内蒙古北山地区月牙山蛇绿质构造混杂岩带地质特征、形成时代及大地构造意义

月牙山蛇绿质构造混杂岩带位于红柳河—洗肠井蛇绿岩带东部的月牙山一带。月牙山蛇绿岩套出露较完整,自下而上由超基性杂岩、辉长岩、层状玄武岩、枕状玄武岩及放射虫硅质岩组成。蛇绿岩套北侧发生了强烈的构造混杂作用,形成蛇绿质构造混杂岩带,由强糜棱岩化、强蛇纹石化的辉橄岩、玄武岩基质和辉石岩、堆晶辉长岩、斜长花岗岩、橄榄岩、橄辉岩、角闪石岩、白云岩、放射虫硅质岩、蚀变玄武岩等岩块组成。通过对蛇绿岩套中辉石岩、辉长岩、斜长花岗岩、辉长闪长岩及蛇绿岩套北侧斜山——东七一山火山弧中的安山岩、花岗闪长岩等开展锆石U-Pb同位素测年研究,确定月牙山蛇绿岩套形成时代约为530Ma,相当于早寒武世;洋盆发生大规模自南向北俯冲作用的时间为421.0±15~442.4±1.5Ma,相当于志留纪。通过对蛇绿岩带两侧地层形成环境及蛇绿岩带对两侧地层单位的限定意义等研究认为,红柳河—洗肠井蛇绿岩带是代表古大洋闭合的板块缝合带,以该带为界,北侧为哈萨克斯坦板块,南侧为塔里木板块。     

Neoproterozoic tholeiitic arc plutonism: petrology of gabbroic intrusions in the El-Aradiya area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

Gabbroic intrusions of the El-Aradiya area are a part of the Neoproterozoic basement cropping out in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt. They are composed mainly of gabbroic cumulates (diopside-plagioclase cumulate and plagioclase-augite cumulate) and fine-grained noncumulate gabbro. Mineral chemistry data indicate that the plagioclase core compositions of the gabbroic cumulates range between An₉₀ and An₆₀, whereas fine-grained noncumulate gabbro plagioclase core compositions are An₆₁₋₅₆ and rim compositions are An₅₄₋₄₂. The clinopyroxenes are diopside and augite in the gabbroic cumulate, and augite in the fine-grained noncumulate gabbro. Chemical re-equilibration between pyroxenes of gabbroic cumulates vary from 1150-900°C and for fine-grained noncumulate gabbro range from 1200-1100°C. The amphiboles are calcic, varying from tschermakite and tschermakitic hornblende, and Mg-hornblende in the gabbroic cumulate and only Mg-hornblende in the fine-grained noncumulate gabbro. They indicate an island-arc tholeiitic setting for gabbroic intrusions of the El-Aradiya area. Major and trace element data suggest arc tholeiite characters, a comagmatic suite and subduction-related magma with enrichment of LILE and depletion in HFSE relative to MORB. The estimated parent magma is similar to tholeiitic Aleutian arc primary magma. The gabbroic intrusions are analogous to intrusions emplaced in an immature island-arc setting in which the oceanic crust was thin.     

藏北羌塘中部桃形湖早古生代蛇绿岩的岩石学特征

桃形湖早古生代蛇绿岩是龙木错－双湖板块缝合带近期的重要发现。通过对桃形湖蛇绿岩进行详细的野外地质调查和岩石学、年代学、地球化学的研究发现,桃形湖早古生代蛇绿岩各单元出露齐全,由下到上分别为变质橄榄岩、超基性堆晶杂岩、堆晶辉长岩、基性岩墙群和枕状玄武岩,在堆晶岩中有不同规模的斜长花岗岩（层）脉体。桃形湖堆晶辉长岩的时代为中奥陶世,并具有大洋中脊型的地球化学特点。桃形湖早古生代蛇绿岩的发现说明龙木错－双湖板块缝合带中存在完整的蛇绿岩组合,同时也是古特提斯洋早期裂解的重要证据。     

Mineral chemistry of ultramafic and mafic cumulates as an indicator of the arc-related origin of the Mersin ophiolite (southern Turkey)

The Mersin ophiolite, represented by approximately 6-km-thick oceanic lithospheric section on the southern flank of the Taurus calcareous axis, formed in the Mesozoic Neo-Tethyan ocean some time during Late Cretaceous in southern Turkey. The ultramafic and mafic cumulates having over 3 km thickness consist of dunite ± chromite, wehrlite, clinopyroxenite at the bottom and pass into gabbroic cumulates in which leucogabbro, olivine-gabbro and anorthosite are seen. Crystallization order is olivine (Fo₉₁₋₈₀) ± chromian spinel (Cr# 60-80), clinopyroxene (Mg#₉₅₋₇₇), plagioclase (An_95.6−91.6) and orthopyroxene (Mg#₆₈₋₇₇). Mineral chemistry of ultramafic and mafic cumulates suggest that highly magnesian olivines, clinopyroxenes and absence of plagioclase in the basal ultramafic cumulates are in good agreement with products of high-pressure crystal fractionation of primary basaltic melts beneath an island-arc environment. Major, trace element geochemistry of the cumulative rocks also indicate that Mersin ophiolite was formed in an arc environment. Coexisting Ca-rich plagioclase and Forich olivine in the gabbroic cumulates show arc cumulate gabbro characteristics. Field relations as well as the geochemical data support that Mersin ophiolite formed in a supra-subduction zone tectonic setting in the southern branch of the Neo-Tethys in southern Turkey.     

北山造山带白云山蛇绿混杂岩的地球化学特征、时代及地质意义

白云山蛇绿混杂岩是北山造山带中红柳河-牛圈子-洗肠井蛇绿岩带的一部分,由蛇纹石化二辉橄榄岩、蛇纹岩、辉长岩(堆晶辉长岩、块状辉长岩)、基性枕状熔岩(变玄武岩)及深海-次深海远洋、半远洋相沉积物(硅质岩、板岩)、白云岩等组成。其中辉长岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb测年结果为496.4±2.2 Ma,指示蛇绿岩形成于晚寒武世;混杂带中玄武岩地球化学特征为洋底玄武岩,兼有洋岛碱性玄武岩(OIB)和洋脊玄武岩(MORB)的地球化学性质,枕状熔岩与硅质岩交互产出,指示其形成环境为深水洋盆。结合区域地质资料,推测该蛇绿混杂岩带为寒武纪洋中脊存在的遗迹。     

青藏高原中部阿索蛇绿岩岩石学与同位素年龄

阿索蛇绿岩位于尼玛县阿索乡西南,大地构造上归属于狮泉河-永珠-嘉黎蛇绿岩带中段。蛇绿岩以岩片形式混杂在晚侏罗世—早白垩世复理石中,岩石组合较齐全,由下至上为蛇纹岩、辉石岩、堆晶辉长岩、席状岩墙及火山熔岩,同时存在蛇绿岩上覆沉积岩系。辉长岩获得LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb谐和年龄为117.5±0.5Ma,时代为早白垩世。狮泉河-永珠-嘉黎蛇绿岩带中的蛇绿岩形成于晚三叠世—早白垩世,主要分布在219~178Ma、165~149Ma和117~114Ma三个年龄段,代表了大洋演化的扩张、俯冲、弧后拉张3个阶段。     

Crystallization Orders and Phase Chemistry of Glassy Lavas from the Pillow Sequences, Troodos Ophiolite, Cyprus

Three genetically unrelated magma suites are found in the extrusivesequences of the Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus. A stratigraphicallylower pillow lava suite contains andesite and dacite glassesand shows the crystallization order plagioclase; augite, orthopyroxene;titanomagnetite (with the pyroxenes appearing almost simultaneously).These lavas can in part be correlated chemically and mineralogicallywith the sheeted dikes and the upper part of the gabbro complexof the ophiolite. The second magma suite is represented in astratigraphically upper extrusive suite and contains basalticandesite and andesite glasses with the crystallizaton orderchromite; olivine; Ca-rich pyroxene; plagioclase. This magmasuite can be correlated chemically and mineralogically withparts of the ophiolitic ultramafic and mafic cumulate sequence,which has the crystallization order olivine; Ca-rich pyroxene;orthopyroxene; plagioclase. The third magma suite is representedby basaltic andesite lavas along the Arakapas fault zone andshows a boninitic crystallization order olivine; orthopyroxene;Ca-rich pyroxene; plagioclase. One-atmosphere, anhydrous phaseequilibria experiments on a lava from the second suite indicateplagioclase crystallization from 1225?C, pigeonite from 1200?C,and augite from 1165?C. These experimental data contrast withthe crystallization order suggested by the lavas and the associatedcumulates. The observed crystallization orders and the presenceof magmatic water in the fresh glasses of all suites are consistentwith evolution under relatively high partial water pressures.In particular, high P_H2O (1–3 kb) can explain the lateappearances of plagioclase and Ca-poor pyroxene in the majorityof the basaltic andesite lavas as the effects of suppressedcrystallization temperatures and shifting of cotectic relations.The detailed crystallization orders are probably controlledby relatively minor differences in the normative compositionsof the parental magmas. The basaltic andesite lavas are likelyto reach augite saturation before Ca-poor pyroxene saturation,whereas the Arakapas fault zone lavas, which have relativelyless normative diopside and more quartz, reached the Ca-poorpyroxene-olivine reaction surface and crystallized Ca-poor pyroxeneafter olivine.     

Evaluation of phase chemistry and petrochemical aspects of Samchampi-Samteran differentiated alkaline complex of Mikir Hills,northeastern India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline complex occurs as a plug-like pluton within the Precambrian granite gneisses of Mikir Hills, Assam, northeastern India and it is genetically related to Sylhet Traps. The intrusive complex is marked by dominant development of syenite within which ijolitemelteigite suite of rocks is emplaced with an arcuate outcrop pattern. Inliers of alkali pyroxenite and alkali gabbro occur within this ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks. The pluton is also traversed by younger intrusives of nepheline syenite and carbonatite. Development of sporadic, lumpy magnetite ore bodies is also recorded within the pluton. Petrographic details of the constituent lithomembers of the pluton have been presented following standard nomenclatorial rules. Overall pyroxene compositions range from diopside to aegirine augite while alkali feldspars are typically orthoclase and plagioclase in syenite corresponds to oligoclase species. Phase chemistry of nepheline is suggestive of Na-rich alkaline character of the complex. Biotite compositions are typically restricted to a uniform compositional range and they belong to ‘biotite’ field in the relevant classification scheme. Garnets (developed in syenite and melteigite) typically tend to be Ti-rich andradite, which on a closer scan can be further designated as melanites. Opaque minerals mostly correspond to magnetite. Use of Lindsley’s pyroxene thermometric method suggests an equilibration temperature from ∼450°–600°C for melteigite/alkali gabbro and ∼400°C for syenite. Critical assessment of other thermometric methods reveals a temperature of equilibration of ∼700°–1350°C for ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks in contrast to a relatively lower equilibration temperature of ∼600°C for syenite. Geobarometric data based on pyroxene chemistry yield an equilibration pressure of 5.32–7.72 kb for ijolite, melteigite, alkali pyroxenite, alkali gabbro and nepheline syenite. The dominant syenite member of the intrusive plug records a much higher (∼11 kb) equilibration pressure indicating a deeper level of intrusion. Major oxide variations of constituent lithomembers with respect to differentiation index (D.I.) corroborate a normal magmatic differentiation. A prominent role of liquid immiscibility is envisaged from field geological, petrographic and petrochemical evidences. Tectonic discrimination diagrams involving clinopyroxene chemistry strongly suggest within plate alkaline affinity for the parental magma which is in conformity with the regional plume tectonics.     

Gabbroic intrusions and magmatic metasomatism in harzburgites from the Garrett transform fault: implications for the nature of the mantle–crust transition at fast-spreading ridges

 Mafic and ultramafic rocks sampled in the Garrett transform fault at 13°28′S on the East Pacific Rise (EPR) provide insight on magmatic processes occurring under a fast-spreading ridge system. Serpentinized harzburgite from Garrett have modal, mineral and bulk chemical compositions consistent with being mantle residue of a high degree of partial melting. Along with other EPR localities (Terevaka transform fault and Hess Deep), these harzburgites are among the most residual and depleted in magmatophile elements of the entire mid-ocean ridge system. Geothermometric calculations using olivine-spinel pairs indicate a mean temperature of 759 ± 25 °C for Garrett residual harzburgite similar to the average of 755 °C for tectonite peridotites from slow-spreading ridges. Results of this study show that mid-ocean ridge peridotites are subject to both fractional melting and metasomatic processes. Evidence for mantle metasomatism is ubiquitous in harzburgite and is likely widespread in the entire Garrett peridotite massif. Magma-harzburgite interactions are very well preserved as pyroxenite lenses, plagioclase dunite pockets or dunitic wall rock to intrusive gabbros. Abundant gabbroic rocks are found as intrusive pockets and dikes in harzburgite and have been injected in the following sequence: olivine-gabbro, gabbro, gabbronorite, and ferrogabbro. The wide variety of magmas that crystallized into gabbros contrast sharply with present-day intratransform basalts, which have a highly primitive composition. Ferrogabbro dikes have been intruded at the ridge-transform intersection and as they represent the last event of a succession of gabbros intrusive into the peridotite, they likely constrain the origin of the entire peridotite massif to the same location. In peridotite massifs from Pacific transform faults (Garrett and Terevaka), primitive to fractionated basaltic magmas have flowed and crystallized variable amounts of dunite (±plagioclase) and minor pyroxenite, followed by a succession of cumulate gabbroic dikes which have extensively intruded and modified the host harzburgitic rocks. The lithosphere and style of magmatic activity within a fast-slipping transform fault (outcrops of ultramafic massif, discontinuous gabbro pockets intrusive in peridotite, magnesian and phyric basalts) are more analogous to slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge type than the East Pacific Rise. Received: 13 October 1997 / Accepted: 5 February 1999     

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.     

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Middle Proterozoic Aoyougou Ophiolite in the North Qilian Mountains,Northwestern China

The Aoyougou ophiolite lies in an early Palaeozoic orogenic belt of the western North Qilian Mountains, near the Aoyougou valley in Gansu Province, northwestern China. It consists of serpentinite, a cumulate sequence of gabbro and diorite, pillow and massive lavas, diabase and chert. Ages of 1840±2 Ma, 1783±2 Ma and 1784±2 Ma on three zircons from diabase, indicate an early Middle Proterozoic age. The diabases and basalts show light rare-earth element enrichment and have relatively high TiO2 contents, characteristic of ocean island basalts. All of the lavas have low MgO, Cr, Ni contents and Mg numbers indicating a more evolved character. They are believed to have been derived from a more mafic parental magma by fractionation of olivine, Cr-spinel and minor plagioclase. Based on the lava geochemistry and regional geology, the Aoyougou ophiolite was probably believed to have formed at a spreading centre in a small marginal basin. Subduction of the newly formed oceanic lithosphere in the Middle Proteroz     

Mawpyut intrusive complex of Jaintia hills district,Meghalaya, northeastern India: A case study for magmatic differentiation

The petrological details of the ultramafic-mafic-alkaline complex related to Sylhet Trap occurring near to Mawpyut (25°25′N:92°10′E) of Jaintia hills district Meghalaya, northeastern India, are poorly known. Field investigations indicate that the Mawpyut body occurs as a pluton distinctly intrusive into adjacent low grade metasedimentary Shillong Group of rocks. This body reveals development of two broad lithotypes namely ultramafic (olivine clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite and plagioclase bearing ultramafic) and mafic (mostly gabbro, orthopyroxene gabbro, olivine gabbronorite, mela gabbro and mela-gabbro-norite) with minor presence of later syenitic veins. Though, in general, the pluton shows mineralogical variations, the field boundaries among those petrographic types are not discernible. Careful consideration of major and trace element chemistry of the constituent lithomembers clearly suggest progressive insitu fractionation of a common parent magma.     

Mineral chemistry of lava flows from Linga area of the Eastern Deccan Volcanic Province,India

Several basaltic lava flows have been identified in the study area in and around Linga, in the Eastern Deccan Volcanic Province (EDVP) on the basis of distinctly developed structural zones defined by primary volcanic structures such as columnar joints and vesicles. These basaltic lava flows are spatially distributed in four different sectors, viz., (i) Bargona–Gadarwara (BG) sector (ii) Shikarpur–Linga (SL) sector (iii) Arjunvari–Survir Hill (AS) sector and (iv) Kukrachiman–Morand Hill (KM) sector. A three-tier classification scheme has been adopted for the characterization and classification of individual lava flows. Each lava flow consists of a Lower Colonnade Zone (LCZ) overlain by the Entablature Zone (EZ) and Upper Colonnade Zone (UCZ). The LCZ and UCZ grade into a distinct/indistinct Lower Vesicular Zone (LVZ) and Upper Vesicular Zone (UVZ), respectively. The LCZ and UCZ of the flows are characterized by columnar joints while the EZ is marked by multi-directional hackly jointing. The geometry of different joint patterns corresponds to different styles of cooling during solidification of lava flows. Detailed petrographic studies of the investigated lava flows reveal inequigranular phenocrystal basalts characterized by development of phenocrystal phases including plagioclase, clinopyroxene and olivine, whereas groundmass composition is marked by tiny plagioclase, clinopyroxene, opaque mineral and glass. Electron microprobe analyses indicate that the olivine has a wide range ∼Fo₂₂ to Fo₆₆ revealing a wide spectrum of compositional variation. Pyroxene compositions are distinctly designated as Quad pyroxenes. Phenocrystal pyroxenes are mostly diopsidic, while the groundmass pyroxenes mainly correspond to augite with a minor pigeonite component. Pyroxene phenocrysts are characterized by a prominent Ti-enrichment. Phenocrystal plagioclase grains are calcic (An_52.7–An_72.9), whereas groundmass plagioclase are relatively sodic (An_39.2–An_61.6). Groundmass opaque minerals are characteristically found to be Ti–magnetite/ilmenite/pyrophanite. Pyroxene thermometry reveals a temperature span of 850°C to 1280°C for the studied lavas while olivine–clinopyroxene thermometry yields a temperature range from 1040°–1160°C. The variation of temperature for the lava flows is ascribed to their normal cooling history after eruption.     

Geochronology of the Dong Tso Ophiolite and the Tectonic Environment

The wedge shaped Dong Tso ophiolitic block is distributed near the transition point from the western to the middle sub-belt of the Bangong-Nujiang suture zone.The ophiolite is characterized by well-developed cumulate rocks that are mainly composed of cumulate and massive gabbros.In the cumulate gabbros,the adcumulate amphiboles are distributed extensively around the plagioclase and residual pyroxene grains; hence,the rocks are named adcumulate amphibole-gabbro.In this study,the formation age of the ophiolite has been estimated to be 166 ± 4 million years （Ma） by the sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe （SHRIMP） Ⅱ U-Pb isotopic analysis of the zircons from the adcumulate amphibole-gabbro; the 40Ar/39Ar plateau age was estimated to be 148.19 ± 1.53 Ma,which should represent the emplacement time of the ophiolite,by isotopic dating of the pure amphibole mineral from the amphibole-schist.Two different suits of volcanic lavas have been recognized in this work.The purple colored pillow basalts have high TiO2 and P2O5 contents,and are rich in light rare earth elements （LREEs）,large-ion lithospheric elements （LILEs） and high-field-strength elements （HFSEs）,the characteristics that are the typical of the oceanic island basalt （OIB）.On the other hand,other massive basaltic andesites of celadon color are poor in MgO; rich in Fe2O3,LREEs,LILEs,and HFSEs; and especially characterized by negative Nb and Ta anomalies,the properties that establish the andesites as continental arc volcanic rocks.It is concluded that hotspots had developed in the old Dong Tso basin,the oceanic basin that had been developing from middle Jurassic （166 Ma） or even before and emplaced northward in late Jurassic （about 148 Ma）.     

西藏雅鲁藏布江缝合带西段东波蛇绿岩中锆石U-Pb定年及地质意义

西藏东波蛇绿岩位于雅鲁藏布江缝合带西段,由地幔橄榄岩、辉石岩和辉长岩等组成.地幔橄榄岩主要为方辉橄榄岩、纯橄岩和少量二辉橄榄岩.地幔橄榄岩中有少量辉石岩和辉长岩的脉岩,宽约1m,走向北西与岩体的构造线方向基本一致.辉石岩由90％透辉石(Wo=48、En =46、Fs =6),少量的斜顽辉石(Wo=2、En=82、Fs=16),5％的斜长石(An =90)和透闪石组成.辉长岩主要由透辉石(Wo =47、En=36、Fs=17)、斜长石(An =47)及少量的镁角闪石组成,岩石成分以低K2O和P2O5含量(均＜0.1％)和亏损的LREE模式为特征,显示N-MORB岩石的特征.经LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb原位微区测定,获得辉石岩和辉长岩的年龄分别为130±0.5Ma、128±1.1Ma.首次给出了东波蛇绿岩年龄,代表了东波地区新特提斯洋海底扩张的时代.     

Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of the early Paleozoic Delenuoer ophiolite in the Central Qilian Shan,northeastern Tibetan Plateau

The newly discovered early Paleozoic Delenuoer ophiolite, in the western margin of the Central Qilian Shan, is composed of serpentinized peridotite, cumulate gabbro, diabase, massive basalt, and pillow basalt. This study presents geochronological and geochemical data for the cumulate gabbro and basalt. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of zircons from the cumulate gabbro yielded a magmatic crystallization age of 472 ​± ​4 ​Ma. The basalts have normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) compositions and a narrow range of ε_Nd(t) values (+4.5 to ​+5.3), which indicates they were derived from a depleted mantle source. On the basis of regional geological constraints, it is proposed that the Delenuoer ophiolite is a westward extension of the South Ophiolite Belt (Yushigou–Youhulugou–Donggou–Dongcaohe Ophiolite Belt) in the North Qilian Shan. The Delenuoer ophiolite, along with the Gulangxia–Delenuoer fault, defines the westernmost part of the tectonic boundary between the North and Central Qilian Shan. This ophiolite may have formed during southward subduction of the Qilian Ocean slab during the early Paleozoic.     

内蒙古月牙山蛇绿岩的岩石学、地球化学特征及其地质意义

内蒙古月牙山蛇绿岩分布于红柳河-洗肠井蛇绿岩带东部的月牙山一带,出露较完整,自下而上由超基性杂岩、辉长岩、层状玄武岩和枕状玄武岩及放射虫硅质岩组成。岩石学、岩石化学、地球化学资料显示,蛇绿岩套中的主要单元均源于幔源,接近于现代洋壳蛇绿岩特征。与蛇绿岩单元伴生的斜长花岗岩属于幔源型大洋斜长花岗岩,且为蛇绿岩组成的一部分;辉长岩、玄武岩均形成于正常洋中脊(N-MORB)环境。     

The petrogenesis of sodic island arc magmas at Savo volcano,Solomon Islands

Savo, Solomon Islands, is a historically active volcano dominated by sodic, alkaline lavas, and pyroclastic rocks with up to 7.5 wt% Na₂O, and high Sr, arc-like trace element chemistry. The suite is dominated by mugearites (plagioclase–clinopyroxene–magnetite ± amphibole ± olivine) and trachytes (plagioclase–amphibole–magnetite ± biotite). The presence of hydrous minerals (amphibole, biotite) indicates relatively wet magmas. In such melts, plagioclase is relatively unstable relative to iron oxides and ferromagnesian silicates; it is the latter minerals (particularly hornblende) that dominate cumulate nodules at Savo and drive the chemical differentiation of the suite, with a limited role for plagioclase. This is potentially occurring in a crustal “hot zone”, with major chemical differentiation occurring at depth. Batches of magma ascend periodically, where they are subject to decompression, water saturation and further cooling, resulting in closed-system crystallisation of plagioclase, and ultimately the production of sodic, crystal and feldspar-rich, high-Sr rocks. The sodic and hydrous nature of the parental magmas is interpreted to be the result of partial melting of metasomatised mantle, but radiogenic isotope data (Pb, Sr, Nd) cannot uniquely identify the source of the metasomatic agent.     

Anorthosite formation by plagioclase flotation in ferrobasalt and implications for the lunar crust

The Sept Iles layered intrusion (Quebec, Canada) is dominated by a basal Layered Series made up of troctolites and gabbros, and by anorthosites occurring (1) at the roof of the magma chamber (100-500 m-thick) and (2) as cm- to m-size blocks in gabbros of the Layered Series. Anorthosite rocks are made up of plagioclase, with minor clinopyroxene, olivine and Fe-Ti oxide minerals. Plagioclase displays a very restricted range of compositions for major elements (An₆₈-An₆₀), trace elements (Sr: 1023-1071 ppm; Ba: 132-172 ppm) and Sr isotopic ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i: 0.70356-0.70379). This compositional range is identical to that observed in troctolites, the most primitive cumulates of the Layered Series, whereas plagioclase in layered gabbros is more evolved (An₆₀-An₃₈). The origin of Sept Iles anorthosites has been investigated by calculating the density of plagioclase and that of the evolving melts. The density of the FeO-rich tholeiitic basalt parent magma first increased from 2.70 to 2.75 g/cm³ during early fractionation of troctolites and then decreased continuously to 2.16 g/cm³ with fractionation of Fe-Ti oxide-bearing gabbros. Plagioclase (An₆₉-An₆₀) was initially positively buoyant and partly accumulated at the top of the magma chamber to form the roof anorthosite. With further differentiation, plagioclase (<An₆₀) became negatively buoyant and anorthosite stopped forming. Blocks of anorthosite (autoliths) even fell downward to the basal cumulate pile. The presence of positively buoyant plagioclase in basal troctolites is explained by the low efficiency of plagioclase flotation due to crystallization at the floor and/or minor plagioclase nucleation within the main magma body. Dense mafic minerals of the roof anorthosite are shown to have crystallized from the interstitial liquid.The processes related to floating and sinking of plagioclase in a large and shallow layered intrusion serve as a proxy to refine the crystallization model of the lunar magma ocean and explain the vertically stratified structure of the lunar crust, with (gabbro-)noritic rocks at the base and anorthositic rocks at the top. We propose that the lunar crust mainly crystallized bottom-up. This basal crystallization formed a mafic lower crust that might have a geochemical signature similar to the magnesian-suite without KREEP contamination, while flotation of some plagioclase grains produced ferroan anorthosites in the upper crust.     

Intraplutonic Quench Zones in the Kap Edvard Holm Layered Gabbro Complex, East Greenland

The Kap Edvard Holm Layered Gabbro Complex is a large layeredgabbro intrusion (>300 km²) situated on the opposite sideof the Kangerdlugssuaq fjord from the Skaergaard Intrusion.It was emplaced in a continental margin ophiolite setting duringearly Tertiary rifting of the North Atlantic. Gabbroic cumulates, covering a total stratigraphic thicknessof >5 km, have a typical four-phase tholeiitic cumulus mineralogy:plagioclase, clinopyroxene, olivine, and Fe–Ti oxides.The cryptic variation is restricted (plagioclase An_81–51,olivine Fo_85–66, clinopyroxene Wo_43–41 En_46–37Fs_20–11) and there are several reversals in mineral chemistry.Crystallization took place in a low-pressure, continuously fractionatingmagma chamber system which was periodically replenished andtapped. Fine-grained (0•2–0•4 mm) equigranular, thin(0•5–3 m), laterally continuous basaltic zones occurwithin an {small tilde}1000 m thick layered sequence in theTaco Point area. Twelve such zones define the bases of individualmacrorhythmic units with an average thickness of {small tilde}80m. The fine-grained basaltic zones grade upwards, over a fewmetres, into medium-grained (>1 mm) poikilitic, olivine gabbrowith smallscale modal layering. Each fine-grained basaltic zoneis interpreted as an intraplutonic quench zone in which magmachilled against the underlying layered gabbros during influxalong the chamber floor. Supercooling by {small tilde}50C isbelieved to have caused nucleation of plagioclase, olivine,and clinopyroxene in the quench zone. The nucleation rate isbelieved to have been enhanced as the result of in situ crystallizationin a continuously flowing magma. The transition to the overlyingpoikilitic olivine gabbro reflects a decreasing degree of supercooling. Compositional variation in the Taco Point sequence is typicalfor an open magma chamber system: olivine (Fo_{77–68 5})and plagioclase cores (An_80–72) show a zig-zag crypticvariation pattern with no overall systematic trend. Olivinehas the most primitive compositions in the quench zones andmore evolved compositions in the olivine gabbro; plagioclasecores show the opposite trend. Although plagioclase cores arebelieved to retain their original compositions, olivines re-equilibratedby reaction with trapped liquid. Some plagioclase cores containrelatively sodic patches which retain quench compositions. Whole-rock compositions of nine different quench zones varyover a range from 10 to 18% MgO although the mg-number remainsconstant at {small tilde}0•78. The average composition(47•7% SiO₂, 13•3%MgO, 1•57% Na₂O+K₂O) is takenas a best estimate of the parental magma composition, and isequivalent to a high-magnesian olivine tholeiite. The compositionalvariation of the quench zones is believed to reflect burstsof nucleation and growth of olivine and plagioclase during quenching. Magma emplacement is believed to have taken place by separatetranquil influxes which flowed along the interface between alargely consolidated cumulus pile and the residual magma. Theresident magma was elevated with little or no mixing. At certainlevels in the layered sequence the magma drained back into thefeeder system; such a mechanism is referred to as a surge-typemagma chamber system.