Geochemical characteristics of lava-field basalts from eastern Australia and inferred sources: Connections with the subcontinental lithospheric mantle?

 A large new database of major, trace elements and Sr-Nd isotopic ratios from 11 lava-field provinces in New South Wales and Queensland, eastern Australia allows detailed interpretation of the origin of these basaltic magmas. Isotopic signatures and trace element patterns identify an OIB-type (oceanic island basalt) source as a dominant component for most of these and some provinces appear to have additional significant components derived from the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The SCLM components have geochemical characteristics that overlap those observed in spinel lherzolite xenoliths (samples of shallow lithospheric mantle) from eastern Australia. These SCLM components show geochemical provinciality that indicates the occurrence of distinct geochemical lithospheric domains reflecting the timing and style of tectonic evolution of different regions. One component reflects modification by subduction-related processes during the late Paleozoic and Mesozoic, one records enrichment by fluids during old metasomatic events and another suggests a metasomatic event involving a distinctive amphibole and apatite-style enrichment. The composition and age distribution of volcanic lava-field provinces older than 10 Ma are consistent with a model involving a regional upwelling (elongated N–S along eastern Australia) of deep hot mantle related to marginal rifting and with OIB-type source geochemical characteristics. Thermal inhomogeneities within this plume swath resulted in small diapirs which may have undergone melt segregation at about 100 km and incorporated varying amounts of SCLM components there or from higher levels of the SCLM during ascent. Subsequent hot-spot generated central volcanoes overprinted this lava-field volcanism, tapped a similar OIB-type source component and truncated the thermal events. Accepted: 15 March 1995     

Genesis of zircon megacrysts in Cenozoic alkali basalts and the heterogeneity of subcontinental lithospheric mantle, eastern China

Zircon megacrysts are found in alluvial deposits associated with Cenozoic basalts from Changle in Shandong Province, Mingxi in Fujian Province and Penglai in Hainan Province within the coastal area of eastern China. They are colourless, transparent to light brown–maroon, and some of them are up to 16 mm long. U–Pb ages of zircon megacrysts from Changle, Mingxi and Penglai are 19.2?±?0.7 Ma, 1.2?±?0.1 Ma and 4.1?±?0.2 Ma respectively, slightly older than the eruption ages of their corresponding host rocks (16.05–18.87 Ma, 0.9–2.2 Ma, 3 Ma). ε_Hf(t) values of zircon megacrysts are 9.02?±?0.49, 6.83?±?0.47, 4.46?±?0.48 for Changle, Mingxi and Penglai, respectively, which indicates their mantle origin. We suggest that the zircon megacrysts originated from metasomatised lithospheric mantle and were later brought up quickly by the host basaltic magma. The euhedral forms, uniform internal structure and chemical homogeneity within a single grain suggest crystallization under stable conditions. Pronounced positive Ce anomalies and negligible Eu anomalies suggest oxidizing conditions and little or no fractional crystallization of plagioclase. The differences in Hf-isotope compositions among the zircon megacrysts from different localities are consistent with the Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions of their respective host basalts. This indicates that the host basalts acquired their isotopic signatures from the lithospheric mantle from which the zircon megacrysts derived. These data document the lateral compositional heterogeneity in the upper mantle beneath eastern China. Like mantle xenoliths, zircon megacrysts also have the potential to fingerprint the composition and evolution of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle.     

Melting of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle by the Emeishan mantle plume; evidence from the basal alkaline basalts in Dongchuan, Yunnan, Southwestern China

The Emeishan continental flood basalt (ECFB) sequence in Dongchuan, SW China comprises a basal tephrite unit overlain by an upper tholeiitic basalt unit. The upper basalts have high TiO₂ contents (3.2–5.2 wt.%), relatively high rare-earth element (REE) concentrations (40 to 60 ppm La, 12.5 to 16.5 ppm Sm, and 3 to 4 ppm Yb), moderate Zr/Nb and Nb/La ratios (9.3–10.2 and 0.6–0.9, respectively) and relatively high _{Nd (t)} values, ranging from − 0.94 to 2.3, and are comparable to the high-Ti ECFB elsewhere. The tephrites have relatively high P₂O₅ (1.3–2.0 wt.%), low REE concentrations (e.g., 17 to 23 ppm La, 4 to 5.3 ppm Sm, and 2 to 3 ppm Yb), high Nb/La (2.0–3.9) ratios, low Zr/Nb ratios (2.3–4.2), and extremely low _{Nd (t)} values (mostly ranging from − 10.6 to − 11.1). The distinct compositional differences between the tephrites and the overlying tholeiitic basalts cannot be explained by either fractional crystallization or crustal contamination of a common parental magma. The tholeiitic basalts formed by partial melting of the Emeishan plume head at a depth where garnet was stable, perhaps > 80 km. We propose that the tephrites were derived from magmas formed when the base of the previously metasomatized, volatile-mineral bearing subcontinental lithospheric mantle was heated by the upwelling mantle plume.     

An alternative model for silica enrichment in the Kaapvaal subcontinental lithospheric mantle

The Mg- and Si-rich nature of the sub-cratonic lithospheric mantle (SCLM) beneath the Kaapvaal Craton indicates extensive melt depletion, followed by a Si-enrichment process. Six highly silica enriched peridotites from Kimberley containing high amounts of orthopyroxene (Opx) or garnet (Grt) that are locally concentrated in clots, were investigated to constrain the timing and nature of the Si-enrichment process. A clinopyroxene-bearing lherzolite containing an Opx-clot was studied to quantify the effects of recent metasomatism on the Si-enriched samples. Minerals from the lherzolite, together with Opx from harzburgites and Opx- and Grt-clots have Hf-Nd isotope ratios at the time of kimberlite eruption, 90 Ma, comparable to group I kimberlites and are close to trace element equilibrium with kimberlitic melts. This implies the xenoliths underwent major interaction with kimberlitic melts close to the time of kimberlite eruption.Harzburgites and mineral clots record equilibration pressures and temperatures of, respectively, between 3.5-4.3 GPa and 930-1060 °C. The garnets in Opx-clots have low Lu/Hf and ε_Hf(t) −15, whereas garnets from Grt-clots have high Lu/Hf and ε_Hf(t) +10. In contrast, Grt from both Grt- and Opx-clots have low Sm/Nd and ε_Nd −10. The whole rock platinum group element (PGE) concentrations are an order of magnitude higher in the Grt-clot than the Opx-clot. Measured ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os range from 0.1085 to 0.1222. The Grt-clot bearing sample yields Nd-Hf-Os isotope model ages that suggest formation in the Neoproterozoic (∼650 Ma). In contrast, an Opx-clot yields T_RD ages of 2.8 Ga, which is interpreted as the time of formation of the host harzburgite. The Opx-clots and host harzburgites have comparable Lu-Hf isotope systematics that imply Opx growth at ∼1.3 Ga and hence their formation is not related to the Grt-clots.Garnets from Opx- and Grt-clots have elevated high-field strength element (HFSE) concentrations, and lack HFSE depletion relative to other trace elements with comparable degrees of incompatibility in the mantle (La/Nb < 0.5). In addition, calculated melts in equilibrium with Grt have strongly fractionated REE (Nd/Yb > 300) and HREE depletion (Yb_N < 0.1) suggesting equilibration with a hydrous melt that is more HREE depleted than a kimberlitic melt. Previous models that related Si-enrichment to subduction are inconsistent with the lack of HFSE depletion (La/Nb < 0.5). Therefore the favoured model for Opx- and Grt-clot formation is infiltration of a hydrous melt in a within plate geodynamical environment associated with volcanism in the Mid-proterozoic and Neoproterozoic, respectively. This implies that Si-enrichment of the Kaapvaal SCLM may be a consequence of numerous localised magmatic events rather than a single craton-wide process.     

Postdated melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle by the Emeishan mantle plume: Evidence from the Anyi intrusion,Yunnan, SW China

The Anyi intrusion is located in the central zone of Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP), SW China. It outcrops in an area of about 0.65 km² and ~ 1 km thick and dips to the southwest. The Anyi intrusion consists of a lower clinopyroxenite zone, middle gabbro zone, and an upper monzonite–syenite zone. Up to 400 m thick stratiform disseminated Fe–Ti oxide layer with grades of 16–18 wt.% total Fe is hosted in the lower clinopyroxenite zone. Zircon SHRIMP U–Pb age (247 ± 3 Ma) indicates that the Anyi intrusion represents postdated mafic magmatism resulting from the ~ 260 Ma Emeishan mantle plume. Compared with the typical oxide-bearing intrusions (such as Panzhihua and Baima) formed at ~ 260 Ma in the ELIP, the Anyi intrusion is characterized by high alkaline contents and LREE/HREE ratios, extremely low εNd values (− 6.2 to − 7.6) and moderate high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values (0.7072 to 0.7086). These characteristics of the Anyi intrusion cannot be explained by fractional crystallization or crustal contamination, but may reflect a unique enriched continental lithospheric mantle source (a mantle source mixed between garnet pyroxenite and spinel peridotite). We propose that the postdated mafic magmatism associated with the formation of the Anyi intrusion and its Fe–Ti oxide ore may be the product of melting of a mantle source mixed between garnet pyroxenite and spinel peridotite in the shallow lithosphere caused by conductive heating combined with lithosphere thinning due to plume–lithosphere interaction.     

Light noble gas data in Guli massif carbonatites reveal the subcontinental lithospheric mantle as primary fluid source

For better understanding of the fluid phase sources of carbonatites of Guli alkaline-ultrabasic intrusion (Maymecha-Kotuy complex) we have studied isotope composition of He and Ne in the carbonatites of different formation stages. The data definitely point to the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) as a primary source of fluid phase of Guli carbonatites. The absence of plume signature in such a plume-like object (from petrological point of view) could be explained in terms that Guli carbonatites have been formed at the waning stage of plume magmatic activity with an essential input of SCLM components.     

Primitive off-rift basalts from Iceland and Jan Mayen: Os-isotopic evidence for a mantle source containing enriched subcontinental lithosphere

New measurements of Os, He, Sr and Nd isotopes, along with major and trace elements, are presented for basalts from the three volcanic flank zones in Iceland and from Jan Mayen Island. The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios in lavas with <30 ppt Os (n = 4) are elevated compared to ratios in coexisting olivine and appear to be contaminated at a shallow level. The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios in the remaining lavas with >30 ppt Os (n = 17) range between 0.12117 and 0.13324. These values are surprisingly low for oceanic island basalts and include some samples that are less than putative present-day primitive upper mantle (PUM with ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os of 0.1296). These low ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os preclude significant shallow-level contamination from oceanic crust. The ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios for Jan Mayen lavas are less than PUM, severely limiting the presence of any continental crust in their mantle source. A positive correlation between ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios in Iceland and Jan Mayen lavas likely reflects the presence in their source of ancient subcontinental lithosphere that has undergone incompatible trace element enrichment that did not affect the Re-Os system. In addition, the Jan Mayen lava isotopic signature cannot be explained solely by the presence of subcontinental lithospheric mantle, and the influence of another geochemical component, such as a mantle plume appears required. Combined ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, ³He/⁴He and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os data indicate a genetic relationship between Jan Mayen Island and the Iceland mantle plume. Material from the Iceland mantle plume likely migrates at depth until it reaches the tensional setting of the Jan Mayen Fracture Zone, where it undergoes low-degree partial melting. At a first-order, isotopic co-variations can be interpreted as broadly binary mixing curves between two primary end-members. One end-member, characterized in particular by its unradiogenic ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, low ³He/⁴He and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, is represented by subcontinental lithospheric mantle stranded and disseminated in the upper mantle during the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. The second end-member corresponds to a hybrid mixture between the depleted-MORB mantle and the enriched Iceland mantle plume, itself resulting from mixing between recycled oceanic crust and depleted lower mantle. This hybrid accounts for the high ³He/⁴He (∼28 Ra), high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (∼0.5132), high ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os (∼0.14) and low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (∼0.7026) composition observed in Iceland. Two different models may account for these observed mixing relationships between the end-members. In this first model, the Iceland mantle entrains pristine depleted material when rising in the upper mantle and allows refractory sub-lithospheric fragments to melt because of excess heat derived from the deep plume material. A second model that may better account for the Pb isotopic variations observed, uses the same components but where the depleted-MORB mantle is already polluted by subcontinental lithospheric mantle material before mixing with the Iceland mantle plume. Both cases likely occur. Though only three principal components are required to explain the isotopic variations of the Iceland-Jan Mayen system, the different possible mixing relationships may be accounted for by potentially a greater number of end-members.     

Compositional variations and heterogeneity in fertile lithospheric mantle: peridotite xenoliths in basalts from Tariat,Mongolia

Clinopyroxene-rich, poorly metasomatised spinel lherzolites are rare worldwide but predominate among xenoliths in five Quaternary basaltic eruption centres in Tariat, central Mongolia. High-precision analyses of the most fertile Tariat lherzolites are used to evaluate estimates of primitive mantle compositions; they indicate Mg#_PM = 0.890 while lower Mg# in the mantle are likely related to metasomatic enrichments in iron. Within a 10 × 20 km area, and between ~45 and ≥60 km depth, the sampled xenoliths suggest that the Tariat mantle does not show km-scale chemical heterogeneities and mainly consists of residues after low-degree melt extraction at 1–3 GPa. However, accessory (<1%) amphibole and phlogopite are unevenly distributed beneath the eruption centres. Ca abundances in olivine are controlled by temperature whereas Al and Cr abundances also depend on Cr/Al in coexisting spinel. Comparisons of conventional and high-precision analyses obtained for 30 xenoliths show that high-quality data, in particular for whole-rocks and olivines, are essential to constrain the origin of mantle peridotites. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Melting in the lithospheric mantle: Inverse modelling of alkali-olivine basalts from the Big Pine Volcanic Field,California

The variations in trace element abundances of a suite of alkali-olivine basalts from the Big Pine volcanic field, California, have been ‘inverted’ following the method of Hofmann and co-workers to obtain source concentration and distribution coefficient data. The high Mg-numbers and ne-normative mineralogy of these lavas allow a simple correction to be made for fractional crystallisation, and together with a limited range in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7056–0.7064), suggest derivation from a relatively homogeneous source region. Negative correlations between SiO₂ and P₂O₅, and SiO₂ and Rb in the calculated primary magmas imply that both major and trace elements vary in a coherent fashion as a function of the degree of partial melting. The Big Pine lavas are characterised by high ratios of large-ion lithophile to high-field strength elements (Ba/Nb>60), and the inverse procedure demonstrates that this reflects source concentrations, as opposed to a mineralogical control. The calculated mantle source is further characterised by generally high abundances of Sr, Ba, K, and Th relative to Nb and Ta which imply that incompatible element enrichment of the source occurred above a subduction zone. A model Sm/Nd age of 1.8 Ga for this enrichment coincides with the regional crustal formation age. Such features imply that both the major and trace element components of the Big Pine lavas are derived from within lithospheric mantle, perhaps mobilised by the high geothermal gradients which characterise the extensional environment of the Basin and Range Province. A comparison with other Cenozoic mafic lavas throughout the western United States suggests that a substantial proportion of the mantle lithosphere in this area has similar chemical characteristics to the source of the Big Pine lavas. If this is the case, then it implies that convergent margins represent an important tectonic environment for the formation of lithospheric mantle.     

Imaging global chemical and thermal heterogeneity in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle with garnets and xenoliths: Geophysical implications

Suites of mantle-derived xenoliths in volcanic rocks provide estimates of the geothermal gradient and composition of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) at the time of the volcanic eruption. The development of single-grain thermometry and barometry, applied to xenocryst minerals in volcanic rocks, has greatly expanded the number of localities for which such data can be obtained and made it feasible to map the geology of the SCLM on a broader scale, both vertically and laterally. From garnet xenocrysts, it is possible to derive profiles showing mean values of olivine composition, bulk-rock composition, density and seismic velocities, as well as geotherm parameters and constraints on the thickness of the SCLM. Geochemical profiles, coupled with Re–Os dating of peridotites and their enclosed sulfide minerals, show that Archean or Proterozoic SCLM is preserved at shallow levels beneath many areas of younger tectonothermal age; this implies rapid vertical variations in Vs and Vp with depth, which may affect seismic interpretations. Data from several hundred localities worldwide define a secular evolution in the composition of the SCLM, related to the tectonothermal age of the overlying crust. Archean SCLM is typically strongly depleted in basaltic components, highly magnesian and thick (160–250 km), and has low geotherms; Phanerozoic SCLM is typically fertile (rich in basaltic components), Fe-rich, thin (50–100 km) and has a range of high geotherms; Proterozoic SCLM (much of which may be reworked Archean mantle) tends to be intermediate in all respects. The correlated variations in SCLM fertility, lithospheric thickness and geotherm reinforce the effects of each on seismic velocity, and produce more rapid lateral variations in seismic response than would result from thermal effects alone. These correlations are the key to using seismic tomography images to map the lateral extent of different types of SCLM.     

On the iron isotope heterogeneity of lithospheric mantle xenoliths: implications for mantle metasomatism, the origin of basalts and the iron isotope composition of the Earth

With the aim to better understand the cause of the iron isotope heterogeneity of mantle-derived bulk peridotites, we compared the petrological, geochemical and iron isotope composition of four xenolith suites from different geodynamic settings; sub-arc mantle (Patagonia); subcontinental lithospheric mantle (Cameroon), oceanic mantle (Kerguelen) and cratonic mantle (South Africa). Although correlations were not easy to obtain and remain scattered because these rocks record successive geological events, those found between δ⁵⁷Fe, Mg#, some major and trace element contents of rocks and minerals highlight the processes responsible for the Fe isotope heterogeneity. While partial melting processes only account for moderate Fe isotope variations in the mantle (<0.2 ‰, with bulk rock values yielding a range of δ⁵⁷Fe ± 0.1 ‰ relative to IRMM-14), the main cause of Fe isotope heterogeneity is metasomatism (>0.9 ‰). The kinetic nature of rapid metasomatic exchanges between low viscosity melts/fluids and their wall-rocks peridotite in the mantle is the likely explanation for this large range. There are a variety of responses of Fe isotope signatures depending on the nature of the metasomatic processes, allowing for a more detailed study of metasomatism in the mantle with Fe isotopes. The current database on the iron isotope composition of peridotite xenoliths and mafic eruptive rocks highlights that most basalts have their main source deeper than the lithospheric mantle. Finally, it is concluded that due to a complex geological history, Fe isotope compositions of mantle xenoliths are too scattered to define a mean isotopic composition with enough accuracy to assess whether the bulk silicate Earth has a mean δ⁵⁷Fe that is chondritic, or if it is ~0.1 ‰ above chondrites as initially proposed.     

内蒙古集宁新生代玄武岩中橄榄岩包体矿物化学特征及其地幔演化意义

在无水"干"体系的四矿物相橄榄岩中,单斜辉石由于熔点低而通常记录着丰富的部分熔融作用和地幔交代作用信息。在详细岩相学特征和组成矿物主元素分析基础上,重点对内蒙古集宁玄武岩中橄榄岩包体的单斜辉石进行了激光原位微量元素研究。通过与新生代时华北具古老克拉通地幔特征(如鹤壁)和具新生岩石圈地幔特征(如山旺)的橄榄岩对比,讨论了新生代时集宁地区陆下岩石圈地幔性质及其形成和演化机制。集宁地区岩石圈地幔是相当于原始地幔经过较低程度的部分熔融抽取形成的,除个别样品的部分熔融程度5%外,多数样品为5%～10%。橄榄岩的平衡温度与橄榄石Mg#关系表明新生代时集宁地区的陆下岩石圈地幔是不均一的,无明显分层现象,表现为饱满与过渡型地幔的共存。这种主体饱满并兼有过渡型地幔的不均一现象,可能是软流圈物质对古老地幔进行不均匀侵蚀、改造和置换作用的结果。     

Scoring system to predict landslide runout in the Pacific Northwest,USA

Landslides - Long-runout landslides can be extremely hazardous and unpredictable. The prediction of long-runout landslides is challenging because it is unclear what factors control their mobility,...     

Effects of melt percolation on highly siderophile elements and Os isotopes in subcontinental lithospheric mantle: A study of the upper mantle profile beneath Central Europe

The effects of melt percolation on highly siderophile element (HSE) concentrations and Re-Os isotopic systematics of subcontinental lithospheric mantle are examined for a suite of spinel peridotite xenoliths from the 4 Ma Kozákov volcano, Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic. The xenoliths have previously been estimated to originate from depths ranging from ∼32 to 70 km and represent a layered upper mantle profile. Prior petrographic and lithophile trace element data for the xenoliths indicate that they were variably modified via metasomatism resulting from the percolation of basaltic melt derived from the asthenosphere. Chemical and isotopic data suggest that lower sections of the upper mantle profile interacted with melt characterized by a primitive, S-undersaturated composition at high melt/rock ratios. The middle and upper layers of the profile were modified by more evolved melt at moderate to low melt/rock ratios. This profile permits an unusual opportunity to examine the effects of variable melt percolation on HSE abundances and Os isotopes.Most HSE concentrations in the studied rocks are significantly depleted compared to estimates for the primitive upper mantle. The depletions, which are most pronounced for Os, Ir and Ru in the lower sections of the mantle profile, are coupled with strong HSE fractionations (e.g., Os_N/Ir_N ratios ranging from 0.3 to 2.4). Platinum appears to have been removed from some rocks, and enriched in others. This enrichment is coupled with lithophile element evidence for the degree of percolating melt fractionation (i.e., Ce/Tb ratio).Osmium isotopic compositions vary considerably from subchondritic to approximately chondritic (γ_Os at 5 Ma from -6.9 to +2.1). The absence of correlations between ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os and indicators of fertility, as is common in many lithospheric mantle suites, may suggest significant perturbation of the Os isotopic compositions of some of these rocks, but more likely reflect the normal range of isotopic compositions found in the modern convecting mantle. Osmium isotopic compositions correspondingly yield model Re-depletion (T_RD) ages that range from essentially modern to ∼1.3 Ga.Our data provide evidence for large-scale incompatible behavior of HSE during melt percolation as a result of sulfide dissolution, consistent with observations of prior studies. The degree of incompatibility evidently depended on melt/rock ratios and the degree of S-saturation of the percolating melt. The high Pt contents of some of these rocks suggest that the Pt present in this pervasively metasomatized mantle was controlled by a phase unique to the other HSE. Further, high Os concentrations in several samples suggest deposition of Os in a minority of the samples by melt percolation. In these rocks, the mobilized Os was characterized by similar to the ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios in the ambient rocks. There is no evidence for either the addition of Os with a strongly depleted isotopic composition, or Os with suprachondritic isotopic composition, as is commonly observed under such circumstances.     

The Darfur Dome,western Sudan: the product of a subcontinental mantle plume

Field investigations, K-Ar age determinations and chemical data were used to describe the development of an intraplate volcanic province, the Darfur Dome, Sudan. Magmatism started 36 Ma ago at a small subvolcanic complex (Jebel Kussa) in the center of the dome and was active in the same area between 26 and 23 Ma. Two major volcanic fields (Marra Mountains and Tagabo Hills) developed between 16 and 10 Ma. Volcanism started again at 6.8 Ma with a third volcanic field (Meidob Hills) and at 4.3 Ma in the Marra Mountains and with the reactivation of the center. Activity then continued until the late Quaternary. Having started in the center of the Darfur Dome, volcanism moved in 36 Ma 200 km towards the NNE and 100 km SSW No essential difference in the alkaline magma types (basanitic to phonolitic-trachytic, with different amounts of assimilation of crustal material) in the different fields, was observed. Magmatism is thought to have been produced by a rising mantle plume and volcanism was triggered by stress resolution along the Central African Fault Zone.     

Compositional heterogeneity of the continental lithospheric mantle beneath the Early Precambrian and Phanerozoic structures: Evidence from mantle xenoliths in kimberlites and alkaline basalts

Data on the petro- and geochemical characteristics of mantle xenoliths in kimberlites, which sampled the mantle beneath Early Precambrian tectonic structures (Archean cratons: the basement of the Eastern Siberian Platform, Karelian, Kaapvaal, Wyoming, Western Dharvar; Early and Middle Proterozoic foldbelts: Western Olenek, Natal, and Halls Creek), and xenoliths in alkaline basalts, which sampled the mantle benath Late Proterozoic-Phanerozoic structures (foldbelts: Central Asian, Mozambique, southern tip of South America, and Central German) indicate the following: (1) The major and trace element and REE composition of the mantle is different beneath Early Precambrian structures and Late Proterozoic-Phanerozoic foldbelts and reflects the degree of partial melting of the primitive mantle and its depletion in magmaphile components beneath ancient structures compared to young ones. (2) The original composition of the mantle was different beneath the Early Precambrian and Late Proterozoic structures in terms of both major oxides and incompatible trace elements and REE and their ratios; the composition of the mantle beneath the Eastern Siberian Platform, Wyoming, and Karelian cratons is different in terms of Zr/Y, La/Sm, Ce/Sm, Gd/Yb, and Lu/Hf. (3) The degree of melting of the primitive mantle decreases with depth, as follows from the negative correlation between the MgO/SiO₂ ratio and pressure (i.e., depth) and the positive correlation between the Al₂O₃/MgO ratio and pressure in the xenoliths. (4) The Y, Zr, Ti, Sm, Gd, and Yb conncentrations and the sum of HREE in the mantle decrease with increasing degree of melting; correspondingly, the material most strongly depleted in these incompatible trace elements and REE composes the upper levels of the lithospheric continental mantle.     

辉南新生代玄武岩中捕虏体橄榄岩矿物化学与华北岩石圈地幔演化

内容提要：在对吉林辉南新生代玄武岩中捕虏体橄榄岩详细的岩相学和矿物主量元素研究基础上,重点分析了单斜辉石激光原位微量元素,并讨论了辉南陆下岩石圈地幔的性质及其在华北克拉通破坏过程中的意义。橄榄石、单斜辉石和尖晶石的Mg#和Cr#均表明该区陆下岩石圈地幔主体是饱满的,同时也存在少量过渡和难熔型地幔。单斜辉石REE配分形式包括LREE亏损、倒U字型REE和LREE富集等不同类型。这些橄榄岩是地幔经历不同程度的部分熔融作用(低于10%)和复杂地幔交代作用的产物。交代介质主体是硅酸盐熔体,但个别样品有碳酸岩熔体交代的残留。橄榄石Mg#和平衡温度无相关性,说明辉南陆下岩石圈地幔不存在明显的分层而是交叉的。这些地幔特征和华北东部其他地区新生代的主体地幔性质相似,是熔-岩反应、侵蚀作用和上涌软流圈物质冷却转变置换的综合结果。     

High field strength element ratios in Archean basalts: a window to evolving sources of mantle plumes?

In terms of high field strength element ratios Nb/Th, Zr/Nb, Nb/Y and Zr/Y, most basalts from non-arc type Archean greenstones are similar to oceanic plateau basalts, suggestive of mantle plume sources. A large number of these basalts have ratios similar to primitive mantle composition. Perhaps the Archean mantle was less fractionated than at present and “primitive mantle” comprised much of the deep mantle and made a significant contribution to mantle plumes. The near absence of Archean greenstone basalts similar to NMORB in composition is also consistent with a relatively unfractionated mantle in which a shallow depleted source (DM) was volumetrically insignificant. The element ratios in basalts also indicate the existence of recycled components (HIMU, EM1, EM2) in the mantle by the Late Archean. This suggests that oceanic lithosphere was recycled into the deep mantle and became incorporated in some mantle plumes by the Late Archean. High field strength element ratios also indicate an important contribution of continental crust or/and subcontinental lithosphere to some non-arc Archean greenstone basalts. This implies that at least thin continental lithosphere was relatively widespread in the Archean.     

安徽女山地幔橄榄岩捕虏体的同位素组成:中国东部新生代岩石圈地幔时代制约

位于安徽省境内的女山新生代碱性玄武岩中含有大量而且类型丰富的地幔橄榄岩包体,主要类型有尖晶石相、石榴石相、尖晶石-石榴子石过渡相二辉橄榄岩以及少量的方辉橄榄岩,其中部分尖晶石二辉橄榄岩样品中出现富含挥发分的角闪石、金云母和磷灰石。本文选择该区的尖晶石二辉橄榄岩和方辉橄榄岩包体进行了较为详细的岩石学、矿物学、地球化学研究工作。结果显示,除2个方辉橄榄岩表现难熔特征外,其它25件尖晶石相二辉橄榄岩均具有饱满的主量元素组成。二辉橄榄岩样品的Sr-Nd-Hf同位素均表现为亏损地幔的性质,不同于古老克拉通型难熔、富集的岩石圈地幔。富含挥发份交代矿物的出现以及轻稀土元素不同程度的富集,表明女山岩石圈地幔经历了较为强烈的交代作用,然而Re-Os同位素及PGE分析结果表明交代作用并没有显著改变Os同位素组成。二辉橄榄岩样品均具有较高的Os同位素组成,结合其饱满的主量元素组成,亏损的同位素特征,表明女山地区岩石圈地幔整体为新生岩石圈地幔。但1个方辉橄榄岩样品给出了较低的Os同位素比值0.1184,其Re亏损年龄为1.5Ga,它可能来自于软流圈中残留的古老难熔地幔。     

Geochemistry of Mesozoic intracontinental basalts from Yunnan, southern China: Implications for geochemical evolution of the subcontinental lithosphere

Summary Southwestern Yunnan, comprising the Yangtze and Shan-Thai microcontinents and the Simao block, has successively undergone subduction of an oceanic plate, followed by a collision of the microcontinents and intracontinental rifting associated with basaltic volcanism during Late Paleozoic to Mesozoic.The Triassic Nanjian basalts, erupted on the Yangtze microcontinent, have more enriched isotopic ratios and higher LREE/HFSE and LREE/HREE ratios. This suggests the existence of an enriched subcontinental lithosphere under the Yangtze microcontinent which stabilized over long periods of the earth's history (> 2Ga).The Middle Jurassic Simao basalts have more depleted geochemical features and also have element enrichments characteristic of a subduction zone environment, although the basalts were erupted in an intracontinental graben. It may be inferred that the lithospheric mantle of the Simao block was modified by subduction processes during Latest Carboniferous to Late Triassic prior to the onset of the Middle Jurassic continental rifting. The lack of correlation between depletion of HFSE, Y and HREE, and relative enriched Nd isotopic ratios suggests that the source depletion of the Simao basalts is not an old feature and has been contemporaneous with the subduction-related enrichment through mantle metasomatism shortly before the basalts were produced.The Middle Jurassic Baoshan basalts which erupted during the continental rifting on the Shan-Thai microcontinent have an Sr-Nd isotopic composition similar to the bulk earth and higher concentrations of incompatible trace elements. These features suggest that the subcontinental lithosphere under the Shan-Thai microcontinent underwent mantle metasomatism just prior to eruption of the Baoshan basalt.

---

Geochemie mesozoischer interkontinentaler Basalte aus Jünnan, Südchina: Hinweise auf die geochemische Entwicklung der subkontinentalen Lithosphäre

Zusammenfassung Südwestjünnan umfaßt den Jangtse und den Shan-Thai Mikrokontinent und den Simao Block. Das Gebiet wurde von aufeinander folgenden Subduktionsphasen einer ozeanischen Platte betroffen, auf die Kollision der Mikrokontinente und interkontinentales Rifting folgte. Dieses war mit basaltischem Vulkanismus während des späten Paläozoikums bis ins Mesozoikum assoziiert.Die triassischen Nanjian-Basalte, die auf dem Jangtse Mikrokontinent eruptierten, haben mehr angereicherte Isotopenverhältnisse und höhere LREE/HFSE und LREE/HREE Verhältnisse. Dieses weist auf eine angereicherte subkontinentale Lithosphäre unter dem Jangtse Mikrokontinent hin, die sich während langer Perioden der Erdgeschichte stabilisierte (>2Ga).Die mittel jurassischen Simao-Basalte haben eine mehr verarmte geochemische Signatur aber auch Elementanreicherungen, die für ein Subduktionszonen-Milieu charakteristisch sind, obwohl die Basalte in einem interkontinentalen Graben ausgetreten sind. Man kann daraus schließen, daß der lithosphärische Mantel des Simao-Blockes durch Subduktionsprozesse während des jüngsten Karbons bis in die späte Trias vor dem Beginn des mittel-jurassischen kontinentalen Riftings modifiziert worden war. Das Fehlen einer Korrelation zwischen der Anreicherung von HFSE, Y und HREE und relativ angereicherter Nd-Isotopenverhältnisse weist darauf hin, daß die Verarmung der Quelle der Simaobasalte nicht weit zurückreicht. Sie dürfte viel eher gleichaltrig mit der subduktions-bedingten Anreicherung durch Mantel-Metasomatose kurz vor der Entstehung der Basalte sein.Die mittel-jurassischen Baoshan-Basalte, die während des kontinentalen Riftings auf den Shan-Thai Mikrokontintent eruptierten, haben eine Sr-Nd-Isotopensignatur, die ähnlich der Gesamterde ist, jedoch höhere Konzentrationen inkompatibler Spurenelemente zeigt. All dies legt nahe, daß die subkontinentale Lithosphäre unter dem Shan-Thai-Mikrokontinent kurz vor der Eruption der Baoshan-Basalte von Mantel-Metasomatose betroffen worden ist.

---

---

With 8 Figures

---

Visiting Fellow, Geology Department, Australian National University, Australia