Basaltic volcanism in the northern sector of the main Ethiopian rift

The different basalt types related to rift structure development have been investigated, starting from the pre-rift stage in the northern Ethiopian rift and its eastern escarpment and plateau.The basic volcanic rocks are represented mainly by transitional basalts, both in the pre-rift (plateau) and rift (escarpment and rift floor) stages. A striking feature is that although the plateau basalts show clear tholeiitic affinity and the rift basalts reveal a somewhat pronounced “alkaline” character, the REE and LILE element abundances, however, progressively decrease from the “tholeiitic” basalts of the plateau to the “alkaline” basalts of the rift.All data support the view that such contrasting features may be attributed to a continuous depletion of hygromagmatophile (REE, LILE) elements in the mantle source material, related to the large volumes of magmas produced in the early phase of rift structure development. The transition from “tholeiitic” (plateau) to “alkaline” (rift) transitional basalts is related to decreasing intensity of extensional movements.     

New age constraints on the timing of volcanism and tectonism in the northern Main Ethiopian Rift–southern Afar transition zone (Ethiopia)

Forty new K-Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar isotopic ages from the northern Main Ethiopian Rift (MER)–southern Afar transition zone provide insights into the volcano-tectonic evolution of this portion of the East African Rift system. The earliest evidence of volcanic activity in this region is manifest as 24–23 Ma pre-rift flood basalts. Transition zone flood basalt activity renewed at approximately 10 Ma, and preceded the initiation of modern rift margin development. Bimodal basalt–rhyolite volcanism in the southern Afar rift floor began at approximately 7 Ma and continued into Recent times. In contrast, post-subsidence volcanic activity in the northern MER is dominated by Mio-Pliocene silicic products from centers now covered by Quaternary volcanic and sedimentary lithologies. Unlike other parts of the MER, Mio-Pliocene silicic volcanism in the MER–Afar transition zone is closely associated with fissural basaltic products. The presence of Pliocene age ignimbrites on the plateaus bounding the northern MER, whose sources are found in the present rift, indicates that subsidence of this region was gradual, and that it attained its present physiography with steep escarpments only in the Plio-Pleistocene. Large 7–5 Ma silicic centers along the southern Afar and northeastern MER margins apparently formed along an E–W-oriented regional structural feature parallel to the already established southern escarpment of the Afar. The Addis Ababa rift embayment and the growth of 4.5–3 Ma silicic centers in the Addis Ababa area are attributed to the formation of a major cross-rift structure and its intersection with the same regional E–W structural trend. This study illustrates the episodic nature of rift development and volcanic activity in the MER–Afar transition zone, and the link between this activity and regional structural and tectonic features.     

Temporal change in chemistry of magma source under Central Kyushu,Southwest Japan: progressive contamination of mantle wedge

Volcanism related to subduction of the Philippine Sea (PHS) plate began in Central Kyushu at 5 Ma, after a pause of igneous activity lasting about 10 m.y. It formed a large volcano-tectonic depression, the Hohi volcanic zone (HVZ), and has continued to the present at a decreasing eruption rate. The products are largely andesite and dacite, which became enriched in K with time. The proportion of tholeiitic to calc alkalic rocks also increases with time. Calc-alkalic high-Mg basaltic andesites (YbBs) were erupted in the early stage of the HVZ activity (5–3 Ma), and high-alumina basalts (KjBs) were erupted in the later stage (2–0 Ma). In contrast to the basalts in the HVZ, Northwest Kyushu basalts (NWKBs) have been erupted on the backarc side of the HVZ since 11 Ma, and hence are not related to the PHS plate subduction. They are mainly high-alkali tholeiitic to alkali basalt that shows no notable chemical change with time. NWKB, YbB, and KjB have MORB-normalized incompatible-element spectra that differ from each other, as is well expressed in both Nb and Sr anomalies. The patterns of KjB and NWKB are typical of those for island-arc basalt (IAB) and ocean-island basalt (OIB), respectively. YbB shows a pattern intermediate between the two. We suggest that the magma source beneath the HVZ changed in composition from an OIB-type mantle to an IAB-type mantle as the subduction of PHS plate advanced. However, the magma source remained fertile under Northwest Kyushu. In order to explain the temporal change of source mantle beneath the HVZ, we propose a model for progressive contamination of the mantle wedge, in which three processes (contamination by a slab-derived component, subtraction of magma from the mantle, and mixing of the mantle residue and slab-derived component) are repeated as subduction continues. As long as the progressive contamination of mantle wedge proceeds, its trace-element composition converges at a steady-state value for a short period. This value does not depend on the initial composition of the mantle wedge but instead on the composition of the slab-derived component. The trace-element composition of the magma produced in such a mantle wedge approaches that of the slab-derived component with time, but the major-element composition is determined by the phase relations of mantle peridotite. The slab-derived component may be basaltic liquid that is partially melted from rutile-bearing eclogite.     

Anomalous strontium and lead isotope signatures in the off-rift Öræfajökull central volcano in south-east Iceland: Evidence for enriched endmember(s) of the Iceland mantle plume?

The currently active off-rift central volcano Öræfajökull in south-east Iceland sits unconformably on much older (10–12 Ma) and eroded crust. The composition of recent volcanics ranges from basalt to rhyolite, but the series is more sodic alkaline than the common rift zone tholeiitic suites. In this study we present Sr, Nd, Pb and O isotopic data for a suite of Öræfajökull samples. The complete suite shows typical mantle values for oxygen isotopes. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (average of 15 SAMPLES=0.703702) of the modern Öræfajökull rocks (basalts as well as rhyolites) are much higher than observed so far for any other Icelandic rocks. The ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios (average=0.512947; n=15) are lower than for rift rocks, but similar to rocks of the off-rift Snæfellsnes volcanic zone. Furthermore, the Öræfajökull rocks are enriched in the ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb isotope ratios compared to Icelandic rift basalts. The enriched nature of the suite indicates that Öræfajökull samples a source component that has characteristics common with EM2 type mantle. Furthermore, it is concluded that the silicic rocks of Öræfajökull formed by fractional crystallization from mafic melts rather than by partial melting of older crust.     

Jebel Khariz: an upper miocene strato-volcano of comenditic affinity on the South Arabian coast

Jebel Khariz, the largest central vent volcano on the south Arabian coast, lies 60 miles (95 km) to the west of Aden and was probably active during the Upper Miocene. The volcanic edifice originally covered some 350 sq. miles (900 km²) and consists of an older, radially dipping main cone sequence of rhyolites, trachytes, basalts and olivine basalts and a younger, horizontal caldera sequence mainly of intermediate lavas, that infilled the caldera subsequent to its formation at a late stage in the history of the volcano. The Khariz volcanic suite, ranging in composition from olivine basalts to per-alkali rhyolites of comenditic affinity, was probably produced by fractionation, in a low pressure regime, of a mildly alkali olivine basalt magma. Noting the abundance of peralkali volcanics associated with the African rift system in Kenya, Ethiopia and on the margins of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, it is tentatively suggested that, at times, the sub-crustal mechanism, responsible for the rift development, might also produce an environment where fusion of the earth’s mantle gave rise to a relatively rare, mildly alkali, ‘parental’ basaltic magma.     

Geochemistry and Ar/Ar geochronology of Miocene volcanic rocks from the Karaburun Peninsula: Implications for amphibole-bearing lithospheric mantle source,Western Anatolia

New geochemical and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age data are presented from the Neogene volcanic units of the Karaburun Peninsula, the westernmost part of Western Anatolia. The volcanic rocks in the region are associated with Neogene lacustrine deposition and are characterized by (1) olivine-bearing basaltic-andesites to shoshonites (Karaburun volcanics), high-K calc-alkaline andesites, dacites and latites (Yaylaköy, Arma?anda? and Kocada? volcanics) of ~ 16–18 Ma, and (2) mildly-alkaline basalts (Ovac?k basalt) and rhyolites (Urla volcanics) of ~ 11–12 Ma. The first group of rocks is enriched in LILE and LREE with respect to the HREE and HFSE on N-MORB-normalised REE and multi-element spider diagrams. They are comparable geochemically with volcanic rocks in the surrounding regions such as Chios Island and other localities in Western Anatolia. The Ovac?k basalt is geochemically similar to the first stage early–middle Miocene volcanic rocks but differs from NW Anatolian late Miocene alkali basalts.     

Quantitative petrogenetic constraints on the Pliocene alkali basaltic volcanism of the SE Spain Volcanic Province

Alkali basalts of Pliocene age are the last episode of volcanism in the SE Spain Volcanic Province, postdating a complex series of Miocene calc-alkaline to ultrapotassic rocks. This volcanism is represented by small outcrops and vents NW of Cartagena that has been interpreted as a volcanic episode similar to the contemporaneous monogenetic alkaline basaltic volcanism of the Iberian Peninsula and Western/Central Europe. However, their geochemical signature is characterised by relatively higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios as well as distinct trace element anomalies which, at different scale, are only found in the spatially related calc-alkaline to ultrapotassic volcanism. Quantitative modelling of these data demonstrate that the geochemical signature of the Pliocene alkali basalts of Cartagena can be explained by the interaction between primitive melts generated from a sublithospheric mantle source similar to that identified for other volcanic regions of Spain, and liquids derived from the overlying lithospheric mantle. This interaction implies that the alkali basalts show some geochemical features only observed in mantle lithosphere-derived melts (e.g. Sr isotope enrichment and Th–U–Pb positive anomalies), while retaining an overall geochemical signature similar to other Iberian basalts (e.g. Rb–K negative anomalies). This model also implies that beneath the SEVP, enriched (metasomatized) portions were still present within the lithospheric mantle after the Miocene magmatic episodes.     

Petrogenetic relationships of acid and basic rocks in iceland: Sr-isotopes and rare-earth elements in late and postglacial volcanics

Strontium isotope ratios and rare-earth element abundances have been measured in acid, intermediate and basic rocks from three late to postglacial volcanic complexes, and several other postglacial basalts in Iceland. Late and postglacial basalts in Iceland have been generated from a source region which is essentially homogeneous with respect to⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. The mean⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio for the basalts analysed is 0.70328 and the range is from 0.70317 ± 6to0.70334 ± 5 (2σ).Acid rocks from the Kerlinganfjöll and Namafjall volcanic complexes have⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios which are indistinguishable from analysed basalts from the same complexes. However, intermediate and acid rocks from the Torfajökull complex have significantly higher⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and could not have been derived by fractional crystallization from basaltic magmas similar to those found in the same complex. These latter rocks have most probably been produced by remelting of Tertiary gabbroic rocks in Layer 3. Most of the basalts analysed have higher total rare-earth element abundances than typical dredged ocean-ridge tholeiites, and show less light rare-earth depletion. Intermediate and acid compositions show overall higher abundances and light rare-earth enrichments. The measured rare-earth abundances are compared with abundances generated by differential partial melting of various model source regions.It is shown that both the tholeiitic and alkali basalt compositions could be generated from the same source material by different degrees of partial melting. Variable partial melting of gabbroic material may account for the rare-earth element abundances of both the rhyolitic rocks (small degrees of melting) and the intermediate rocks (more extensive melting).     

Mantle and crustal contribution in the genesis of Recent basalts from off-rift zones in Iceland: Constraints from Th, Sr and O isotopes

Along the two volcanic off-rift zones in Iceland, the Snfellsnes volcanic zone (SNVZ) and the South Iceland volcanic zone (SIVZ), geochemical parameters vary regularly along the strike towards the centre of the island. Recent basalts from the SNVZ change from alkali basalts to tholeiites where the volcanic zone reaches the active rift axis, and their⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr andTh/U ratios decrease in the same direction. These variations are interpreted as the result of mixing between mantle melts from two distinct reservoirs below Snfellsnes. The mantle melt would be more depleted in incompatible elements, but with^a higher³He/⁴He ratio (R/Ra≈ 20) beneath the centre of Iceland than at the tip of the Snfellsnes volcanic zone (R/Ra≈ 7.5).

From southwest to northeast along the SIVZ, the basalts change from alkali basalts to FeTi basalts and quartz-normative tholeiites. TheTh/U ratio of the Recent basalts increases and both (²³⁰Th/²³²Th) andδ¹⁸O values decrease in the same direction. This reflects an important crustal contamination of the FeTi-rich basalts and the quartz tholeiites. The two types of basalts could be produced through assimilation and fractional crystallization in which primary alkali basaltic and olivine tholeiitic melts ‘erode’ and assimilate the base of the crust. The increasingly tholeiitic character of the basalts towards the centre of Iceland, which reflects a higher degree of partial melting, is qualitatively consistent with increasing geothermal gradient and negative gravity anomaly.

The highest Sr isotope ratio in Recent basalts from Iceland is observed inÖrfajökull volcano, which has a³He/⁴He ratio (R/Ra≈ 7.8) close to the MORB value, and this might represent a mantle source similar to that of Mauna Loa in Hawaii.     

Early J_2 basalts in SE China:Incipience of large-scale late Mesozoic magmatism

The voluminous late Mesozoic igneous rocks in SE China were formed by the multi-stage magmatism. Between 204 Ma (the Ar-39Ar age of limburgite sam- 40 pled at Daoxian in Hunan Province[1]) and 180 Ma, magmatism was dormant for a period of about 25 Ma. Then the magmatism started to become active in the study region during 180―170 Ma (early J2), and con-tinued until the end of the Cretaceous[2]. Therefore, the magmatism in 180―170 Ma is the incipience of large-scale late Mesozoic magmat…     

Geochemical evolution within a Devonian intra-oceanic island arc: The Gamilaroi terrane, southern New England orogen, Australia

Abstract Geochemical analyses of volcanic rocks in the Gamilaroi terrane reveal several phases of arc activity within an intra-oceanic island-arc terrane. Felsic volcanic rocks at the base of the section have rare earth element (REE) and trace element compositions which indicate that they were derived from an island-arc source. Basalts immediately overlying the felsic volcanic rocks have a distinctive geochemical signature with low levels of Ti and Y and high levels of Ni, Cr and Mg. Low concentrations of REE and trace elements relative to mid-ocean-ridge basalts (MORB) indicate that they were also derived from an intra-oceanic island-arc source. Extensive basalts and basaltic andesites among the youngest rocks of the terrane have typically flat to enriched REE and trace element compositions, indicating a transitional arc-back-arc source. The change in basalt compositions indicates that rifting had occurred by this stage in the evolution of the arc. Confirmation of an intra-oceanic setting for this terrane enables a more detailed comparison with similar intra-oceanic rocks in the northern New England orogen. This study of the Gamilaroi terrane is an example of the potential use of geochemical data to identify other ancient intra-oceanic island-arc-rift suites.     

Volcanic Markers of the Post-Subduction Evolution of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico: Slab Tearing Versus Lithospheric Rupture of the Gulf of California

The study of the geochemical compositions and K-Ar or Ar-Ar ages of ca. 350 Neogene and Quaternary lavas from Baja California, the Gulf of California and Sonora allows us to discuss the nature of their mantle or crustal sources, the conditions of their melting and the tectonic regime prevailing during their genesis and emplacement. Nine petrographic/geochemical groups are distinguished: ??regular?? calc-alkaline lavas; adakites; magnesian andesites and related basalts and basaltic andesites; niobium-enriched basalts; alkali basalts and trachybasalts; oceanic (MORB-type) basalts; tholeiitic/transitional basalts and basaltic andesites; peralkaline rhyolites (comendites); and icelandites. We show that the spatial and temporal distribution of these lava types provides constraints on their sources and the geodynamic setting controlling their partial melting. Three successive stages are distinguished. Between 23 and 13 Ma, calc-alkaline lavas linked to the subduction of the Pacific-Farallon plate formed the Comondú and central coast of the Sonora volcanic arc. In the extensional domain of western Sonora, lithospheric mantle-derived tholeiitic to transitional basalts and basaltic andesites were emplaced within the southern extension of the Basin and Range province. The end of the Farallon subduction was marked by the emplacement of much more complex Middle to Late Miocene volcanic associations, between 13 and 7 Ma. Calc-alkaline activity became sporadic and was replaced by unusual post-subduction magma types including adakites, niobium-enriched basalts, magnesian andesites, comendites and icelandites. The spatial and temporal distribution of these lavas is consistent with the development of a slab tear, evolving into a 200-km-wide slab window sub-parallel to the trench, and extending from the Pacific coast of Baja California to coastal Sonora. Tholeiitic, transitional and alkali basalts of subslab origin ascended through this window, and adakites derived from the partial melting of its upper lip, relatively close to the trench. Calc-alkaline lavas, magnesian andesites and niobium-enriched basalts formed from hydrous melting of the supraslab mantle triggered by the uprise of hot Pacific asthenosphere through the window. During the Plio-Quaternary, the ??no-slab?? regime following the sinking of the old part of the Farallon plate within the deep mantle allowed the emplacement of alkali and tholeiitic/transitional basalts of deep asthenospheric origin in Baja California and Sonora. The lithospheric rupture connected with the opening of the Gulf of California generated a high thermal regime associated to asthenospheric uprise and emplaced Quaternary depleted MORB-type tholeiites. This thermal regime also induced partial melting of the thinned lithospheric mantle of the Gulf area, generating calc-alkaline lavas as well as adakites derived from slivers of oceanic crust incorporated within this mantle.     

K–Ar ages from seamount chains in the back-arc region of the Izu–Ogasawara arc

The Izu–Ogasawara arc contains, from east to west, a volcanic front, a back-arc extensional zone (back-arc knolls zone), and a series of across-arc seamount chains that cross the extensional zone in an east-northeast and west-southwest direction and extend into the Shikoku Basin. K–Ar ages of dredged volcanic rocks from these across-arc seamount chains and extension-related edifices in the back-arc region of the Izu–Ogasawara arc were measured to constrain the volcanic and tectonic history of the arc since the termination of spreading in the Shikoku Basin. K–Ar ages range between 12.5 and 1 Ma. Andesitic to dacitic rocks of 12.5–2.9 Ma occur mainly on the western part of the chains. The western part of the chains are the locus of volcanism behind the front which erupted mainly calc-alkaline andesitic lavas. The youngest rocks (< 2.8 Ma), characterized by cpx-ol basalt, occur along the western margin of the back-arc knolls zone. Basaltic rocks of 12.5–2.9 Ma have relatively high concentrations of Na₂O (> 2.0 wt%), Zr (> 50 p.p.m.) and Y (> 20 p.p.m.) and low CaO (< 12 wt%). On the other hand, basalts of 2.8–1 Ma have lower Na₂O (< 1.8 wt%), Zr (< 50 p.p.m.) and Y (< 20 p.p.m.), but significantly higher CaO (> 12 wt%). The age inferred for the initiation of back-arc rifting (∼ 2.35–2.9 Ma: Taylor 1992 ) behind the current volcanic arc coincides with the time that basalt chemistry changed drastically (eruption of the low-Na₂O and high-CaO basalt). This implies that post-2.8 Ma volcanism in the back-arc knolls zone is associated with rifting. Similarly, the change in chemical composition might be explained by a different type of source mantle following rift initiation. Volcanism in the western seamounts ceased after the onset of rifting at ∼ 2.8 Ma.     

Nd and Sr isotope geochemistry of hydrous mantle nodules and their host alkali basalts: implications for local heterogeneities in metasomatically veined mantle

Nd and Sr isotopic data on pargasite Iherzolite inclusions, kaersutite megacrysts and their host alkali basalts are presented here to clarify some questions regarding isotopic equilibration during mantle metasomatism and the role of metasomatism in basalt genesis. Five alkali basalts from Nunivak Island within the Aleutian back-arc basin, have⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.70251–0.70330 and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of 0.51289–0.51304. On a Nd versus Sr isotope composition diagram the basalts overlap the fields of MORB and ocean island basalts. Pargasites and mica separated from hydrous nodules found in these basalts have a range in⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.70256–0.70337 but identical¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios of 0.51302. The metasomatic fluid represented by the pargasite is in isotopic equilibrium, both for Sr and Nd, with the dry mantle as represented by diopside. Eight alkali basalts from the Ataq diatreme, South Yemen, have⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr range of 0.70335–0.70426 and¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd range of 0.51252–0.51305. On a Nd versus Sr isotope composition diagram the basalts from Ataq plot in two distinct fields, (1) within the field of ocean island basalts, and (2) within the range of continental rift basalts but to the left of the Nd-Sr correlation line, somewhat similar to the Skye and Oslo rift basalts. Diopside and pargasite separated from three nodules at Ataq have a more complex history than those at Nunivak. Two nodules contain pargasite and diopside with identical⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios but different¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios. A third nodule contains diopside with a¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio similar to that of other diopsides.The Nunivak basalts are derived from a source with a time-integrated light-REE depletion, in contrast to the light-REE-enriched nature of the basanites. This is best explained by a recent metasomatic event in the source region which increased the LIL element content of the peridotite thus accommodating higher degrees of melting. The Ataq volcanic rocks seem to tap different sources characterized by both light-REE enrichment and depletion, in contrast to the uniform source of the Nunivak basanites. Production of the Ataq basanites is believed to involve anataxis of metasomatically veined continental mantle where local mantle heterogeneities survived the melting event.     

Early J2 basalts in SE China: Incipience of large-scale late Mesozoic magmatism

Magmatism in SE China was dormant during 204–180 Ma, but was reactivated in 180–170 Ma (early J₂), and then became more and more intensive towards the end of early Cretaceous. The small-scale early J₂ magmatism is the incipience to long-term and large-scale magmatism in this region. A near east-west (EW) trend volcanic belt was distributed across south Hunan, south Jiangxi and southwest Fujian was formed during early J₂ time. Along this belt from the inland toward the coast, the lithology of basalts changes from alkali into tholeiite, and the amount of erupted volcanic rocks and the proportions of rhyolites coexisting with the basalts increase. On the basis of geochemical characteristics of these basalts, we infer that the melting degree of source rocks and the extent of fractional crystallization and crustal contamination all increased whereas the depth of mantle source decreased from the inland to the coast, which led to the variations of geological characteristics of the volcanic belt. In early J₂, the western spreading Pacific plate began to subduct underneath SE China continental block, reactivating near EW trend deep fault that was originally formed during the Indosinian event. The stress of the western spreading Pacific plate and the extent of asthenosphere upwelling increased from the inland to the coast, which is consistent with the generation and evolution of early J₂ basalts.     

Bimodal volcanism at the Katla subglacial caldera,Iceland: insight into the geochemistry and petrogenesis of rhyolitic magmas

The Katla subglacial caldera is one of the most active and hazardous volcanic centres in Iceland as revealed by its historical volcanic activity and recent seismic unrest and magma accumulation. A petrologic and geochemical study was carried out on a suite of mid-Pleistocene to Recent lavas and pyroclastic rocks originated from the caldera. The whole series is characterised by a bimodal composition, including Fe-Ti transitional alkali basalts and mildly alkalic rhyolites. Variations in trace-element composition amongst the basalts and rhyolites show that their chemical differentiation was mainly controlled by fractional crystallisation and possible assimilation. The petrology and chemistry of the few intermediate extrusive rocks show that they were derived from magma mingling or hybridisation. The absence of extrusive rocks of true intermediate magmatic composition and the occurrence of amphibole-bearing felsic xenoliths support the hypothesis of partial melting of the hydrated basalt crust as the main process leading to the generation of rhyolites. The ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of Katla volcanic rocks fit the general isotopic array defined by late Quaternary to Recent lavas from Iceland. A few rock specimens are distinguished by low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values suggesting assimilation and mixing of much older crustal material. Despite their similar whole-rock chemical compositions, the postglacial rhyolitic extrusives differ from the felsic xenoliths by their glass composition and the absence of amphibole. This, together with the general chemical trend of volcanic glasses, indicates that the postglacial rhyolitic extrusives were probably derived by a process involving late reheating and partial melting of crustal material by intrusion of basaltic magmas.     

Geochemical variation with time in the Cenezoic volcanic rocks of southwest Hokkaido, Japan

Abundances of major and trace elements were determined for the Tertiary volcanic rocks from SW Hokkaido. The Late Miocene to Pliocene volcanic rocks of this region show geochemical features similar to those of the Quaternary rocks, that is, K/Si, Th/Si and LREE/HREE ratios increasing across the arc, east to west, from the Pacific to the Japan Sea side. In contrast, the Early Miocene volcanic rocks, which are geographically restricted to the Japan Sea coast, are distinct from all later volcanics and show “within-plate” characteristics — in particular, high concentrations of HFS elements. The Quaternary basalts have low Hf/Yb ratios and Hf contents, whereas the Early Miocene basalts are high in Hf/Yb and Hf, similar to Hawaiian alkali basalts. The compositional variation with time may result from the progressive depletion of incompatible HFS elements in the mantle source. Th/Yb ratios increase from Early Miocene to Quaternary, possibly reflecting increase in the LIL element contribution to the mantle source during that time.     

Early Yanshanian post-orogenic granitoids in the Nanling region-- Petrological constraints and geodynamic settings

Early Yanshanian magmatic suites predominate absolutely in the Nanling granite belt.They consist mainly of monzogranite and K-feldspar granite.There occur associations of early Yanshanian A-type granitoids(176 Ma-178 Ma) and bimodal volcanic rocks(158 Ma-179 Ma) in southern Jiangxi and southwestern Fujian in the eastern sector of the granite belt and early Yanshanian basalts(177 Ma-178 Ma) in southern Hunan in the central sector of the belt.Both the acid end-member rhyolite in the bimodal volcanic rock association and A-type granitoids in southern Jiangxi have the geochemical characteristics of intraplate granitic rocks and the basic end-member basalt of the association is intraplate tholeiite,while the basaltic rocks in southern Hunan include not only intraplate tholeiite but also intraplate alkali basalt.Therefore the early Yanshanian magmatic suites in the Nanling region are undoubtedly typical post-orogenic rock associations.Post-orogenic suites mark the end of a post-collision or late orogenic event and the initiation of Pangaea break-up,indicating that a new orogenic Wilson cycle is about to start.Therefore it may be considered that the early Yanshanian geodynamic settings in the Nanling region should be related to post-orogenic continental break-up after the Indosinian orogeny and the break-up did not begin in the Cretaceous.     

Early Yanshanian post-orogenic granitoids in the Nanling region Petrological constraints and geodynamic settings

Early Yanshanian magmatic suites predominate absolutely in the Nanling granite belt. They consist mainly of monzogranite and K-feldspar granite. There occur associations of early Yanshanian A-type granitoids (176 Ma-178 Ma) and bimodal volcanic rocks (158 Ma-179 Ma) in southern Jiangxi and southwestern Fujian in the eastern sector of the granite belt and early Yanshanian basalts (177 Ma-178 Ma) in southern Hunan in the central sector of the belt. Both the acid end-member rhyolite in the bimodal volcanic rock association and A-type granitoids in southern Jiangxi have the geochemical characteristics of intraplate granitic rocks and the basic end-member basalt of the association is intraplate tholeiite, while the basaltic rocks in southern Hunan include not only intraplate tholeiite but also intraplate alkali basalt. Therefore the early Yanshanian magmatic suites in the Nanling region are undoubtedly typical post-orogenic rock associations. Post-orogenic suites mark the end of a post-collision or late orogenic event and the initiation of Pangaea break-up, indicating that a new orogenic Wilson cycle is about to start. Therefore it may be considered that the early Yanshanian geodynamic settings in the Nanling region should be related to post-orogenic continental break-up after the Indosinian orogeny and the break-up did not begin in the Cretaceous.     

The relationship between calc-alkaline volcanism and within-plate continental rift volcanism: evidence from Scottish Palaeozoic lavas

Lower Carboniferous lavas from the Midland Valley and adjacent regions of Scotland are mildly alkaline and intraplate in nature. The sequence is dominated by basalt and hawaiite, although mugearite, benmoreite, trachyte and rhyolite are also present. Basic volcanic rocks display the LIL element and LREE enrichment typical of intraplate alkali basalt terrains. Low initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7029–0.7046), high ε_Nd (−0.4 to +5.6) and moderately radiogenic²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (17.77–18.89) ratios are also comparable with alkali basalts from other continental rifts and oceanic islands.When the Carboniferous lavas are compared with subduction-related lavas of Old Red Sandstone age, erupted in and around the Midland Valley ca. 50 Ma earlier (at 410 Ma) remarkable similarities are apparent. Significant overlap occurs in Nd and Pb isotopic compositions. Sr isotopic compositions are, however, more radiogenic in the older subduction-related lavas. This, combined with high K and Rb concentrations in ORS lavas may be explained by the incorporation of a sediment component derived from the subducted slab, which by Lower Carboniferous times had been lost from the mantle source region by convection. A pronounced negative Nb anomaly in the ORS subduction-related lavas may be explained by the retention of a Nb-bearing phase in the mantle during hydrous melting of the mantle wedge above the subduction zone.Allowing for the effects of the added component from the subducted slab, there appears to be no necessity to invoke separate mantle source regions for the two suites of lavas: both may have been derived from chemically similar portions of mantle. If volcanic arc lavas are derived from the mantle wedge, the implication is that such a source lies at relatively shallow depth within the upper mantle: the same may therefore apply to the Carboniferous continental rift basalts. This evidence, combined with the fact that there is no evident hot-spot trail across the Midland Valley despite a long period of within-plate volcanism and rapid plate movements during the Carboniferous, suggests that the alkali basalt magmatism is not the product of a deep-seated mantle plume. Rather, the volcanism appears to owe more to passive rifting and to diapiric upwelling from a source region within the uppermost mantle.