Metasomatism and origin of glass in the lithospheric mantle xenoliths beneath Ain Temouchent area (North-West Algeria)

A spinel ± amphibole ± feldspar bearing Iherzolites, a spinel ± amphibole ± feldspar bearing harzburgites, and a spinel ± amphibole ± phlogopite bearing wehrlites are metasomatized peridotitic mantle xenoliths from Ain Temouchent volcanic complex (North-West Algeria). These xenoliths are metamorphic/deformed rocks with a strong planar fabric typical of mantle tectonites. The wehrlites are not the result of a simple model of partial melting. The spinel ± amphibole ± feldspar bearing harzburgites and lherzolites exhibit asymmetric concave-shaped REE patterns. These indicate that an earlier partial melting event was followed by metasomatic processes. The wehrlites have higher REE concentrations and LREE/HREE fractionations, indicating a sequential evolution of wehrlites from previous refractory material with melting as an addition process. This process reflects the interaction of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Ain Temouchent area with basaltic melt. Metasomatism is expressed by the formation of amphibole, phlogopite, and increased abundances of clinopyroxene at the expense of orthopyroxene, in lherzolite and harzburgite. In the Ain Temouchent area, metasomatizing agents are Na-alkali silicates. The similarities observed between the glasses studied in this paper, and the basaltic host rocks of the Ain Temouchent area, may suggest a common mantle source, or with chemical similarities but with relatively different evolutions pathways. The formation of glass in wehrlites from the Ain Temouchent area has an origin formed by the breakdown of amphibole or phlogopite as a result of decompressional melting and production of silica-undersaturated glasses. The glass reacts with essentially orthopyroxene to produce silica-rich glasses. This study has contributed to highlighting a relationship between glass, and the processes that caused the formation of metasomatic phases.     

Garnet lherzolite xenoliths in the kimberlites of northern Lesotho: revised P-T equilibration conditions and upper mantle Palaeogeotherm

Evidence is presented that the inflected palaeogeotherm for northern Lesotho, previously highlighted by Boyd (1973), Boyd and Nixon (1973, 1975), Finnerty and Boyd (1984, 1987), is essentially an artifact of the unsatisfactory, over-simplified barometer formulation (based on MacGregor 1974) employed. The absence of an inflection in the palaeogeotherm for Udachnaya, Siberia based on P-T estimates for garnet lherzolite xenoliths calculated with the same barometer, does not prove the reality of an inflected palaeogeotherm for northern Lesotho. Rather, it reflects, at least in part, chemical differences between the equivalent deformed, high-T xenoliths in these two areas — most importantly expressed in the respective contents of Jadeite relative to ureyite in the constituent orthopyroxenes. Accurate estimation of P-T equilibration conditions for garnet lherzolite xenoliths requires both complete and precise mineral analyses and adequate consideration of the influence of minor elements, such as Cr and Na, on the element exchange reaction thermometers and barometers employed. The barometer formulation of Nickel and Green (1985) is judged to be the best currently available. As no single thermometer is entirely satisfactory and dependable throughout the P-T range of interest, equilibration temperatures are currently best assessed as a mean value obtained from application of the most accurate formulations for both the two-pyroxene solvus thermometer (Bertrand and Mercier 1985) and Fe²⁺-Mg²⁺ exchange reactions between garnet-clinopyroxene (Powell 1985), garnet-orthopyroxene (Harley 1984a) and garnet-olivine (O'Neill and Wood 1979) mineral pairs. Such best P-T estimates for xenoliths in the kimberlites of northern Lesotho indicate a somewhat elevated, non-inflected, upper mantle palaeogeotherm, compatible with a 120–145 km thick thermally conductive lithosphere above a convecting asthenosphere. The common coarse textured, chemically depleted, garnet lherzolite xenoliths appear mostly to have originated from close to the base of the lithosphere whilst the contrasting deformed, higher T, more chemically fertile xenoliths have come from the underlying asthenosphere. There is evidence for slight variations in the heat flux within the mantle beneath northern Lesotho at the time of emplacement of the Thaba Putsoa and Mothae kimberlites, only some 16 km apart, and also possibly for a regional variation in the thickness of the lithosphere.     

Amphibole-rich xenoliths and host alkali basalts: petrogenetic constraints and implications on the recent evolution of the upper mantle beneath Ahaggar (Central Sahara,Southern Algeria)

Quaternary basanitic to nephelinitic volcanoes from Tahalra (western Ahaggar, southern Algeria) contain numerous Mg-ilmenite and amphibole-rich inclusions (±olivine, ±salite) and spinel lherzolite (±pargasite) inclusions associated with kaersutite megacrysts. On the basis of petrological, geochemical and Sr isotopic study of representative xenoliths (including a composite nodule defined as a vein cross-cutting peridotite) and lavas, we attribute the series of amphibole-rich xenoliths and megacrysts to segregation under upper mantle conditions from a hydrous high Ti and LREE melt geochemically similar to the Quaternary basanite but isotopically different. Amphibole-rich rocks and megacrysts are the results of magmatic events (less than 40 Ma) probably contemporaneous with the various pre-Quaternary volcanic phases recognized in Ahaggar. The amphibole-rich veins and the Quaternary lavas have a garnet lherzolitic source enriched in REE (7 to 9 times chondritic in LREE, 2 times in HREE). This enrichment probably results from former metasomatic events unrelated to the recent magmatic history. Melts from which these veins precipitated within upper mantle peridotite also account for mantle enrichment processes; they induced a local partial melting and contact metasomatism (pargasitization). The upper mantle beneath the volcanic areas of Ahaggar is veined and hydrous, and consequently lightened: thus, the uplift of basement may be the isostatic response to magmatism and related metasomatism and therefore the result of the Cenozoïc igneous activity.     

Mineralogy of the upper mantle: A review of the minerals in mantle xenoliths from kimberlite

The importance of ultramafic and eclogitic xenoliths in kimberlite as representing the rocks and minerals of the upper mantle has been widely perceived during the last decade. Studies of the petrology and mineral chemistry of these mantle fragments as well as of inclusions in diamond, have led to significant progress in our understanding of the mineralogy and chemistry of the upper mantle. For example, it is now known that textural differences in the ultramafic xenoliths (lherzolite, harzburgite, pyroxenite and websterite) are partially reflected in chemical differences. Thus xenoliths that display a ‘fluidal’ texture, indicative of intense deformation are less depleted in Ca, Al, Na, Fe and Ti than those xenoliths in which granular textures are predominant. It is believed this relative depletion may indicate the sheared (fluidal texture) xenoliths are representative of primary, undifferentiated mantle. This material on partial melting would produce ‘basaltic-type’ material, and leave a residuum whose chemistry and mineralogy is reflected by the granular xenoliths.Also present in kimberlite are large single phase xenoliths that may be either one single crystal (xenocryst, megacryst) or an aggregate of several crystals of the same mineral (discrete xenolith, or discrete nodule). These large single phase samples consist of similar minerals to those occurring in the ultramafic xenoliths but chemically they are distinct in being generally more Fe-rich. The relation between these xenocrysts to their counterparts in the ultramafic xenoliths is unknown. Also unknown, at the present time, is the exact relation between diamond and kimberlite. Evidence obtained from study of the mineral inclusions in diamond suggests that diamond forms in at least two chemically distinct environments in the mantle; one eclogitic, the other, ultramafic. Interestingly, this suggestion is true for diamonds from worldwide localities.The mineral-chemical results of studies on xenoliths and inclusions in diamond have been convincingly interpreted in the light of experimental studies. It is now possible based on several different geothermometers and barometers to determine relatively reasonable physical conditions for the final genesis of many of these mantle rocks. For the most part the final equilibration temperatures range between 1000 and 1400°C and pressure in the region 100–200 km. These conditions are consistent with an upper mantle origin. Future studies will undoubtedly attempt to more concisely, and accurately, define these conditions, as well as understand better the chemical and spatial relationship of the rock-types in the mantle.     

Spinel lherzolite xenoliths from the Premier kimberlite (Kaapvaal craton, South Africa): Nature and evolution of the shallow upper mantle beneath the Bushveld complex

Coarse-grained, granular spinel lherzolites xenoliths from the Premier kimberlite show evidence of melt extraction and metasomatic enrichment, documenting a complex history for the shallow mantle beneath the Bushveld complex. Compositions of orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel indicate equilibration within the spinel–peridotite facies of the upper mantle, at depths from 80 to 100 km and temperatures from 720 to 850 °C. Bulk compositions have lower Mg-number [atomic 100 Mg/(Mg + Fe*)] than previously studied spinel peridotites from Premier, and have higher Mg/Si than low-temperature coarse grained garnet lherzolites, suggesting shallower melting conditions or metasomatic enrichment. Clinopyroxene in one sample is highly LREE-depleted indicating very minor modification of a residue of 20% melt extraction, whereas the calculated REE pattern for a melt in equilibrium with a mildly LREE-depleted sample is similar to MORB or late Archean basalt, possibly related to the Bushveld Complex. Bulk and mineral compositions suggest minimal refertilization by silicate melts in four out of six samples, but REE patterns indicate introduction of a LIL-enriched component that may be related to kimberlite.     

Magnesian ilmenitite xenoliths in a basanite from Tahalra,Ahaggar (Southern Algeria)

Large magnesian ilmenite nodules occur in a quaternary basanitic volcano near Silet in the Tahalra volcanic area (Central Ahaggar, Southern Algeria). Their texture, from foliated to polygonal, is ascribed to solid state flow and dynamic recrystallization in upper mantle conditions.Their composition is similar to that of kimberlitic Mg-ilmenite nodules, as regards Mg, Fe, Al and Cr contents; the geikielite content ranges from 25 to 37 mol %. No outwards Mg enrichment of the nodules has been observed. Peripheral secundary products (pseudobrookite, magnetite and hematite) result from reaction with the host magma.From textural relationships and microprobe analyses, the Mg-ilmenite nodules from Tahalra are thought to be early cumulates from a mafic melt fractionnated in the upper-mantle; later, after solid-state deformation, these ilmenitite rocks were sampled and carried up to the surface by a fast-rising basanitic liquid.Rocks almost exclusively made of ilmenite do therefore presently exist within the upper-mantle and form a new type of petrological heterogeneity.     

Rheology of the upper mantle: Inferences from peridotite xenoliths

Stress estimates as a function of depth are obtained for peridotite xenoliths from the upper mantle of three types of tectonic environments by applying revised recrystallizedgrain-size paleopiezometry and pyroxene thermobarometry. The general increase in grain size with depth and hence decrease in deviatoric stress, observed previously, is confirmed but reversals in these trends are now established and remain enigmatic. Stresses and temperatures obtained are combined with a representative creep-flow law to calculate strainrate and viscosity profiles that appear to be physically reasonable. Profiles for the highthermal-gradient rift/ridge environments show a complexity that is interpreted as.a rheological discontinuity resulting from the emplacement of asthenospheric diapirs during late stages of continental rifting. Profiles for broad continental extension zones (C.E.Z.), believed to be most representative of oceanic upper mantle, fluctuate between 50 and 80 km, with a general small increase in strain rate and decrease in viscosity with depth; deepest samples apparently come from the base of the lithosphere. Profiles for the infracratonic mantle of southern Africa show nearly a uniform increase in strain rate to values greater than 10⁻¹⁴/sec, and a decrease in viscosity to lower than 10²¹ poise, at a depth of 230 km. These profiles may transect the mechanically defined lithosphere—asthenosphere transition at about 200 km and, if so, there is no evidence for a mechanical discontinuity at the boundary. This observation, coupled with evidence that the sense of shear is homogeneous for all mantle profiles constructed, clearly favors a model whereby lithospheric plates are dragged by thermal convection of the asthenosphere below. Sea-floor spreading rates and relative plate-velocity estimates are consistent with this interpretation but do not independently permit a definitive choice between the two favored models advanced to explain the driving force for plate motions.     

Depletion and enrichment processes in the lithospheric mantle beneath the Kola Peninsula (Russia): Evidence from spinel lherzolite and wehrlite xenoliths

A suite of spinel lherzolite and wehrlite xenoliths from a Devonian kimberlite dyke near Kandalaksha, Kola Peninsula, Russia, has been studied to determine the nature of the lithospheric mantle beneath the northern Baltic Shield. Olivine modal estimates and Fo content in the spinel lherzolite xenoliths reveal that the lithosphere beneath the Archaean–Proterozoic crust has some similarities to Phanerozoic lithospheric mantle elsewhere. Modal metasomatism is indicated by the presence of Ti-rich and Ti-poor phlogopite, pargasite, apatite and picroilmenite in the xenoliths. Wehrlite xenoliths are considered to represent localised high-pressure cumulates from mafic–ultramafic melts trapped within the mantle as veins or lenses. Equilibration temperatures range from 775 to 969 °C for the spinel lherzolite xenoliths and from 817 to 904 °C for the wehrlites.

Laser ablation ICP-MS data for incompatible trace elements in primary clinopyroxenes and metasomatic amphiboles from the spinel lherzolites show moderate levels of LREE enrichment. Replacement clinopyroxenes in the wehrlites are less enriched in LREE but richer in TiO₂. Fractional melt modelling for Y and Yb concentrations in clinopyroxenes from the spinel lherzolites indicates 7–8% partial melting of a primitive source. Such a volume of partial melt could be related to the 2.4–2.5 Ga intrusion of basaltic magmas (now metamorphosed to garnet granulites) in the lower crust of the northern Baltic Shield. The lithosphere beneath the Kola Peninsula has undergone several episodes of metasomatism. Both the spinel lherzolites and wehrlites were subjected to an incomplete carbonatitic metasomatic event, probably related to an early carbonatitic phase associated with the 360–380 Ma Devonian alkaline magmatism. This resulted in crystallisation of secondary clinopyroxene rims at the expense of primary orthopyroxenes, with development of secondary forsteritic olivine and apatite. Two separate metasomatic events resulted in the crystallisation of the Ti–Fe-rich amphibole, phlogopite and ilmenite in the wehrlites and the low Ti–Fe amphibole and phlogopite in the spinel lherzolites. Alternatively, a single metasomatic event with a chemically evolving melt may have produced the significant compositional differences seen in the amphibole and phlogopite between the spinel lherzolites and wehrlites. The calculated REE pattern of a melt in equilibrium with clinopyroxenes from a cpx-rich pocket is identical to that of the kimberlite host, indicating a close petrological relationship.     

Symplectite in spinel lherzolite xenoliths from the Little Hungarian Plain, Western Hungary: A key for understanding the complex history of the upper mantle of the Pannonian Basin

Two spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Hungary that contain pyroxene–spinel symplectites have been studied using EPMA, Laser ablation ICP-MS and universal stage. Based on their geochemical and structural characteristics, the xenoliths represent two different domains of the shallow subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the Pannonian Basin. The occurrence of symplectites is attributed to the former presence and subsequent breakdown of garnets due to significant pressure decrease related to lithospheric thinning. This implies that both mantle domains were once part of the garnet lherzolitic upper mantle and had a similar history during the major extension that formed the Pannonian Basin.

Garnet breakdown resulted in distinct geochemical characteristics in the adjacent clinopyroxene crystals in both xenoliths. This is manifested by enrichment in HREE, Y, Zr and Hf towards the clinopyroxene porphyroclast rims and also in the neoblasts with respect to porphyroclast core compositions. This geochemical feature, together with the development and preservation of the texturally very sensitive symplectites, enables us to determine the relative timing of mantle processes. Our results indicate that garnets had been metastable in the spinel lherzolite environment and their breakdown to pyroxene and spinel is one of the latest processes that took place within the upper mantle before the xenoliths were brought to the surface.     

Insight into the upper mantle beneath an active extensional zone: the spinel-peridotite xenoliths from San Quintin (Baja California,Mexico)

Many of the peridotite xenoliths included in the San Quintin (Baja California Norte, Mexico) quaternary alkali-basalts have undergone a very intense shear deformation (deviatoric stresses up to 0.1 GPa), hence a first-order classification into coarse-grained lherzolites and deformed peridotites (porphyroclastic and mosaic textures) has been applied. All of these rocks show a very limited compositional variability in the Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺) ratios (olivine: 0.894–0.905±0.005; orthopyroxene: 0.899–0.9105±0.005), and the observed trends in the Cr/(Cr+Al) spinel ratios (from 0.1 to 0.6) can be interpreted as resulting from gradual partial melting followed by homogenization of the bulk phases. A later and less accentuated melting event is also evidenced by internal core-rim variations in the spinels from a few samples and ascribed to the thermal effect of the host lava.Simultaneous application of exchange geothermometers which give the latest equilibrium temperatures (i.e. at the time of eruption: Fe-Mg exchange between olivine and spinel) and of pyroxene transfer thermobarometers yields two distinct behaviours: the porphyroclastic and mosaic peridotites record an event of deformation and recrystallization and were equilibrated at 800°–950° C and P-1 GPa at the time of eruption, but have also retained evidence of higher temperatures (1000°–1050° C) and pressures; the coarsegrained lherzolites, which yield conditions of 1000°–1050° C and P<-2 GPa at the time of eruption, were originally equilibrated at higher temperature and pressure conditions and were subsequently re-equilibrated to 1000°–1050° C by solid-state bulk diffusion, without exsolution.Clinopyroxenite veins provide evidence of magma injection into the host-peridotite, before deformation but after the major melting event.To explain the simultaneous sampling of both groups of peridotites by the San Quintin alkali basalts, we suggest that the ascending magma reached the critical limit for hydraulic fracturing in the coarse-grained lherzolites. At shallower depth, the magma cross-cut an active shear zone, sampling prophyroclastic and mosaic samples of the strained peridotites.Our model is consistent with the regional tectonic context: upwelling of the mantle by isostatic re-equilibration after the end of the subduction processes and subsequent opening of the California Gulf. The only questionable parameter of the model remains the geometry of the shearzone, high or low angle orientation.     

The trapped fluid phase in upper mantle xenoliths from Victoria,Australia: implications for mantle metasomatism

Mantle-derived xenoliths of spinel lherzolite, spinel pyroxenite, garnet pyroxenite and wehrlite from Bullenmerri and Gnotuk maars, southwestern Victoria, Australia contain up to 3 vol.% of fluids trapped at high pressures. The fluid-filled cavities range in size from fluid inclusions (1–100 m) up to vugs 11/2 cm across, lined with euhedral high-pressure phases. The larger cavities form an integral part of the mosaic microstructure. Microthermometry and Raman laser microprobe analysis show that the fluids are dominantly CO₂. Small isolated inclusions may have densities 1.19 g/cm³, but most inclusions show microstructural evidence of partial decrepitation during eruption, and these have lower fluid densities. Mass-spectrometric analysis of gases released by crushing or heating shows the presence of He, N₂, Ar, H₂S, CO_s and SO₂ in small quantities; these may explain the small freezing-point depressions observed in some inclusions. Petrographic, SEM and microprobe studies show that the trapped fluids have reacted with the cavity walls (in clinopyroxene grains) to produce secondary amphiboles and carbonates. The trapped CO₂ thus represents only a small residual proportion of an original volatile phase, which has undergone at least two stages of modification — first by equilibration with spinel lherzolite to form amphibole (±mica±apatite), then by limited reaction with the walls of the fluid inclusions. The inferred original fluid was a CO₂-H₂O mixture, with significant contents of (at least) Cl and sulfur species. Generation of this fluid phase in the garnet-peridotite stability field, followed by its migration to the spinel peridotite stability field, would provide an efficient mechanism for metasomatic enrichment of the upper mantle in LIL elements. This migration could involve either a volatile flux or transport in small volumes of silicate melt that crystallize in the spinel peridotite field. These observations suggest that some portions of the subcontinental upper mantle contain large reservoirs of free fluid CO₂, which may be liberated during episodes of rifting or magmatism, to induce granulite-facies metamorphism of the lower crust.     

The evolution of spinel lherzolite xenoliths and the nature of the mantle at Kilbourne Hole,New Mexico

In peridotites, olivine, clinopyroxene, and orthopyroxene are complex solid solutions with wide stability fields. Depending mostly on bulk composition and pressure, these minerals may be accompanied by plagioclase (low pressure), spinel (moderate pressure), or garnet (high pressure), resulting in 4-phase and rarer 5-phase assemblages. Although a particular mineral assemblage is stable over a range of P–T, the compositions of the individual minerals vary with changing P–T conditions. Application of standard geothermobarometers to olivine–clinopyroxene–orthopyroxene–spinel peridotites is problematic. An alternative approach is to use a bulk rock composition to calculate equilibrium phase diagrams to determine the conditions under which a particular assemblage is stable. This requires consideration of the 7-component system SiO₂–Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃–FeO–MgO–CaO–Na₂O, internally consistent thermodynamic data for end members, and reliable mixing models for all mineral solutions. Experimental studies in simpler systems, and solution models from the literature, permit derivation of multicomponent thermodynamic mixing models for the key minerals. The models, when applied to xenoliths from Kilbourne Hole, constrain P and T of equilibration and are less sensitive to mineral compositional variations, or uncertainty in activity models, than standard thermobarometry. Our modeling provides the first tightly constrained pressure estimates for Kilbourne Hole, placing the xenoliths in the spinel stability field at depths (30–45 km) that correspond to the uppermost mantle beneath the Rio Grande Rift. The fine-grained equigranular lherzolite, porphyroclastic lherzolite, and some harzburgite-dunite specimens equilibrated at average conditions of 11.5 Kbar-930°C, 12 Kbar-990°C, and 13 Kbar-1,080°C, respectively. The mantle beneath the Rio Grande Rift is layered; the fine-grained equigranular lherzolite derives from relatively shallow depth (35 km average), and the porphyroclastic lherzolite from slightly deeper levels. Lying 5–10 km beneath both lherzolites, the harzburgite-dunite represents a depth where melt extraction has significantly altered mantle chemistry and where local thermodynamic equilibrium has not been maintained.     

Depleted and enriched matter in the upper mantle of Spitsbergen: Evidence from the study of mantle xenoliths

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

汉诺坝玄武岩及幔源包体对大陆地幔不均一性的指示

了解大陆地幔的不均一性对于理解地壳成分再循环、壳-幔相互作用等过程至关重要。本文通过对华北克拉通北缘汉诺坝地区来自不同地幔深度幔源岩石（玄武岩及橄榄岩和辉石岩包体）的研究进行综述,探讨了地幔在垂向上成分的不均一性特征。汉诺坝玄武岩的研究揭示了汉诺坝地区软流圈顶部存在再循环的碳酸盐化榴辉岩以及岩石圈底部具有富集的古老洋壳和沉积物成分。另外,玄武岩携带的橄榄岩和多类型辉石岩包体记录了不同来源（蚀变洋壳、沉积碳酸盐岩、碎屑沉积物、拆沉下地壳、软流圈）且不同成分（硅酸盐、碳酸盐）的熔/流体活动。富集地壳来源的熔/流体加入明显影响了汉诺坝地区陆下地幔成分的均质性,使得陆下地幔在微米至千米尺度存在明显的成分不均一特征。汉诺坝地区陆下地幔不均一性的认识为了解地壳物质再循环提供了绝佳的窗口。

     

Evolution of the upper mantle under the Assab Region (Ethiopia): Suggestions from petrology and geochemistry of tectonitic ultramafic xenoliths and host basaltic lavas

New data on major and trace elements geochemistry of the Assab Range (Ethiopia) basalts and enclosed mantle xenoliths are presented and discussed.Mantle ultramafics consist of spinel-peridotites and minor green spinel-pyroxenites (sometimes present as dykes within the former ones). Petrography and mineral chemistry indicate that both xenoliths families underwent a common subsolidus equilibrium crystallization at 1050°–1100° C., in the spinel-peridotite stability field.REE data on whole rock and on separated phases (cpx, opx and ol) have been obtained by RNAA. Spinel-peridotites exhibit LREE-enriched — HREE-depleted patterns with respect to chondrites. Mass balance calculations indicate that this is a characteristic feature of spinel-peridotite xenoliths which cannot be solely imputed to host basalt contamination.Xenoliths selected as representative of different depletion intensities, suffered by Assab spinel-peridotites prior to their subsolidus equilibration, show dependences from major elements composition in their REE geochemistry and wide variations in the measured REE partition values among coexisting phases.Concordancy in the REE compositions of liquids calculated utilizing the measured REE partitioning in the different xenoliths and theShaw's (1970) mass balance equation for non-modal equilibrium melting, confirms that the measured REE distribution represent equilibrium conditions.Theoretical least fusion liquids differ from the least differentiated among the enclosing basalts, both in their La/Lu ratio and in the total REE concentrations. Some similarities are observed with the composition of the pyroxenite dykes, however no firm conclusions on the comagmaticity of the two xenoliths types are reached.Trace geochemistry (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) on the host basalts indicates that the primary alkaline melts underwent an indipendent differentiation history by fractional crystallization at intermediate pressure conditions prior to the mantle xenoliths inclusion.Extrapolated seismic velocities for the Assab mantle xenoliths allow to ascribe them to the 7.3–7.7 V_P layer, underlying the crustal layers in the Assab and Afar area, as recognized on the basis of the geophysical surveys.In light of the above evidences, an evolutive picture of the Assab association is proposed which takes into account present day knowledges on the geodynamic evolution of the Afar-Red Sea system.

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Zusammenfassung Die ultrabasischen Gesteine des Mantels der Zone Assab (Äthiopien) bestehen aus Spinell-Peridotiten und aus wenigen grünen Spinell-Pyroxeniten (manchmal sind sie in Form von Intrusivgängen in den Spinell-Peridotiten). Die Petrologie und die Mineralchemie zeigen, daß die zwei Xenolith-Familien eine gemeinsame Rekristallisation unter Gleichgewicht bei den Temperaturen 1050°–1100° C im Stabilitäts-Feld der Spinell-Peridotite hatten.Die Daten über die Seltenen Erden im Gesamtgestein und die getrennten Mineralien (cpx, opx und 01) wurden mit der RNAA-Methode erhalten. Die Spinell-Peridotite zeigen eine Anreicherung an leichten Seltenen Erden und eine Verarmung an schweren Seltenen Erden in Beziehung auf die Chondrite.Die Berechnungen der Massengleichgewichte zeigen an, daß dies eine Charakteristik von Spinell-Peridotit-Xenolithen darstellt, die nicht auf eine Verunreinigung durch die umgebenden Basalte zurückgeführt werden darf.Xenolithe aus verschiedenen Stadien der Aufschmelzung zeigen einfache Beziehungen zwischen Hauptelementen und der Geochemie der Seltenen Erden und weite Variationen der Verteilungs-Koeffizienten der Seltenen Erden unter koexistenten Phasen.Die Geochemie der Spurenelemente (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) in den Basalten zeigt, daß sich das primäre, alkalische Magma durch fraktionierte Kristallisation differenziert hat bevor die Peridotiteinschlüsse auftraten.Diese Beobachtungen stehen im Einklang mit der modernen Erkenntnis über die geodynamische Entwicklung der Afar-Region und des Roten Meeres.

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Résumé Dans ce travail nous presentons des nouvelles données sur la géochimie des éléments majeurs et en traces dans les basaltes et dans les enclaves du manteau de la zone d'Assab (Éthiopie).Les enclaves; ultrabasiques du manteau sont constituées par des peridotites à spinelle et subordonnément par des pyroxenites à spinelle (quelquefois en forme de dykes dans les (peridotites). La pétrographie et la chimie des mineraux indiquent que les deux familles des enclaves esseurent une commune recristallization à l'équilibre aux temperatures de l'ordre de 1050°–1100° C dans le champ de stabilité de la peridotite à spinelle.Les données sur les terres rares dans la roche totale et dans les minéraux séparés ont été obtenues par RNAA. Les peridotites à spinelle montrent des patterns enrichis en terres rares légères et appauvries en terres rares lourdes par rapport à les aux condrites. Des calculs de balance de masse indiquent que cette caractéristique ne peut pas être attribuée simplément à la contamination par le basalte encaissant.Des enclaves sélectionées comme residus des differentes intensités de fusion partielle montrent des relations simples entre éléments majeurs et la géochimie des terres rares et des importantes variations des coefficients de partage des terres rares entre les differentes mineraux coexistants dans le même enclave.D'ailleurs la concordance entre les compositions en terres rares des differents liquides calculés à partir de la distribution des terres rares entre les mineraux des differents enclaves (en utilisant la loi deShaw, 1970) montre que les distributions mesurées sont representatives des conditions d'équilibre.Les liquides théoriques de fusion minime ont des valeurs differentes La/Lu et des teneurs differentes en terres rares par rapport à les laves aux encaissantes. Par contre quelque similitude peut-être envisagée avec les pyroxenites cependant les données actuelles ne permettent pas de rejoindre des conclusions sur la comagmaticitée des deux familles des enclaves.La géochimie des traces (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) sur les laves encaissantes montre que le magma alcalin primaire a differencié par cristallization fractionnée à des conditions de pression intermediaire avant d'encaisser les enclaves du manteau.Les vitesses seismiques déduites pour les enclaves du manteau à partir des données experimentales permettent d'identifier ces matériaux avec la couche à vitesse V_P=7.3 –7.7 sous la région d'Assab et de l'Afar.Un modèle evolutif de l'association étudiée est presenté tout en considérant les conaissances actuelles de l'evolution geodinamique du sytème Afar-Mer Rouge.

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, . , , , - - , -. , 1050–1100 °C . — , ol — RNAA. . , , . , . — La/Lu, REE — , . — , Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA — , . , — .

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Financial supports by Italian C. N. R. and French C. N. R. S.     

Tychite in mantle xenoliths from kimberlites: The first find and a new genetic type

Tychite Na₆Mg₂(CO₃)₄(SO₃) is a rare natural Na and Mg sulfatocarbonate. It is found only as minor mineral in deposits of saline lakes in the United States, Canada, Uganda, and China. In these continental evaporites tychite has sedimentary genesis. In this study, we report the first occurrence of tychite as a crystal phase in the melt inclusions in olivine from mantle xenoliths of the Udachnaya-East kimberlite pipe. This find provides an evidence for the probability of tychite crystallization from melts; i.e., this rare sulfatocarbonate may have a magmatic origin as well.     

Thermal evolution of the mantle underneath the Mid-German crystalline rise: Evidence from mantle xenoliths from the Rhön area (Central Germany)

Summary A suite of ultramafic xenoliths (spinel peridotites, one olivine-clinopyroxene hornblendite, and one spinel pyroxenite) from Tertiary basalt vents and lava flows of the Rhön area (Central Germany) were investigated petrologically and geochemically. With regard to P-T estimates two distinct groups of peridotite xenoliths can be discriminated: (I) A low- to intermediate-temperature group of spinel lherzolites and wehrlites mainly displaying coarse equant textures yielded temperature estimates in the range of 840–1050 °C at rather variable pressures of 11–24 kbar. The strong variability of the P-T estimates is attributed to mineral chemical disequilibria and different diffusion rates of the elements used for geothermometry and geobarometry. Spinel-pyroxene symplectites within part of these xenoliths point to a former position in the stability field of garnet lherzolite. These xenoliths are variably depleted in the basaltic component by partial melt extraction. They often show an enrichment in LREE and MREE which is due to a later overprinting by cryptic metasomatism. (II) A high-temperature group of xenoliths, which mainly consists of porphyroclastic and subordinate coarse equant spinel lherzolites and harzburgites, experienced temperatures of 1190–1270 °C at 19–26 kbar. The P-T values for these xenoliths fall close to a geothermal gradient of about 90 mW/m² and illustrate intense heating processes in the mantle which were often coupled with ductile deformation caused by lithospheric stretching. The thermal disturbance which led to the reequilibration of these peridotites must have occurred during the Tertiary magmatic event as indicated by the absence of retrograde mineral zoning, missing textural reequilibration, and the presence of partial melting phenomena in clinopyroxene. Unlike sheared xenoliths from other locations, the porphyroclastic high-temperature peridotites from the Rhön are depleted in basaltic component, in HREE, Y, and Sc. An olivine-clinopyroxene hornblendite is classified as some kind of basaltic cumulate which - according to its P-T estimate of about 1150 °C at 9 kbar - originates from hte transition zone between the lower crust and the upper mantle.⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar dating of kaersutite from this sample indicates an age of about 25 Ma which is in accordance with the beginning of Tertiary volcanism in the Rhön area. These investigations show that part of the lithospheric mantle underneath the Rhön area experienced a thermal reequilibration during the Tertiary magmatic event while other parts give evidence of an older history, i.e. a cryptic metasomatism and a transition from the garnet- to the spinel-lherzolite field. A possible geotectonic scenario for the transition could be the post-Variscan crustal reequilibration.

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Thermische Entwicklung des Mantels unter der Mitteldeutschen Kristallinschwelle abgeleitet aus Mantelxenolithen der Rhön

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe von ultramafischen Xenolithen (Spinell-Peridotite, ein Olivin-KlinopyroxenHornblendit und ein Spinell-Pyroxenit) aus tertiären Basalten der Rhön wurde petrologisch and geochemisch untersucht. Zwei Gruppen von Peridotiten können hinsichtlich ihrer Äquilibrierungstemperaturen unterschieden werden: (I) Spinell-Lherzolithe and -Wehrlite mit niedrigen und mittleren Temperaturen von 840–1050 °C bei Drucken von 11-24 kbar zeigen zumeist granulare Gefüge. Die große Schwankungsbreite dieser P-T-Abschätzungen ist durch mineralchemische Ungleichgewichte und unterschiedliche Schließungstemperaturen der Geothermometer und Geobarometer bedingt. Spinell-Pyroxen-Symplektite, die in einigen dieser Xenolithe auftreten, weisen auf eine vormalige Position im Stabilitätsfeld von GranatLherzolith hin. Diese Xenolithe sind durch partielle Schmelzextraktion unterschiedlich stark depletiert. Häufig zeigen she eine Anreicherung der leichten and mittleren Seltenerdelemente, was durch eine spätere kryptometasomatische Überprägung bedingt ist. (II) Eine Gruppe hochtemperierter, vorwiegend porphyroklastischer und untergeordnet granularer Spinell-Lherzolithe und -Harzburgite wurde unter Temperaturen von 1190–1270 °C bei Drucken von 19–26 kbar überprägt. Die P-T Werte für diese Xenolithe liegen auf einem geothermischen Gradienten von über 90 mW/m², was auf intensive Aufheizprozesse im Mantel hinweist. Oftmals wurde these Aufheizung von einer duktilen Deformation begleitet, deren Ursache eine Dehnung der Mantellithosphäre war. Aufgrund der fehlenden Gleichgewichtstexturen, der Abwesenheit von retrograden Mineralzonierungen und partieller Schmelzprozesse bei den Klinopyroxenen dieser Xenolithe müssen ihre Deformation and Hochtemperaturüberprägung während des tertiären Magmatismus stattgefunden haben. Die porphyroklastischen, hochtemperierten Xenolithe zeigen die stärkste Abreicherung an basaltischer Komponente, den schweren Seltenerdelementen sowie an Y and Sc. Bei dem Olivin-Klinopyroxen-Hornblendit handelt es sich um ein basaltisches Kumulat, welches aufgrund seiner P-T Abschätzung (um 1150 °C bei 9 kbar) aus dem Übergangsbereich von unterer Kruste zu oberem Mantel stammt. Eine⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar Datierung von Kaersutiten dieser Probe weist auf ein Alter von etwa 25 Ma, was in Übereinstimmung mit dem Beginn des tertiären Vulkanismus in dieser Region ist. Diese Untersuchungen verdeutlichen, daß ein Teil des lithosphärischen Mantels unter der Rhön eine thermische Äquilibrierung während des tertiären magmatischen Ereignisses erfuhr. Dagegen zeigen andere Teile noch Relikte einer älteren Geschichte, speziell eine kryptische Metasomatose and den Übergang vom Stabilitätsfeld des Granat-Lherzoliths zum Spinell-Lherzolith. Ein mögliches geotektonisches Szenario für diesen Transfer könnte die postvariscische Krustenreäquilibrierung sein.

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With 7 Figures     

Platinum-group element abundances in the upper mantle: new constraints from in situ and whole-rock analyses of Massif Central xenoliths (France)

Fourteen peridotite xenoliths collected in the Massif Central neogene volcanic province (France) have been analyzed for platinum-group elements (PGE), Au, Cu, S, and Se. Their total PGE contents range between 3 and 30 ppb and their PGE relative abundances from 0.01 to 0.001 × CI-chondrites, respectively. Positive correlations between total PGE contents and Se suggest that all of the PGE are hosted mainly in base metal sulfides (monosulfide solid solution [Mss], pentlandite, and Cu-rich sulfides [chalcopyrite/isocubanite]). Laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses support this conclusion while suggesting that, as observed in experiments on the Cu-Fe-Ni-S system, the Mss preferentially accommodate refractory PGEs (Os, Ir, Ru, and Rh) and Cu-rich sulfides concentrate Pd and Au. Poikiloblastic peridotites pervasively percolated by large silicate melt fractions at high temperature (1200°C) display the lowest Se (<2.3 ppb) and the lowest PGE contents (0.001 × CI-chondrites). In these rocks, the total PGE budget inherited from the primitive mantle was reduced by 80%, probably because intergranular sulfides were completely removed by the silicate melt. In contrast, protogranular peridotites metasomatized by small fractions of volatile-rich melts are enriched in Pt, Pd, and Au and display suprachondritic Pd/Ir ratios (1.9). The palladium-group PGE (PPGE) enrichment is consistent with precipitation of Cu-Ni-rich sulfides from the metasomatic melts. In spite of strong light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments (Ce/Yb_N < 10), the three harzburgites analyzed still display chondrite-normalized PGE patterns typical of partial melting residues, i.e., depleted in Pd and Pt relative to Ir and Ru. Likewise, coarse-granular lherzolites, a common rock type in Massif Central xenoliths, display Pd/Ir, Ru/Ir, Rh/Ir, and Pt/Ir within the 15% uncertainty range of chondritic meteorites. These rocks do not contradict the late-veneer hypothesis that ascribes the PGE budget of the Earth to a late-accreting chondritic component; however, speculations about this component from the Pd/Ir and Pt/Ir ratios of basalt-borne xenoliths may be premature.