Crustal Contamination of Picritic Magmas During Transport Through Dikes: the Expo Intrusive Suite, Cape Smith Fold Belt, New Quebec

The Proterozoic Expo Intrusive Suite comprises a series of maficto ultramafic intrusions crosscutting the Povungnituk Groupof the Cape Smith Fold Belt in New Quebec. The intrusions aremainly in the form of blade-shaped dikes that penetrate a sediment-richhorizon in the middle of the Beauparlant Formation and terminatedownward against massive basalts of the lower Beauparlant Formation.Significant accumulations of magmatic sulfide occur at the basalterminations of the dikes. At stratigraphic levels above theBeauparlant Formation the intrusions appear as broad dikes orsills within the Nuvilik Formation, below the mineralized lavaflows and subvolcanic intrusions of the Raglan Formation. TheExpo Intrusive Suite and the mineralized bodies of the RaglanFormation are probably coeval and comagmatic with the overlyingChukotat Group. Post-emplacement folding has exposed the ExpoIntrusive Suite over about 5 km of structural relief, revealingthe basal sulfide concentrations where dike segments terminateon the flanks of anticlines. The parent magma as preserved inchilled margins and narrow dikes was a picrite containing 17wt % MgO (i.e. komatiitic basalt) and slightly depleted in Th,U and Nb relative to middle and heavy rare earth elements. Thecompositions of ultramafic cumulate rocks within the intrusionsare strongly enriched in Th, U and Nb relative to heavy rareearth elements, reflecting assimilation of the enclosing basaltsand metasediments. Modeling of the assimilation process suggeststhat the picritic magma was capable of assimilating masses ofbasalt or sediment up to 50% of the original mass of magma.Assimilation of 10% of a mixture of basalt and sediment causedthe magma to become sulfide-saturated, and was accompanied bythe crystallization of masses of ultramafic cumulates approximatelyequal to the mass of rock assimilated. The presence of dikeswhose chilled margins resemble uncontaminated primary magmasbut that contain abundant cumulates recording wholesale assimilationof host-rocks indicates that the process of assimilation andfractional crystallization required to produce continental tholeiitesfrom picritic parent magmas may not require the presence oflong-lived magma chambers, but can occur during transport alongdikes and reaction with wall-rocks. KEY WORDS: komatiite; Expo Intrusive Suite; assimilation; fractional crystallization; sulfide mineralization     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of silicate dyke rocks associated with carbonatites from the Khibina complex (Kola, Russia) – isotope constraints on genesis and small-scale mantle sources

Summary The eastern part of the agpaitic Khibina complex is characterized by the occurrence of dykes of various alkali silicate rocks and carbonatites. Of these, picrite, monchiquite, nephelinite and phonolite have been studied here. Whole rock and mineral geochemical data indicate that monchiquites evolved from a picritic primary magma by olivine+ magnetite fractionation and subsequent steps involving magma mixing at crustal levels. None of these processes or assimilation/magma mixing of wall rocks or other plutonic rocks within the complex can entirely explain the geochemical and Nd–Sr-isotopic characteristics of the monchiquites (i.e. a covariant alignment between (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₃₇₀=0.70367, (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)₃₇₀=0.51237 and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₃₇₀=0.70400, (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd)₃₇₀=0.51225 representing the end points of the array). This signature points to isotopic heterogeneities of the mantle source of the dyke-producing magma. The four mantle components (i.e. depleted mantle, lower mantle plume component, EMI-like component and EMII-like component) must occur in different proportions on a small scale in order to explain the isotopic variations of the dyke rocks. The EMII-like component might be incorporated into the source area of the primary magma by carbonatitic fluids involving subducted crustal material. The most likely model to explain the small-scale isotopic heterogeneity is plume activity. The results of this study do not provide any support to a cogenetic origin (e.g. fractionation or liquid immiscibility) for carbonatite and monchiquite or other alkali-silicate dyke rocks occurring in spatial proximity. Instead, we propose that both, carbonatite and picrite/monchiquite, originated by low-degree partial melting of peridotite. Textural observations, mineralogical data, and C and O isotopic compositions suggest incorporation of calcite from carbonatite in monchiquite and the occurrence of late-stage carbothermal fluids.Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00710-003-0016-2     

Assimilation of the mafic‐ultramafic magma: a case study of diabase dyke at the Beidaihe,North China Craton

Assimilation serves as a significant part in magma's evolution. Because of rapid cooling of ultramafic‐mafic magma, assimilation between mantle‐derived magma and crustal rocks (wall‐rocks) is often neglected. The Beidaihe diabase dikes in North China Craton suggest that assimilation of the rapidly cooled mantle‐derived magma can not be ignored. The diabase dikes are very thin (0.5 to 2 m in width) and discordantly intrude into Ordovician limestone. Center of dyke is porphyritic texture while chilled margin of it is aphanitic texture, suggesting a rapid crystallization process. Moreover, limestone close to the dyke was transformed into marble because of contact‐thermal metamorphism. From the center to margin of the dykes, contents of SiO₂ (48.9→ 41.6 wt.%) and MgO (8.3 → 4.0 wt.%) are obviously decreased, but contents of CaO (6.4→8.3 wt.%) and CO₂ (0.8 → 5.2 wt.%) are distinctly increased. Meanwhile, calcites in the wall rocks adjacent to and far from the dykes are also greatly different. The calcites close to the dykes have high MgO and FeO contents but low CaO and CO₂ contents. All these suggest an assimilation process of the mantle‐derived magma with wall‐rock limestone. Calculating CO₂ contents in the dyke and wall rock suggest that the extent of assimilation is thought to reach up to 8 ‐ 12 %. Therefore, when the wall rocks of the mantle‐derived magma are carbonate rocks, its components are obviously influenced by assimilation, although it often rapidly chilled. Simultaneously, this study provides possible explanation for some mantle‐derived rocks in carbonate areas with high LOI.     

全球苦橄岩与太古宙科马提岩对比：全数据模式的启示

苦橄岩和科马提岩都是富镁的超镁铁质火山岩,早先,学术界大多关注它们之间的相似性,而对于它们之间的差异性很少强调。于是认为二者的地球化学性质近似,成因类似,形成条件类似。本文采用全数据模式的研究方法,从数据库收集了全球太古宙全部科马提岩和后太古宙全部苦橄岩数据,对比的结果表明,太古宙科马提岩与后太古宙苦橄岩完全不同,它们之间几乎没有可比性。科马提岩与苦橄岩,不仅地球化学特征不同,而且成因不同,形成条件不同,产出时代不同,源区组成也不同。这种不同,反映了太古宙和后太古宙不可能属于同样的构造体制。太古宙是火球时代, 地球异常的热, 主导的可能是静止盖幔构造（stagnant lid tectonics）;后太古宙是热球时代,地球相对冷了许多,主导的是板块构造（plate tectonics）。科马提岩在太古宙广泛出露,无需地幔柱模式;而苦橄岩在后太古宙很少出露,才真正需要地幔柱模式。     

Meimechites, porphyritic alkaline picrites, and melanephelinites of Siberia: Conditions of crystallization, parental magmas, and sources

The investigation of rocks, minerals, and melt inclusions showed that porphyritic alkaline picrites and meimechites crystallized from different parental magmas. At a similar ultrabasic composition, the alkaline picrite melts were enriched in K₂O relative to Na₂O, and contained up to 0.12–0.13 wt % F and less Cr, Ni, and H₂O (only 0.01–0.16 wt % H₂O, versus 0.6–1.6 wt % in the meimechite melts) compared with the meimechite magmas. The crystallization of alkaline picrite melts occurred under stable conditions at relatively low temperatures without abrupt changes: olivine and clinopyroxene crystallized at 1340–1285 and 1230–1200°C, respectively, as compared with 1600–1450 and 1230–1200°C in the meimechites. The alkaline picrite melts evolved toward melanephelinite, nephelinite, tephrite, and trachydolerite; whereas the meimechite magmas gave rise to subalkaline picritic rocks. The partitioning of vanadium between olivine and melt suggests that the meimechite magma crystallized under more oxidizing conditions compared with the alkaline picrite melts: the K_DV values for the meimechite melts (0.011–0.016) were three times lower than those for the alkaline picrite melts (0.045–0.052). The parental magmas of the alkaline picrites and meimechites were enriched in trace elements relative to mantle levels by factors of tens to hundreds. The alkaline picrite magma showed lower LILE and LREE contents compared with the meimechite magma. The magmas had also different indicator ratios of incompatible elements, including those immobile in aqueous fluids. It was concluded that the meimechite and alkaline picrite melts were derived from different mantle sources. The former were generated at lower degrees of melting of an undepleted mantle source, and the meimechite melts were produced by high-degree melting of a probably lherzolite-harzburgite source.     

胶东北部碱性超基性脉岩地球化学特征及环境和成因探讨

胶东地区脉岩属碱性超基性岩系(Na₂O+K₂O=4.67%～5.43%;SiO₂=36.70%～39.99%),岩性为单一的橄榄辉石岩。从主量元素(包括CIPW标准矿物组成)和过渡元素组成来看,该岩系近似原始岩浆组成。电子探针结果显示:橄榄石为富镁质橄榄石(贵橄榄石)(Fo=71～90),单斜辉石为透辉石(次透辉石为主)。岩石富集大离子亲石元素(K、Rb、Sr、Th和Ba),但不具有高场强元素(Nb、Ta、Zr和Hf)的亏损,表明岩石形成于大陆板内环境,为地幔橄榄岩低度部分熔融(3.4%)的产物。同时,它具有大陆边缘弧的特性,暗示其为一种滞后型弧岩浆作用的产物。稀土元素特征显示,岩石强烈富集LREE,而相对亏损HREE,暗示了源区的富集特性。Eu/Eu^*=0.89～1.00,总体不表现明显的负Eu异常,暗示斜长石不是主要的分馏矿物相。结合板内碱性岩石的矿物结晶顺序认为,本区岩浆分馏以较弱的橄榄石分馏为主。     

一维到三维密度分布函数及其可视化在大数据分析中的应用——以苦橄质玄武岩等为例

提出不同维度的密度分布函数的计算方法和可视化方案,以解决不同数量级和不同测量误差的岩石样本数据分析对比困难的问题。通过SiO_2、全碱和MgO指标的三维密度分布函数和t-分布随机邻域嵌入可视化方法对GEOROC和PETDB数据库进行发掘,发现大洋岩(oceanite)和富辉橄玄岩(ankaramite)与苦橄质玄武岩(basalt, picritic)成分相近,而铁质苦橄岩(picrite,ferro)与侵入的橄榄辉长岩和苦橄岩(picrite)成分相似。利用二维密度分布函数和可视化技术,对比分析了不同岩石在TAS图解和硅镁图上的数据分布状态和数据集中核心区域。发现总体分布上,更富镁的苦橄岩的SiO_2含量高于苦橄质玄武岩,超基性的苦橄岩(picrate)核心区域主要分布在TAS图解的B区,这与以SiO_2=45%划分基性岩和超基性岩界线的观点矛盾。     

U–Pb SHRIMP zircon geochronology,petrogenesis, and tectonic setting of the Neoproterozoic Baekdong ultramafic rocks in the Hongseong Collision Belt,South Korea

The Hongseong area, located in the western Gyeonggi Massif, South Korea, can be correlated with the northern margin of the South China block (Yangtze Craton). This area experienced Neoproterozoic igneous activity related to subduction before the amalgamation of Rodinia. Several isolated, lenticular, and serpentinized ultramafic–mafic bodies occur in the Hongseong area. The Baekdong body, one of the largest ultramafic bodies, has been highly deformed and metamorphosed to eclogite- and granulite-facies. The petrogenesis and tectonic environment of the Baekdong rocks are assessed using the composition of unaltered cores of spinel and olivine grains, and show that these rocks represent the mantle section of a suprasubduction ophiolite. The rocks originated from oceanic lithosphere that formed during the transition from nascent back-arc to mature island arc, related to subduction roll-back. During the back-arc stage, Al-rich spinel harzburgite formed through melt–rock interaction caused by the intrusion of magma. This magma was produced in small amounts, by less than 10% of partial melting of the wedge mantle. Subsequently, during the mature island arc stage, Cr-rich spinel dunite formed through melt–rock interaction caused by the intrusion of relatively evolved magma that formed by 30–35% partial melting due to a high input of volatiles from the subducted slab and sediments. The Baekdong ultramafic rocks, together with the Bibong ultramafic rocks, indicate that a suprasubduction tectonic setting prevailed before the amalgamation of Rodinia (at 860–890 Ma) in the Hongseong area, which may be an extension of the northern margin of the Yangtze Craton.     

Deciphering an Archean mantle plume: Abitibi greenstone belt,Canada

The 2724–2722 Ma Stoughton-Roquemaure Group (SRG) of the Abitibi greenstone belt (the Archean Superior Province, Canada) is a ≤ 2 km thick komatiite–basalt succession intermittently exposed for about 50 km along strike. The ultramafic and mafic rocks occur mainly as pillowed, brecciated, and massive flows with well preserved spinifex textures in the komatiites. Volcanological, comparative stratigraphic and geochemical studies of the group along a volcanic marker horizon at the base of the succession allow the assessment of magma emplacement processes and mantle source rocks. Major feeder channels, secondary distributary tubes surrounded by pillowed flows with minor breccias and hyaloclastites display facies architecture of small volume flow fields (1–2 km³). Within the SRG, Al-depleted (ADK; Barberton-type) and Al-undepleted (AUK; Munro-type) komatiitic lavas are intercalated with tholeiitic basalt flows at a m- to 10s of m scale. Basalts and komatiites are inferred to be mantle plume-related; both rock types form two groups with characteristics of ADK and AUK including Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ~ 9–12 for ADK versus 17–22 for AUK, as well as (Gd/Yb)_n with > 1.3 versus ~ 1, respectively. The interdigitation of compositionally different flow units, limited extent of SRG volcanic rocks and facies architecture with the prevalence of small volume flows argue for a relatively small, heterogeneous mantle plume during the incipient stage of the evolution of the Archean Abitibi belt. Assuming that the scale of heterogeneities is comparable to the field expression of compositional changes and stratigraphy, it can be suggested that geochemical plume ‘layering’ is on 10s to 100s of m-scale. The evolution of this Archean mantle plume from inception to demise compares favorably with the Yellowstone hotspot which is assumed to have developed over 17 m.y. and had a diameter of about 300 km.     

塔里木板块东北部坡一镁铁质-超镁铁质层状侵入体岩石成因

坡一侵入体位于塔里木板块东北部坡北岩体内,是该岩体第三阶段岩浆活动形成的十几个小侵入体中的一个,锆石U-Pb年龄为278±2Ma。该侵入体属于以超镁铁质岩石为主的层状岩系,堆晶结构与韵律性堆晶层理非常发育。岩浆分异充分,形成了从纯橄岩到石英闪长岩的多种岩石类型。在超镁铁质岩石中,所有的橄榄石和大部分斜方辉石是堆晶相,少量斜方辉石是填隙相,大部分单斜辉石、褐色普通角闪石和黑云母是填隙相。在镁铁质岩石中,橄榄石和斜方辉石全部是堆晶相,单斜辉石与斜长石既可以是堆晶相,也可以是填隙相;褐色普通角闪石、黑云母和石英均为填隙相。超镁铁质岩石属拉斑玄武岩系列,镁铁质岩石属钙碱性系列。侵入体中大量存在的捕掳体、微量元素地球化学、Nd-Sr同位素组成的EMⅡ型演化趋势,充分证明了同化混染作用伴随岩浆演化过程而逐渐增强,并不断促进了岩浆的分异,而且导致了岩石化学系列的转化。PGE和亲硫元素地球化学以及硫同位素组成证明,硫主要来自于岩浆,硫化物形成于岩浆阶段,岩浆未经历过早期硫化物熔离作用,硫化物熔离起始于橄榄岩相结晶的晚期阶段,并伴随着此后的岩浆演化过程而继续熔离。硫化物熔离是岩浆自身演化和同化混染共同作用的结果。橄榄石Fo分子含量和全岩FeO含量显示,原生岩浆是苦橄质岩浆;源区物质应该是石榴石辉石岩;岩浆生成于地幔柱轴部。在塔里木板块东北部还存在分别来自于软流圈和亏损型大陆岩石圈地幔的二叠纪岩浆岩,它们都应该是塔里木大火成岩省的组成部分。     

Triassic rift-related komatiite, picrite and basalt, Pelagonian continental margin, Greece

A wide range of Triassic rift-related volcanic rocks is preserved on the extensional continental margin of the central part of the Pelagonian micro-continental block of Greece, in the region of northern Evia Island and Othris. This part of the continental margin is unusual for the abundance of lavas, the wide range of lava types, and the presence of komatiitic lavas. The predominant rock types are subalkaline basalt and basaltic andesite, mildly alkaline basalt and picrite, and minor komatiite. Four groups of mafic rocks are distinguished from the 32 samples analyzed on the basis of variation in incompatible trace elements, with all but one group including both picritic and basaltic rocks. The geochemical character of the volcanic rocks suggests derivation from inhomogenous, spinel-bearing, lithospheric mantle. This mantle source was variably depleted and moderately refertilized by subduction-related fluids during earlier Hercynian subduction. The picrites were generated by variable degrees of partial melting, which are inferred to inversely correlate with pressure, thus suggesting decompression melting of their source. Evidence is lacking for a major mantle plume, but the enhanced magmatism in this sector of the rifted margin suggests that melting was induced by a large amount of hydration, which is appropriate to generate melts at lower temperatures. Consequent fractionation coupled with crustal assimilation generated the wide range of subalkaline to mildly alkaline mafic rocks.     

Mineralogy and petrography of a kimberlite-picrite dike in the northwestern Urik-Iya Graben,the eastern Sayan region

Mica kimberlite and alkali picrite were identified in the northwestern Urik-Iya Graben of the eastern Sayan region. Typomorphism of Cr-diopside and high-Cr (up to 55.22 wt % Cr₂O₃) spinel from kimberlite of the Bushkanai dike indicate that the melt was generated in the mantle, composed of spinel peridotite. The high content of Cr-spinel (45–55 wt % Cr₂O₃) microlites in the groundmass of kimberlite and small amounts of ulvospinel and titanomagnetite in the absence of perovskite testifies to the diamond potential of this kimberlite. Picroilmenite, manganoilmenite with an anomalously high MnO content (11.37–17.78 wt %), and barium titanate with (wt %) 62.21 TiO₂, 0.61 Cr₂O₃, 15.89 FeO, 4.05 MnO, 1.71 CaO, and 11.13 BaO close in composition to a new mineral species from the Murun pluton were identified in the groundmass for the first time. Kimberlite from the Bushkanai dike belongs to the Zolotitsa low-Ti geochemical type of kimberlites derived from the slightly enriched lithospheric mantle EM1. The distribution of trace elements, including REE, in picrite from the same dike corresponds to the slightly depleted asthenospheric mantle. Different mantle sources of kimberlite and picrite from the same dike indicate that these rocks are related to independent melts rather than to products of fractionation of a common parental alkaline ultramafic magma.     

The evolution of a silicic magma system: isotopic and chemical evidence from the Woods Mountains volcanic center,eastern California

The isotopic compositions of Nd and Sr and concentrations of major and trace elements were measured in flows and tuffs of the Woods Mountains volcanic center of eastern California to assess the relative roles of mantle versus crustal magma sources and of fractional crystallization in the evolution of silicic magmatic systems. This site was chosen because the contrast in isotopic composition between Precambrian-to-Mesozoic country rocks and the underlying mantle make the isotope ratios sensitive indicators of the proportions of crustal- and mantle-derived magma. The major eruptive unit is the Wild Horse Mesa tuff (15.8 m.y. old), a compositionally zoned rhyolite ignimbrite. Trachyte pumice fragments in the ash-flow deposits provide information on intermediate composition magma types. Crustal xenoliths and younger flows of basalt and andesite (10 m.y. old) provide opportunities to confirm the isotopic compositions of potential mantle and crustal magma sources inferred from regional patterns. The trachyte and rhyolite have _Nd values of -6.2 to -7.5 and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios mostly between 0.7086 and 0.7113. These magmas cannot have been melted directly from the continental basement because the _Nd values are too high. They also cannot have formed by closed system fractional crystallization of basalt because the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are higher than likely values for parental basalt. Both major and trace element variations indicate that crystal fractionation was an important process. These results require that the silicic magmas are end products of the evolution of mantle-derived basalt that underwent extensive fractional crystallization accompanied by assimilation of crustal rock. The mass fraction of crustal components in the trachyte and rhyolite is estimated to be between 10% and 40%, with the lower end of the range considered more likely. The generation of magmas with SiO₂ contents greater than 60% appears to be dominated by crystal fractionation with minimal assimilation of upper crustal rocks.     

胶东海阳所超镁铁岩中强亲铁元素的地球化学特征及其构造环境探讨

强亲铁元素与亲石元素具有不同的地球化学行为,因此能够从不同的角度为造山带中超镁铁岩的成因及演化提供重要信息.位于苏鲁造山带东北端的胶东海阳所超镁铁岩主要由橄榄岩和辉石岩组成,它们常以团块状赋存于花岗质片麻岩中.虽然前人对这些超镁铁岩已经开展大量岩石学研究,但关于其成因及构造属性仍存在较大争议.本文开展了海阳所超镁铁岩的...     

On the age of the Onverwacht Group,Swaziland Sequence,South Africa

Some rocks of the Onverwacht Group, South Africa, have been analyzed for Rb and Sr concentrations and Sr isotopie composition. These rocks include volcanic rocks, layered ultramafic differentiates and cherty sediments. Whole rock data indicate that the Rb-Sr isotopie systems in many samples were open and yield no reasonable isochron relationships. However, the data of mineral separates from a basaltic komatiite define a good isochron of $\text{t = 3.50 ± 0.20}$ (2δ) b.y. with an initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio of $\text{0.70048 ± 5}$(2δ). The orthodox interpretation of this age is the time of the low grade metamorphism. Since the basaltic komatiite is stratigraphically lower than the Middle Marker Horizon (dated as $\text{3.36 ± 0.07}$ b.y. Hurley et al., 1972), and since it is commonly found that volcanism, sedimentary deposition, metamorphism and igneous intrusion in many Archean greenstone-granite terrain all took place in a relatively short time interval (less than 100 m.y.), it is reasonable to assume that the age of 3.50 b.y. might also represent the time of initial Onverwacht volcanism and deposition. The initial Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ ratio obtained above is important to an understanding of the Sr isotopic composition of the Archean upper mantle. If the komatiite represents a large degree of partial melt (40–80 per cent) of the Archean upper mantle material, then the initial ratio obtained from the metamorphic komatiite should define an upper limit for the Sr isotopic composition of the upper mantle under the African crustal segment.     

The role of recycled oceanic crust in magmatism and metallogeny: Os–Sr–Nd isotopes, U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of picritic dykes in the Panzhihua giant Fe–Ti oxide deposit, central Emeishan large igneous province, SW China

The picritic dykes occurring within fine-grained gabbro in the marginal zone and in the surrounding Proterozoic wall-rock marbles of the Panzhihua Fe–Ti oxide deposit closely correspond in bulk composition with the nearby Panzhihua intrusion. These dykes offer important constraints on the nature of the mantle source of the Panzhihua ore-bearing intrusion and its possible link to the Emeishan plume. U–Pb zircon dating of the picritic dyke yields a crystallization age of 261.4 ± 4.6 Ma, coeval with the timing of the main Panzhihua gabbroic intrusion and Late Permian Emeishan flood basalts. The Panzhihua picritic dykes contain 37.63–43.41 wt% SiO₂, 1.15–1.56 wt% TiO₂, 11.43–13.25 wt% TFe₂O₃, and 20.96–28.87 wt% MgO. Primitive-mantle-normalized patterns of the rocks are comparable to those of ocean island basalt. The rocks define a relatively small range of Os isotopic compositions and a low Os signature of ?0.13 to +2.76 for γ_Os (261 Ma). In combination with their Sr–Nd–Os isotopic compositions, we interpret that these rocks were derived from the Emeishan plume sources as well as the interactions of plume melts with the overlying lithosphere which had been extensively affected by eclogite-derived melts from the deep-subducted oceanic slab. Partial melting induced by an upwelling mantle plume that involved an eclogite or pyroxenite component in the lithospheric mantle could have produced the parental Fe-rich magma. Our study suggests that plume-lithosphere interaction might have played a key role in generating many world-class Fe–Ti oxide deposits clustered in the Panxi area.     

A greenstone belt in southeast Tibet: An accreted middle–late Permian oceanic plateau

Studies of accreted oceanic plateau sections provide crucial information on their structures, compositions, and origins. We investigate the petrogenesis of ultramafic–mafic rocks in the Tangjia–Sumdo greenstone belt of southeast Tibet using petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, and U-Pb zircon geochronology. These rocks are divided into four groups based on geochemical characteristics that include depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks, transitional mafic rocks, enriched and alkaline mafic rocks, and picritic ultramafic rocks. Depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks have the oldest crystallization ages (～272 Ma), followed by picritic ultramafic rocks (～270 Ma), transitional mafic rocks (267–254 Ma), and enriched and alkaline mafic rocks (252–250 Ma). Hafnium and neodymium isotope ratios of depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +13.1–+16.9; ε_Nd(t) = +6.9–+7.1), transitional mafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +1.8–+16.9; ε_Nd(t) = +0.8–+5.5), enriched and alkaline mafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +0.5–+5.4; ε_Nd(t) = ?1.5 to +1.9) and picritic ultramafic rocks (ε_Hf(t) = +14.9–+17.2; ε_Nd(t) = +7.8–+9.0) are similar to those of N-MORB, E-MORB, OIB and depleted-type picritic mafic rocks in other oceanic plateaus, respectively. The geochemical characteristics of the depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks suggest that they formed by partial melting of depleted spinel lherzolite in a mid-ocean ridge setting, whereas the picritic ultramafic rocks suggest a high degree of partial melting of depleted lherzolite in a hot mantle plume head. The transitional mafic rocks formed by partial melting of moderately enriched garnet lherzolite. The youngest rocks (enriched and alkaline mafic rocks) formed by partial melting of a more enriched garnet lherzolite (compared to transitional mafic rocks) at relatively low temperatures. We propose that the depleted and tholeiitic mafic rocks represent normal oceanic crust of the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean and the transitional mafic rocks, enriched and alkaline mafic rocks and picritic ultramafic rocks are the fragments of the oceanic plateau, which were related to middle–late Permian mantle plume activity in the Sumdo Paleo-Tethys Ocean. We further suggest that the majority of the Tangjia–Sumdo greenstone belt represents a middle–late Permian oceanic plateau that reflects a previously unrecognized middle–late Permian mantle plume.     

Evidence for Multiple Mechanisms of Crustal Contamination of Magma from Compositionally Zoned Plutons and Associated Ultramafic Intrusions of the Alaska Range

Models of continental crustal magmagenesis commonly invoke theinteraction of mafic mantle-derived magma and continental crustto explain geochemical and petrologic characteristics of crustalvolcanic and plutonic rocks. This interaction and the specificmechanisms of crustal contamination associated with it are poorlyunderstood. An excellent opportunity to study the progressiveeffects of crustal contamination is offered by the compositeplutons of the Alaska Range, a series of nine early Tertiary,multiply intruded, compositionally zoned (Peridotite to granite)plutons. Large initial Sr and Nd isotopic contrasts betweenthe crustal country rock and likely parental magmas allow evaluationof the mechanisms and extents of crustal contamination thataccompanied the crystallization of these ultra-mafic throughgranitic rocks. Three contamination processes are distinguishedin these plutons. The most obvious of these is assimilationof crustal country rock concurrent with magmatic fractionalcrystallization (AFC), as indicated by a general trend towardcrustal-like isotopic signatures with increasing differentiation.Second, many ultramafic and mafic rocks have late-stage phenocrystreaction and orthocumulate textures that suggest interactionwith felsic melt. These rocks also have variable and enrichedisotopic compositions that suggest that this felsic melt wasisotopically enriched and probably derived from crustal countryrock. Partial melt from the flysch country rock may have reactedwith and contaminated these partly crystalline magmas followingthe precipitation and accumulation of the cumulus phenocrystsbut before complete solidification of the magma. This suggeststhat in magmatic mush (especially of ultramafic composition)crystallizing in continental crust, a second distinct processof crustal contamination may be super imposed on AFC or magmamixing involving the main magma body. Finally, nearly all rocks,including mafic and ultramafic rocks, have (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i thatare too high, and (T) _Nd that are too low, to represent theexpected isotopic composition of typical depleted mantle. However,gabbro xenoliths with typical depicted-mantle isotopic compositionsare found in the plutons. This situation requires either anadditional enriched mantle component to provide the parentalmagma for these plutons, or some mechanism of crustal contaminationof the parent magma that did not cause significant crystallizationand differentiation of the magma to more felsic compositions.Thermodynamic modeling indicates that assimilation of alkali-andwater-rich partial melt of the metapelite country rock by fractionating,near-liquidus basaltic magma could cause significant contaminationwhile suppressing significant crystallization and differentiation. KEY WORDS: crustal contamination; Alaska Range; isotope geochemistry; zoned plutons; assimilation ^*Corresponding author. e-mail: preiners{at}u.washington.edu; fax: (206) 543-3836.     

Mineralogical,petrological, and geochemical studies of the Limahe mafic–ultramatic intrusion and associated Ni–Cu sulfide ores,SW China

The Limahe Ni–Cu sulfide deposit is hosted by a small mafic–ultramafic intrusion (800 × 200 × 300 m) that is temporally associated with the voluminous Permian flood basalts in SW China. The objective of this study is to better understand the origin of the deposit in the context of regional magmatism which is important for the ongoing mineral exploration in the region. The Limahe intrusion is a multiphase intrusion with an ultramafic unit at the base and a mafic unit at the top. The two rock units have intrusive contacts and exhibit similar mantle-normalized trace element patterns and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions but significantly different cumulus mineralogy and major element compositions. The similarities suggest that they are related to a common parental liquid, whereas the differences point to magma differentiation by olivine crystallization at depth. Sulfide mineralization is restricted to the ultramafic unit. The abundances of sulfides in the ultramafic unit generally increase towards the basal contacts with sedimentary footwall. The δ ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals from the Limahe deposit are elevated, ranging from +2.4 to +5.4‰. These values suggest the involvement of external S with elevated δ ³⁴S values. The mantle-normalized platinum-group element (PGE) patterns of bulk sulfide ores are similar to those of picrites associated with flood basalts in the region. The abundances of PGE in the sulfide ores, however, are significantly lower than that of sulfide liquid expected to segregate from undepleted picrite magma. Cr-spinel and olivine are present in the Limahe ultramafic rocks as well as in the picrites. Mantle-normalized trace element patterns of the Limahe intrusion generally resemble those of the picrites. However, negative Nb–Ta anomalies, common features of contamination with the lower or middle crust, are present in the intrusion but absent in the picrites. Sr–Nd isotopes suggest that the Limahe intrusion experienced higher degrees of contamination with the upper crust than did the picrites. The results of this study permit us to suggest that the parental magma of the Limahe intrusion was derived from picritic magma by olivine fractionation and contamination in a staging chamber at mid-crustal levels. Depletion of PGE in the sulfide ores in the Limahe intrusion is likely due to previous sulfide segregation of the parental magmas in the staging chamber. Sulfide mineralization in the Limahe intrusion is related to second-stage sulfide segregation after the fractionated magmas acquired external S from pyrite-bearing country rocks during magma ascent to the Limahe chamber. The abrupt change in mineralogical and chemical compositions between the ultramafic unit and the overlying unit suggests that at least two separate pulses of magma were involved in the development of the Limahe intrusion. We propose that the Limahe intrusion was once a wider part of a dynamic conduit that fed magma to the overlying subvolcanic dykes/sills or lavas. The ultramafic unit formed by the first, relatively more primitive magma, and the mafic unit formed by the second, relatively more fractionated magma. Immiscible sulfide droplets that segregated from the first magma settled down with olivine crystals to form the sulfide-bearing, olivine-rich rocks in the base of the intrusion. The overlying residual liquids were then pushed out of the chamber by the second magma. Critical factors for the formation of an economic Ni–Cu sulfide deposit in such a small intrusion include the dynamic petrologic processes involved and the availability of external sulfur. The Limahe deposit reminds us that small, multiphase, mafic–ultramafic intrusions in the region should not be overlooked for the potential of economic Ni–Cu sulfide deposits.     

中国主要含镍岩体特征及其成因

中国目前已发现7条岩带中18个岩体赋存有工业铜镍矿床。这些含镍岩体的岩石组合有三大类,其中以超基性岩中矿床居多,苏长岩与科马提岩中较少。中国含镍岩浆系列属于科马提岩系列而非拉斑玄武岩系列,含矿岩浆来自上地幔的部分熔融,源区具有U、Th值高而Cr低的特点,深大断裂发育的大陆边缘是镍矿床发育最理想的场所。