ppm Pb. Although the lower contents are similar to MORB values, the ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values are greater than Pacific Ocean MORB. At Mg#₇₀ for rocks from the Tonga and Kermadec island arcs, the Pb content is about 0.1 ppm, similar to MORB.     

Rhenium and chalcophile elements in basaltic glasses from Ko’olau and Moloka’i volcanoes: Magmatic outgassing and composition of the Hawaiian plume

The behavior of chalcophile metals in volcanic environments is important for a variety of economic and environmental applications, and for understanding large-scale processes such as crustal recycling into the mantle. In order to better define the behavior of chalcophile metals in ocean island volcanoes, we measured the concentrations of Re, Cd, Bi, Cu, Pb, Zn, Pt, S, and a suite of major elements and lithophile trace elements in moderately evolved (6-7% MgO) tholeiitic glasses from Ko’olau and Moloka’i volcanoes. Correlated variations in the Re, Cd, and S contents of these glasses are consistent with loss of these elements as volatile species during magmatic outgassing. Bismuth also shows a good correlation with S in the Ko’olau glasses, but undegassed glasses from Moloka’i have unexpectedly low Bi contents. Rhenium appears to have been more volatile than either Cd or Bi in these magmas.Undegassed glasses with 880-1400 ppm S have 1.2-1.5 ppb Re and 130-145 ppb Cd. In contrast, outgassed melts with low S (<200 ppm) are depleted in these elements by factors of 2-5. Key ratios such as Re/Yb and Cu/Re are fractionated significantly from mantle values. Copper, Pb, and Pt contents of these glasses show no correlation with S, ruling out segregation of an immiscible magmatic sulfide phase as the cause of these variations. Undegassed Hawaiian tholeiites have Re/Yb ratios significantly higher than those of MORB, and extend to values greater than that of the primitive mantle. Loss of Re during outgassing of ocean island volcanoes, may help resolve the apparent paradox of low Re/Os ratios in ocean island basalts with radiogenic Os isotopic compositions. Plume source regions with Re/Yb ratios greater than that of the primitive mantle may provide at least a partial solution to the “missing Re” problem in which one or more reservoirs with high Re/Yb are required to balance the low Re/Yb of MORB.Lithophile trace element compositions of most Ko’olau and Moloka’i tholeiites are consistent with variable degrees of melting of fertile mantle peridotite. However, light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched glasses have trace element compositions more consistent with a garnet-rich source having a distinctive trace element composition. This provides additional evidence for a unique source component possibly related to recycled oceanic crust contributing to Ko’olau tholeiites.     

The petrogenesis of modern and ophiolitic lavas reconsidered: Ti-V and Nb-Th

Tectonic discrimination diagrams are a key tool for understanding ancient volcanic rock origins. In this contribution we compile over 15,000 whole rock compositions to re-evaluate the Ti-V discrimination diagram and compare it to another commonly used tool, the Nb/Yb-Th/Yb diagram. We have reformulated the Ti-V diagram into a log–log plot to distinguish samples more clearly at lower concentrations. The compilation shows that MORB are dominated by Ti/V = 20–43, whereas juvenile arc tholeiites and boninites are characterized by Ti/V < 20 generally, although there is minor overlap at the boundary (Ti/V = 20–22). Plume-related volcanic rocks (ocean island basalts, oceanic plateaux, and continental flood basalts) generally have Ti/V > 43, although there may be significant overlap with MORB-like ratios for ridge-centered OIB and for some oceanic plateaux. About 56% of alkaline OIB have Ti/V > 70. Back-arc basins are dominantly MORB-like. Melt models show that MORB and juvenile arc volcanics most likely formed under different ?O₂ conditions, but are permissive of similar ?O₂ if the arc rocks form by much higher melt fractions. The Nb/Yb vs. Th/Yb plot clearly distinguishes most oceanic basalts (MORB, plateaux, OIB) from subduction-related volcanic rocks (boninite, juvenile arc tholeiite, calc-alkaline) and from flood basalts. We propose here a new two-proxy diagram of Ti/V vs. Th/Nb, which incorporates the advantages of both.     

Contributions of Slab Fluid, Mantle Wedge and Crust to the Origin of Quaternary Lavas in the NE Japan Arc

Quaternary lavas from the NE Japan arc show geochemical evidenceof mixing between mantle-derived basalts and crustal melts atthe magmatic front, whereas significant crustal signals arenot detected in the rear-arc lavas. The along-arc chemical variationsin lavas from the magmatic front are attributable almost entirelyto geochemical variations in the crustal melts that were mixedwith a common mantle-derived basalt. The mantle-derived basaltshave slightly enriched Sr–Pb and depleted Nd isotopiccompositions relative to the rear-arc lavas, but the variationis less pronounced if crustal contributions are eliminated.Therefore, the source mantle compositions and slab-derived fluxesare relatively uniform, both across and along the arc. Despitethis, incompatible element concentrations are significantlyhigher in the rear-arc basalts. We examine an open-system, fluid-fluxedmelting model, assuming that depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt(MORB)-source mantle melted by the addition of fluids derivedfrom subducted oceanic crust (MORB) and sediment (SED) hybridsat mixing proportions of 7% and 3% SED in the frontal- and rear-arcsources, respectively. The results reproduce the chemical variationsfound across the NE Japan arc with the conditions: 0·2%fluid flux with degree of melting F = 3% at 2 GPa in the garnetperidotite field for the rear arc, and 0·7% fluid fluxwith F = 20% at 1 GPa in the spinel peridotite field beneaththe magmatic front. The chemical process operating in the mantlewedge requires: (1) various SED–MORB hybrid slab fluidsources; (2) variable amounts of fluid; (3) a common depletedmantle source; (4) different melting parameters to explain across-arcchemical variations. KEY WORDS: arc magma; crustal melt; depleted mantle; NE Japan; Quaternary; slab fluid     

西准噶尔早泥盆世马拉苏组火山岩岩石成因研究

新疆西准噶尔北部地区的早泥盆世马拉苏组出露有少量富钠低钾的拉斑质中基性熔岩,这些分布于谢米斯台断裂北侧的玄武安山岩和玄武岩多呈夹层状断续产出于火山碎屑岩之中。马拉苏中基性熔岩的Mg#与主、微量元素协变关系及Th-Th/Nd图反映了其并非同源岩浆演化的结果。马拉苏火山岩中的玄武安山岩富集LILE、亏损HFSE,具有较高的Th含量及较低的Hf/Th和(Nb/Th)PM比值,显示出弧火山岩的地球化学特征。其中的玄武岩则具有略为平坦的稀土元素分配样式,较低的Th含量及较高的Hf/Th和(Nb/Th)PM比值,此同MORB地球化学特征极为相似;虽然其也显示有轻微的LILE富集、HFSE亏损,但是较高的La/Nb比值则暗示这同地壳或俯冲物质组分的卷入有关,且一系列构造环境判别图解也进一步印证了马拉苏组内的玄武岩应属似MORB基性熔岩。此外,两类岩石的高场强元素比值Zr/Nb、Hf/Ta同全球平均大洋中脊玄武岩的相应比值极为接近,反映了马拉苏组中基性火山岩的物质源区主体均为MORB地幔物质源区。La/Yb-Gd/Yb原始地幔标准化比值的模拟计算进一步显示了马拉苏组玄武安山岩与受改造(俯冲沉积物或地壳物质的混染)的石榴子石或尖晶石-石榴子石地幔橄榄岩物质源区的部分熔融作用有关,而似MORB型玄武岩则源自尖晶石地幔橄榄岩源区的部分熔融。结合区内同期的蛇绿岩、火山岩和碱性花岗岩的地球化学研究,我们可以进一步推断此类兼具有似MORB和弧火山岩地球化学特征的早泥盆世马拉苏火山岩应当是西准噶尔地块北部在早古生代受后期俯冲作用影响下经历弧后扩张形成的火山-岩浆地质记录。     

阿尔泰造山带南缘中泥盆世苦橄岩及其大地构造和岩石学意义

阿尔泰造山带南缘中泥盆世苦橄岩位于北塔山组地层的下部, 其上依次为玄武岩和安山岩.3种岩性共同的特点是贫钛、富铁, 具Nb和Ta的负异常以及高场强元素的丰度与MORB相当, 具有典型的岛弧火山岩系的特点, 是准噶尔洋板块向南西俯冲的结果.苦橄岩和玄武岩的Zr/Nb和Sm/Nd比值与MORB相当, 表明其源区为亏损的MORB源.然而玄武岩的Ti/V和Zr/Sm比值均高于苦橄岩, 而且玄武岩的稀土元素配分曲线呈平缓型, 而苦橄岩则显示出低的稀土总量以及弱富集轻稀土型, 指示了玄武岩是被从俯冲的洋壳释放的流体交代的含角闪石的尖晶石橄榄岩的地幔源区低程度部分熔融形成的, 苦橄岩则是在高温条件下被流体交代过的石榴石橄榄岩高程度熔融的产物.安山岩则可能是榴辉岩部分熔融形成的.      

Volcanism in nascent back-arc basins behind the Shichito Ridge and adjacent areas in the Izu-Ogasawara arc,northwest Pacific: evidence for mixing between E-type MORB and island arc magmas at the initiation of back-arc rifting

Mineral chemistry, major and trace elements, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are presented for 29 igneous rocks dredged from the northern portion of the Izu-Ogasawara arc. These rocks are compositionally bimodal. Basement gabbro and trondhjemite from the arc are extremely poor in K₂O (0.05–0.19%) and Rb (0.48–0.62 ppm), and their REE patterns and Sr isotope ratios indicate that there are island arc tholeiites. Quaternary volcanic rocks from the present volcanic front (Shichito Ridge; active arc), back-arc seamounts (east side; inactive arc) and Torishima knoll between the two back-arc depressions (incipient back-arc basins) behind the active arc have the same geochemical characteristics as the above plutonic rocks though they are not as depleted in K and Rb. Rhyolite pumice from the backarc depression is also the depleted island arc tholeiite, whereas basalts from the depression have compositions that are transitional between MORB and island arc tholeiites in trace element (Ti, Ni, Cr, V, Y and Zr) and mineral chemistries. The back-arc depression basalts have relatively high Ba_N/Ce_N(0.66–1.24), Ce_n/Yb_N(1.1–1.9) and K/Ba(45–105) and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70302–0.70332) and Ba/Sr (0.1–0.2), which are similar to other back-arc basin basalts and E-type MORB, but are quite unlike the depleted island arc tholeiites. The diverse trace element and Sr isotope compositions of basalt-andesite from the back-arc depressions imply the interplay between E-type MORB and island arc tholeiite. These chemical characteristics and the relationships of (Ce/Yb)_N vs (Ba/Ce)_N and (Ce/Yb)_N vs ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr suggest that the back-arc depression magmas are generated by mixing of E-type MORB and depleted island arc tholeiite magmas. Geochemical characters of the associated rhyolite from the depression are compatible with partial melting of lower crust.     

The Tethyan plume: geochemical diversity of Middle Permian basalts from the Oman rifted margin

According to palinspastic reconstructions, the Neo-Tethys opening took place during the Permian between the Cimmerian fragments in the north and the Indo-Arabian margin in the south. Igneous remnants of this opening are exposed in Oman within either the Hawasina nappes or the para-autochtonous Arabian platform exposed in the Saih Hatat tectonic window. They consist predominantly of pillowed basaltic flows among which three groups have been distinguished. Group 1 is tholeiitic and characterized by low TiO₂ and incompatible trace element contents, and a large range of Nd_i values. Group 1 basalts are associated with distal sediments and plot near the boundary of or within the MORB field in the Pb–Pb correlation diagrams and between the MORB and Bulk Silica Earth (BSE) fields in Nd_i–(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i diagram. Group 2 basalts are alkaline and differ from Group 1 ones by their higher TiO₂, La and Nb contents, and lower and more homogeneous Nd_i values (+3 to +5). Group 2 volcanics are similar to alkali basalts from oceanic islands and share with Group 1 similar initial Pb ratios. Group 3 consists of tholeiitic and alkali basalts which are interbedded either with carbonate-platform sediments from the Saih Hatat window or with distal sediments from the Hawasina Nappes. This group differs from Groups 1 and 2 by its low to negative Nd_i (+1.6 to −2). Group 1 likely derived from the mixing of depleted and enriched sources while Group 2 derived exclusively from an enriched source. There is no indication that continental crust was involved in the genesis of both Groups 1 and 2. In contrast, the low to negative Nd_i values of Group 3 suggest that the magmas of this group were contaminated by the Arabian continental crust during their ascent. The geochemical features of the Middle Permian plume-related basalts suggest thus that the basement of the Hawasina basin was not genuine oceanic crust but either the thinned Arabian rifted continental margin or the continent–ocean transition zone of the Neo-Tethys.     

<Superscript>10</Superscript>Be, <Superscript>18</Superscript>O and radiogenic isotopic constraints on the origin of adakitic signatures: a case study from Solander and Little Solander Islands,New Zealand

Subduction-related Quaternary volcanic rocks from Solander and Little Solander Islands, south of mainland New Zealand, are porphyritic trachyandesites and andesites (58.20–62.19 wt% SiO₂) with phenocrysts of amphibole, plagioclase and biotite. The Solander and Little Solander rocks are incompatible element enriched (e.g. Sr ~931–2,270 ppm, Ba ~619–798 ppm, Th ~8.7–21.4 ppm and La ~24.3–97.2 ppm) with MORB-like Sr and Nd isotopic signatures. Isotopically similar quench-textured enclaves reflect mixing with intermediate (basaltic-andesite) magmas. The Solander rocks have geochemical affinities with adakites (e.g. high Sr/Y and low Y), whose origin is often attributed to partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. Solander sits on isotopically distinct continental crust, thus excluding partial melting of the lower crust in the genesis of the magmas. Furthermore, the incompatible element enrichments of the Solander rocks are inconsistent with partial melting of newly underplated mafic lower crust; reproduction of their major element compositions would require unrealistically high degrees of partial melting. A similar argument precludes partial melting of the subducting oceanic crust and the inability to match the observed trace element patterns in the presence of residual garnet or plagioclase. Alternatively, an enriched end member of depleted MORB mantle source is inferred from Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions, trace element enrichments and εHf ? 0 CHUR in detrital zircons, sourced from the volcanics. ¹⁰Be and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic systematics are inconsistent with significant sediment involvement in the source region. The trace element enrichments and MORB-like Sr and Nd isotopic characteristics of the Solander rocks require a strong fractionation mechanism to impart the high incompatible element concentrations and subduction-related (e.g. high LILE/HFSE) geochemical signatures of the Solander magmas. Trace element modelling shows that this can be achieved by very low degrees of melting of a peridotitic source enriched by the addition of a slab-derived melt. Subsequent open-system fractionation, involving a key role for mafic magma recharge, resulted in the evolved andesitic adakites.     

Geodynamic significance of the Cretaceous pillow basalts from North Anatolian Ophiolitic Mélange Belt (Central Anatolia,Turkey): geochemical and paleontological constraints

The most widespread blocks within the Cretaceous ophiolitic mélange (North Anatolian ophiolitic mélange) in Central Anatolia (Turkey) are pillow basalts, radiolarites, other ophiolitic fragments and Jurassic-Cretaceous carbonate blocks. The pillow basalts crop out as discrete blocks in close relation to radiolarites and ophiolitic units in Cretaceous ophiolitic mélange.

The geochemical results suggest that analyzed pillow basalts are within-plate ocean island alkali basalts. The enrichment of incompatible elements (Nb, Ta, Light REE, Th, U, Cs, Rb, Ba, K) demonstrates the ocean island environment (both tholeiites and alkali basalts) and enriched MORB. Dated calcareous intrafills and biodetrital carbonates reveal an age span of Callovian—Early Aptian. The thin-shelled protoglobigerinids, belonging to the genus Globuligerina, in the calcareous intrafills between pillow basalt lobes indicates a Callovian—Barremian age interval, most probably, Valanginian to Late Barremian. The volcanic and radiolarite detritus-bearing orbitolinid—Baccinella biodetrital carbonates dated as Late Barremian-Early Aptian in age, were probably deposited around atolls and have a close relationship with the ocean island pillow basalts.

The results collectively support the presence of a seamount on the Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust during the Valanginian—Late Barremian and atolls during the Late Barremian-Early Aptian interval. The presence of an oceanic crust older than that seamount along the Northern Branch of Neo-Tethys is conformable with the geodynamic evolution of the Tethys.     

西藏雅鲁藏布蛇绿岩形成构造环境的地球化学鉴别

本文对西藏雅鲁藏布蛇绿岩带中部日喀则地区夏鲁蛇绿岩中的基性岩石进行了元素地球化学研究。岩石为低钾亚碱性玄武质岩石,具有低TiO2(0.64%～1.5%)、低K2O(<0.69%)、富Na2O(2.5%～6.0%)、烧失量普遍较高(2.0%～7.5%)的特征,表明样品普遍遭受蚀变。岩石具有与N-MORB类似的稀土元素和总体一致的微量元素特征,但是岩石明显富集大离子亲石元素和亏损高场强元素,显示了洋脊玄武岩向着岛弧岩浆作用的过渡趋势。日喀则蛇绿岩不是典型的洋中脊成因,应为SSZ型蛇绿岩,可能形成于与洋内俯冲有关的SSZ型的弧后或者弧前盆地中。对东西延伸超过1500km的雅鲁藏布蛇绿岩246套基性岩石形成的构造环境进行的地球化学判别,表明至少存在大陆岛弧型、地幔柱-洋内热点型、洋中脊-大洋岛弧型和典型大洋岛弧型等四种类型洋壳,揭示了特提斯洋存在多种构造环境的特征,有利于恢复和还原一个长期演化的、丰富的特提斯洋。     

Enriched and depleted arc basalts, with Mg-andesites and adakites: A potential paired arc-back-arc of the 2.6 Ga Hutti greenstone terrane, India

The ∼2.6 Ga Hutti greenstone belt is one of several Neoarchean greenstone terranes of the eastern Dharwar Craton. There are prevalent mafic volcanic flows with subordinate felsic volcanic units and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. All lithologies show variable intensities of submarine hydrothermal alteration, polyphase deformation and greenschist to amphibolite grade metamorphism, yet pillow, cumulus, and other primary volcanic features are locally preserved. Well exposed interlayered metabasalts, Mg-andesites (MA), and felsic flows outcrop along an 11 km sector in the SE of the terrane. Based on combined petrographic and geochemical characteristics, two tholeiitic basalt populations have been identified within the metabasalts: (1) those with enriched LREE at 20-50 times chondrite, and (2) an depleted LREE population at 12-20 times chondrite. The former has fractionated LREE, where (La/Sm)_N = 1.2-1.7, but flat HREE, and negative anomalies at Nb, P, and Ti relative to neighbouring REE. The latter has lower absolute abundances of compatible and incompatible elements, mildly fractionated LREE, smaller anomalies at Nb, P, and Ti, with (Gd/Yb)_N = 1.1-1.6. Several samples have the “N-MORB” signature of LREE depletion coupled with positive Nb anomalies. On the Th/Yb vs. Nb/Yb discrimination diagram depleted basalts plot near the MORB field whereas enriched basalts overlap the backarc and arc fields, consistent with a paired arc-back-arc. Mg-andesites feature SiO₂ 57-61 wt.%, multielement pattens similar to enriched basalts, coupled with Cr, Co, Ni contents greater than “normal” andesites. Felsic volcanic rocks are characterized by low Y, high (La/Yb)_N, and Zr/Sm, but low Nb/Ta, with zero to positive Eu anomalies, thus conforming to most of the compositional criteria of Archean and Phanerozoic adakites. Similar associations of enriched and depleted arc basalts, with adakites, are known from Neoarchean greenstone terranes of the Superior Province. During intraoceanic subduction, slab dehydration-wedge melting generated arc basalts whereas slab melting-wedge hybridization, generated adakites and Mg-andesites.     

The significance of incompatible elements in mid-Atlantic ridge basalts from 45°N with particular reference to Zr/Nb

K, Rb, Ba, Sr, Y, Zr and Nb have been determined in samples of MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalt) from the mid-Atlantic ridge at 45 °N by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. This suite is characterised by higher concentrations of K, Rb, Ba and Nb (and lower K/Rb, K/Ba and Zr/Nb) than low-K tholeiites (typical MORB) previously described in the literature. Available data from other sources also shows that the 45 °N suite has higher Cs and U contents, rare earth-patterns enriched in the light REE, and higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios relative to typical MORB. The inter-element and isotopic ratios of typical MORB have been previously interpreted to imply that these samples have been derived from source areas which have undergone earlier differentiation and/or melting episodes. The 45 °N MORB samples are considered to be derived from more primitive or relatively undepleted mantle. It is noteworthy that these samples have inter-element ratios very similar to those obtained for oceanic island basalts associated with the mid-ocean ridges.The significance of the relative enrichment or depletion of Nb in MORB has not been previously noted and the use of the Zr/Nb ratio to illustrate these effects is emphasised. The abundances of Zr and Nb are apparently unaffected by sea-water alteration and thus the Zr/Nb ratio is potentially a more useful measure of depletion than ratios involving K and Rb, which are very sensitive to sea-water alteration. Brief mention is made of the variation of Zr/Nb in other MORB samples to demonstrate the existence of varying degrees of depletion in the respective source areas of these samples.     

Geochemistry of the Lesser Antilles volcanic island arc

New analyses of 1518 rocks for major and certain trace elements are used to examine chemical variations between the 15 larger volcanic islands of the Lesser Antilles island arc. The depth to the top of the subduction zone dipping westward at about 40° lies about 100km below all the volcanoes of the arc. Most of the sampled eruptions are post-Miocene (5-1 m.y.) although south of Martinique, the Oligocene-Miocene and the younger arc are superimposed.There is a chemical variation along the arc axis, from alkalic (southern) through calc-alkalic (central) to tholeiitic (northern) volcanic suites. Three islands are examined in detail as type examples of this variation, i.e. Grenada (south), Dominica (centre), and St. Kitts (north). The Grenada suite includes basanites, alkalic basalts, and subalkalic basalts, andesites and dacites. The subalkalic basalts, andesites and dacites each fall into three chemical groupings along the axis of the arc, distinguished especially by K, Zr, Ni and Cr abundances. The whole Lesser Antilles assemblage is characterised by low K abundances and low K/Rb ratios, compared with other island arcs.The magmas are believed to have evolved through processes of partial melting and crystal fractionation. Partial melting of garnet Iherzolite at about 100km depth in a relatively ‘fertile’ zone of upper mantle in the southern sector, above the subducted slab of basaltic ocean crust, could have produced the undersaturated alkalic magmas. In the central and northern sectors, where the crustal structures are more complex, partial melting may have occurred within more ‘barren’ upper mantle, to produce tholeiitic and calc-alkalic magmas depleted in certain trace elements. In either case, water was probably added to the melted zone from the subducted and hydrated oceanic crust, since the whole arc assemblage was erupted explosively and the rocks are rich in A1₂O₃, plagioclase is very calcic, and amphibole is an important phase. The second process was crystal fractionation at low pressure, as evidenced by the abundance of cumulate xenoliths. Separating phases for the southern volcanoes were olivine, calcic augite and Cr-spinel, followed by hornblende, anorthite and Ti-magnetite at lower temperatures. There is little evidence of the higher-temperature fractionation controls for the central and northern volcanoes.