Geochemical morphology of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 10°–24°N: Trace element-isotope complementarity

The new data presented here from a 10–24°N segment of the North Mid-Atlantic Ridge show that this segment is the most depleted of the 10–70°N ridge section. They also show the existence of: (1) a geochemical gradient from the 14°N anomaly to 17°10′N; (2) a very depleted mantle source (the lowest Sr isotopic ratios found so far in the North Atlantic); and (3) a geochemical limit located at about 17°10′N without any obvious relation with any structural feature. The 15°20′N fracture zone does not show any relationship with respect to this gradient. The basalts located north of 17°10′N have very homogeneous features, which allow their characteristics to be averaged (i.e., ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0.70238 ± 0.00004, (Nb/Zr)_N = 0.28 ± 0.1) and they are defined as normal mid-ocean ridge basalts. The basaltic glasses located south of 17°10′N present a wide spectrum of isotopic compositions and extended rare earth element patterns (from depleted to enriched). Despite this, they have a constant K/Nb of 233 ± 9 (1s_M, n = 18) whereas this ratio is 344 ± 29 north of 17°10′N. These observations illustrate the strong coherence of behaviour between K and Nb (Ta) during the petrogenic processes involved in the generation of these mid-ocean ridge basalts and also their fractionation during previous mantle processes. Possible interpretations of mixing processes are discussed and sources at the ridge segment scale are favoured. However, when looking in detail, local heterogeneities are still common and can even be traced back off-axis to 115 my.

Placed in the context of the North Atlantic Ridge from 10° to 70°N, the Sr isotopic ratios reveal the Azores superstructure (23–50°N), whereas the trace element ratios (La/Sm-Nb/Zr) trace the second-order structures (33–40°N, 42–48°N) superimposed on the superstructure. This study illustrates the complementarity of information given by certain well chosen trace element ratios on the one hand and by isotopic ratios on the other. Since there is evidence of decoupling between isotopic ratios and/or trace element ratios, it introduces the notion of complementary “chemical memory” as recorded by a given type of trace element ratio or a given type of isotopic ratio     

Fine-scale isotopic variation in Mariana Trough basalts: evidence for heterogeneity and a recycled component in backarc basin mantle

Fine-scale sampling with alvin and by dredging of the axial ridge in the Mariana Trough between 17°40′N and 18°30°N recovered basalts with isotopic compositions that span the range between N-type MORB and Mariana island arc basalts. There is a local tectonic-morphological control on basalt compositions; MORB-like basalts are found on the deeper ridge segment bounded by the Pagan transform and the ridge offset at 17°56′N, while basalts from the shallower ridge to the north are typical Mariana Trough basalts (MTB) having compositions intermediate between the two endmember rock types. Arc-like basalts were recovered from one site on the axial ridge.The discovery of basalts with such diverse isotopic characteristics from a short (100 km) section of this backarc spreading center constrains the chemical characteristics and distribution of mantle source variability in the Mariana Trough. SrNdPb isotopic variability suggests that the MTB source is heterogeneous on the scale of individual melt batches. The principal component in the MTB mantle source region is depleted peridotite similar to the source of MORB. The enriched component, most evident in the arc-like basalts and intimately mixed in MTB, has isotopic characteristics similar to those observed in the Mariana arc basalts. The isotopic data suggest that source variability for Mariana axial ridge basalts can be explained by mixed arc-like and MORB-like mantle. We hypothesize that there are fragments of old oceanic lithosphere in the backarc source region. This lithospheric component may reflect remnants of subducted seafloor or forearc-volcanic arc mantle that predate rifting in the backarc basin.     

U&z.sbnd;Th isotopic systematics at 13°N east Pacific Ridge segment

Fresh basaltic glasses have been analyzed for U&z.sbnd;Th disequilibrium systematics as part of an extensive study on the East Pacific Rise (EPR) at 12°45′N. These samples are well described in terms of major and trace elements as well as in Nd, Pb and Sr isotopes. Our results show significant heterogeneities in the mantle source at a small scale, and show heterogeneities at larger scales also when compared to other EPR data.U and Th concentration and isotopic data rule out fractional crystallization as a main process and support a mixing model in agreement with the marble cake model developed by Alle`gre and Turcotte and constrained by trace elements and Nd, Sr and Pb isotopes on the same samples by Prinzhofer et al.Based on the high ( ²³⁰Th/²³²Th ) isotopic ratios on recent tholeiites especially the Th/U values inferred for their sources clearly show that the upper mantle Th/U has decreased with time.     

Mariana Trough basalts (MTB): trace element and SrNd isotopic evidence for mixing between MORB-like and Arc-like melts

Mariana Trough basalt (MTB) glasses from zones of of active seafloor volcanism have incompatible trace element compositions which are intermediate between normal MORB and basaltic rocks from the active northern Mariana Island Arc (MIAB). The chemical variation is observed in trace elemental abundances and ratios such as LIL/LIL and LIL/HFS. MTB glasses with high LIL/HFS and Ba/Sm ratios, and low K/Rb, K/Ba, and Sm/Nd ratios have more enriched Sr and Nd isotopic compositions.Comparison of the SrNd isotopic compositions of MTB and MIAB suggests that the source region within the mantle wedge is heterogeneous. The diverse trace element and isotopic compositions of MTB glasses both within and between dredge sites near 18°N imply small-scale source heterogeneity. Correlation between Sm/Nd and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd of the MTB glasses is interpreted as due to recent binary mixing, rather than closed system evolution of a common homogeneous source. Mixing of melts at or near the source region between a mantle component with long-term LREE and LIL element depletion (MORB-like) and a relatively enriched component with lower integrated¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (Arc-like) is suggested by trends of the MTB data on ratio-ratio, ratio-element and element-element plots.     

Enriched back-arc basin basalts from the northern Mariana Trough: implications for the magmatic evolution of back-arc basins

The composition of basalts erupted at the earliest stages in the evolution of a back-arc basin permit unique insights into the composition and structure of the sub-arc mantle. We report major and trace element chemical data and O-, Sr-, Nd-, and Pb- isotopic analyses for basalts recovered from four dredge hauls and one ALVIN dive in the northern Mariana Trough near 22°N. The petrography and major element chemistry of these basalts (MTB-22) are similar to tholeiites from the widest part of the Trough, near 18°N (MTB-18), except that MTB-22 have slightly more K₂O and slightly less TiO₂. The trace element data exhibit a very strong arc signature in MTB-22, including elevated K, Rb, Sr, Ba, and LREE contents; relatively lowK/Ba and highBa/La andSr/Nd. The Sr- and Nd- isotopic data plot in a field displaced from that of MTB-18 towards Mariana arc lavas, and the Pb-isotopic composition of MTB-22 is indistinguishable from Mariana arc lavas and much more homogeneous than MTB-18. Mixing of 50–90% Mariana arc component with a MORB component is hypothesized. We cannot determine whether this resulted from physical mixing of arc mantle and MORB mantle, or whether the arc component is introduced by metasomatism of MORB-like mantle by fluids released from the subducted lithosphere. The strong arc signature in back-arc melts from the Mariana Trough at 22°N, where the back-arc basin is narrow, supports general models for back-arc basin evolution whereby early back-arc basin basalts have a strong arc component which diminishes in importance relative to MORB as the back-arc basin widens.     

The origin of ocean island basalt end-member compositions: trace element and isotopic constraints

Ocean island basalt (OIB) suites display a wide diversity of major element, trace element, and isotopic compositions. The incompatible trace element and isotopic ratios of OIB reflect considerable heterogeneity in the mantle source regions. In addition to the distinctive Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic signatures of the HIMU, EMI and EMII OIB end-members, differences in incompatible trace element ratios among these end-members are of great help in identifying the nature and origin of their sources. Examination of trace element and isotopic constraints for the three OIB end-members suggests a relatively simple model for their origin. The dominant component in all OIB is ancient recycled basaltic oceanic crust which has been processed through a subduction zone, and which carries the trace element and isotopic signature of a dehydration residue (enrichment in HFSE relative to LILE and LREE, low Rb/Sr, but high U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios leading to the development of radiogenic Pb isotope compositions). HIMU OIB are derived from such a source, with little contamination from other components. Both the EMI and EMII OIB end-members are also dominantly derived from this source, but they contain significant proportions (up to 5–10%) of sedimentary components derived from the continental crust. In the case of EMI OIB, ancient pelagic sediment with high LILE/HFSE, LREE/HFSE, Ba/Th and Ba/La ratios, and low U/Pb ratios, is the contaminant. EMII OIB are also contaminated by a sedimentary component, in the form of ancient terrigenous sediment with high LILE/HFSE and LREE/HFSE ratios, but lacking relative Ba enrichment, and with higher U/Pb and Rb/Sr ratios. A model whereby the source for all OIB is ancient (1–2 Ga old) subducted oceanic crust ± entrained sediment (pelagic and/or terrigenous) is therefore consistent with the trace element and isotopic data. Although subducted oceanic lithosphere will accumulate and be dominantly concentrated within the mesosphere boundary layer, forming the source for hot-spots, such material may also become convectively dispersed within the depleted upper mantle as blobs or streaks, giving rise to small-scale chemical heterogeneities in the upper mantle.     

Correlated Nd,Sr and Pb isotope variation in Walvis Ridge basalts and implications for the evolution of their mantle source

Basement intersected in DSDP holes 525A, 528 and 527 on the Walvis Ridge consists of submarine basalt flows and pillows with minor intercalated sediments. These holes are situated on the crest and mid and lower northwest flank of a NNW-SSE-trending ridge block which would have closely paralleled the paleo mid-ocean ridge [13, 14]. The basalts were erupted approximately 70 m.y. ago, an age equivalent to that of immediately adjacent oceanic crust in the Angola Basin and consistent with formation at the paleo mid-ocean ridge [14]. The basalt types vary from aphyric quartz tholeiites on the ridge crest to highly plagioclase phyric olivine tholeiites on the ridge flank. These show systematic differences in incompatible trace element and isotopic composition. Many element and isotope ratio pairs form systematic trends with the ridge crest basalts at one end and the highly phyric ridge flank basalts at the other.The low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.51238), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (17.54), ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.47), ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (38.14) and high⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70512) ratios of the ridge crest basalts suggest derivation from an old Nd/Sm-, Rb/Sr- and Pb/U-enriched mantle source. This isotopic signature is similar to that of alkaline basalts on Tristan de Cunha but offset to significantly lower Nd and Pb isotopic ratios. The isotopic ratio trends may be extrapolated beyond the ridge flank basalts with higher¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.51270), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.32), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.52), ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (38.77) and lower ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70417) ratios in the direction of increasingly Nd/Sm-, Rb/Sr- and Pb/U-depleted source compositions. These isotopic correlations are equally consistent with mixing od depleted and enriched end member melts or partial melting of an inhomogenous, variably enriched mantle source. However, observe ZrBaNbY interelement relationships are inconsistent with any simple two-component model of magma mixing, as might result from the rise of a lower mantle plume through the upper mantle. Incompatible element and Pb isotopic systematics also preclude extensive involvement of depleted (N-type) MORB material or its mantle sources. In our preferred petrogenetic model the Walvis Ridge basalts were derived by partial melting of mantle similar to an enriched (E-type) MORB source which had become heterogeneous on a small scale due to the introduction of small-volume melts and metasomatic fluids.     

Slab melt as metasomatic agent in island arc magma mantle sources, Negros and Batan (Philippines)

Abstract Two new cases of association of adakites with ‘normal’ island arc lavas and transitional adakites are recognized in the islands of Batan and Negros in northern and central Philippines, respectively. The Batan lavas are related to the subduction of the middle Miocene portion of the South China Sea basin along the Manila trench; those of Negros come from the almost aseismic subduction of the middle Miocene Sulu Sea crust along the Negros trench. The occurrence of the Batan adakites is consistent with previous findings showing adakitic glass inclusions within minerals of mantle xenoliths associated with Batan arc lavas. The similarity of adakite ages (1.09 Ma) and that of the metasomatized xenoliths (1 Ma) suggests that both are linked to the same slab‐melting and metasomatic event. Earlier Sr, Pb and Nd‐isotopic studies, however, also reveal the presence of an important sediment contribution to the Batan lava geochemistry. Thus, the role played by slab melts, assumed to have mid‐ocean ridge basalts‐like (MORB) isotopic characteristics, in enriching the Batan subarc mantle is largely masked by the sediment input. The Negros adakites are present only in Mount Cuernos, the volcanic center nearest to the Negros trench. Batch partial melting calculations show that the Negros adakites could be derived from a garnet amphibolitic source with normal‐MORB (N‐MORB) geochemistry. This is supported by the MORB‐like isotopic characteristics of the Mount Cuernos lavas. The volcanic rocks from the other volcanoes consist of normal arc and transitional adakitic lavas that have slightly higher Sr‐ and Pb‐isotopic ratios, probably due to slight sediment input. Mixing of adakites and normal arc lavas to produce transitional adakites is only partly supported by trace element geochemistry and not by field evidence. The transitional adakites can be modeled as partial melts of an adakite‐enriched mantle. Trace element enrichment of non‐adakitic lavas could reflect the interaction of their mantle source with uprising slab melts, as metasomatic mantle minerals scavenge certain trace elements from the adakitic fluids. Therefore, in arcs beneath which thick (up to 2 km) continent‐derived detrital sediments are involved in subduction, like in Batan, the sediment signature can overwhelm the slab melt input. In arcs like Negros where slow subduction could cause a more efficient scraping of thinner (approximately 1 km) detrital sediments, the contribution of slab melts is easier to detect.     

Structural changes in trend parameters of the MLT winds based on wind measurements at Obninsk (55°N, 37°E) and Collm (52°N, 15°E)

Recent analysis of the long-term behavior of different geophysical data has demonstrated that trend parameters can change during a period of observation. Sophisticated general methods for an objective analysis of structural changes in linear trends have been developed during the last 10 years. Such methods are applied for an analysis of changes in trend parameters of the mesosphere/lower thermosphere wind observed over Obninsk (55°N, 37°E) from 1964 to 2007 and Collm (52°N, 15°E) from 1979 to 2008, respectively. We found that trend models with breakpoints are generally preferred against straight lines. At Obninsk, there are break-years in trends of the winter prevailing winds close to 1977, when a climatic regime shift was observed. The break-years in trends of the semidiurnal tides for both stations are close to years of possible changes in stratospheric ozone. Correlations of the Obninsk and Collm winds with atmospheric indices are also considered.     

Hydrothermal vent waters at 13°N on the East Pacific Rise: isotopic composition and gas concentration

Gas concentrations and isotopic compositions of water have been measured in hydrothermal waters from 13°N on the East Pacific Rise. In the most Mg-depleted samples ( 5 × 10⁻³ moles/kg) the gas concentrations are: 3–4.5 × 10⁻⁵ cm³ STP/kg helium, 0.62–1.24 cm³ STP/kg CH₄, 10.80–16.71 × 10⁻³ moles/kg CO₂. The samples contain large quantities (95–126 cm³/kg) of H₂ and some carbon monoxide (0.26–0.36 cm³/kg) which result from reaction with the titanium sampling bottles. δ¹³C in methane and CO₂ (−16.6 to −19.5 and −4.1 to −5.5 respectively) indicate temperatures between 475 and 550°C, whereas δ¹³C_CO is compatible with formation by reduction of CO₂ on Ti at 350°C close to the sampling temperature.³He/⁴He are very homogeneous at (7.5 ± 0.1)R_A(³He/⁴He = 1.0 × 10⁻⁵) and very similar to already published data as well as CH₄/³He ratios between 1.4 and 2.1 × 10⁶.¹⁸O and D in water show enrichments from 0.39 to 0.69‰ and from 0.62 to 1.49‰ respectively. These values correspond to W/R ratios of 0.4–7. The distinct¹⁸O enrichments indicate that the isotopic composition of the oceans is not completely buffered by the hydrothermal circulations. The³He-enthalpy relationship is discussed in terms of both hydrothermal heat flux and³He mantle flux.     

Anomalously nucleogenic neon in North Chile Ridge basalt glasses suggesting a previously degassed mantle source

Fresh basalt glasses from the North Chile Ridge (NCR) in the southeastern Pacific have Ne isotopic compositions distinctly different from typical mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). In a three-isotope plot of ²⁰Ne/²²Ne vs. ²¹Ne/²²Ne, the NCR data define a correlation line with a slope smaller than that of the MORB correlation line, i.e. their Ne composition is more nucleogenic than that of MORB. ³He/⁴He ratios are slightly lower than the MORB average, whereas in a few stepwise heating fractions very high ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios up to 28,000 are found. One model to explain the data assumes contamination of the NCR mantle source by material from the continental or oceanic crust, but in addition to difficulties with quantitatively reconciling the noble gas patterns with such a model it seems unable to account for some geochemical characteristics of NCR basalts reported earlier [Bach et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 142 (1996) 223–240], such as depletions in highly incompatible elements and unradiogenic Sr isotope compositions. Therefore we favor the scenario of a mantle source which was depleted and degassed previously, possibly as a residue from mantle melting beneath the southern East Pacific Rise that was transported to the NCR and melted again. The time during which such a depleted reservoir would have to be separated from the MORB mantle is estimated at 10–100 Ma based on U/Th–Ne systematics, in reasonable agreement with the time scale deduced from the formation history of the NCR and the temporal evolution of the southeast Pacific.     

Mid-ocean ridge popping rocks: implications for degassing at ridge crests

The vesicle size distribution (VSD) and rare gas abundances in popping rocks from 14°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provide constraints on the behavior of volatiles during ridge crest volcanism. These popping rocks, which contain 16–18 volume percent vesicles, are rare mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) magmas which appear to have retained much of their volatile inventory. The logarithm of vesicle population density displays the same linear correlation with decreasing size in two of the samples studied. This implies that continuous and simultaneous nucleation and bubble growth have occurred during magma ascent, with no significant perturbations due to accumulation, coalescence or loss of bubbles. In contrast, most MORB magmas display low vesicularities and we suggest that they have suffered some degree of pre-eruptive vesicle loss. We tentatively propose that large vesicles are produced by coalescence when MORB melt is at rest in chambers and conduits, and may be lost during early gas-rich episodes. Most MORB would represent residual liquids which erupt after vesicle loss has occurred, whereas popping rocks would represent a rare case where physical sorting of vesicles from melt did not occur, because storage in a magma chamber did not occur.The rare gas concentrations in the studied popping rocks are the highest yet measured in glassy ridge basalts ([He] > 50 μccSTP/g). The rare gas abundance pattern of these popping rocks probably resembles the pattern for non-vesiculated MORB magma and potentially reflects that of the depleted mantle source. This pattern is similar to the “mean MORB” pattern (computed from MORB glasses with⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar > 10,000) although a higher enrichment in He (and possibly Ne) compared to the heavier rare gases is observed in MORB. The overall similarity in abundance patterns for MORB and popping rocks indicates that vesiculation and vesicle loss do not fractionate the ArKrXe relative abundances from those in non-vesiculated magma, and that the modern flux ratios of these gases at ridges are similar to their elemental ratios in the depleted mantle. The degassing flux of He at ridge crests estimated from the MORB He deficit relative to popping rocks is comparable to the flux derived from the³He budget for the abyssal ocean. This suggests that degassing at ridges may be strongly influenced by the dynamics and style of submarine volcanism.     

143Nd/144Nd,87Sr/86Sr and trace element constraints on the petrogenesis of Aleutian island arc magmas

¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd,⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and trace element results are reported for volcanic and plutonic rocks of the Aleutian island arc. The Nd and Sr isotopic compositions plot within the mantle array with ε_Nd values of from 6.5 to 9.1 and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of from 0.70289 to 0.70342. Basalts have mildly enriched light REE abundances but essentially unfractionated heavy REE abundances, while andesites exhibit a greater degree of light to heavy REE fractionation. Both the basalts and andesites have significant large ion lithophile element to light rare earth element (LILE/LREE) enrichments. Variations in the isotopic compositions of Nd and Sr are not related to the spatial distribution of volcanoes in the arc, nor are they related to temporal differences. ε_Nd and⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr do not correlate with major element compositions but do, however, correlate with certain LILE/LREE ratios (e.g. Ba_N/La_N). Plutonic rocks have isotropic and trace element characteristics identical to some of the volcanic rocks. Rocks that make up the tholeiitic, calc-alkaline and alkaline series in the Aleutians do not come from isotopically distinct sources, but do exhibit some differing LILE characteristics.Given these elemental and isotopic constraints it is shown that the Aleutian arc magmas could not have been derived directly from homogeneous MORB-type mantle, or fresh or altered MORB subducted beneath the arc. Mixtures of partially altered MORB with deep-sea sediment can in principle account for the isotopic characteristics and most of the observed LILE/LREE enrichments. However, some samples have exceedingly high LILE/LREE enrichments which cannot be accounted for by sediment contamination alone. For these samples a more complex scenario is considered whereby dehydration and partial melting of the subducted slab, containing less than 8% sediment, produces a LILE-enriched (relative to REE) metasomatic fluid which interacts with the overlying depleted mantle wedge. The isotopic and LILE characteristics of the mantle are extremely sensitive to metasomatism by small percentages of added fluid, whereas major elements are not substantially effected, Major element compositions of Aleutian magmas are dominantly controlled by the partial melting of this mantle and subsequent crystal fractionation; whereas isotopic and LILE characteristics are determined by localized mantle heterogeneities.     

Isotope and trace element geochemistry of MORB from the Nansen-Gakkel ridge at 86° north

The geochemistry of mid-oceanic ridge basalts from 86°N (Arctic Ocean) provides, for the first time, an insight into the composition of the mantle around the North Pole. Our data show the source region of the Arctic basalts to possess traces of an enrichment similar to the DUPAL signature. This is remarkable since up to now the DUPAL signature has been believed to be present only in Indian but not in Atlantic or Pacific MORB. These results also argue against a model of whole-mantle convection, in which upwelling of enriched material at the equator is balanced by downwelling of depleted material at the poles.     

Nitrogen isotope geochemistry of basaltic glasses: implications for mantle degassing and structure?

The nitrogen isotope geochemistry of 15 basaltic glasses has been investigated using stepped heating and high sensitivity static vacuum mass spectrometry. At low temperature (< 600°C) the glasses release small amounts of nitrogen with δ¹⁵N_AIR, averaging −0.3‰, suggesting surficial adsorption of atmospheric nitrogen. At high temperature, usually with a maximum at 1000°C, indigenous nitrogen with a concentration ranging from 0.2 to 2.1 ppm is released. The δ¹⁵N values of this high temperature release show a wide range from −4.5‰ to +15.5‰. There is no correlation between N ppm and δ¹⁵N, and the samples apparently form 3 groups with distinctive δ¹⁵N. Six MORB glasses from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, East Pacific Rise and Juan de Fuca Ridge define a group with δ¹⁵N = +7.5 ± 1.3‰. In contrast two Indian Ocean MORB glasses (Carlsberg Ridge and Gulf of Aden) gave negative δ¹⁵N averaging −3.2‰. Glasses from Loihi Seamount have high δ¹⁵N averaging +14.0 ± 1.0‰. Comparison of the δ¹⁵N data with the mantle models derived from helium and argon isotope studies suggests that the wide range in δ¹⁵N may reflect in part heterogeneities in the mantle related to its degassing history. It is possible, however, that magmatic degassing processes have also affected nitrogen isotopic compositions, and the data cannot yet be unambiguously interpreted in terms of source variations.     

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 29°N and 31°30′N in the last 10 Ma

The segmentation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 29°N and 31°30′ N during the last 10 Ma was studied. Within our survey area the spreading center is segmented at a scale of 25–100 km by non-transform discontinuities and by the 70 km offset Atlantis Transform. The morphology of the spreading center differs north and south of the Atlantis Transform. The spreading axis between 30°30′N and 31°30′N consists of enéchelon volcanic ridges, located within a rift valley with a regional trend of 040°. South of the transform, the spreading center is associated with a well-defined rift valley trending 015°. Magnetic anomalies and the bathymetric traces left by non-transform discontinuities on the flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provide a record of the evolution of this slow-spreading center over the last 10 Ma. Migration of non-transform offsets was predominantly to the south, except perhaps in the last 2 Ma. The discontinuity traces and the pattern of crustal thickness variations calculated from gravity data suggest that focused mantle upwelling has been maintained for at least 10 Ma south of 30°30′ N. In contrast, north of 30°30′N, the present segmentation configuration and the mantle upwelling centers inferred from gravity data appear to have been established more recently. The orientation of the bathymetric traces suggests that the migration of non-transform offsets is not controlled by the motion of the ridge axis with respect to the mantle. The evolution of the spreading center and the pattern of segmentation is influenced by relative plate motion changes, and by local processes, perhaps related to the amount of melt delivered to spreading segments. Relative plate motion changes over the last 10 Ma in our survey area have included a decrease in spreading rate from 32 mm a⁻¹ to 24 mm a⁻¹, as well as a clockwise change in spreading direction of 13° between anomalies 5 and 4, followed by a counterclockwise change of 4° between anomaly 4 and the present. Interpretation of magnetic anomalies indicates that there are significant variations in spreading asymmetry and rate within and between segments for a given anomaly time. These differences, as well as variations in crustal thickness inferred from gravity data on the flanks of spreading segments, indicate that magmatic and tectonic activity are, in general, not coordinated between adjacent spreading segments.     

Isotope and trace element geochemistry of young Pacific seamounts: implications for the scale of upper mantle heterogeneity

Basalts from young seamounts situated within 6.8 m.y. of the East Pacific Rise, between 9° and 14°N latitude, display significant variations in ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.51295–0.51321), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7025–0.7031), and(La/Sm)_N (0.415–3.270). Nd and Sr isotope ratios are anti-correlated and form a trend roughly parallel to the “mantle array” on a¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd vs.⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr variation diagram. Nd and Sr isotope ratios display negative and positive correlations, respectively, with(La/Sm)_N. The geochemical variations observed at the seamounts are nearly as great or greater than those observed over several hundred kilometers of the Reykjanes Ridge, or at the islands of Iceland or Hawaii.

Samples from one particular seamount, Seamount 6, display nearly the entire observed range of chemical variations, offering an ideal opportunity to constrain the nature of heterogeneities in the source mantle. Systematics indicative of magma mixing are recognized when major elements, trace elements, trace element ratios, and isotope ratios are compared with each other in all possible permutations. The source materials required to produce the end-member magmas are: (1) a typical MORB-source-depleted peridotite; and (2) a relatively enriched material which may represent ancient mantle segregations of basaltic melt, incompletely mixed remnants of subducted ocean crust, or metasomatized peridotite such as that found at St. Paul's Rocks or Zabargad Island. Due to the proximity of the seamounts to the East Pacific Rise (EPR), the source materials are thought to comprise an intimate mixture in the mantle immediately underlying the seamounts and the adjacent EPR. Lavas erupted at the ridge axis display a small range of isotopic and incompatible trace element compositions because the large degrees of melting and presence of magma chambers tend to average the chemical characteristics of large volumes of mantle.

If the postulated mantle materials, with large magnitude, small-scale heterogeneities, are ubiquitous in the upper mantle, chemical variations in basalts ranging from MOR tholeiites to island alkali basalts may reflect sampling differences rather than changes in bulk mantle chemistry.     

Lau Basin basalts (LBB): trace element and SrNd isotopic evidence for heterogeneity in backarc basin mantle

Diverse⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd isotopic compositions among basalts from the Lau Basin (LBB), an active backarc basin in the southwest Pacific, indicate heterogeneity in the underlying mantle. Isotopic compositions display bimodal distributions which are related to geographic location. Type I LBB (⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶Sr 0.70366;¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0.51297) include tholeiites from the central basin, Peggy Ridge, and Rochambeau Bank, while Type II basaltic and andesitic glasses from the northeastern portion of the basin, near Niua Fo'ou island, have higher⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ( 0.7038) and lower ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ( 0.51288). Both depleted (e.g. N-MORB) and enriched (e.g. E-MORB) trace element abundances occur among Type I and Type II LBB.Covariation between trace element and isotopic ratios among Type I LBB is consistent with mixing between depleted mantle similar to the source for MORB and relatively enriched peridotite similar to the source for E-MORB. Relative to MORB, uniformly high⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ( +0.0005) among all Type I LBB for given Nd isotopic compositions ( ε_Nd = +8 to +12) may reflect a lithospheric component, such as ancient recycled altered ocean crust. Type II LBB have SrNd isotopic compositions which are gradational between enriched mantle similar to the source of OIB and a component with distinct Sr isotopic composition such as that observed in Samoan post-erosional basalts. Isotopic and geographic discontinuity between Type I and Type II LBB, and isotopic affinity of Type II and Niua Fo`ou island basalts with those from Samoa suggests that volcanism in the northeastern portion of the basin is tapping deeper mantle beneath the adjoining Pacific plate, as well as Indo-Australian mantle overlying the Pacific lithosphere that is subducted into the Tonga Trench.     

A hafnium isotope and trace element perspective on melting of the depleted mantle

New Hf isotope and trace element data on mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) from the Pacific Ocean basin are remarkably uniform (¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf≈0.28313–0.28326) and comparable to previously published data [Salters, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 141 (1996) 109–123; Patchett, Lithos 16 (1983) 47–51]. Atlantic MORB have ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ranging from 0.28302 to 0.28335 confirming the wide range originally identified by Patchett and Tatsumoto [Geophys. Res. Lett. 7 (1980) 1077–1080]. Indian MORB define an even wider range, from 0.28277 to 0.28337, but three exotic samples have very unradiogenic Hf isotope compositions. Their very low ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios, together with their trace element characteristics, require the presence of unusual plume-type material beneath the Indian ridge. All other Indian MORB have uniform Hf isotope compositions at about 0.2832, and define a small field displaced to the right of other MORB in Hf–Nd isotope space. The distinct nature of Indian MORB is best explained by the presence in Indian depleted mantle of old recycled oceanic crust and pelagic sediments. Sm/Hf ratios calculated from new high-precision rare earth element and Hf trace element data do not vary in MORB in the same way as in ocean island basalts (OIB): ratios are constant in OIB, but decrease with increasing Sm contents in MORB. The constancy of Sm/Hf in OIB is probably due to an overwhelming influence of residual garnet during melting. By contrast, the decrease of Sm/Hf in MORB is due to the effect of clinopyroxene in the residue of melting beneath ridges, an interpretation confirmed by quantitative modeling of melting. The relationship between Sm/Nd and Lu/Hf ratios in MORB does not require the presence of garnet in the residual mineralogy. The decoupling of Lu/Hf ratios and Hf isotope compositions – the so-called Hf paradox [Salters and Hart, EOS Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 70 (1989) 510] – can be explained by melting dominantly in the spinel field at shallow depths beneath mid-ocean ridges.     

Chemical heterogeneity of the Archaean mantle,composition of the earth and mantle evolution

New rare earth element (REE) data for Archaean basalts and spinifex-textured peridotites (STP) show a range of La/Sm ratios (chondrite-normalized) from 0.36 to 3.5, with the bulk of the data in the range 0.7–1.3. This supports the hypothesis, based on Sr isotope initial ratios, that the Archaean mantle was chemically heterogeneous. We suggest that the bulk mantle source for Archaean basaltic magmas was close to an undepleted earth material. An average chemical composition of the Archaean mantle is estimated using chemical regularities observed in Archaean STP and high-magnesian basalts. TiO₂ and MgO data show an inverse correlation which intersects the MgO axis at about 50% MgO (Fo₉₂). TiO₂ abundance in the mantle source is measured on this plot by assigning anMgO= 38% for the mantle. Concentrations of other elements are also estimated and these data are then used to obtain a composition for the bulk earth. We suggest an earth model with about 1.35 times ordinary chondrite abundances of refractory lithophile elements and about 0.2 times carbonaceous type 1 chondrite abundances of moderately volatile elements (such as Na, Rb, K, Mn). P shows severe depletion in the model earth relative to carbonaceous chondrites, a feature either due to volatilization or core formation (preferred). Our data support the hypothesis of Ringwood that the source material for the earth is a carbonaceous chondrite-like material.The generation of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) is examined in the light of the model earth composition and Al₂O₃/TiO₂, CaO/TiO₂ ratios. It is suggested that for primitive basalts, these values can be used to predict the residual phases in their source. Comparison of chemical characteristics of inferred sources for 2.7-b.y. Archaean basalts and modern “normal” MORB indicates that the MORB source is severely depleted in highly incompatible elements such as Cs, Ba, Rb, U, Th, K, La and Nb, but has comparable abundances of less incompatible elements such as Ti, Zr, Y, Yb. The cause of the depletion in the MORB source is examined in terms of crust formation and extraction of silica-undersaturated melts. The latter seems to be a more likely explanation, since the degree of enrichment of highly incompatible elements in the crust only accounts for up to 40% of their abundances in the bulk earth and cannot match the depletion pattern in normal MORB. A large volume of material, less depleted than the source for normal MORB must therefore exist in the mantle and can serve as the source for the ocean island basalts and “normal” MORB.Three different mantle evolution models are examined and each suggests that the mantle is stratified with respect to abundances of incompatible trace elements. We suggest that no satisfactory model is available to fully explain the spectrum of geochemical and geophysical data. In particular the Pb and Sr isotope data on oceanic basalts, the depletion patterns of MORB and the balance between lithophile abundances in the crust and mantle, are important geochemical constraints to mantle models. Further modelling of the mantle evolution will be dependent on firmer information on the role of subduction, mantle convection pattern, and basalt production through geologic time together with a better understanding of the nature of Archaean crustal genesis.