The petrology and geochemistry of the Azores Islands

Forty lavas from the Azores Islands have been analyzed for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, major elements, first transition series metals, and LIL elements. The samples belong to the alkali basalt magma series but range from transitional hy-normative basalts from Terceira to basanitoids from Santa Maria. Differentiated lavas include both typical trachytes and comenditic trachytes and comendites. Major and trace element concentrations define smooth trends on variation diagrams, and these trends can be related to phases crystallizing in the rocks. Systematic interisland differences are also apparent in these variation diagrams. LIL element concentrations in island basalts are roughly twice as high as those in tholeiites from the adjacent Mid-Atlantic Ridge which transects the Azores Plateau. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in lavas from 6 of the 9 islands range from 0.70332 to 0.70354, a range similar to that found in tholeiites from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge transect of the Azores Plateau. This suggests that lavas from these islands and this portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge may be derived from a similar source. However, lavas from the islands of Faial and Pico have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios up to 0.70394 and ratios in Sao Miguel lavas range up to 0.70525, suggesting basalts from these islands are derived from a chemically distinct source. Differences in the average LIL element concentrations of the least fractionated ridge tholeiites from the Azores Plateau and alkali basalts from the islands result from differences in extent of partial melting and residual mineralogy. The alkali basalts are derived by roughly half as much melting as are the tholeiites. Trace element concentrations in Azores peralkaline lavas preclude their derivation by partial melting of peridotitic mantle or basaltic crust; rather the data suggest they are produced by fractional crystallization of a basaltic parent.     

Petrology of the Cenozoic volcanism in the Upper Benue valley,northern Cameroon (Central Africa)

Thirty-one plugs of alkaline volcanic rocks of Cenozoic age (37 Ma in mean) occur in the Upper Benue valley, northern Cameroon (Central Africa). The complete alkaline series (alkaline basalts, hawaiites, mugearites, phonolites, trachytes and rhyolites) is represented. Basalts contain phenocrysts of olivine, Al-Ti-rich diopside, and Ti-magnetite, and hawaiites-abundant microphenocrysts of plagioclase. Mugearites have a trachytic texture and contain xenocrysts of K-feldspar, apatite, quartz and unstable biotite. Phonolites are peralkaline. Trachytes (peralkaline and non-peralkaline) and rhyolites are characterised by their sodic mineralogy with aegirine-augite, richterite, and arfvedsonite phenocrysts. There is a large compositional gap between basaltic and felsic lavas, except the mugearites. Despite this gap, major- and trace-element distributions are in favour of a co-magmatic origin for the basaltic and felsic lavas. The Upper Benue valley basalts are similar in their chemical and isotopic features to other basalts from both the continental and oceanic sectors of the Cameroon Line. The Upper Benue valley basaltic magmas (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶SrƸ.7035; k Nd=+3.9) originate from an infra-lithospheric reservoir. The Sr-Nd isotopic composition and high Sr contents of the mugearites suggest that they are related to mantle-derived magmas and that they result from the mixing, at shallow crustal levels, of a large fraction of trachytic magma with a minor amount of basaltic magma. Major-element modelling of the basalt-trachyte evolution (through hawaiite and mugearite compositions) does not support an evolution through fractional crystallization alone. The fluids have played a significant role in the felsic lavas genesis, as attested by the occurrence of F-rich minerals, calcite and analcite. An origin of the Upper Benue valley rhyolitic magmas by fractional crystallization of mantle-derived primitive magmas of basaltic composition, promoted or accompanied by volatile, halogen-rich fluid phases, may be the best hypothesis for the genesis of these lavas. These fluids also interact with the continental crust, resulting in the high Sr-isotope initial ratios (0.710) in the rhyolites, whereas the Nd isotopic composition has been less affected (k Nd=+0.4).     

Petrology,volume and age relations of alkaline and saturated peralkaline volcanics from Terceira,Azores

Four volcanoes form Terceira, one of the islands of the Azores group; three contain both basaltic and peralkaline and one only peralkaline rocks. A recently active basaltic fissure zone trends NW-SE across the island.The rocks fall into the alkaline olivine basalt suite although some young basalts are of transitional affinity. The geochemistry shows two general basaltic series: 1) undersaturated, found in lavas of the oldest volcano and in some recent fissure zone basalts and hawaiites; 2) saturated, found in the younger basaltic lavas.Since the emergence of Terceira there has been a contemporaneity of basalt and salic peralkaline lavas. The younger rocks show a bimodal composition distribution, the most voluminous compositions being alkali olivine basalt and comendite with negligible volume in the benmoreite-trachyte range. Two processes appear viable for the derivation of voluminous oversaturated peralkaline rocks: 1) partial melting of upper mantle material giving small magma batches of contrasting composition or 2) fractionation from a transitional basaltic parental magma.Now at Department of Geology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.     

Petrology of peridotite xenolith-bearing basaltic to andesitic lavas from the Shiribeshi Seamount,off northwestern Hokkaido,the Sea of Japan

The Shiribeshi Seamount off northwestern Hokkaido, the Sea of Japan, is a rear-arc volcano in the Northeast Japan arc. This seamount is composed of calc-alkaline and high-K basaltic to andesitic lavas containing magnesian olivine phenocrysts and mantle peridotite xenoliths. Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of the andesite lavas indicate evidence for the reaction with the mantle peridotite xenoliths and magma mixing between mafic and felsic magmas. Geochemical modelling shows that the felsic end-member was possibly derived from melting of an amphibolitic mafic crust. Chemical compositions of the olivine phenocrysts and their chromian spinel inclusions indicate that the Shiribeshi Seamount basalts in this study was derived from a primary magma in equilibrium with relatively fertile mantle peridotites, which possibly represents the mafic end-member of the magma mixing. Trace-element and REE data indicate that the basalts were produced by low degree of partial melting of garnet-bearing lherzolitic source. Preliminary results from the mantle peridotite xenoliths indicate that they were probably originated from the mantle beneath the Sea of Japan rather than beneath the Northeast Japan arc.     

Calc-alkaline, Shoshonitic, and Primitive Tholeiitic Lavas from Monogenetic Volcanoes near Crater Lake, Oregon

Quaternary monogenetic volcanism in the High Cascades of Oregonis manifested by cinder cones, lava fields, and small shields.Near Crater Lake caldera, monogenetic lava compositions include:low-K (as low as 0?09% K₂O) high-alumina olivine tholeiite (HAOT);medium-K. calc-alkaline basalt, basaltic andesite, and andesite;and shoshonitic basaltic andesite (2?1% K₂O, 1750 ppm Sr at54% SiO₂). Tholeiites have MORB-like trace element abundancesexcept for elevated Sr, Ba, and Th and low high field strengthelements (HFSE), and they represent near-primary liquids. Theyare similar to HAOTs from the Cascades and adjacent Basin andRange, and to many primitive basalts from intraoceanic arcs.Calc-alkaline lavas show a well-developed arc signature of highlarge-ion lithophile elements (LILE) and low HFSE. Their Zrand Hf concentrations are at least partly decoupled from thoseof Nb and Ta; HREE are low relative to HAOT. Incompatible elementabundances and ratios vary widely among basaltic andesites.Some calc-alkaline lavas vented near Mount Mazama contain abundantgabbroic microxcnoliths, and are basaltic andesitic magmas contaminatedwith olivine gabbro. A calc-alkaline basalt and a few basaltic andesites have MgOand compatible trace element contents that suggest only minorfractionation. There appears to be a compositional continuumbetween primitive tholeiitic and calc-alkaline lavas. Compositionalvariation within suites of comagmatic primitive lavas, boththoleiitic and calc-alkaline, mainly results from differentdegrees of partial melting. Sources of calc-alkaline primarymagmas were enriched in LILE and LREE by a subduction componentand contained residual garnet, whereas sources of HAOTs hadlower LILE and LREE concentrations and contained residual clinopyroxene.High and variable LILE and LREE contents of calc-alkaline lavasreflect variations in fluid-transported subduction componentadded to the mantle wedge, degree of partial melting, and possiblyalso interaction with rocks or partial melts in the lower crust. Andesites were derived from calc-alkaline basaltic andesitesby fractionation of plagioclase+augite+magnetite+apatite ? orthopyroxeneor olivine, commonly accompanied by assimilation. Many andesitesare mixtures of andesitic or dacitic magma and a basaltic orbasaltic andesitic component, or are contaminated with gabbroicmaterial. Mingled basalt, andesite, and dacite of Williams Craterformed by multi-component, multi-stage mixing of basaltic andesiticmagma, gabbro, and dacitic magma. The wide range of compositionsvented from monogenetic volcanoes near Crater Lake is a resultof the thick crust coupled with mild tectonic extension superimposedon a subduction-related magmatic arc.     

Petrology and geochemistry of the Banks Peninsula volcanoes,South Island,New Zealand

Within the volcanic sequence of the twin volcanoes of Lyttelton and Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, New Zealand a number of different magma series have been distinguished.An early series of hawaiites (McQueens Valley Formation) was erupted about 32 m.y. ago and is of transitional or mildly tholeiitic chemistry. Stratigraphically above the McQueens Valley Formation, but unconformably overlain by the main volcanic dome sequence, is a unit of rhyolite (Gebbies Pass Rhyolites) which is not directly related to the earlier or later basaltic volcanism. The rhyolite was probably formed during intracrustal melting which was related to the rise of basaltic magma into the crust.Between 12 and 9.7 m.y. a large volcanic dome, composed mainly of hawaiite, was built at Lyttelton. Dykes, which intrude the Lyttelton volcanic sequence, range in composition from basalt to trachyte. Late, mildly alkalic, basaltic flank flows (7.5–5.8 m.y.) occur in several areas and they, and the differentiated rocks of the dyke swarm can be related by a crystal fractionation model which has been quantitatively tested.Following construction of the Lyttelton dome a second larger dome was built at Akaroa between 9 and 7.5 m.y. The rocks of the Akaroa Volcano are principally hawaiites but rocks ranging in composition through to trachyte also occur. The differentiated rocks of the Akaroa volcano have derived from the basaltic rocks by a crystal fractionation controlled process, operating during ascent through the crust.None of the Banks Peninsula basalts appear to have derived from primitive (pyrolitic) mantle material, but progressive changes in the chemistry of the basalts with time implies that the mantle source regions were evolving geochemically as partial melting proceeded. Later lavas tend to be more alkalic and to have lower MgO/FeO ratios than earlier lavas. The volcanic rocks of the Banks Peninsula volcanoes were derived by fractional removal of olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, magnetite and apatite from ascending basaltic magma batches. Variations between the suites reflect differences between the parental magma batches.     

The emergence of a Galápagos shield volcano, Roca Redonda

Roca Redonda volcano is a mostly submarine shield volcano that rises nearly 3 km from the adjacent seafloor. Over twenty lava flows and palagonite tuff are exposed in a 60 meter high oblong outcrop above sea level, and several other flows are exposed in the shallow water surrounding the islet. Thick, slightly alkaline picritic flows form the base of the section. Thinner picrites interbedded with sparsely porphyritic alkali-olivine basaltic pahoehoe toes characterize the upper section. The subaerial section probably records the filling of a palagonite tuff cone with younger lavas. Numerous fumaroles that may have a magmatic component are present in the shallow (<30 m) submarine zone and indicate that the volcano is probably still active. Three lava types are exposed: the basal picrites with 19% > MgO > 14%, high-Mg basalts with MgO of about 9%, and low-Mg basalts with MgO of about 6%. The Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of the three lava types are within analytical uncertainty. Olivine compositions indicate that the picrites are basaltic liquids that have accumulated olivine whose composition is in equilibrium with the host basaltic liquid. Apparently, basaltic magmas percolated through dunite and troctolite that had crystallized from slightly older Roca Redonda basaltic magma. Lavas from Roca Redonda have enriched trace element contents and isotopic ratios relative to nearby Wolf volcano, but they are quite similar to lavas from Cerro Azul and Ecuador volcanoes. The common characteristic of these volcanoes is that they lie on the periphery of the archipelago and are in a stage of subaerial growth. This suggests that Galápagos volcanoes may go through a juvenile alkaline stage before a mature tholeiitic stage, analogous to the Loihi stage of Hawaiian volcanism. A low ³He/⁴He ratio in olivine from one of the picrites indicates a small contribution by the Galápagos mantle plume. Received: 15 December 1997 / Accepted: 6 May 1998     

Petrochemistry of Cenozoic basalts and associated rocks in the Baikal rift zone

The main episode of Cenozoic volcanic activity occurred simultaneously with formation of the Sayan—Baikal uplift, before the rift depressions were initiated. Volcanism and rifting in this region have developed as independent processes, connected with each other only by an ultimate primary mantle energy source. The volcanic regions do not coincide with the rift depressions, except in the Tunka graben.Chemical features of the volcanics show that during the entire period of volcanic activity there was a complex alternation of basaltic lavas of alkaline, intermediate and tholeiitic composition. Both alkaline and subalkaline lavas are distributed over the entire volcanic region, excepting the Tunka depression where tholeiitic lavas are predominant. However, there is neither mineralogical nor chemical evidence for the existence of two separate magma types within the Baikal rift zone.Judging by the presence of high-pressure, lherzolitic megacrysts of clinopyroxene, and to a lesser extent titaniferous biotite and amphibole in alkaline basalts, variations of lava chemistry are connected with high-pressure fractionation of initial melts, which was more complete for sources outside the rift zone. The predominance of tholeiitic lavas in the Tunka depression is likely to have been caused by a higher degree of partial melting and quick ascent of magma to the surface, facilitated by a high geothermal gradient under the depression where crustal extension is taking place.     

Geochemistry of the Active Azufre--Planchon--Peteroa Volcanic Complex, Chile (3515'S): Evidence for Multiple Sources and Processes in a Cordilleran Arc Magmatic System

Along strike of the Quaternary magmatic arc in the SouthernVolcanic Zone of the Andes, there is a south to north increasein crustal thickness, and the lavas define systematic geochemicaltrends which have been attributed to variations in the proportionsand compositions of mantle-and crustal-derived components. Realisticinterpretations of these regional geochemical trends requiresan understanding of the sources and processes that control lavacompositions at individual volcanoes. Because it is in an importantgeophysical and geochemical transition zone, we studied theAzufre—Planchon—Peteroa volcanic complex, a nestedgroup of three volcanoes <055 m.y. in age located at 3515'Sin the Southern Volcanic Zone of the Andes. North of this complexat 33–35S the continental crust is thick, basalts areabsent, and there is abundant evidence for crustal componentsin the evolved lavas, but south of 37S, where the crust isrelatively thin, basaltic lavas are abundant and the contributionof continental crust to the lavas is less obvious. In additionto its location, this volcanic complex is important becausethere is a diversity of lava compositions, and it is the northernmostexposure of recent basaltic volcanism on the volcanic front.Therefore, the lavas of this complex can be used to identifythe relative roles of mantle, lower-crustal and upper-crustalsources and processes at a single location. Volcan Azufre is the oldest and largest volcano of the complex;it is a multi-cycle, bimodal, basaltic andesite–dacitestratovolcano. Volcan Planchon is the northernmost basalt-bearingvolcano along the volcanic front of the Southern Andes, andVolcan Peteroa, the youngest volcano of the complex, has eruptedmixed magmas of andesitic and dacitic composition. Most basalticandesite lavas at Azufre and Planchon are related by a plagioclase-poor,anhydrous mineral fractionating assemblage. High-alumina basaltis produced from a tholeiitic parent by an 4–8 kbar fractionatingassemblage. During this moderatepressure crystallization, themagmas also incorporated a crustal component with high La/Yband high abundances of Rb, Cs and Th. Based on the chemicalcharacteristics of the added component and the inferred depthof crystallization, the crustal source may have been garnetgranulite derived from solidified arc magmas in the lower tomiddle continental crust. At Planchon, the role of crustal assimilationhas increased with decreasing eruption age probably becausecrustal temperatures have increased during continued volcanism.Azufre dacite lavas formed at low pressures by fractionationof a plagioclase-rich assemblage. These dacite lavas containan upper-crustal component, probably derived in part from limestone,with high values of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O. Thus two depths (upperand lower crust) of crystallization and associated crustal assimilationare evident in Planchon–Azufre lavas. Peteroa, the focusof recent volcanism, consists of calc-alkaline andesite anddacite eruptive products whose textures and compositions indicatean important role for magma mixing. Therefore, the volcanismevolved from a tholeiitic system of basalt and subordinate dacite(Planchon–Azufre) to a calc-alkaline system with abundantmixed lavas of intermediate composition (Peteroa). In additionto crustal thickness, two important parameters which controlledthe diversity of lava composition in this complex are magmasupply rate from the mantle and crustal temperature. Both parametersvaried with time, and they must be considered in broader interpretationsof along-strike geochemical trends. KEY WORDS: arc magmas; Andes; Peteroa; Planchan; geochemistry ^*Corresponding author. Present address: ENTRIX, Inc., 4II North Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203, USA     

Ages,rare-earth element enrichment,and petrogenesis of tholeiitic and alkalic basalts from Kahoolawe Island,Hawaii

Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii (18×11 km), is a basaltic shield volcano with caldera-filling lavas, seven identified postshield vents, and at least two occurrences of apparent rejuvenated-stage eruptive. We examined 42 samples that represent all stages of Kahoolawe volcano stratigraphy for their petrography, whole-rock major-and trace-element contents, mineral compositions, and K–Ar ages. The two oldest shield samples have an average age of 1.34±0.08 Ma, and four postshield samples (3 are alkalic) average 1.15±0.03 Ma; ages of 1.08 and 0.99 Ma for two additional tholeiitic samples probably are minimum ages. Whole-rock major- and trace-element and mineral compositions of Kahoolawe shield and caldera-fill laves are generally similar to the lavas forming Kilauea and Mauna Loa tholeiitic shields, but in detail, Kahoolawe shield lavas have distinctive compositions. An unusual aspect of many postshield Ka-hoolawe lavas is anomalously high REE and Y abundances (up to 200 ppm La and 175 ppm Y) and negative Ce anomalies. These enrichments reflect surficial processes, where weathering and soil development promoted REE-Y transport at the weathering front. Major element abundances (MgO, 10–6 wt.%) for shield and caldera-fill basalts are consistent with fractionation of ol+px+pl in frequently replenished magma reservoirs. In general, tholeiitic basalts erupted from late vents are higher in SiO₂ than the shield lavas, and temporal differences in parental magma compositions are the likely explanation. Alkalic basalts that erupted from vents are comparable in composition to those at other Hawaiian volcanoes. Trace-element abundance ratios indicate that alkalic basalts represent either relatively lower degrees of melting of the shield source or a distinct source. Apparent rejuvenated-stage basalts (i.e., emplaced after substantial Kahoolawe erosion) are tholeiitic, unlike the rejuvenated-stages at other Hawaiian volcanoes (alkalic). Kahoolawe, like several other Hawaiian volcanoes, has intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic basalts in the postshield stage, but it is the only volcano that appears to have produced tholeiitic rejuvenated-stage lavas.     

腾冲马鞍山、打鹰山、黑空山火山岩浆来源与演化

本文对马鞍山、打鹰山、黑空山火山岩主微量和Sr、Nd、Pd同位素地球化学研究认为,腾冲火山岩浆源区具有MORB与富集地幔混合之特征,推测为新特提斯俯冲洋壳重新熔融,导致腾冲地区的高钾钙碱性岩浆的火山活动,解释了腾冲在新生代大陆板内构造环境背景下出现岛弧或活动大陆边缘火山岩地球化学特征的现象。马鞍山、打鹰山和黑空山火山高钾钙碱性岩浆经历了岩浆房阶段辉石、钛铁矿的结晶分离作用和岩浆上升过程中斜长石的结晶分离作用,导致岩浆成分从中基性向中酸性演化,火山岩从玄武质粗安岩→粗安岩→粗面质英安岩演化。     

High-Ti type N-MORB parentage of basalts from the south Andaman ophiolite suite,India

A complete dismembered sequence of ophiolite is well exposed in the south Andaman region that mainly comprises ultramafic cumulates, serpentinite mafic plutonic and dyke rocks, pillow lava, radiolarian chert, and plagiogranite. Pillow lavas of basaltic composition occupy a major part of the Andaman ophiolite suite (AOS). These basalts are well exposed all along the east coast of southern part of the south AOS. Although these basalts are altered due to low-grade metamorphism and late hydrothermal processes, their igneous textures are still preserved. These basalts are mostly either aphyric or phyric in nature. Aphyric type exhibits intersertal or variolitic textures, whereas phyric variety shows porphyritic or sub-ophitic textures. The content of alkalies and silica classify these basalts as sub-alkaline basalts and alkaline basalts. A few samples show basaltic andesite, trachy-basalt, or basanitic chemical composition. High-field strength element (HFSE) geochemistry suggests that studied basalt samples are probably derived from similar parental magmas. Al₂O₃/TiO₂ and CaO/TiO₂ ratios classify these basalts as high-Ti type basalt. On the basis of these ratios and many discriminant functions and diagrams, it is suggested that the studied basalts, associated with Andaman ophiolite suite, were derived from magma similar to N-MORB and emplaced in the mid-oceanic ridge tectonic setting.     

Peridotitic and gabbroic rocks associated with the shield-forming lavas of réunion

The peridotitic and gabbroic rocks described occur a) as a tectonically emplaced layered body in Piton des Neiges volcano, b) as blocks in basaltic agglomerate, Piton des Neiges, and c) as nodular inclusions in lavas of both Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise volcanoes. All are associated with the olivine basalts of the early shield-forming growth stages and not later alkaline lavas, thereby contrasting with the Hawaiian situation. Rock-types include dunite, clinopyroxenite, wehrlite, feldspathic wehrlite, olivine eucrite, allivalite, (bytownite) anorthosite and gabbro. The peridotites and most of the gabbroic rocks are inferred to be cumulates formed in floored magma chambers occurring at depths from 30 km upwards. The inclusion suite is probably derived from repetitive layered units consisting predominantly of ol + sp cumulates with sporadic development of ol + cpx±sp and ol + cpx + plag cumulate horizons.     

Origin of the Felsic and Basaltic Dikes and Flows in the Rajula-Palitana-Sihor Area of the Deccan Traps,Saurashtra, India: A Geochemical and Geochronological Study

Rhyolite, trachyte, pitchstone, and granophyre dikes are associated with mafic dolerite dikes and basaltic flows of the northwestern part of the Deccan flood basalt province in the Saurashtra Peninsula, India. Felsic dikes, exposed in the Rajula area of Saurashtra, are similar in age to the basaltic flows of neighboring Palitana. The ages of both the felsic and mafic rocks straddle the ~65 Ma Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary and correspond to the main Deccan flood basalt episode. Palitana is centered on an elongated gravity high whose major axis is NE-SW, and Rajula is located on its southwestern flank. Unlike the younger Bombay felsic rocks from the western coast of India, which have been explained as partial melts of gabbros in deep crustal sills or previously erupted basalts, the incompatible-element characteristics of the Rajula rocks indicate that the Rajula rhyolites, trachytes, and dacites may have been generated by an almost complete melting of upper crustal rocks at the southwestern flank of the Rajula-Palitana-Sihor magmatic body. High potential temperatures of the Deccan plume, quick migration of the hot basaltic parent magma through lithospheric weak trends, and collection and residence of magma in upper-crustal magma chambers before eruption may have produced the right conditions to melt the upper crust in the vicinity of the Rajula-Palitana-Sihor magma chamber. On the other hand, the andesite located northeast of the magmatic body possibly evolved by assimilation of upper-crustal wall rocks accompanied by 5-10% crystallization of a Rajula-type basalt near the wall of the magma chamber. The Sihor rhyolites may also have been derived from the Sihor basalts through fractional crystallization accompanied by crustal assimilation. The Rajula granophyres, however, do not show any involvement of the upper crust in their genesis. These may have a history similar to that of the Bombay rocks and may have erupted in response to rifting along the Cambay rift.     

Aleutian tholeiitic and calc-alkaline magma series I: The mafic phenocrysts

Diagnostic mafic silicate assemblages in a continuous spectrum of Aleutian volcanic rocks provide evidence for contrasts in magmatic processes in the Aleutian arc crust. Tectonic segmentation of the arc exerts a primary control on the variable mixing, fractional crystallization and possible assimilation undergone by the magmas. End members of the continuum are termed calc-alkaline (CA) and tholeiitic (TH). CA volcanic rocks (e.g., Buldir and Moffett volcanoes) have low FeO/MgO ratios and contain compositionally diverse phenocryst populations, indicating magma mixing. Their Ni and Cr-rich magnesian olivine and clinopyroxene come from mantle-derived mafic olivine basalts that have mixed with more fractionated magmas at mid-to lower-crustal levels immediately preceding eruption. High-Al amphibole is associated with the mafic end member. In contrast, TH lavas (e.g., Okmok and Westdahl volcanoes) have high FeO/MgO ratios and contain little evidence for mixing. Evolved lavas represent advanced stages of low pressure crystallization from a basaltic magma. These lavas contain groundmass olivine (FO 40–50) and lack Ca-poor pyroxene. Aleutian volcanic rocks with intermediate FeO/MgO ratios are termed transitional tholeiitic (TTH) and calc-alkaline (TCA). TCA magmas are common (e.g., Moffett, Adagdak, Great Sitkin, and Kasatochi volcanoes) and have resulted from mixing of high-Al basalt with more evolved magmas. They contain amphibole (high and low-Al) or orthopyroxene or both and are similar to the Japanese hypersthene-series. TTH magmas (e.g., Okmok and Westdahl) contain orthopyroxene or pigeonite or both, and show some indication of upper crustal mixing. They are mineralogically similar to the Japanese pigeonite-series. High-Al basalt lacks Mg-rich mafic phases and is a derivative magma produced by high pressure fractionation of an olivine tholeiite. The low pressure mineral assemblage of high-Al basalt results from crystallization at higher crustal levels.     

Volcanic rocks and processes of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rift valley near 36 ° 49′ N

Eighty samples of submarine basaltic lava were sampled from an 8 km segment of the floor and walls of the inner rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the French American Mid-Ocean Undersea Study (project Famous). The samples were collected from outcrops and talus slopes by the three submersibles: Alvin, Archimede, and Cyana at water depths of about 2600 meters.The early formed mineral content of the pillow lavas' glassy margins enables classification of the rocks into 5 types: (1) olivine basalt, (2) picritic basalt, (3) plagioclase-olivine-pyroxene basalt, (4) aphyric basalt, and (5) plagioclase-rich basalt. Chemical and mineralogical study indicates that at least 4 types are directly interrelated and that types (1) and (2) are higher-temperature, primitive lavas, and types (3) and (4) are lower-temperature, differentiated lavas derived from the primitive ones by crystal-liquid differentiation. The plagioclase-rich basalts also have a chemical composition of their glass comparable to that of the most differentiated basalts (types 3 and 4) but they differ in their greater amount of early formed plagioclase (12–35%).In general, the mineralogical variation across the rift valley shows an assymetrical distribution of the major basalt types. Despite the mineralogical diversity of the early formed crystals, the chemistry of the basalt glasses indicates a symmetrical and a gradual compositional change across the rift valley. Based primarily on their chemistry, the rock types 1 and 2 occupy an axial zone 1.1 km wide and make up the central volcanic hills. Differentiated lavas (types 3, 4) occupy the margins and walls of the inner rift valley and also occur near the center of the rift valley between the central hills.FeO/MgO ratios of olivine and coexisting melt indicate that the average temperature of eruption was 40 ° C higher for the primitive melts (types 1 and 2). Aside from major elements trends, the higher temperature character of the primitive basalts is shown by their common content of chrome spinel.The thickness of manganese oxide and palagonite on glassy lava provide an estimate of age. In a general fashion the relative age of the various volcanic events follow the compositional zoning observed in the explored area. Most of the youngest samples are olivine basalt of the axial hills. Most older samples occur in the margins of the rift valley (West and N.E. part of explored area) but are significantly younger than the spreading age of the crust on which they are erupted. Intermediate lava types occur mainly east of the rift valley axis and in other areas where plagioclase—olivine—pyroxene basalt and aphyric basalt are present.The above relations indicate that the diverse lava types were erupted from a shallow, zoned magma chamber from fissures distributed over the width of the inner rift valley and elongate parallel to it. Differentiation was accomplished by cooling and crystallization of plagioclase, olivine, and clinopyroxene toward the margins of the chamber. The centrally located hills were built by the piling up of frequent eruption of mainly primitive lavas which also are the youngest flows. In contrast smaller and less frequent eruptions of more differentiated lavas were exposed on both sides of the rift valley axis.Contribution n ° 480 du Départment Scientifique, Centre Océanologique de Bretagne     

Evolution of alkalic lavas at Haleakala Volcano,east Maui,Hawaii

The postshield and posterosional stages of Haleakala Volcano contain intercalated alkalic basalt and evolved alkalic lavas. Isotopic and incompatible element abundance ratios in the Haleakala postshield basalts changed systematically with time, providing evidence for significant temporal changes in the mantle components contributing to the magmatic sources. Specifically, a depleted, i.e. low⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and high¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, mantle component is more abundant in younger lavas. However, as magma-production rates decreased during the postshield and posterosional stages, basaltic melts in magma reservoirs cooled and fractionated, leading to evolved residual melts such as hawaiite. Because primary basalt compositions changed with time, the evolved Haleakala lavas formed from a range of parental compositions. However, basalts and evolved lavas of similar age and isotopic ratios (Sr and Nd) have major and trace element contents that are consistent with a crystal-fractionation model. Although alkalic basalt and hawaiite are the dominant lavas of the postshield stages of both Haleakala and Mauna Kea volcanoes, there are important differences between their lavas. For example, compositional differences between the hawaiite suites at Haleakala and Mauna Kea indicate that, on average, the evolved lavas at Haleakala formed at lower pressures. Also, at Haleakala basalts are intercalated with hawaiites, whereas at Mauna Kea basalts and hawaiites are separated by a sharp boundary. These differences probably reflect a higher magma supply rate to the Haleakala volcano.     

Chemical and Isotopic Characteristics of the Kuroko‐Forming Volcanism

The Miocene northeast Honshu magmatic arc, Japan, formed at a terrestrial continental margin via a stage of spreading in a back‐arc basin (23–17 Ma) followed by multiple stages of submarine rifting (19–13 Ma). The Kuroko deposits formed during this period, with most forming during the youngest rifting stage. The mode of magma eruption changed from submarine basalt lava flows during back‐arc basin spreading to submarine bimodal basalt lava flows and abundant rhyolitic effusive rocks during the rifting stage. The basalts produced during the stage of back‐arc basin spreading are geochemically similar to mid‐ocean ridge basalt, with a depleted Sr–Nd mantle source, whereas those produced during the rifting stage possess arc signatures with an enriched mantle source. The Nb/Zr ratios of the volcanic rocks show an increase over time, indicating a temporal increase in the fertility of the source. The Nb/Zr ratios are similar in basalts and rhyolites from a given rift zone, whereas the Nd isotopic compositions of the rhyolites are less radiogenic than those of the basalts. These data suggest that the rhyolites were derived from a basaltic magma via crystal fractionation and crustal assimilation. The rhyolites associated with the Kuroko deposits are aphyric and have higher concentrations of incompatible elements than do post‐Kuroko quartz‐phyric rhyolites. These observations suggest that the aphyric rhyolite magma was derived from a relatively deep magma chamber with strong fractional crystallization. Almost all of the Kuroko deposits formed in close temporal relation to the aphyric rhyolite indicating a genetic link between the Kuroko deposits and highly differentiated rhyolitic magma.     

Relationships between Kuroko volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, felsic volcanism, and island arc development in the northeast Honshu arc, Japan

The northeast (NE) Honshu arc was formed by three major volcano-tectonic events resulting from Late Cenozoic orogenic movement: continental margin volcanism (before 21?Ma), seafloor basaltic lava flows and subsequent bimodal volcanism accompanied by back-arc rifting (21 to 14?Ma), and felsic volcanism related to island arc uplift (12 to 2?Ma). Eight petrotectonic domains, parallel to the NE Honshu arc, were formed as a result of the eastward migration of volcanic activity with time. Major Kuroko volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are located within the eastern marginal rift zone (Kuroko rift) that formed in the final period of back-arc rifting (16 to 14?Ma). Volcanic activity in the NE Honshu arc is divided into six volcanic stages. The eruption volumes of volcanic rocks have gradually decreased from 4,600?km³ (per 1?my for a 200-km-long section along the arc) of basaltic lava flows in the back-arc spreading stage to 1,000?C2,000?km³ of bimodal hyaloclastites in the back-arc rift stage, and about 200?km³ of felsic pumice eruptions in the island arc stage. The Kuroko VMS deposits were formed at the time of abrupt decrease in the eruption volume and change in the mode of occurrence of the volcanic rocks during the final period of back-arc rifting. In the area of the Kuroko rift, felsic volcanism changed from aphyric or weakly plagioclase phyric (before 14?Ma), to quartz and plagioclase phyric with minor clinopyroxene (12 to 8?Ma), to hornblende phyric (after 8?Ma), and hornblende and biotite phyric (after 4?Ma). The Kuroko VMS deposits are closely related to the aphyric rhyolitic activity before 14?Ma. The rhyolite was generated at a relatively high temperature from a highly differentiated part of felsic magma seated at a relatively great depth and contains higher Nb, Ce, and Y contents than the post-Kuroko felsic volcanism. The Kuroko VMS deposits were formed within a specific tectonic setting, at a specific period, and associated with a particular volcanism of the arc evolution process. Therefore, detailed study of the evolutional process from rift opening to island arc tectonics is very important for the exploration of Kuroko-type VMS deposits.     

Petrogenesis of the Flood-Basalt Sequence at Noril'sk,North Central Siberia

The 3500-m-thick sequence of volcanic rocks at Noril'sk, formed during a brief interval (～1 m.y.) at the Permian/Triassic time boundary (～251 Ma), represents the earliest part of the ～6500-m-thick sequence presently ascribed to the Siberian flood-basalt province. It is composed of picritic and basaltic lavas of both low-Ti and high-Ti parentage. Extensive geological, geochemical, and isotopic study of the lava sequence and related intrusions allows detailed reconstruction of its petrogenesis. Various crustal-related processes-fractionation, crustal contamination, sulfide separation, and magma mixing-participated in the formation of the lavas. The geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicative of these processes, as well as mantle-related signatures of lava compositions, are discussed. Based on these characteristics, detailed interpretations of lava genesis and evolution throughout the Noril'sk sequence are presented. Eight varieties of lavas are recognized to be primitive, similar in composition to primary mantle melts; they varied from low-Mg basalts to olivine tholeiites or picrites, with normal tholeiites predominating.

The primitive lavas are subdivided into four groups (magma types) on the basis of trace-element ratios (principally, Gd/Yb, Th/U, La/Yb, Ta/La, Ti/Sc, and V/Yb) and isotopic data. Three of the groups include both basaltic and picritic primitive lavas (with low-Mg basalts present in one of them), whereas the fourth group is represented exclusively by tholeiites. Distinctions among the groups cannot be related to degree of melting, and isotopic data indicate that none of the magma types could have formed by mixing or contamination of other types. Apparently, only differences in source composition and/or depth of melting can explain the magmatic diversity.

This multitude of primitive magma types may be explained by melting in different layers of the upper mantle, which is complexly layered beneath Siberia to depths of 270 km. Moreover, no clear boundary between lithosphere and asthenosphere is evident in the deep seismic profile. A large-scale event is necessary to account for melting in different parts of the upper mantle and formation of the great volume of the Siberian flood basalts in ～1 m.y. Extension, caused by ascent of a mantle plume, would provide a reasonable explanation, but no plume-related uplift is documented in north-central Siberia prior to, or during, eruption of the volcanic sequence.