Compositional variations of volcanics along segments of recent spreading ridges

An investigation of glassy volcanics erupted within the last ten-million years along various segments of the mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise has revealed major crustal compositional changes. The available data from the mid-Atlantic Ridge shows the existence of two petrological provinces: One, located between latitudes 33° and 53° N, is characterized by volcanics which have a tendency to be oversaturated ocean ridge basalts (OSORB) with respect to normative quartz; the second group of rocks, found between 25° S and 33° N, is generally composed of saturated ocean ridge basalts (SORB). In addition, the SORB volcanics have higher TiO₂ (1.7±0.3%), higher Na₂O (2.8±0.2%) and higher FeO^*/MgO (1.36±0.2) values than do the OSORB types (with 1.1±0.2%, 2.2±0.2% and 1.22±0.2 for the TiO₂, Na₂O, and FeO^*/MgO respectively), There is a correlation between the rate of crustal spreading and the compositional changes observed on the volcanics erupted along various segments of oceanic ridges. Slow-accreting plate boundaries having a total spreading rate of 2–3 cm/year are characterized by a low TiO₂ content (1.1±0.2%), low FeO^*/ MgO ratio (1.22±0.2) and a high an/an+ab ratio (0.62±0.05). Segments of fast-spreading ridges (total rate 11–13 cm/year) show a higher range of TiO₂ (2.1±0.4%) and FeO^*/MgO (1.6±0.4) and a lower range of the an/an + ab ratio (0.5±0.07). Ridge segments with a total spreading rate of 5–9 cm/year con sist of volcanics having intermediate values for the above parameters. Different degrees of partial melting of rising mantle material are suggested as a possible mechanism for explaining the compositional diversities encountered along oceanic ridge systems.Contribution n 677 du Département de Géophysique, Géologie, Géochimie Marines du C.O.B.     

The relationship of the Cocos and Carnegie ridges: age constraints from paleogeographic reconstructions

Paleogeographic restorations for the oceanic crust formed by the Cocos-Nacza spreading center and its precursors were performed to reconstruct the history and ages of the submarine aseismic ridges in the Eastern Pacific Basin, the Carnegie, Coiba, Cocos, and Malpelo ridges. The bipartition of the Carnegie ridge reflects the shift from a precursor to the presently active Cocos-Nazca spreading center. The Cocos ridge is partly composed of products from the Galápagos hotspot but may also contain material from a second center of volcanic activity which is located approximately 600 km NE of Galápagos. The Malpelo ridge is a product of this second hotspot center, whereas the Coiba ridge probably formed at the Galápagos hotspot. The geometric relationship of the Cocos and Carnegie ridges indicates symmetric spreading and a constant northward shift of the presently active Cocos-Nazca spreading center.     

Comparative geochemistry of volcanics from rift valleys,transform faults and aseismic ridges

New chemical analyses and a review of published data show that there is a compositional diversity between volcanics of basaltic composition found in the M.A.R. rift valley, M.A.R. transform faults and aseismic ridges. The basaltic rocks from the M.A.R. transform faults are less mafic (depleted in olivine content) than those from the M.A.R. rift valley. The transform fault basalts have a higher range of TiO₂ content (1–4%), of Fe₂O₃+FeO content (8–14%) and a lower range of Cr content (50–500 ppm) and Ni content (50–300 ppm). The volcanics from aseismic ridges around the world are considered to be the more felsic types of the two provinces. They have a higher range of variation for their TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃+FeO (1.6–5%; 9–15%; respectively) and a lower range of variability for their Cr and Ni (<250 and 100 ppm respectively) than both the M.A.R. rift valley and transform fault volcanics.It is suggested that transform faults have, by faulting, exposed more fractionated types of basaltic rocks (may be as intrusives) than the rift valley volcanics. While aseismic ridges have undergone a greater degree of differentiation than both transform faults and rift valley volcanics.Contribution n 475 du Département Scientifique, Centre Océanologique de Bretagne Contribution No. 3803 of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA)     

Recognizing OIB and MORB in accretionary complexes: A new approach based on ocean plate stratigraphy,petrology and geochemistry

We present a new approach for recognizing the origin of accreted basaltic rocks based on ocean plate stratigraphy (OPS), and on the petrology and geochemistry of basalts from mid-oceanic ridges (MORB) and oceanic islands (OIB) using examples from four accretionary complexes (AC) in SW Japan: Akiyoshi, Mino–Tamba, Chichibu and Shimanto. The key to the problem is the model of OPS, which includes an association of igneous and sedimentary rocks that form on an oceanic plate during its travel from a mid-oceanic ridge to a subduction zone. We propose the reconstruction of the tectonic settings of basalts according to their relationships with associated OPS sediments, their petrogenesis and their geochemical features. Five types of OPS are recognized in the accretionary complexes of SW Japan: (1) sandstone/shale; (2) sandstone/shale and chert; (3) sandstone/shale, chert and MORB; (4) sandstone/shale, chert, MORB and gabbro (± peridotite); (5) seamount OPS including OIB, cap carbonates, slope clastics and basal shale/chert. The alkaline, tholeiitic or calc-alkaline composition of basaltic melts, which are typical of oceanic islands, mid-oceanic ridges and island-arcs, respectively, can be identified by the sequence in crystallization of their major phenocrysts, i.e. olivine (ol), clinopyroxene (cpx) and plagioclase (pl), and by their compositions. Alkaline and calc-alkaline mafic lavas are characterized by an ol → cpx → pl succession, whereas tholeiitic melts by their ol → pl ± cpx succession. Titanium-rich minerals, e.g., Ti–augite, kaersutite, Ti–biotite, are typical of alkaline lavas. The application of geochemistry-based tectonic discrimination diagrams is also a powerful tool, if not supported by geological and petrological data, may result in confusion due to magma contamination, post-magmatic alteration, and secular change of mantle thermal conditions. We propose that a direct comparison of normalized multi-element patterns and key binary plots from older volcanic rocks with their modern analogues provides a more viable and reliable method of basalt discrimination. Our OPS–petrology–geochemistry method allows us to confirm the above conclusions that the lavas of the Akiyoshi, Mino–Tamba and Southern Chichibu AC formed in oceanic islands, because they are associated with seamount OPS sediments, crystallized from ol to cpx and pl, contain Ti–augite and kaersutite and are enriched in TiO₂, LREE and Nb. In this paper we present geochemical data from the Inuyama basalts of the Mino–Tamba AC and from the Toba complex in the huge Mikabu greenstone belt of the Chichibu AC. The Inuyama basalts are in contact with Jurassic pelagic cherts, but their geochemical features are confusing; they contain phenocrysts of ol, Ti–augite and kaersutite and therefore probably formed in seamounts. The Toba volcanic rocks are a part of the huge ophiolite belt; they have flat to slightly LREE-enriched REE patterns, are characterized by an ol → cpx succession of phenocrysts and they plot in the OIB field in binary plots suggesting they formed in an oceanic plateau.     

Geochemical Constrains on Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of Volcanic Rocks from the Baimianxia and Sanwan Formations in the Northern Margin of the Yangtze Plate

On the basis of petrogeochemical data, the volcanic lavas of the Baimianxia Formation can be classified into two units: high TiO2 and low TiO2. The TiO2 concentration of the former is generally higher than 1%, which occurs in the lower part with high-grade metamorphism, but the latter is less than 1% and crops out in the upper part with low-grade metamorphism. The high-TiO2 unit is dominated by tholeiitic lavas showing high rare earth element (REE) contents (ΣREE?=?83.4–180.8?μg/g), high light/heavy REE (LREE/HREE) ratios (LREE/HREE=2.17–5.85) and weak negative Eu anomaly (Eu=0.79–1.01). Its trace element patterns display weak Nb-Ta anomalies with respect to Th, K, La, Ce, showing within-plate basalt affinities. In contrast, the low-TiO2 unit is characterized by low REE contents, low LREE/HREE ratios, and pronounced Nb-Ta anomalies, indicating typical arc or continental arc signature. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of basalts and andesites from the Sanwan Formation are flat or LREE depletion, which is very similar to normal mid-oceanic basalt. Therefore, we suggest that these lavas should be formed in a back-arc basin setting. Sr-Nd isotopic data of the basalt in the lower part suggest that the rocks would have been formed in ~1144?Ma. Based on the geochemical and isotopic features of the basalts, we suggest that these rocks in the low part of the Baimianxia Formation should originate from an asthenospheric oceanic-island basalt-like mantle source, which may be produced by partial melting of garnet lherzolite, and significantly underwent fractional crystallization and crustal or lithospheric mantle contamination en route to the surface. However, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry zircon U-Pb dating of the basalt sample from the upper part of the Baimianxia Formation gives a 437 Ma, indicating a Early Paleozoic age. The geochemical analysis in this paper suggests that they may originate from an arc or continental arc in response to aqueous fluids or melt expelled from a subducting slab, and the partial melting occurred in the garnet stability field. The samples of basalts and andesites in the Sanwan Formation show they are derived from depleted mantle source similar to normal mid-oceanic basalt. Finally, we can conclude that the lavas in the lower part of the Baimianxia Formation represent the geological records of rift-related volcanism in the middle Proterozoic, which is commonly considered to be the precursor of continental breakup and followed by oceanic basin forming from Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic. Whereas, the lavas in upper part of the Baimianxia Formation and Sanwan Formations may have been generated by the oceanic and continental conversion that occurred in the early Paleozoic.     

High-Ti type N-MORB parentage of basalts from the south Andaman ophiolite suite,India

A complete dismembered sequence of ophiolite is well exposed in the south Andaman region that mainly comprises ultramafic cumulates, serpentinite mafic plutonic and dyke rocks, pillow lava, radiolarian chert, and plagiogranite. Pillow lavas of basaltic composition occupy a major part of the Andaman ophiolite suite (AOS). These basalts are well exposed all along the east coast of southern part of the south AOS. Although these basalts are altered due to low-grade metamorphism and late hydrothermal processes, their igneous textures are still preserved. These basalts are mostly either aphyric or phyric in nature. Aphyric type exhibits intersertal or variolitic textures, whereas phyric variety shows porphyritic or sub-ophitic textures. The content of alkalies and silica classify these basalts as sub-alkaline basalts and alkaline basalts. A few samples show basaltic andesite, trachy-basalt, or basanitic chemical composition. High-field strength element (HFSE) geochemistry suggests that studied basalt samples are probably derived from similar parental magmas. Al₂O₃/TiO₂ and CaO/TiO₂ ratios classify these basalts as high-Ti type basalt. On the basis of these ratios and many discriminant functions and diagrams, it is suggested that the studied basalts, associated with Andaman ophiolite suite, were derived from magma similar to N-MORB and emplaced in the mid-oceanic ridge tectonic setting.     

An Ordovician intra-oceanic subduction system influenced by ridge subduction in the West Junggar,Northwest China

We report elemental and Nd–Sr isotopic data for three types of Ordovician volcanic and gabbroic rocks from the Sharburti Mountains in the West Junggar (Xinjiang), Northwest China. Gabbros and Type I lavas occur in the Early Ordovician Hongguleleng ophiolite whereas Type II and III lavas are parts of the Middle Ordovician Bulukeqi Group. Gabbros and Type I lavas are tholeiites with a depleted light rare earth element (LREE) and mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB)-like signature with a crystallization sequence of plagioclase–clinopyroxene, suggesting formation at a mid-oceanic ridge. Type II lavas are Nb-enriched basalts (NEBs, Nb = 14–15 ppm), which have E-MORB-like REE patterns and Nb/Yb and Th/Yb ratios. They come from mantle metasomatized by slab melts. Type III lavas are further divided into two sub-types: (1) Type IIIa is tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalts and andesites, with REE patterns that are flat or slightly LREE enriched, and with a negative Nb anomaly and Th/Yb enrichment, indicating that they were generated above a subduction zone; (2) Type IIIb is calc-alkaline basalts and andesites, which are strongly enriched in LREE with a marked negative Nb anomaly and Th/Yb enrichment, suggesting generation in a normal island-arc setting. The initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of Type III lavas range from 0.70443 to 0.70532 and ?Ndt ranges from +1.5 to +4.5, suggesting that these melts were derived from mantle wedge significantly modified by subducted material (enriched mantle I (EMI)) above a subduction zone. Contemporary tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalt–andesite and NEB association suggest that the NEBs erupted during development of the tholeiitic to calc-alkaline arc. We propose a model of intra-oceanic subduction influenced by ridge subduction for the Ordovician tectono-magmatic evolution of the northern West Junggar.     

The Stonyford Volcanic Complex: a Forearc Seamount in the Northern California Coast Ranges

Jurassic age volcanic rocks of the Stonyford volcanic complex(SFVC) comprise three distinct petrological groups based ontheir whole-rock geochemistry: (1) oceanic tholeiites; (2) transitionalalkali basalts and glasses; (3) high-Al, low-Ti tholeiites.Major and trace element, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic dataindicate that the oceanic tholeiites formed as low-degree partialmelts of normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB)-source asthenospheresimilar in isotope composition to the East Pacific Rise today;the alkalic lavas were derived from an enriched source similarto that of E-MORB. The high-Al, low-Ti lavas resemble second-stagemelts of a depleted MORB-source asthenosphere that formed bymelting spinel lherzolite at low pressures. Trace element systematicsof the high-Al, low-Ti basalts show the influence of an enrichedcomponent, which overprints generally depleted trace elementcharacteristics. Tectonic discrimination diagrams show thatthe oceanic tholeiite and alkali suites are similar to present-daybasalts generated at mid-oceanic ridges. The high-Al, low-Tisuite resembles primitive arc basalts with an enriched, alkalibasalt-like overprint. Isotopic data show the influence of recycledcomponents in all three suites. The SFVC was constructed ona substrate of normal Coast Range ophiolite in an extensionalforearc setting. The close juxtaposition of the MORB-like olivinetholeiites with alkali and high-Al, low-Ti basalts suggestsderivation from a hybrid mantle source region that includedMORB-source asthenosphere, enriched oceanic asthenosphere, andthe depleted supra-subduction zone mantle wedge. We proposethat the SFVC formed in response to collision of a mid-oceanridge spreading center with the Coast Range ophiolite subductionzone. Formation of a slab window beneath the forearc duringcollision allowed the influx of ridge-derived magmas or themantle source of these magmas. Continued melting of the previouslydepleted mantle wedge above the now defunct subduction zoneproduced strongly depleted high-Al, low-Ti basalts that werepartially fertilized with enriched, alkali basalt-type meltsand slab-derived fluids. KEY WORDS: CRO; oceanic basalts; California     

西藏吉定蛇绿岩地球化学特征及其构造指示意义

吉定蛇绿岩位于雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的中段,是该带保存较好的蛇绿岩之一,通过对该岩体的研究及与附近蛇绿岩剖面的对比有助于恢复早白垩世雅鲁藏布江蛇绿岩带的演化过程。吉定蛇绿岩包括玄武岩、辉绿岩、堆晶岩及地幔橄榄岩四个岩石单元。壳层岩石岩浆结晶顺序为:橄榄石→单斜辉石→斜长石,代表湿岩浆系统分异。吉定蛇绿岩壳层熔岩(玄武岩和辉绿岩)Ti O2含量为0.87%~1.45%,平均1.1%,与印度洋N-MORB玻璃(1.19%)相似。REE配分模式具有明显的LREE亏损特征,稀土配分模式与典型的大洋中脊玄武岩相似。但其微量元素蛛网图上表现为富集LILE,而亏损HFSE,并具有较高LILE/HFSE比值特征,与俯冲带上的(SSZ)蛇绿岩相似。蛇绿岩熔岩在岩石地球化学上表现出既亲MORB,又具部分IAB的特征。结合区域上大竹卡、得几等蛇绿岩岩石及地球化学资料对比分析,提出吉定蛇绿岩形成于在洋内俯冲带上发育起来的弧后盆地,并提出日喀则地区早白垩世洋壳演化的解释模式:雅鲁藏布江中段蛇绿岩至少包含三种组分特征的蛇绿岩体,其代表性剖面分别是吉定,得村和大竹卡,分别形成于近俯冲带的弧后盆地、弧前盆地和弧后盆地,这些洋壳共同组成早白垩世时期的与特提斯洋俯冲带斜交的一条分段发育的洋中脊。     

昌宁-孟连缝合带干龙塘-弄巴蛇绿岩地球化学及Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成研究

本文对三江古特提斯昌宁-孟连带中段弄巴-干龙塘蛇绿混杂岩进行了详细的主量、微量元素及Sr-Nd-Pb同位素地球化学研究。结果表明,弄巴玄武岩包括拉斑系列和碱性系列,弄巴拉斑玄武岩具有高TiO2和低K2O的特征,(La/Yb)N介于1.87～2.38之间,岩石的Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成和典型MORB十分相似,结合岩石较高的Th/Yb和低的Zr/Nb值,可以认为弄巴拉斑玄武岩具有富集型洋脊玄武岩(E-MORB)的特征,可能起源于富集的地幔源区或是亏损地幔源区和地幔柱发生交代作用的结果。弄巴碱性玄武岩具有较高的TiO2(2.38%)和K2O(2.37%)含量,(La/Yb)N=11.19,富集轻稀土,表现出典型的碱性OIB的特征,可能是大洋板内热点浅部熔融的产物。干龙塘拉斑玄武岩具有高TiO2、Mg#,低K2O和亏损轻稀土等特征,表现出N-MORB的地球化学特征,岩石的Sr-Nd-Pb与MORB相似,表明岩石起源于亏损的地幔源区。     

Paleocene on-spreading-axis hotspot volcanism along the Ninetyeast Ridge: An interaction between the Kerguelen hotspot and the Wharton spreading center

Investigations of three plausible tectonic settings of the Kerguelen hotspot relative to the Wharton spreading center evoke the on-spreading-axis hotspot volcanism of Paleocene (60-54 Ma) age along the Ninetyeast Ridge. The hypothesis is consistent with magnetic lineations and abandoned spreading centers of the eastern Indian Ocean and seismic structure and radiometric dates of the Ninetyeast Ridge. Furthermore, it is supported by the occurrence of oceanic andesites at Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Site 214, isotopically heterogeneous basalts at Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 757 of approximately the same age (59-58 Ma) at both sites. Intermix basalts generated by plume-mid-ocean ridge (MOR) interaction, exist between 11° and 17°S along the Ninetyeast Ridge. A comparison of age profile along the Ninetyeast Ridge between ODP Sites 758 (82 Ma) and 756 (43 Ma) with similarly aged oceanic crust in the Central Indian Basin and Wharton Basin reveals the existence of extra oceanic crust spanning 11° latitude beneath the Ninetyeast Ridge. The extra crust is attributed to the transfer of lithospheric blocks from the Antarctic plate to the Indian plate through a series of southward ridge jumps at about 65, 54 and 42 Ma. Emplacement of volcanic rocks on the extra crust resulted from rapid northward motion (absolute) of the Indian plate. The Ninetyeast Ridge was originated when the spreading centers of the Wharton Ridge were absolutely moving northward with respect to a relatively stationary Kerguelen hotspot with multiple southward ridge jumps. In the process, the spreading center coincided with the Kerguelen hotspot and took place on-spreading-axis volcanism along the Ninetyeast Ridge.     

Dating Gondwanan continental crust at the Rio Grande Rise,South Atlantic

Crystalline continental rocks and associated crust‐contaminated basaltic rocks were unexpectedly dredged on the crest and at seamounts of the Rio Grande Rise, South Atlantic. Zircon U–Pb ages of one gabbro (ca. 2,200 Ma) and four granitoids (between ca. 1,430–480 Ma) indicate that the breakup of SW Gondwana left behind continental fragments of dominantly African age. These rocks may have been incorporated into the oceanic lithosphere by complex processes including rifting and interaction of the Tristan‐Gough mantle plume with hyperextended continental margins. Until ca. 80–70 Ma, the Rio Grande Rise and an old portion of the Walvis Ridge formed a conjugate pair of aseismic ridges, and the Tristan‐Gough plume was positioned at the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge. The finding of continental rock fragments in one of these conjugate pairs opens new perspectives on the mechanisms of continental break‐up, the nature of this conjugate pair, and the geodynamic evolution of rifted Gondwana margins in the South Atlantic.     

西藏东巧地区玄武岩地球化学特征及构造环境分析

东巧蛇绿岩出露于班公湖-怒江缝合带中段,是蛇绿岩组合单元出露较完整的地区。微量(稀土)元素分析结果表明,蛇绿岩中的玄武岩具有轻稀土元素(LREE)显著富集的右倾稀土元素配分模式。(La/Yb)N=7.05~12.02,Th、Nb、Ta、Zr和Hf略具有正异常的微量元素组成特征,属于典型的洋岛玄武岩(OIB),与洋中脊玄武岩(MORB)和板块汇聚环境下的岛弧玄武岩(IAB)存在明显差异。通过对其构造环境的判别,并结合蛇绿岩与相邻地质体的关系分析,认为东巧蛇绿岩中的玄武岩形成于大洋板内岩石圈上隆减压的洋岛环境,代表班公湖-怒江洋盆形成和发展阶段洋岛环境的大洋岩石圈残片。     

Peculiarities of present-day sulfide mineralization at 19°15′—20°08′ N,Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Based on studies conducted on the 33rd cruise of the R/V Professor Logachev in 2010, a new type of sulfide mineralization of the mid-oceanic ridges has been established. It was formed in the present-day organic sediments due to diffuse penetration of hydrothermal fluids that emanated along the fractures in basalts on the slopes of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.     

川西高原炉霍-道孚裂谷带丘洛地区科马提质岩的发现及其地质意义

川西高原炉霍-道孚裂谷带丘洛地区首次发现科马提岩,呈透镜状或团块状,具鬣刺结构,产于三江造山系巴颜喀拉地块之炉霍-道孚裂谷的三叠系如年各组玄武岩中。科马提岩由玄武质科马提岩、玄武岩、辉长岩、橄榄辉石岩等组成。岩石具富Mg O,贫Ca O、Al2O3和Fe2O3的特征,其Si O2含量为39.78%~49.85%,Mg O含量为23.28%~32.65%,Ti O2含量为0.21%~0.85%,K2O含量为0.04%~0.98%,P2O5含量为0.04%~0.12%,(Fe O+Fe2O3)/Mg O值为0.41~0.77,符合过渡型(T型)洋脊玄武岩特征,亦符合科马提岩各类元素的地球化学特征。原始地幔标准化的过渡元素配分型式表现为不对称的"W"型,Th元素形成一个明显的正异常"峰",Sr元素形成一个明显的负异常"谷",表明科马提岩系列可能来自于洋脊中心热幔柱,形成于低压高温条件下的部分熔融。岩石中鬣刺结构可能是叶蛇纹石高压分解的结果,表明研究区某些变质橄榄岩岩块曾经受过熔融物质喷发的影响。丘洛地区黄金资源丰富,研究具鬣刺结构的科马提岩岩石系列及其与矿产的关系,具有重要的经济价值。     

Assigning a magmatically defined tectonic environment to Chitradurga metabasalts,India, by geochemical methods

The major and trace-element patterns in a set of 45 analyses of the Precambrian Chitradurga metabasalts have been interpreted by geochemical methods to classify the magma-types and to determine the tectonic environment of eruption.During amphibolitization of the tholeiites, the order of relative chemical stability is: SiO₂ > MgO > Al₂O₃ > FeO > CaO > Na₂O > K₂O > P₂O₅. On the ACFN plot the Chitradurga amphibolites approximate the unaltered basalts in their N component, show considerable depletion in F and A, and enrichment in the C components. With respect to the Keweenawan metadomains (pumpellyite and epidote), the Chitradurga amphibolites show considerable enrichment in N and depletion in the C constituents. The calc-alkaline (mol.props.) index, SiO₂ (wt.%) and “F”MA plots have shown the differentiation of the parent olivine normative tholeiite through the transitional calc-alkalic basalts to basaltic andesites; the ferrofemic index being 67.Discriminant functional analysis of the major-element patterns has classified the magma-types into ocean-floor basalts (9 analyses) and the volcanic arc series containing low-potassium tholeiites (24 analyses), calc-alkalic basalts (6 analyses) and basaltic andesites (6 analyses). The effective discrimination of the ocean-floor basalts from low-potassium tholeiites is accomplished due to the relatively low eigenvalues in functions F₁ and F₂ for SiO₂, K₂O and high values for MgO, TiO₂ in the former as compared to the latter. The low-K tholeiites are discriminated from calc-alkalic and basaltic andesites by the gradational increase in eigenvalues for K₂O, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ in functions F₂ and F₃. The discriminant analyses of the trace-element patterns have classified the ocean-floor basalts from low-K tholeiites on TiCr, TiZr and Ti(× 10^?2)ZrY(× 3) plots. The TiO₂K₂OP₂O₅ plot has discriminated ocean-floor basalts, low-K tholeiites and the calc-alkalic group containing the basaltic andesite members. Thus the discriminant analysis of the major and trace-element patterns have shown noteworthy consistency, thereby attesting to the high success rate of classification.The Ca-Mg rich, low SiO₂, K₂O and alumina, olivine normative characteristics, and the normative pyroxene content of 36.15–45.88% of the ocean-floor basalts compare closely with those of the oceanic magma type of the Dalma volcanic suite of the north-eastern part of the Precambrian Indian shield of Bihar. These compositional features indicate their mantle origin, amphibolite and plagioclase—pyrolite assemblage of the upper mantle and relatively low-temperature, moderate pressure and hydrous environment of pyrolite.The presence of ocean-floor basalts at Chitradurga implies the existence of an oceanic rise and their eruption through its axial rift region. The mean Ti content (0.77%) of ocean-floor basalts compares closely with that of the Dalma suite (0.76%). The low-alumina content indicates faster spreading of the ocean floor.Identification of the magma-types of volcanic arc series containing a wide range of Zr and Y is attributed to quartz-normative fractionation of the magma and its differentiation to calc-alkalic and basaltic andesite members due to incorporation of sialic material by accretion in the marginal regions of the volcanic belt.Attention is focussed on the synonymous tectonic evolutionary trends of the two typical volcanic belts of the two geographically widely separated regions of the Indian Precambrian shield; the basis being: (1) low-alumina, enriched Ca-Mg and almost identical concentrations of Ti in the ocean-floor magma type, and (2) the presence of a pronounced volcanic arc magma type in the Chitradurga area and two analyses of a volcanic arc magma type in the Dalma area.     

Origin of Mg-Metatholeiites of the Schirmacher Region,East Antarctica: Constraints from Trace Elements and Nd-Sr Isotopic Systematics

The mafic granulites of Schirmacher region, East Antarctica, the rocks under study, occur more or less as concordant sills or as lenses or as boudinage structures within the felsic rocks, charnockites or metapelites of the region. They show variation from garnet bearing two-pyroxene granulites and garnet free pyroxene granulites to transitional amphibolite-pyroxene granulites. Their major, trace, REE and isotopic chemistry are not distinct from each other and they represent Mg-basalts with MgO >7% and Al₂O₃ <16%.The majority of the analyzed samples plot in the tholeiitic field or show tholeiitic trends, suggesting their metatholeiitic nature as well as general preservation of original composition. The rocks are characterized by enriched large-ion lithophile elemental concentrations than that of mid-oceanic ridge basalts. Their high-field strength elements and heavy rare-earth elemental concentrations, however, are as that of mid-oceanic ridge basalts, a feature which is also reflected in the ratios of their large-ion lithophile elements against high-field strength elements and heavy rare-earth elements, wherein we find these ratios are higher than N-type MORB. Further, the rocks show negative Nb anomaly, high Th/Ta ratio and low La/Nb ratio, which are also characteristics of subduction-related magmatism.The isotopic studies carried out on these samples show that, the Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr dating did not yield much spread, but suggested a Sm-Nd metamorphic age of ∼960 Ma. Rb-Sr dating gave ages ∼886 Ma, suggesting the reworking of the Rb and Sr elements during subsequent tectonothermal overprinting. The Nd model ages (T_DM^Nd) of these rocks show a relatively restricted range of 1120 to 1357 Ma, suggesting mafic magmatism ∼1200 Ma. The positive eNd values (+4.22 to +6.07) shown by these rocks, represent a juvenile crustal fragment derived from melting of mantle precursors, without significant reworking of older crustal material. It is proposed that these rocks were produced by partial melting of a mantle source, characterized by LILE enrichment, related principally to dehydration of subducted oceanic crust.     

Crustal transect from the North Atlantic Knipovich Ridge to the Svalbard Margin west of Hornsund

The crustal structure along a 312 km transect, stretching from the axial mountains of the North Atlantic Knipovich Ridge to the continental shelf of Svalbard, has been obtained using seismic reflection data and wide angle OBS data. The resulting seismic V_p and V_s models are further constrained by a 2-D-gravity model. The principal objective of this study is to describe and resolve the physical and compositional properties of the crust in order to understand the processes and creation of oceanic crust in this extremely slow-spreading counterpart of the North Atlantic Ridge Systems. V_p is estimated to be 3.50–6.05 km/s for the upper oceanic crust (oceanic layer 2), with a marked increase away from the ridge. The measured V_p of 6.55–6.95 km/s for oceanic layer 3A and 7.10–7.25 km/s for layer 3B, both with a V_p/V_s ratio of 1.81, except for slightly higher values at the ridge axis, does not allow a clear distinction between gabbro and mantle-derived peridotite (10–40% serpentized). The thickness of the oceanic crust varies a lot along the transect from the minimum of 5.6 km to a maximum of 8.1 km. The mean thickness of 6.7 km for the oceanic crust is well above the average thickness for slow-spreading ridges (<10 mm/year half-spreading rate). The areas of increased thickness could be explained by large magma production-rates found in the zones of axial highs at the ridge axis, which also have generated the off-axial highs adjacent the ridge. We suggest that these axial and off-axial highs along the ridge control the lithological composition of the oceanic crust. This approach suggests normal gabbroic oceanic crust to be found in the areas bound by the active magma segments (the axial and off-axial highs) and mantle-derived peridotite outside these zone.     

Petrology of basalts from the Mohns-Knipovich Ridge; the Norwegian-Greenland Sea

Major element compositions of submarine basalts, quenched glasses, and contained phenocrysts are reported for samples from 25 dredge stations along the Mohns-Knipovich Ridge between the Jan Mayen fracture zone and 77°30N. Most of the basalts collected on the Jan Mayen platform have a subaerial appearance, are nepheline normative, rich in incompatible elements, and have REE-patterns strongly enriched in light-REE. The other basalts (with one exception) are tholeiitic pillow basalts, many of which have fresh quenched glass rims. From the Jan Mayen platform northeastwards the phenocryst assemblage changes from olivine±plagioclase±clinopyroxene±magnetite to olivine +plagioclase±chrome-spinel. This change is accompanied by a progressive decrease in the content of incompatible elements, light-REE enrichments and elevation of the ridge that are similar to those observed south of the Azores and Iceland hotspots. Pillow basalts and glasses collected along the esternmost part of the Mohns Ridge (450 to 675 km east of Jan Mayen) have low K₂O, TiO₂, and P₂O₅ contents, light-REE depleted patterns relative to chondrites, and Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) ratios between 0.64 and 0.60. Pillow basalts and glasses from the Knipovich Ridge have similar (Mg/Mg+Fe²⁺) ratios, but along the entire ridge have slightly higher concentrations of incompatible elements and chondritic to slightly light-REE enriched patterns. The incompatible element enrichment increases slightly northward. Plagioclase phenocrysts show normal and reverse zoning on all parts of the ridge whereas olivines are unzoned or show only weak normal zoning. Olivine-liquid equilibrium temperatures are calculated to be in the range of 1,060–1,206° C with a mean around 1,180° C.Rocks and glasses collected on the Jan Mayen Platform are compositionally similar to Jan Mayen volcanic products, suggesting that off-ridge alkali volcanism on the Jan Mayen Platform is more widespread than so far suspected. There is also evidence to suggest that the alkali basalts from the Jan Mayen Platform are derived from deeper levels and by smaller degrees of partial melting of a mantle significantly more enriched in light-REE and other incompatible elements than are the tholeiitic basalts from the Eastern Mohns and Knipovich Ridge. The possibility of the presence of another hitherto unsuspected enriched mantle region north of 77° 30 N is also briefly considered.It remains uncertain whether geochemical gradients revealed in this study reflect: (1) the dynamics of mixing during mantle advection and magma emplacement into the crust along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) spreading axis, (e.g. such as in the mantle plume — large-ion-lithophile element depleted asthenosphere mixing model previously proposed); or (2) a horizontal gradation of the mantle beneath the MAR axis similar to that observed in the overlying crust; or (3) a vertical gradation of the mantle in incompatible elements with their contents increasing with depth and derivations of melts from progressively greater depth towards the Jan Mayen Platform.     

Early Carboniferous ophiolite in central Qiangtang,northern Tibet: record of an oceanic back-arc system in the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean

Zircon U–Pb dating of two samples of metagabbro from the Riwanchaka ophiolite yielded early Carboniferous ages of 354.4 ± 2.3 Ma and 356.7 ± 1.9 Ma. Their positive zircon εHf(t) values (+7.9 to +9.9) indicate that these rocks were derived from a relatively depleted mantle. The metagabbros can be considered as two types: R1 and R2. Both types are tholeiitic, with depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSE) and enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) similar to those of typical back-arc basin basalts (BABB), such as Mariana BABB and East Scotia Ridge BABB. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics indicate that the R1 metagabbro originated from a back-arc basin spreading ridge with addition of slab-derived fluids, whereas the R2 metagabbro was derived from a back-arc basin mantle source, with involvement of melts and fluids from subducted ocean crust. The Riwanchaka ophiolite exhibits both mid-ocean ridge basalts- and arc-like geochemical affinities, consistent with coeval ophiolites from central Qiangtang. Observations indicate that the Qiangtang ophiolites developed during the Late Devonian–early Carboniferous (D₃–C₁) in a back-arc spreading ridge above an intra-oceanic subduction zone. Based on our data and previous studies, we propose that an oceanic back-arc basin system existed in the Longmuco–Shuanghu–Lancang Palaeo-Tethys Ocean during the D₃–C₁ period.