Evolution of the lithospheric mantle during passive rifting: Inferences from the Alpine–Apennine orogenic peridotites

This paper presents an updated review of recent field/structural and petrologic/geochemical studies on orogenic peridotites from the Alpine–Apennine ophiolites (NW Italy). Results provide determinant constraints to the evolution of the lithospheric mantle during passive rifting of the fossil Ligurian Tethys oceanic basin.The pre-rift, spinel lherzolites precursors, preserved in the mantle section of the Ligurian ophiolites, were resident in the lithosphere along an intermediate geothermal gradient (T about 1000 °C, P compatible with spinel-peridotite facies). Passive rifting by far-field tectonic forces induced whole-lithosphere extension and thinning (the a-magmatic stage). After significant thinning of the lithosphere, the passively upwelling asthenosphere underwent decompression melting along the axial zone of extension. Silica-undersaturated melt fractions infiltrated via diffuse/focused porous-flow through the lithospheric mantle under extension (the magmatic stage) and underwent pyroxenes-dissolving/olivine-crystallizing interaction with the percolated host peridotite.Pyroxenes assimilation and olivine deposition modified the melt compositions into silica-saturated. These derivative liquids migrated to shallower, plagioclase-peridotite facies levels, where they stagnated and impregnated/refertilized the lithospheric mantle. Melt thermal advection by melt infiltration heated to temperatures higher than 1200 °C the lithospheric mantle column above the melting asthenosphere.The syn-rift magmatic and tectonic processes induced significant rheological softening/weakening that destabilized the lithospheric mantle of the Europe–Adria plate along the axial zone of extension. The presence of destabilized lithospheric mantle between the future continental margins played a determinant role in promoting the geodynamic evolution from pre-oceanic rifting to oceanic spreading.The active upwelling of hotter/deeper asthenosphere inside the destabilized axial zone promoted transition to active rifting, enhancing continent break-up. Asthenosphere underwent partial melting and formed aggregated MORB liquids that migrated inside high-porosity dunite channels. The MORB liquids formed olivine-gabbro intrusions and pillowed lava flows (the oceanic crustal rocks).This paper evidences the primary role of mantle destabilization by melt infiltration in the geodynamic evolution of the Ligurian Tethys rifting.     

Oxygen isotope signatures in olivines from São Miguel (Azores) basalts: implications for crustal and mantle processes

Oxygen isotope ratios were measured in olivines from eight São Miguel basalt lavas. With one exception (4.57‰), the olivines are indistinguishable from one another with an average δ¹⁸O of 4.92±0.03‰ (1σ). This value is slightly lower than that characteristic of upper mantle peridotite and MORB olivines (5.2±0.2‰). Assimilation of ≥10–20% of high-temperature altered lower oceanic crust or 4–9% hydrothermally altered volcanic edifice rocks could produce the low δ¹⁸O signatures in the São Miguel olivines; both of these assimilation models are permitted by the trace element and radiogenic isotope variations in the São Miguel basalts. However, the limited variation in δ¹⁸O despite eruption of the basalts through compositionally and tectonically variable lithosphere, and the lack of correlation of δ¹⁸O with olivine forsterite content, are more easily explained if the olivine δ¹⁸O signatures are inherited from their mantle source. If the δ¹⁸O signatures reflect mantle source compositions, then the relatively low and uniform δ¹⁸O signatures allow constraints to be placed on the origin of the mantle sources beneath São Miguel. Extreme variations in radiogenic isotope signatures have previously been attributed to two component source mixing between a predominant Azores plume source with mild HIMU-like characteristics, and an EMII-type mantle with very radiogenic Sr. The low δ¹⁸O signatures in the São Miguel basalt olivines suggest that the predominant Azores plume source contains >10% hydrothermally altered recycled oceanic crust. The limited variation in δ¹⁸O is consistent with a component of recycled sediment in the São Miguel EMII-type source, although, unlike the case for other EMII OIB (e.g. Samoa and Society), the relatively low δ¹⁸O signatures in São Miguel restrict any involvement of recycled sediment to <2% of a relatively low δ¹⁸O and very radiogenic Sr or high Rb/Sr sediment. Involvement of several percent metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle could alternatively produce the EMII-type Sr–Nd–Pb isotope signatures without significantly affecting the plume-related low δ¹⁸O signatures. The São Miguel δ¹⁸O data are thus consistent with mixing between a low δ¹⁸O Azores plume source with a component of subducted, hydrothermally altered lower oceanic crust, and either minor recycled sediment or localized EMII-rich delaminated subcontinental lithospheric mantle. The latter could have been introduced into the lithosphere or shallow asthenosphere during opening of the Atlantic ocean basin.     

Zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions from the Sin Quyen Formation: the Precambrian crustal evolution of northwest Vietnam

The location of the suture zone between the South China and Indochina blocks in northwest Vietnam has been under debate for decades. Generally, the boundary between these blocks has been placed along (1) the Ailaoshan–Red River zone or (2) the Song Ma zone. The Sin Quyen Formation, lying between these zones, was previously regarded as a Palaeo- and Mesoproterozoic sequence. It comprises its provenance and tectonic affinity. We analysed detrital zircons from two paragneisses and one migmatite of the Sin Quyen Formation employing laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U–Pb dating techniques. U–Pb ages of these zircons show three main periods of zircon formation: ～2.7–3.0, ～2.2–2.5, and ～1.8 Ga, suggesting that Sin Quyen rocks were mainly derived from Palaeoproterozoic and Archaean basement units. Inasmuch as the South China basement comprises rocks of similar ages, we conclude that the Sin Quyen Formation belongs to that block. Our new data strengthen the view that the suture between the South China and Indochina blocks is located within the Song Ma zone. In addition, zircons with U–Pb ages >3.0 thousand million years represent the oldest minerals reported in northwest Vietnam so far, indicating the existence of Mesoarchaean crustal remnants in this region.     

The effects of K2O on the compositions of near-solidus melts of garnet peridotite at 3 GPa and the origin of basalts from enriched mantle

Enrichment in K₂O in oceanic island basalts (OIB) is correlated with high SiO₂, low CaO/Al₂O₃, and radiogenic isotopic signatures indicative of enriched mantle sources (EM1 and EM2). These are also chemical characteristics of the petit-spot lavas, which are highly enriched in K₂O (3–4 wt%) compared to other primitive oceanic basalts. We present experimentally derived liquids with varying concentrations of K₂O in equilibrium with a garnet lherzolite residue at 3 GPa to test the hypothesis that the major element characteristics of EM-type basalts are related to their enrichment in K₂O. SiO₂ is known to increase with K₂O at pressures less than 3 GPa, but it was previously unknown if this effect was significant at the high pressures associated with partial melting at the base of the lithosphere. We find that at 3 GPa for each 1 wt% increase in the K₂O content of a garnet lherzolite saturated melt, SiO₂ increases by ~0.5 wt% and CaO decreases by ~0.5 wt%. MgO and $K_{D}^{{{\text{Fe}} - {\text{Mg}}}}$ K D Fe - Mg each decrease slightly with K₂O concentration, as do Na₂O and Cr₂O₃. The effect of K₂O alone is not strong enough to account for the SiO₂ and CaO signatures associated with high-K₂O OIB. The SiO₂, CaO, and K₂O concentrations of experimentally derived partial melts presented here resemble those of petit-spot lavas, but the Al₂O₃ concentrations from the experimental melts are greater. Partitioning of K₂O between peridotite and melt suggests that petit spots, previously considered to sample ambient asthenosphere, require a source more enriched in K₂O than the MORB source.     

The importance of talc and chlorite “hybrid” rocks for volatile recycling through subduction zones; evidence from the high-pressure subduction mélange of New Caledonia

The transfer of fluid and trace elements from the slab to the mantle wedge cannot be adequately explained by simple models of slab devolatilization. The eclogite-facies mélange belt of northern New Caledonia represents previously subducted oceanic crust and contains a significant proportion of talc and chlorite schists associated with serpentinite. These rocks host large quantities of H₂O and CO₂ and may transport volatiles to deep levels in subduction zones. The bulk-rock and stable isotope compositions of talc and chlorite schist and serpentinite indicate that the serpentinite was formed by seawater alteration of oceanic lithosphere prior to subduction, whereas the talc and chlorite schists were formed by fluid-induced metasomatism of a mélange of mafic, ultramafic and metasedimentary rocks during subduction. In subduction zones, dehydration of talc and chlorite schists should occur at sub-arc depths and at significantly higher temperatures (∼ 800°C) than other lithologies (400–650°C). Fluids released under these conditions could carry high trace-element contents and may trigger partial melting of adjacent pelitic and mafic rocks, and hence may be vital for transferring volatile and trace elements to the source regions of arc magmas. In contrast, these hybrid rocks are unlikely to undergo significant decarbonation during subduction and so may be important for recycling carbon into the deep mantle. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Estimation of the composition of the Earth’s primary aqueous phase. 2. Synthesis from the mantle and igneous rock material. Comparison with synthesis from the carbonaceous chondrite material

Simulation results of the equilibrium state of systems water-carbonaceous chondrite material, water-primary mantle material, water-ultramafic rock material, and water-mafic rock material open with respect to carbon dioxide and methane at 25°C, 1 bar indicate that highly alkaline reduced aqueous solutions with K/Na > 1 can be formed only if water is in equilibrium with compositions close to those of continental crust and primitive mantle. Yu.V. Natochin’s hypothesis that the living cell can be formed only in an aqueous environment with K/Na > 1 leads to the conclusion that terrestrial life could arise and further evolve on the Earth during the differentiation of primary chondritic material into the Earth’s core and mantle (during the first few million years of the planet’s lifetime) in an alkaline (pH 9–10) reduced (Eh = −400–500 mV) aqueous solution at a temperature of 50–60°C, in equilibrium with an N₂-bearing atmosphere, which also contained CH₄ (partial pressure from 10⁻² to 10⁻⁸ bar), CO₂ (partial pressure from 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁸ bar), NH₃, H₂, H₂S, CO, and other gases.     

Oceanic lithosphere heterogeneity in the eastern Paleo-Tethys revealed by PGE and Re–Os isotopes of mantle peridotites in the Jinshajiang ophiolite

Platinum group elements (PGE) and Re–Os isotopes of mantle peridotites in the Jinshajiang ophiolite (SW China) were investigated in this study, in order to cons...     

Evolution and composition of the lithospheric mantle underneath the western Arabian peninsula: constraints from Sr−Nd isotope systematics of mantle xenoliths

On the basis of their textures and mineral compositions spinel-peridotite xenoliths of the Cr-diopside group (group I) from Cenozoic volcanic fields of Arabia can be classified into different subtypes. Type IA is of lherzolitic to harzburgitic composition; mineral compositions are similar to those of group I mantle xenoliths from worldwide occurrences. Type IB xenoliths have lherzolitic to wehrlitic compositions; Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratios of the clinopyroxenes (0.862–0.916) and olivines (0.872–0.914) are similar too or slightly lower than those of typical IA minerals. Texturally, type IB xenoliths are distinguished from type IA rocks by the presence of intragranular spinel, intragranular relict Cr-pargasite, and subordinate intergranular Ba-phlogopite (11.1% BaO). The hydrous minerals in type IB xenoliths are interpreted to document an earlier metasomatism 1 which did not affect type IA lithospheric mantle. Subsequent recrystallization caused the partial replacement of Cr-pargasite in type IB materials and resulted in the formation of less hydrous mineral assemblages. Some of the type IA xenoliths are characterized by secondary intergranular amphibole which must have formed recently. The absence or presence of this intergranular amphibole is used to distinguish an anhydrous subtype IA1 from a hydrous subtype IA2. Type IB xenoliths may also contain secondary intergranular amphibole (similar to the one in subtype IA2) or they contain abundant formermelt patches now consisting of glass and phenocrysts of olivine, clinopyroxene, amphibole, and spinel. The secondary intergranular amphiboles and the former melt patches, both are interpreted as results of a second metasomatism (metasomatism 2). In their trace element and isotopic characteristics, type IA1 and type IA2 clinopyroxenes do not exhibit any systematic differences. Furthermore, type IA2 clinopyroxenes are in Sr isotopic disequilibrium with intergranular amphiboles. This suggests that type IA2 clinopyroxenes were not modified during the second metasomatism 2. All type IA clinopyroxenes have low Sr contents (100 ppm); most of them show Sm/Nd ratios higher than inferred for bulk earth. In their ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, type IA clinopyroxenes exhibit a large spread from 0.70226–0.70376 and from 0.51375–0.51251, respectively. Highly variable Sr/Nd ratios (5.0–79.3) and variable T_UR and T_CHUR model age relationships require different evolutions of the respective mantle portions. Nevertheless, all but two type IA clinopyroxenes form a linear array in a Sm–Nd isochron diagram which probably can not be explained by mixing. If taken as an isochron the slope of the array corresponds to an age of around 700 Ma. The mean initial _Nd of 5.8±1.7 (1) is similar to values for juvenile Pan-African (i.e. 850–650 Ma old) crust of the Arabian-Nubian shield. It is suggested that type IA lithospheric mantle and the juvenile Pan-African crust are two counterparts fractionated from a common source during the earlier stages of the Pan-African. Type IB clinopyroxenes have high Sr contents (200 ppm), variable Sr/Nd ratios (9–111) and Sm/Nd ratios generally below that inferred for bulk earth, and show a small spread in their Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (0.70299–0.70318 and 0.51285–0.51278, respectively). In a Sm–Nd isochron diagram the data points form a linear, horizontal array indicating a close-to-zero age for the earlier metasomatism 1 and suggesting a close genetic relationship to mantle processes related to the formation of the Red Sea.     

Geochemical characteristics and Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions of mantle xenoliths and host basalts from Assab, Eritrea: implications for the composition and thermal structure of the lithosphere beneath the Afar Depression

The Afar Depression offers a rare opportunity to study the geodynamic evolution of a rift system from continental rifting to sea floor spreading. This study presents geochemical data for crustal and mantle xenoliths and their alkaline host basalts from the region. The basalts have enriched REE patterns, OIB-like trace element characteristics, and a limited range in isotopic composition (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70336–0.70356, ε _Nd = +6.6 to +7.0, and ε _Hf = +10.0 to +10.7). In terms of trace elements and Sr–Nd isotopes, they are similar to basalts from the Hanish and Zubair islands in the southern Red Sea and are thus interpreted to be melts from the Afar mantle. The gabbroic crustal xenoliths vary widely in isotope composition (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70437–0.70791, ε _Nd = −8.1 to +2.5, and ε _Hf = −10.5 to +4.9), and their trace element characteristics match those of Neoproterozoic rocks from the Arabian–Nubian Shield and modern arc rocks, suggesting that the lower crust beneath the Afar Depression contains Neoproterozoic mafic igneous rocks. Ultramafic mantle xenoliths from Assab contain primary assemblages of fresh ol + opx + cpx + sp ± pl, with no alteration or hydrous minerals. They equilibrated at 870–1,040°C and follow a steep geothermal gradient consistent with the tectonic environment of the Afar Depression. The systematic variations in major and trace elements among the Assab mantle xenoliths together with their isotopic compositions suggest that these rocks are not mantle residues but rather series of layered cumulate sills that crystallized from a relatively enriched picritic melt related to the Afar plume that was emplaced before the eruption of the host basalts.     

Geochemistry and tectonic significance of peridotites from the South Sandwich arc–basin system, South Atlantic

Petrographic and geochemical studies of peridotites from the South Sandwich forearc region provide new evidence for the evolution of the South Sandwich arc–basin system and for the nature of interactions between arc magma and oceanic lithosphere. Peridotites from the inner trench wall in the north-east corner of the forearc vary from clinopyroxene-bearing harzburgites, through samples transitional between harzburgites and dunites or wehrlites, to dunites. The harzburgites are LREE depleted with low incompatible element abundances and have chromites with intermediate Cr# (ca. 0.40). Modelling shows that they represent the residues from 15–20% melting at oxygen fugacities close to the QFM buffer. The dunites have U-shaped REE patterns, low incompatible element abundances and high Cr# (0.66–0.77). Petrography and geochemistry indicate that the latter are the product of intense interaction between peridotite and melt saturated with olivine under conditions of high oxygen fugacity (QFM + 2). The transitional samples are the product of lesser interaction between peridotite and melt saturated with olivine ± clinopyroxene. The data demonstrate that the harzburgites originated as the residue from melting at a ridge (probably the early East Scotia Sea spreading centre), and were subsequently modified to transitional peridotites and dunites by interaction with South Sandwich arc magmas. The second dredge locality, near the South Sandwich Trench–Fracture Zone intersection, yielded rocks ranging from lherzolite to harzburgite that could similarly have resulted from a two-stage melting and enrichment process, but involving a more fertile mantle residue and a reacting melt that is transitional between MORB and island arc tholeiite. The South Sandwich peridotites have a similar petrogenetic history to those from Conical Seamount in the Mariana forearc in the sense that both involved interaction between arc magma and pre-existing mantle lithosphere of different provenance. However, the precise compositions of the magma and mantle components vary from location to location according to the precise tectonic setting and tectonic history. Overall, therefore, data from the South Sandwich and Izu–Bonin–Mariana systems emphasise the potential significance of peridotite geochemistry in unravelling the complex tectonic histories of forearcs past and present. Received: 31 August 1999 / Accepted: 3 December 1999     

Neoproterozoic crustal growth at the margin of the East Gondwana continent – age and isotopic constraints from the easternmost inliers of Oman

ABSTRACT

The Jebel Ja’alan and Qalhat inliers of Oman represent the easternmost exposures in the Arabian peninsula of the Neoproterozoic basement associated with the East African Orogen (EAO) and the assembly of East and West Gondwana. These inliers expose tonalitic gneisses and metasediments intruded by granodiorites and granites of the Ja’alan batholith. Zircons from the gneisses yield U–Pb SIMS ages of ca. 900–880 Ma, which are interpreted as crystallization ages. These represent the oldest magmatic events associated with the closure of the Mozambique Ocean reported to date. Zircon of this age is also the dominant component in the metasediments. The Ja’alan batholith yields ages of ca. 840–825 Ma. Nd isotopes indicate that both the gneisses and the batholith range from juvenile to slightly more evolved, with ε_Nd(t) of +6 to +1.5 interpreted to reflect variable contamination by older, evolved continental material; this is also indicated by >900 Ma detrital zircon from the metasediments. The Nd data also contrast with the uniformly juvenile signature of younger, ca. 840 Ma, rocks of the Marbat region of southern Oman that lie structurally to the west. The Ja’alan and Qalhat inliers thus document eastward increasing age and continental influence, consistent with the progressive development of arc rocks onto the western margin of East Gondwana, although the location and nature of the eastern continental block remain elusive.     

Isotope compositions of C and O of magmatic calcites from the Udachnaya–East pipe kimberlite,Yakutia

It has been demonstrated for the first time that the isotopic compositions of carbon (δ¹³C) in magmatic calcites from the Udachnaya–East pipe kimberlite groundmass varies from–2.5 to–1.0‰ (V-PDB), while those of oxygen (δ¹⁸O) range from 15.0 to 18.2‰ (V-SMOW). The obtained results imply that during the terminal late magmatic and postmagmatic stages of the kimberlite pipe formation, the carbonates in the kimberlite groundmass became successively heavier isotopically, which indicates the hybrid nature of the carbonate component of the kimberlite: it was formed with contributions from mantle and sedimentary marine sources.

     

The mantle rock (“laterite”) of the Gold Coast and its origin

Zusammenfassung Der Verwitterungsmantel (Laterit s. l.) der südlichen Goldküste besteht aus Horizonten, die sowohl verschiedene Entstehungsart als verschiedenes Alter haben. Brekzien oder Steinschichten sind unter aridem Klima als Wüstenpflaster entstanden. Zonen chemisch verwitterten Felses, Horizonte von lehmigem Sand (an deren Aufbau Termiten wesentlich beteiligt sind) und Konkretionen haben sich unter feuchtem Klima gebildet. Harte limonitische Oberflächen-Krusten deuten auf progressive Austrocknung hin. Unter diesen drei klimatischen Bedingungen gebildete Horizonte wiederholen sich mehrfach im Verwitterungsmantel der Goldküste. Ein junger, unvollständiger Zyklus ist weit verbreitet, ein älterer Zyklus tritt nur in begrenzten Vorkommen auf, und ein dritter Zyklus ist fast nur noch in aufgearbeiteten, limonitisierten Bruchstücken erhalten. Die wiederholten Klimaschwankungen machen es wahrscheinlich, daß der Verwitterungsmantel zeitlich dem größeren Teil des Quartärs entspricht. Wahrscheinlich können die Ergebnisse auf weit größere Gebiete angewandt werden.     

On the geodynamics of the Alpine collisional granitoids from Central Anatolia: petrology,age and isotopic characteristics of the granitoids of the Ekecikdağ Igneous Association (Aksaray/Turkey)

Granitoids of the Ekecikda? Igneous Association (Central Anatolia/Turkey) are products of collisional–post-collisional magmatism in the Ekecikda? area. These granitoids are granodiorite, microgranite and leucogranite. Field relations of granodiorites with microgranites is obscured, but leucogranites intrude both rock types. Mean zircon laser ablation (LA)-ICP-MS ²⁰⁶Pb-²³⁸U ages of granodiorites and microgranites are 84.52 ± 0.93 Ma and 80.7 ± 1.6 Ma, respectively, and age of leucogranites is suggested as 80 Ma, based on field relations combined with ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and Rb-Sr ages. Crystallisation temperatures of granodiorites, microgranites and leucogranites are 728°C-848°C, 797°C-880°C, 704°C-809°C, respectively.

Geochemical characteristics including Sr-Nd isotopic evidences infer a non-cogenetic character, as there is a high crustal contribution in I-type granodiorite sources, a crustal source with insignificant and significant mantle inputs in S-type microgranites and leucogranites, respectively. LA-ICP-MS Lu-Hf isotope data from zircons reveal their crustal nature (εHf_(t): ?1.3 ± 0.5 to ?8.8 ± 0.5). Crustal melting linked to the Alpine thickening during the Late Cretaceous led to formation of heterogeneous sourced granitoids with crustal dominated sources in the Ekecikda? area. Understanding of the nature and evolution of collisional Ekecikda? granitoids is not only important to put contribution in the geodynamic evolution of Central Anatolia and surrounding Alpine area, but also to better understand systematics of collisional magmatic systems.     

Lu–Hf and O isotopic compositions on single zircons from the North Eastern Desert of Egypt,Arabian–Nubian Shield: Implications for crustal evolution

Neoproterozoic juvenile crust is exposed in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, between the Nile and the Red Sea, forming the basement to Cambrian and younger sedimentary strata in the northernmost part of the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS). In order to reveal how the crust of this vast region was formed, four examples of widespread Neoproterozoic (653–595 Ma) calc-alkaline and alkaline intrusive rocks in the northwestern most exposures, in the NE Desert of Egypt (NED) were studied. Single zircon Hf–O isotopic compositions of these intrusives were used to characterize the Neoproterozoic syn- and post-collisional granitoids in the NED. The ~ 653 Ma Um Taghir syn-tectonic granodiorite (I-type) displays isotopic characteristics of a depleted mantle source, such as high εHf(t) (+ 9.1 to + 11.2) and mantle δ¹⁸O (mean = + 5.12‰). In contrast, the ca. ~ 600 Ma post-collision A-type granites (Al-Missikat, Abu Harba, and Gattar) show slightly higher δ¹⁸O values (+ 5.15 to 6.70) and slightly lower εHf(t) values (+ 6.3 to + 10.6, mean = + 8.6). We interpret these isotopic data to reflect melting of a juvenile Neoproterozoic mantle source that assimilated slightly older Neoproterozoic crustal material during magma mixing. The involvement of crustal component is also supported by Hf-crustal model ages (0.67–0.96 Ga) and by the occurrence of xenocrystic zircons with U–Pb ages older than the crystallization ages, indicating melting of predominantly Late Neoproterozoic crustal protoliths.     

Opx–Cpx exsolution textures in lherzolites of the Cretaceous Purang Ophiolite (S. Tibet,China), and the deep mantle origin of Neotethyan abyssal peridotites

ABSTRACT

We investigated lherzolitic peridotites in the Cretaceous Purang ophiolite along the Yarlung Zhangbo suture zone (YZSZ) in SW Tibet to constrain their mantle–melt evolution history. Coarse-grained Purang lherzolites contain orthopyroxene (Opx) and olivine (Ol) porphyroclasts with embayments filled by small olivine (Ol) neoblasts. Both clinopyroxene (Cpx) and Opx display exsolution textures represented by lamellae structures. Opx exsolution (Opx1) in clinopyroxene (Cpx1) is made of enstatite, whose compositions (Al₂O₃ = 3.85–4.90 wt%, CaO = <3.77 wt%, Cr₂O₃ = 0.85–3.82 wt%) are characteristic of abyssal peridotites. Host clinopyroxenes (Cpx1) have higher Mg#s and Na₂O, with lower TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents than Cpx2 exsolution lamellae in Opx, and show variable LREE patterns. Pyroxene compositions of the lherzolites indicate 10–15% partial melting of a fertile mantle protolith. P–T estimates (1.3–2.3 GPa, 745–1067°C) and the trace element chemistry of pyroxenes with exsolution textures suggest crystallization depths of ~75 km in the upper mantle, where the original pyroxenes became decomposed, forming exsolved structures. Further upwelling of lherzolites into shallow depths in the mantle resulted in crystal–plastic deformation of the exsolved pyroxenes. Combined with the occurrence of microdiamond and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) mineral inclusions in chromites of the Purang peridotites, the pyroxene exsolution textures reported here confirm a multi-stage partial melting history of the Purang lherzolites and at least three discrete stages of P-T conditions in the course of their upwelling through the mantle during their intra-oceanic evolution.