The Archaean Marda igneous complex,Western Australia

The Marda complex is a sequence of andesitic to dacitic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks filling a synformal structure in submarine basalt, banded iron-formation and siliceous sediments in the Archaean Yilgarn Block of Western Australia. The Marda volcanic rocks are in part subaerial and exhibit calc-alkaline chemistry. Their Rb/Sr age is 2635 ± 80 m.y. with an initial $\text{Sr}{}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}$ ratio of 0.7029 ± 0.0015. The Marda lavas represent products of a differentiated late to syn-tectonic, anatectic magma derived from the base of the Archaean crust. Calc-alkaline volcanic complexes are uncommon in the Yilgarn Block.     

Origin of the 3500-3300 Ma calc-alkaline rocks in the Pilbara Archaean: isotopic and geochemical constraints from the Shaw Batholith

Calc-alkaline plutonic rocks, intruded at 3450Ma, comprise a major component of the Shaw Batholith in the Archaean east Pilbara Block, Western Australia. New whole-rock Pb isotopic geochronology confirms the extent of these rocks, but a minor plutonic phase is dated at 3338±52 Ma and represents a second plutonic event of the same age as much of the nearby Mt Edgar Batholith. The Sm----Nd isotopic systematics of the 3450Ma rocks imply their derivation from a heterogeneous source, which probably included a slightly older crustal component as well as a depleted mantle component. The 3338±52 Ma pluton includes components derived from crustal sources older than 3600 Ma. The geochemistry and Sm---Nd isotopic systematics of these rocks are consistent with crustal growth in the early Archaean from upper mantle sources as depleted as the modern upper mantle. The Shaw Batholith calc-alkaline suites exhibit very similar chemical trends on variation diagrams to modern calc-alkaline plutonic rocks which can be modelled by a combination of mixing and fractionation. A suite collected from outcrops displaying prominent igneous layering shows distinct geochemical trends which can be modelled by differentiation into a component enriched in ferromagnesian minerals, principally hornblende, and possibly sphene, magnetite and epidote, and into a leucocratic component containing quartz, plagioclase and K-feld-par. These Archaean calc-alkaline plutonic rocks, in common with rocks from many other Archaean calc-alkaline provinces, exhibit very fractionated REE patterns with depleted HREE contents, a feature considered to result from equilibrium with garnet at depth in lower crustal regions. The geochemistry of the Pilbara Archaean calc-alkaline rocks is identical to the subset of modern continental-margin calc-alkaline plutonic rocks with fractionated REE patterns, such as those from the central and eastern Peninsular Ranges Batholith, western USA. The tectonic setting in which the Archaean calc-alkaline rocks formed is still not known. This reflects both uncertainty associated with the petrogenesis and environments of modern calc-alkaline rocks, as well as the limited knowledge of the precise timing and relationships of plutonic, depositional and tectonic events in the Pilbara Archaean.     

The mechanisms of petrogenesis of the Archaean continental crust—Comparison with modern processes

The petrographic and chemical composition of magmatic rocks generated during the Archaean appears to be different from that of post-Archaean rocks. Komatiites are widespread before 2.5 Ga and rarely occur afterwards. In addition the Archaean continental crust is primarily TTG (Tonalitic, Trondhjemitic and Granodioritic) in composition, exhibiting typical trondhjemitic differentiation trends; whereas modern equivalents are granodioritic to granitic following classical calc-alkaline differentiation trends. This distinction becomes more prominent when rare-earth elements (REE) are taken into account: Archaean TTG are Yb-poor (Yb_N < 8.5) and have high (La/Yb) ratios (5 < (La/Yb)_N < 150), in comparison, the post-2.5 Ga granitoids, emplaced in subduction-zone geodynamic environments have high Yb content (4.5N<20) with very low (La/Yb)_N ratios ( 20). Theoretical calculations and experimental petrology have shown that the TTG can be produced by partial melting of an Archaean tholeiite transformed into garnet-bearing amphibolite. Consequently, the low heavy REE content of the TTG is explained by the influence of both residual garnet and hornblende in their source. After 2.5 Ga the role of these minerals in calc-alkaline magma genesis becomes progressively less important, which is interpreted in terms of a cooling Earth model.

In modern subduction zone environments the subducted oceanic slab is relatively “old and cold” and the geothermal gradient along the Benioff plane in low (ca. 10°C/km). Consequently, the down-going lithosphere undergoes dehydration before partial melting is able to occur. The liberated fluids are light REE and LILE-enriched and ascend into the overlying mantle wedge where they induced partial fusion. The produced magmas separate from their mantle source region leaving a residue mainly composed of olivine and pyroxenes. Mantle derived magmas typically exhibit high Yb contents due to low KD_Yb values for olivine and pyroxenes. During the Archaean, the subducted lithosphere was relatively “young and hot” providing high geothermal gradients along the Benioff zone. Thus, partial melting of the subducted slab was possible at lower temperatures before dehydration would take place. Garnet and hornblende are the main residual phases accounting for the low Yb contents of the Archaean TTG.

This model can be tested using a modern analogue of Archaean-like subduction processes. In south Chile an oceanic ridge has subducted and all thermodynamic calculations indicate that this creates locally high geothermal gradients along the Benioff zone. Thus in very small areas, Archaean-like environments may be simulated in modern subduction zones. The modern andesites produced in this environment show Archaean geochemical characteristics with low Yb_N (<5), whereas the majority of andesites along the Andean arc have modern patterns with Yb_N ranging from 8 to more than 17. This conclusion was generalised to all young subducted lithospheres all over the world.

In conclusion, it appears that since the Archaean there has been a change in the site of continental crust genesis. The location of calc-alkaline magma source in subduction-zone environments has migrated through time from the subducted slab to the mantle wedge. This is a direct consequence of the progressive cooling of the Earth.     

Geochemistry of Archaean volcanic rocks from Iron Ore Supergroup, Singhbhum, eastern India

Mafic-ultramafic rocks of Archaean age constitute a significant component of the Eastern Indian Craton. These occur in two different modes. In the eastern belt these occur as a long, linear enclave within the Singhbhum granite and the primary banding in them is subvertical. In the more extensive western belt along the periphery of the Singhbhum granite, the disposition of the primary banding is subhorizontal. The major rock type in both the belts is meta-basalt with minor peridotitic komatiite and basaltic komatiite occurring in the eastern belt. Rare ultramafic rocks with cumulate textures are present in both the belts. The larger volume of the basaltic rocks preclude the possibility of their being derived by fractional crystallization of the high-MgO components. On the basis of trace element and REE characters the rocks may be classified into three groups. One of the groups shows a tholeiitic trend and include samples mostly from the eastern belt while the second consisting mostly of samples from the western belt shows a calc-alkaline trend. The third group includes samples having elemental ratios intermediate between these two groups. Zr/Nb ratios for the tholeiitic and calc-alkaline samples are different suggesting their sources to be different. The tholeiitic samples have been generated from a source having chondritic REE characters, while the calc-alkaline samples have been generated from a source with LREE enriched character. The high-MgO components in both the groups are suggested to represent high degrees of melting compared to the basalts in each group. It is further suggested that the tholeiitic basalts have been generated relatively early from a chondritic source. Down-buckling of this material has added LREE enriched melts to the source, thereby changing its character into a LREE enriched one. Melting of a source with such changed character has subsequently produced the calc-alkaline melts. Rocks with variable but intermediate characters between these two groups have been generated as a result of contamination between these two groups.     

Archaean volcanism and sedimentation near Meekatharra,Western Australia

Archaean volcanic rocks and volcanogenic sediments exposed in a regional syncline south of Meekatharra, Western Australia are described. Initial volcanic activity produced a suite of high-Mg basalts containing 10–19% MgO. Pillowed tholeiitic basalts overlie the high-Mg basalts. These lower units are thought to have been derived from a central fracture zone. The uppermost units consist of volcanogenic sediments interlayered with andesite and dacite flows which appear to have been derived from a marginal andesite pile to the east. The Archaean sequence has been tightly folded, cross-faulted and intruded by post-Archaean dykes.The central succession is predominantly submarine, although the marginal andesite pile may be in part subaerial. Whilst there are some similarities with the Marda complex to the southeast (Hallberg et al., 1976), the rocks near Meekatharra are more analogous to those associated with modern island arcs.     

Petrogenesis of Archaean ultrabasic and basic volcanics: Evidence from rare earth elements

Rare earth element (REE) and major element data are presented on 44 Archaean samples which include spinifex textured ultramagnesian lavas (STPK) spinifex textured basalts (STB) and low MgO tholeiites. The samples come from the Yilgarn and Pilbara Blocks (W. Australia), Barberton (South Africa), Belingwe and Que Que (Rhodesia), Abitibi (Canada) and the 3.7 b.y. Isua Belt of Western Greenland. In addition REE data are given on three near primitive mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and a glassy MORB-type basalt from Taiwan. We suggest that REE patterns, particularly the light REE and Eu, can be affected by metamorphism, but argue that the consistency of pattern from samples both within and between areas enables recognition of primary patterns. La/Sm ratios of 2.7 b.y. STPK are characterised by being lower than those of associated basalts. The 3.5 b.y. STPK Barberton material does not show this feature but instead displays significant heavy REE depletion. The separation of garnet from these liquids is suggested as a possible mechanism for the high CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios, (Al loss) and the heavy REE and Sc depletion. The REE data on Barberton material is equivocal on the derivation of the so-called basaltic komatiites from the peridotitic komatiites. However, REE analyses on STPK and high magnesian lavas from elsewhere suggests that crystal fractionation is not a viable mechanism to produce one from the other. We suggest instead, that varying amounts of partial melting of different sources is responsible for the spectrum of compositions. The STB appear to be an easily recognised rock type within the Archaean. They are characterised by quench (clinopyroxene) textures and a light REE enriched pattern. It is suggested that these are near primary melts and that their REE patterns mirror their mantle source. We propose a two stage model for the 2.7 b.y. mafic complexes, in which, prior to the generation of ultrabasic magmas, the source underwent a small amount of partial melting which resulted in the removal of a melt enriched in incompatible elements. The depletion process could be achieved either during mantle diapirism or by upward migration of interstitial melts into an Archaean low velocity zone. The spread of La/Sm ratios in STPK and STB is used as an argument that the Archaean mantle was chemically heterogeneous and that the degree of heterogeneity was similar to that observed in modern ocean volcanics. As a result, partial melting of the mantle under different P-T conditions produced a spectrum of magma types. The information presently available on Archaean mafic and silicic magmatism and the incompleteness of geochemical data on present day tectonic environments are two major obstacles in formulating Archaean tectonic models. In addition a comparison of present day and Archaean ultramafic and silicic rocks suggests that plate tectonic models as presently understood may not be suitable analogues for all Archaean tectonic environments.     

Rare earth elements in the early Archaean Isua iron-formation, West Greenland

The rare earth element (REE) patterns in the 3.8 Ga-old Isua iron-formation are generally flat, resembling those of some primitive basalts. Samples with positive, negative or no europium anomaly were found. It is shown that diagenesis and metamorphism did not significantly change the REE patterns. The presence or absence of europium anomalies in iron-formations cannot be used as an indicator of the presence or absence of oxygen in the atmosphere during the Archaean and Precambrian. The REE contents cannot be used to distinguish Algoma-type from Superior-type iron-formations. There appears to be a striking similarity between the Archaean submarine exhalations and modern submarine hydrothermal systems. It is considered likely that Archaean and early Precambrian seawater had a chondritic REE pattern with a slight enrichment of light REE.     

Archaean greenstone belt from the Central African Republic (Equatorial Africa)

The Bandas belt, one of two prominent Archaean greenstone belts in the Central African Republic (Equatorial Africa), is ca. 250 km long. At the southernmost part of the belt, a metasedimentary—metavolcanic rock suite is preserved only in brachysynclines. The suite can be divided into two lithostratigraphic units. The lower unit is composed predominantly of volcanic rocks, while the upper one contains mainly metasedimentary rocks. The volcanic rocks, which are part of a sequence ca. 3600 m thick, can be sub-divided according to stratigraphic position, lithology and geochemistry into three groups. The lowermost group includes low-K tholeiitic basalts depleted in light REE. The second group consists of tholeiitic basalts with light REE-enriched patterns and the third, uppermost, group includes andesites, which are similar in several respects to Recent calc-alkaline andesites.The tholeiitic basalts of the first two groups are probably related to different upper mantle sources. The andesites of the third group were produced either by fractional crystallization from a basaltic magma enriched in light REE or equilibrium melting of eclogite or garnet amphibolite.     

The Generation of Continental Crust: An Integrated Study of Crust-Forming Processes in the Archaean of Zimbabwe

The Archaean craton of Zimbabwe includes two major episodesof crust generation at 3.5 and 2.9 Ga recorded in the emplacementof tonalite-gneiss granitoids. A total of 180 samples of representativegneisses and massive tonalites and sills has been collectedfrom three areas in the southern part of the craton, at Mashaba,Chingezi, and Shabani. These rocks have been analysed for major,trace, and rare earth elements to evaluate the effects of thefractional crystallization and partial melting processes inthe generation of this segment of Archaean crust. Three groups are distinguished on the basis of their major andtrace element contents, and they follow two main trends of differentiation:the sodic and the calc-alkaline (sensu stricto) trends. GroupI samples are tonalitic in composition and follow a sodic trendcharacterized by decreasing CaO/Na₂O ratios. Y and Sr behaveas compatible elements and are negatively correlated with Rb.REE patterns are moderately fractionated with La/Ybn=4–23.5.The characteristics of this group have been described only inthe Archaean craton from Swaziland. Group II is an intermediateGroup with a marked decrease in Na₂O/K₂O with increasing differentiation,similar to the Archaean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite suitesfrom Finland or the Pilbara Block, Australia. Samples displaybiotite tonalite and trondhjemite compositions, and Y, Sr, andRb are all incompatible. The REE patterns are strongly fractionated,with La/Ybn=23–44, and with small positive or negativeEu anomalies, as observed in other Archaean tonalite-trondhjemites.Group III is composed mainly of trondhjemites and granites similarto many post-Archaean granitoids: they follow a calc-alkalinetrend (sensu stricto) with decreasing CaO/Na₂O and Na₂O/K₂O.Sr and Y are incompatible, whereas Rb increases with differentiation.REE patterns are variably fractionated, with La/Ybn=6–36,with high REE contents, and marked negative Eu anomalies. The above geochemical features are explained in a three-stagepetrogenetic model. The first stage consists of 6–20%melting of upper-mantle peridotite and the generation of tholeiiticbasalts, as observed in the associated greenstone belts. Thesecond stage involves 4–25% partial melting of metamorphosedbasalts with a Gt amphibolite (15–45% Pl + 30–50%Hb+2–35% Cpx+3– 15% Gt) residue resulting in theGroup I samples, under water-unsaturated conditions at intermediatepressure (16 kbar), or with an eclogite residue to generatethe parental magmas for the Group II rocks. The third stageis lowpressure fractional crystallization (<8 kbar) of liquidsgenerated during this second stage, leaving a 19–20% Qtz+36–42%Pl0–2% HbMt cumulate for the more evolved Group II samples,and 55% fractional crystallization of a 14% Qtz+37.6% Pl (An₂₆)3.3%Bt+0.1% Ilm0.8% Mt cumulate for Group III samples. The highlyfractionated REE patterns of the Group II rocks are inheritedfrom the second stage of partial melting of the metamorphosedbasalt source rocks with an eclogite residue. Thus Group IIand III initial liquids were generated through partial meltingof eclogite and Gt amphibolite, respectively. The genetic relationshipsbetween Group I sodic and Group III calc-alkaline suites areevaluated, with the latter resulting from various stages offractional crystallization processes of parental magmas withinthe sodic suite.     

Geochemistry of Late Proterozoic volcanic rocks from Tassendjanet area (N.W. Hoggar,Algeria)

The Late Proterozoic calc-alkaline andesitic rocks of the Tassendjanet volcanic complex, north-western Hoggar, Algeria resemble the continental margin rocks and also are closely comparable to the Archaean andesites. Most Tassendjanet rocks were affected to various extents by low grade hydrous metamorphism which led to an increase of Na, P, Fe, Ti, and V and a decrease of Mg, Ca, Sr, Cr, and Ni. Although K, Rb, Ba, and Li are enriched in the majority of altered rocks, these elements are strongly depleted in the albitized Na-rich volcanics. REE are enriched in albitized andesites but their fractionation patterns remain unchanged. The trace element data are consistent with the derivation of the Tassendjanet andesites by partial melting of an upper mantle source enriched in LILE and presumably overlying the subduction zone.     

垭口片麻岩的主要岩石化学特征

出露于川西滇中地区的垭口片麻岩及相应岩石是一套英云闪长质-奥长花岗质(为主)-花岗闪长质片麻岩(灰色片麻岩即TTG岩套)和花岗质片麻岩组合,后者可能是前者活化时遭受钾长石化的结果。其常量元素、过渡金属元素和稀土元素特征与早前寒武纪低铝型灰色片麻岩一致,是本区晚太古代结晶基底(花岗地体)。     

The case for Archaean boninites

Rare Archaean light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched mafic rocks derived from a strongly refractory mantle source show a range of features in common with modern boninites. These Archaean second-stage melts are divided into at least two distinct groups—Whundo-type and Whitney-type. Whundo-type rocks are most like modern boninites in terms of their composition and association with tholeiitic to calc-alkaline mafic to intermediate volcanics. Small compositional differences compared to modern boninites, including higher Al₂O₃ and heavy REE (HREE), probably reflect secular changes in mantle temperatures and a more garnet-rich residual source. Whundo-type rocks are known from 3.12 and 2.8 Ga assemblages and are true Archaean analogues of modern boninites. Whitney-type rocks occur throughout the Archaean, as far back as ca. 3.8 Ga, and are closely associated with ultramafic magmatism including komatiites, in an affiliation unlike that of modern subduction zones. They are characterised by very high Al₂O₃ and HREE concentrations, and their extremely depleted compositions require a source which at some stage was more garnet-rich than the source for either modern boninites or Whundo-type second-stage melts. Low La/Yb and La/Gd ratios compared to Whundo-type rocks and modern boninites either reflect very weak subduction-related metasomatism of the mantle source or very limited crustal assimilation by a refractory-mantle derived melt. Regardless, the petrogenesis of the Whitney-type rocks appears either directly or indirectly related to plume magmatism. If Whitney-type rocks have a boninitic petrogenesis then a plume related model similar to that proposed for the modern Tongan high-Ca boninites might apply, but with uniquely Archaean source compositions and source enrichment processes. Second-stage melts from Barberton (S. Africa –3.5 Ga) and ca. 3.0 Ga rocks from the central Pilbara (Australia) have features in common with both Whundo- and Whitney-types, but appear more closely related to the Whitney-type. Subduction zone processes essentially the same as those that produce modern boninites have operated since at least ~3.12 Ga, while a uniquely Archaean boninite-forming process, involving more buoyant oceanic plates and very inefficient mantle-source enrichment, may have occurred before then.     

Rare earth element patterns and crustal evolution—II. Archean sedimentary rocks from Kalgoorlie,Australia

REE data, with major element and other trace element data are reported for a suite of Archean sedimentary rocks (2800 million years old) from Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The REE patterns fall into two groups with ?LREE/?HREE ratios of 6 and 15, respectively. The first group have either no Eu anomaly relative to chondrites, or a positive Eu anomaly, in contrast to the pronounced Eu depletion (Eu/Eu ~ 0.67) shown by younger (Post-Archean) sedimentary rocks.The problem of positive Eu enrichment relative to chondritic patterns, is examined by analysing a suite of Devonian greywackes, derived from calc-alkaline volcanic rocks. Some of these samples also show positive Eu anomalies, attributable to local accumulation of feldspar. This explanation is preferred to models involving an early anorthositic crust. The group of samples showing heavy REE depletion patterns (complementary to those observed in garnet) appear to be derived from adjacent Na-rich granites which display identical REE patterns. Locally abundant K-rich granites do not appear to have made any contribution to the Archean sedimentary rocks.The majority of the sedimentary rocks have REE patterns indistinguishable from those of recent island arc calc-alkaline rocks, and so could constitute evidence that the Archean crust was principally formed by processes analogous to present day island-arc type volcanism. However, similar REE patterns may be produced by an appropriate mixture of the common bimodal tholeiitic-felsic igneous suite commonly observed in Archean terrains. The REE data presented here do not distinguish between these two models.     

Variation in the geochemistry of mantle sources for tholeiitic and calc-alkaline mafic magmas,Western Sunda volcanic arc,Indonesia

Quaternary lavas of the normal island-arc basalt—andesite—dacite association in the islands of Java and Bali range from those belonging to tholeiitic series over Benioff-zone depths of ～ 150 km to high-K calc-alkaline series over Benioff-zone depths of 250 km. More abundant and diverse calc-alkaline lavas are found over intermediate Benioff-zone depths. On average, basaltic lavas become slightly more alkaline (largely due to increased K contents) with increasing depth to the Benioff zone. Levels of incompatible minor and trace elements (K, Rb, Cs, Ba, Nb, U, Th, light REE) show a corresponding increase of almost an order of magnitude.Low average Mg-numbers (～ 0.52) and Ni and Cr abundances (15–25 and 35–60 ppm, respectively) of basaltic lavas suggest that few lavas representing primary mantle-derived magma compositions are present. Calculated primary basaltic magma compositions for most tholeiitic and calc-alkaline volcanic centres are olivine tholeiites with 15–30% ol. The single high-K calc-alkaline centre considered yielded transitional alkali olivine basalt—basanite primary magma compositions. These calculated magma compositions suggest that the percentage of mantle melting decreases with increasing depth to the Benioff zone (from >25 to <10%), while the corresponding depth of magma separation increases from ～ 30 to 60 km.Calculation of REE patterns for basaltic magmas on the basis of peridotitic mantle sources with spinel lherzolite, amphibole lherzolite or garnet lherzolite mineralogy, and model REE levels of twice chondritic abundances, indicates that change in the conditions of magma genesis alone cannot explain the observed change in light-REE abundances of basaltic lavas with increasing depth to the Benioff zone. Complementary calculations of the REE levels of mantle sources required to yield the average tholeiitic, calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline basaltic magma indicate that light-REE abundances must increase from 2–3 to 7–8 times chondrites with increasing depth to the Benioff zone. The percentages of mantle melting favoured on REE evidence are lower than those indicated by major-element considerations.The observed variation in incompatible element geochemistry of mantle magma sources is thought to be related directly or indirectly to dehydration and partial-melting processes affecting subducted oceanic crust. The possible nature of this relationship is discussed.     

Rare-earth elements in high-alumina basaltic rocks from Sardinia

High-alumina basalts and basic andesites, which represent the most “primitive” magma types of the Cenozoic andesitic series of Sardinia, show a spatial chemical zonation with respect to REE. The basaltic rocks from the northern and south-central part of the island have REE patterns typical of calc-alkaline rocks with an enrichment of light REE and fractionation of heavy REE. In contrast, those from the southernmost part have a pattern similar to typical continental tholeiites with only a small light-REE enrichment and unfractionated heavy REE.The present data suggest that basaltic rocks may be formed by anatexis of upper-mantle material with mineral assemblages containing either garnet (calc-alkaline rocks) or spinel (rocks of tholeiitic affinities). The presence of garnet or spinel could merely reflect mineral phase transformation and indicates a different depth of fusion for the various types of basaltic rocks with those of tholeiitic affinities originating at a shallower depth than the calcalkaline rocks. The REE data are consistent with the generation of the basaltic rocks by partial melting of mantle peridotite overlying a subducted plate.     

冀东迁安英云闪长岩-花岗闪长岩质片麻岩的地球化学

七十年代以来,由于理解到早前寒武纪的花岗质岩石在地壳生长和演化过程中的重要作用而对其进行日益深入的研究。其中许多研究工作,都集中在西格陵兰、北美、南部非洲、西澳大利亚及芬兰的太古代克拉通上。迁安英云闪长岩-花岗闪长岩质片麻岩,出露在河北省迁安县的蟒山、龙虎山、塔山、石佛寺和青山院大贤庄一带,构成迁安断块隆起的核心。它的出现,标志着冀东太古代早元古代地壳演化中的大的地质阶段,因而引起研究者的注意(张贻侠等,1979)。     

河南鲁山太华群两类斜长角闪岩地球化学对比及其构造环境

河南鲁山早前寒武纪太华群中分布着两类斜长角闪岩：一类为正常斜长角闪岩,主要产于晚太古代下太华群荡泽河组;另一类为富钠斜长角闪岩,产于古元古代上太华群雪花沟组。两类岩石外表特征和矿物成分相近似,但化学成分明显不同。正常斜长角闪岩具较低的Na2O（1．96％－2．86％）、K2O（0．24％－0．64％）、Ti、Y、Zr、Hf和REE含量,而富钠的斜长角闪岩以较高的Na2O（3．31％－5．50％）、K2O（0．47％－1．41％）、Ti、Y、Zr、Hf和REE含量为特征。通过对比研究,认为前者为拉斑玄武岩,成分与现代洋壳中发现的低钾拉斑玄武岩相似;后者主要为富钠的基性火山岩,与陆内裂谷或地槽区产出的细碧岩相似,表明本区Pt／Ar转变过程中的构造环境发生了重大变化。这一转变过程初步认为是本区晚太古代地壳上升所引起的长期风化剥蚀作用的结果。     

The genesis of the Archaean Welcome Well volcanic complex,Western Australia

The Welcome Well volcanic complex east of Leonora, Western Australia, is interpreted to be the eroded remnant of an Archaean stratovolcano. Andesitic flows and intercalated mudflow deposits comprising the volcanic centre give way to coarse, poorly-sorted lithic wackes that were deposited in alluvial fans skirting the lower slopes or base of the subaerial volcanic edifice. These deposits are succeeded both laterally and vertically by fine-grained, subaqueous, turbiditic sediments that are intercalated with pillowed, tholeiitic basalts.There is a complete petrographic and geochemical gradation from porphyritic basalt through porphyritic andesite to porphyritic dacite. In general, the rocks show calc-alkaline patterns of elemental behaviour, consistent with fractionation of variable proportions of the modal minerals amphibole, plagioclase, clinopyroxene and Ti-magnetite. Among these minerals, amphibole appears to have assumed a major role in producing the geochemical characteristics of the high-Si andesites and dacites as evidenced by the behaviour of Zr, Nb, Y and REE. In order to account for the geochemical variability of the basalts and low-Si andesites, it is proposed that they differentiated from primitive basic parents which had a range of major and LIL element contents. The most plausible origin for the primary magmas involves shallow, hydrous melting of a LIL element-enriched mantle source over a significant pressure range.     

中条山地区早前寒武纪岩石 含铀矿化岩石稀土元素与铀的关系及其意义

本文研究了中条山地区基底涑水杂岩,含矿层中条群岩石和铀矿化岩石的稀土元素特征及其与铀元素的关系。发现稀土元素,尤其是重稀土元素对铀的区域富集及铀矿化作用有一定的指示意义。     

Geochemistry of the early proterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the alligator rivers region,Northern Territory,Australia

The early Proterozoic metasedimentary sequence of the Alligator Rivers Region (a part of the Pine Creek Geosyncline) in the Northern Territory, Australia, overlies an Archaean granitoid basement. Early Proterozoic sedimentary sequences, in general, record important changes in the composition of the upper continental crust about the Archaean-Proterozoic boundary. However, the geochemistry of only a few of these sequences has been documented. The geochemistry of the early Proterozoic succession in the Alligator Rivers Region is reported here and the results are interpreted in terms of differences between the stratigraphic units, their provenance—particularly in relation to crustal evolution, and their subsequent metamorphism and weathering.Clastic metasedimentary rocks throughout the Alligator Rivers Region have a remarkably uniform major and trace element geochemistry. The Kakadu Group and upper member of the Cahill Formation are relatively more enriched in SiO₂ and correspondingly more depleted in Al₂O₃ than the rest of the sequence, reflecting the greater dominance of metapsammitic assemblages. The lower member of the Cahill Formation, which hosts the major U deposits of the Alligator Rivers Region, and the metasedimentary sequence in general, exhibit no significant enrichment in U above normal background values. Rare earth element (REE) concentrations in the metasedimentary units within the Alligator Rivers Region are uniform, though in detail there are some important differences within and between formations.The composition of the early Proterozoic clastic metasediments in the Alligator Rivers Region is consistent with the composition of similar material of the same age from other areas, and supports current ideas on crustal evolution. The Alligator Rivers metasediments are enriched in Si and K, and depleted in Mg, Ca, and Na relative to the Archaean average for clastic sedimentary rocks, and their REE geochemistry resembles typical post-Archaean sedimentary rocks having a light REE enriched pattern and a distinct Eu/Eu1 depletion compared to typical Archaean sediments. However, the REE data indicate that two compositionally distinct sources are involved in the provenance of the Kakadu Group, and possibly the lower member of the Cahill Formation, where two types of REE patterns can be distinguished on their HREE concentration and Eu/Eu1 anomaly.