Kistufell: Primitive Melt from the Iceland Mantle Plume

This paper presents new geochemical data from Kistufell (64°48'N,17°13'W), a monogenetic table mountain situated directlyabove the inferred locus of the Iceland mantle plume. Kistufellis composed of the most primitive olivine tholeiitic glassesfound in central Iceland (MgO 10·56 wt %, olivine Fo_89·7).The glasses are interpreted as near-primary, high-degree plumemelts derived from a heterogeneous mantle source. Mineral, glassand bulk-rock (glass + minerals) chemistry indicates a low averagemelting pressure (15 kbar), high initial crystallization pressuresand temperatures (10–15 kbar and 1270°C), and eruptiontemperatures (1240°C) that are among the highest observedin Iceland. The glasses have trace element signatures (La_n/Yb_n<1, Ba_n/Zr_n 0·55–0·58) indicative ofa trace element depleted source, and the Sr–Nd–Pbisotopic ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr 0·70304–0·70308,¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0·513058–0·513099, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb18·343–18·361) further suggest a long-termtrace element depletion relative to primordial mantle. HighHe isotopic ratios (15·3–16·8 R/R_a) combinedwith low ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15·42–15·43) suggestthat the mantle source of the magma is different from that ofNorth Atlantic mid-ocean ridge basalt. Negative Pb anomalies,and positive Nb and Ta anomalies indicate that the source includesa recycled, subducted oceanic crustal or mantle component. PositiveSr anomalies (Sr_n/Nd_n = 1·39–1·50) furthersuggest that this recycled source component involves lower oceaniccrustal gabbros. The     

Mantle Processes and Sources of Neogene Slab Window Magmas from Southern Patagonia, Argentina

Neogene plateau lavas in Patagonia, southern Argentina, eastof the volcanic gap between the Southern and Austral VolcanicZones at 46·5° and 49·5°S are linked withasthenospheric slab window processes associated with the collisionof a Chile Ridge segment with the Chile Trench at 12 Ma. Thestrong ocean-island basalt (OIB)-like geochemical signatures(La/Ta <20; Ba/La <20; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·7035–0·7046;¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0·51290–0·51261; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb= 18·3–18·8; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15·57–15·65;²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38·4–38·7) of these Patagonianslab window lavas contrast with the mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like,depleted mantle signatures of slab window lavas elsewhere inthe Cordillera (e.g. Antarctic Peninsula; Baja California).The Patagonian lavas can be divided into a voluminous     

Magmatic Evolution of the La Pacana Caldera System, Central Andes, Chile: Compositional Variation of Two Cogenetic, Large-Volume Felsic Ignimbrites

La Pacana is one of the largest known calderas on Earth, andis the source of at least two major ignimbrite eruptions witha combined volume of some 2700 km³. These ignimbrites have stronglycontrasting compositions, raising the question of whether theyare genetically related. The Toconao ignimbrite is crystal poor,and contains rhyolitic (76–77 wt % SiO₂) tube pumices.The overlying Atana ignimbrite is a homogeneous tuff whose pumiceis dacitic (66–70 wt % SiO₂), dense (40–60% vesicularity)and crystal rich (30–40 % crystals). Phase equilibriaindicate that the Atana magma equilibrated at temperatures of770–790°C with melt water contents of 3·1–4·4wt %. The pre-eruptive Toconao magma was cooler (730–750°C)and its melt more water rich (6·3–6·8 wt% H₂O). A pressure of 200 MPa is inferred from mineral barometryfor the Atana magma chamber. Isotope compositions are variablebut overlapping for both units (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i 0·7094–0·7131;¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0·51222–0·51230) and are consistentwith a dominantly crustal origin. Glass analyses from Atanapumices are similar in composition to those in Toconao tubepumices, demonstrating that the Toconao magma could representa differentiated melt of the Atana magma. Fractional crystallizationmodelling suggests that the Toconao magma can be produced by30% crystallization of the observed Atana mineral phases. Toconaomelt characteristics and intensive parameters are consistentwith a volatile oversaturation-driven eruption. However, thelow H₂O content, high viscosity and high crystal content ofthe Atana magma imply an external eruption trigger. KEY WORDS: Central Andes; crystal-rich dacite; eruption trigger; high-silica rhyolite; zoned magma chamber     

Sources and Fluids in the Mantle Wedge below Kamchatka, Evidence from Across-arc Geochemical Variation

Major and trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic variationsin mafic volcanic rocks hve been studied in a 220 km transectacross the Kamchatka arc from the Eastern Volcanic Front, overthe Central Kamchatka Depression to the Sredinny Ridge in theback-arc. Thirteen volcanoes and lava fields, from 110 to 400km above the subducted slab, were sampled. This allows us tocharacterize spatial variations and the relative amount andcomposition of the slab fluid involved in magma genesis. TypicalKamchatka arc basalts, normalized for fractionation to 6% MgO,display a strong increase in large ion lithophile, light rareearth and high field strength elements from the arc front tothe back-arc. Ba/Zr and Ce/Pb ratios, however, are nearly constantacross the arc, which suggests a similar fluid input for Baand Pb. La/Yb and Nb/Zr increase from the arc front to the back-arc.Rocks from the Central Kamchatka Depression range in ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Srfrom 0·70334 to 0·70366, but have almost constantNd isotopic compositions (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0·51307–0·51312).This correlates with the highest U/Th ratios in these rocks.Pb-isotopic ratios are mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like butdecrease slightly from the volcanic front to the back-arc. Theinitial mantle source ranged from N-MORB-like in the volcanicfront and Central Kamchatka Depression to more enriched in theback-arc. This enriched component is similar to an ocean-islandbasalt (OIB) source. Variations in (CaO)_6·0–(Na₂O)_6·0show that degree of melting decreases from the arc front tothe Central Kamchatka Depression and remains constant from thereto the Sredinny Ridge. Calculated fluid compositions have asimilar trace element pattern across the arc, although minordifferences are implied. A model is presented that quantifiesthe various mantle components (variably depleted N-MORB-mantleand enriched OIB-mantle) and the fluid compositions added tothis mantle wedge. The amount of fluid added ranges from 0·7to 2·1%. The degree of melting changes from     

Enriched End-member of Primitive MORB Melts: Petrology and Geochemistry of Glasses from Macquarie Island (SW Pacific)

Macquarie Island is an exposure above sea-level of part of thecrest of the Macquarie Ridge. The ridge marks the Australia–Pacificplate boundary south of New Zealand, where the plate boundaryhas evolved progressively since Eocene times from an oceanicspreading system into a system of long transform faults linkedby short spreading segments, and currently into a right-lateralstrike-slip plate boundary. The rocks of Macquarie Island wereformed during spreading at this plate boundary in Miocene times,and include intrusive rocks (mantle and cumulate peridotites,gabbros, sheeted dolerite dyke complexes), volcanic rocks (N-to E-MORB pillow lavas, picrites, breccias, hyaloclastites),and associated sediments. A set of Macquarie Island basalticglasses has been analysed by electron microprobe for major elements,S, Cl and F; by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy forH₂O; by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma massspectrometry for trace elements; and by secondary ion mass spectrometryfor Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes. An outstanding compositional featureof the data set (47·4–51·1 wt % SiO₂, 5·65–8·75wt % MgO) is the broad range of K₂O (0·1–1·8wt %) and the strong positive covariation of K₂O with otherincompatible minor and trace elements (e.g. TiO₂ 0·97–2·1%;Na₂O 2·4–4·3%; P₂O₅ 0·08–0·7%;H₂O 0·25–1·5%; La 4·3–46·6ppm). The extent of enrichment in incompatible elements in glassescorrelates positively with isotopic ratios of Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr= 0·70255–0·70275) and Pb (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb =18·951–19·493; ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15·528–15·589;²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38·523–38·979), and negativelywith Nd (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0·51310–0·51304).Macquarie Island basaltic glasses are divided into two compositionalgroups according to their mg-number–K₂O relationships.Near-primitive basaltic glasses (Group I) have the highest mg-number(63–69), and high Al₂O₃ and CaO contents at a given K₂Ocontent, and carry microphenocrysts of primitive olivine (Fo_86–89·5).Their bulk compositions are used to calculate primary melt compositionsin equilibrium with the most magnesian Macquarie Island olivines(Fo_90·5). Fractionated, Group II, basaltic glasses aresaturated with olivine + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene,and have lower mg-number (57–67), and relatively low Al₂O₃and CaO contents. Group I glasses define a seriate variationwithin the compositional spectrum of MORB, and extend the compositionalrange from N-MORB compositions to enriched compositions thatrepresent a new primitive enriched MORB end-member. Comparedwith N-MORB, this new end-member is characterized by relativelylow contents of MgO, FeO, SiO₂ and CaO, coupled with high contentsof Al₂O₃, TiO₂, Na₂O, P₂O₅, K₂O and incompatible trace elements,and has the most radiogenic Sr and Pb regional isotope composition.These unusual melt compositions could have been generated bylow-degree partial melting of an enriched mantle peridotitesource, and were erupted without significant mixing with commonN-MORB magmas. The mantle in the Macquarie Island region musthave been enriched and heterogeneous on a very fine scale. Wesuggest that the mantle enrichment implicated in this studyis more likely to be a regional signature that is shared bythe Balleny Islands magmatism than directly related to the hypotheticalBalleny plume itself. KEY WORDS: mid-ocean ridge basalts; Macquarie Island; glass; petrology; geochemistry     

Generation of Palaeocene Adakitic Andesites by Magma Mixing; Yanji Area, NE China

Palaeocene (c. 55–58 Ma) adakitic andesites from the Yanjiarea, NE China, are typically clinopyroxene-bearing sodic andesitescontaining 60· 9–62· 2% SiO₂ and 4·02–4· 36% MgO, with high Mg-number [100 Mg/(Mg+ Fe) atomic ratio] from 65· 5 to 70· 1. Whole-rockgeochemical features include high Cr (128–161 ppm) andNi (86–117 ppm) concentrations, extremely high Sr (2013–2282ppm), low Y (10–11 ppm) and heavy rare earth elements(HREE; e.g. Yb = 0· 79–1· 01 ppm), and mid-oceanridge basalt (MORB)-like Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions[e.g. ⁸⁷Sr/ ⁸⁶Sr(i) = 0· 70298–0· 70316,_Nd(t) = +3· 8 to +6· 3 and ²⁰⁶Pb/ ²⁰⁴Pb = 17·98 – 18· 06], analogous to high-Mg adakites occurringin modern subduction zones. However, mineralogical evidencefrom clinopyroxene phenocrysts and microcrystalline plagioclaseclearly points to magma mixing during magma evolution. Iron-richclinopyroxene (augite) cores with low Sr, high Y and heavy REEcontents, slightly fractionated REE patterns and large negativeEu anomalies probably crystallized along with low-Ca plagioclasefrom a lower crustal felsic magma. In contrast, high Mg-numberclinopyroxene (diopside and endiopside) mantles and rims havehigher Sr and lower HREE and Y concentrations, highly fractionatedREE patterns (high La/Yb) and negligible Eu anomalies, similarto those found in adakites from subduction zones. The Yanjiadakitic andesites can be interpreted as a mixture between acrust-derived magma having low Mg-number and Sr, and high Yand HREE, and a mantle-derived high Mg-number adakite havinghigh Sr and low Y and HREE concentrations. During storage and/orascent, the mixed magma experienced further crustal contaminationto capture zircons, of a range of ages, from the wall rocks.The absence of coeval arc magmatism and an extensional tectonicregime in the Yanji area and surrounding regions suggest thatthese Palaeocene adakitic andesites were formed during post-subductionextension that followed the late Cretaceous Izanagi–Farallonridge subduction. Generation of these adakitic andesites doesnot require contemporaneous subduction of a young, hot oceanicridge or delamination of eclogitic lower crust as suggestedby previous models. KEY WORDS: magma mixing; adakitic andesites; Palaeocene; NE China     

Evolution and Genesis of Magmas from Vico Volcano, Central Italy: Multiple Differentiation Pathways and Variable Parental Magmas

Vico volcano has erupted potassic and ultrapotassic magmas,ranging from silica-saturated to silica-undersaturated types,in three distinct volcanic periods over the past 0·5Myr. During Period I magma compositions changed from latiteto trachyte and rhyolite, with minor phono-tephrite; duringPeriods II and III the erupted magmas were primarly phono-tephriteto tephri-phonolite and phonolite; however, magmatic episodesinvolving leucite-free eruptives with latitic, trachytic andolivine latitic compositions also occurred. In Period II, leucite-bearingmagmas (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial = 0·71037–0·71115)were derived from a primitive tephrite parental magma. Modellingof phonolites with different modal plagioclase and Sr contentsindicates that low-Sr phonolitic lavas differentiated from tephri-phonoliteby fractional crystallization of 7% olivine + 27% clinopyroxene+ 54% plagioclase + 10% Fe–Ti oxides + 4% apatite at lowpressure, whereas high-Sr phonolitic lavas were generated byfractional crystallization at higher pressure. More differentiatedphonolites were generated from the parental magma of the high-Srphonolitic tephra by fractional crystallization of 10–29%clinopyroxene + 12–15% plagioclase + 44–67% sanidine+ 2–4% phlogopite + 1–3% apatite + 7–10% Fe–Tioxides. In contrast, leucite-bearing rocks of Period III (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial= 0·70812–0·70948) were derived from a potassictrachybasalt by assimilation–fractional crystallizationwith 20–40% of solid removed and r = 0·4–0·5(where r is assimilation rate/crystallization rate) at differentpressures. Silica-saturated magmas of Period II (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial= 0·71044–0·71052) appear to have been generatedfrom an olivine latite similar to some of the youngest eruptedproducts. A primitive tephrite, a potassic trachybasalt andan olivine latite are inferred to be the parental magmas atVico. These magmas were generated by partial melting of a veinedlithospheric mantle sources with different vein–peridotite/wall-rockproportions, amount of residual apatite and distinct isolationtimes for the veins. KEY WORDS: isotope and trace element geochemistry; polybaric differentiation; veined mantle; potassic and ultrapotassic rocks; Vico volcano; central Italy     

Sr, Nd, Pb and O Isotopes of Minettes from Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica: a Case of Mantle Metasomatism involving Subducted Continental Material

Numerous minette dykes intersect the Precambrian crystallinebasement of Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica. This study presentsnew Sr, Nd, Pb and O isotope data for 11 minette samples fromfour different dykes. The samples are characterized by relativelyhigh ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0·7077–0·7134), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(15·45–15·55) and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (37·8–39·8),combined with low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (     

Geochemical Evolution of Akagi Volcano, NE Japan: Implications for Interaction Between Island-arc Magma and Lower Crust, and Generation of Isotopically Various Magmas

Major and trace element, and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositionswere determined for whole-rock samples from the ‘isotopicallyanomalous’ Akagi volcano in the volcanic front of theNE Japan arc. Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of phenocrystswere also analyzed together with their major and trace elementcompositions. Compared with the other volcanoes from the volcanicfront, the whole-rock isotope compositions of Akagi show highlyenriched characteristics; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·7060–0·7088,     

A North-South Transect across the Central Mexican Volcanic Belt at ~100{degrees}W: Spatial Distribution, Petrological, Geochemical, and Isotopic Characteristics of Quaternary Volcanism

Within the Zitácuaro–Valle de Bravo (ZVB) regionof the central Mexican Volcanic Belt (MVB), three lava serieshave erupted during the Quaternary: (1) high-K₂O basaltic andesitesand andesites; (2) medium-K₂O basaltic andesites, andesitesand dacites; (3) high-TiO₂ basalts and basaltic andesites. Thedominant feature of the first two groups is the lack of plagioclaseaccompanying the various ferromagnesian phenocrysts (olivine,orthopyroxene, augite, and hornblende) in all but the dacites.This absence of plagioclase in the phenocryst assemblages ofthe high-K₂O and medium-K₂O intermediate lavas is significantbecause it indicates high water contents during the stage ofphenocryst equilibration. In contrast, the high-TiO₂ group ischaracterized by phenocrysts of plagioclase and olivine. Thespatial distribution of these three lava series is systematic.The southern section of the ZVB transect, 280–330 km fromthe Middle America Trench (MAT), is characterized by high-K₂Omelts that are relatively enriched in fluid-mobile elementsand have the highest ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. Medium-K₂O basaltic andesiteand andesite lavas are present throughout the transect, butthose closest to the MAT are MgO-rich (3·5–9·4wt %) and have phenocryst assemblages indicative of high magmaticwater contents (3·5–6·5 wt % water) andrelatively low temperatures (950–1000°C). In markedcontrast, the northern section of the ZVB transect (380–480km from the MAT) has high-TiO₂, high field strength element(HFSE)-enriched magmas that have comparatively dry (< 1·5wt % magmatic water) and hot (1100–1200°C) phenocrystequilibration conditions. The central section of the ZVB transect(330–380 km from the MAT) is a transition zone and producesmoderately light rare earth element (LREE) and large ion lithophileelement (LILE)-enriched, medium-K₂O lavas with phenocryst assemblagesindicative of intermediate (1·5–3·5 wt %)water contents and temperatures. The high-K₂O series compositionsare the most enriched in LILE and LREE, with a narrow rangeof radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr from 0·704245 to 0·704507,¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd values ranging from 0·512857 to 0·512927(_Nd = 4·27–5·63), and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb valuesfrom 38·248 to 38·442, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values from15·563 to 15·585, and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values from18·598 to 18·688. The medium-K₂O series compositionsare only moderately enriched in the LILE and LREE, with a broaderrange of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, but similar ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pbvalues to those of the high-K₂O series. In contrast, the high-TiO₂series compositions have little enrichment in LILE or LREE andinstead are enriched in the HFSE and heavy rare earth elements(HREE). The high-TiO₂ lavas are isotopically distinct in theirlower and narrower range of ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd. The isotopic variationsare believed to reflect the upper mantle magma source regionsas the low content of phenocrysts in most lavas precludes significantupper crustal assimilation or magma mixing, other than thatrepresented by the presence of quartz xenocrysts (< 2 vol.%) with rhyolitic glass inclusions, which are found in manyof these lavas. The systematic spatial variation in compositionof the three lava series is a reflection of the underlying subduction-modifiedmantle and its evolution. KEY WORDS: central Mexico; geochemistry; isotopes; Quaternary volcanism; hydrous lavas     

Genesis of Pyroxenite-rich Peridotite at Cabo Ortegal (NW Spain): Geochemical and Pb-Sr-Nd Isotope Data

Petrographic and field data indicate the existence of four mainrock types within the allochthonous Cabo Ortegal ultramaficunits: (1) harzburgites; (2) dunites; (3) massive, occasionallygarnet-bearing, pyroxenites; (4) less abundant mafic rocks withvariable amounts of garnet-rich pyroxenite. The major and traceelement compositions of the analysed ultramafic rocks definewell-delimited fields in binary variation diagrams. Normalizedtrace element patterns, however, exhibit large ion lithophileelement (LILE) and light rare earth element (LREE) enrichmentthat do not correlate with the main rock types distinguished.NiO contents and fo-number of olivine in the harzburgites matchthose of the mantle olivine array, whereas a fractional crystallizationtrend is observed from dunites to pyroxenites. Spinel and olivinein the harzburgites have residual characteristics comparablewith those of abyssal peridotites or peridotites from arc settings,whereas in most of the dunites and pyroxenites the range offo-number and Cr/(Cr + Al) ratio suggests crystallization fromprimitive subduction-related magmas. Whole-rock major and traceelement and Pb–Sr–Nd isotope data suggest that regional-scalemassive pyroxenites from Cabo Ortegal originated from relativelyhomogeneous parental melts. Fractional crystallization processes,coeval with intense deformation, might result in the formationof cumulate layers (clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine, chromite,etc.). Some less abundant mafic rocks and associated pyroxenitesare also homogeneous but have different chemical and isotopicsignatures suggesting a different parental melt from that ofthe massive pyroxenites. Although some differences exist inthe major element and isotopic composition of the clinopyroxenes,their initial isotopic ratios (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 17·845–18·305,²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb = 15·433–15·634; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr =0·70330–0·70476; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0·512539–0·512916)suggest involvement of an enriched component in their mantlesource, which may be related to the subduction of terrigenoussediments (i.e. EMI). The new data obtained confirm that ultramaficunits of Cabo Ortegal experienced a complex tectonothermal historysimilar to that of other units of the same area and allow usto distinguish at least two different events. Sm–Nd whole-rock–clinopyroxeneages suggest formation of the ultramafic units at     

Mantle-melt Evolution (Dynamic Source) in the Origin of a Single MORB Suite: a Perspective from Magnesian Glasses of Macquarie Island

The effects of source composition and source evolution duringprogressive partial melting on the chemistry of mantle-derivedmid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) melts were tested using a comprehensivegeochemical and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic dataset for fresh,magnesian basaltic glasses from the Miocene Macquarie Islandophiolite, SW Pacific. These glasses: (1) exhibit clear parent–daughterrelationships; (2) allow simple reconstruction of primary meltcompositions; (3) show exceptional compositional diversity (e.g.K₂O/TiO₂ 0·09–0·9; La/Yb 1·5–22;²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb 18·70–19·52); (4) preserve changesin major element and isotope compositions, which are correlatedwith the degree of trace element enrichment (e.g. La/Sm). Conventionalmodels for MORB genesis invoke melting of mantle that is heterogeneouson a small scale, followed by binary mixing of variably lithophileelement-enriched melt batches. This type of model fails to explainthe compositions of the Macquarie Island glasses, principallybecause incompatible element ratios (e.g. Nb/U, Sr/Nd) and Pbisotope ratios vary non-systematically with the degree of enrichment.We propose that individual melt batches are produced from instantaneous‘parental’ mantle parageneses, which change continuouslyas melting and melt extraction proceeds. This concept of a ‘dynamicsource’ combines the models of small-scale mantle heterogeneitiesand fractional melting. A dynamic source is an assemblage oflocally equilibrated mantle solids and a related melt fraction.Common MORB magmas that integrate the characteristics of numerousmelt batches therefore tend to conceal the chemical and isotopicidentity of a dynamic source. This study shows that isotoperatios of poorly mixed MORB melts are a complex function ofthe dynamic source evolution, and that the range in isotoperatios within a single MORB suite does not necessarily requiremixing of diverse components. KEY WORDS: mid-ocean ridge basalt; Macquarie Island; radiogenic isotopes; mantle; geochemistry     

Petrogenesis of Adakitic Porphyries in an Extensional Tectonic Setting, Dexing, South China: Implications for the Genesis of Porphyry Copper Mineralization

The Dexing adakitic porphyries (quartz diorite–granodioriteporphyries), associated with giant porphyry Cu deposits, arelocated in the interior of a continent (South China). They exhibitrelatively high MgO, Cr, Ni and Sr contents, high La/Yb andSr/Y ratios, but low Yb and Y contents, similar to adakitesproduced by slab melting associated with subduction. However,they are characterized by bulk Earth-like Nd–Sr isotopecompositions (_Nd(t) = –1·14 to +1·80 and(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0·7044 – 0·7047), and highTh (12·6–27·2 ppm) contents and Th/Ce (0·19–0·94)ratios, which are different from those of Cenozoic slab-derivedadakites. Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP)geochronology studies of zircons reveal that the Dexing adakiticporphyries have a crystallization age of 171 ± 3 Ma.This age is contemporaneous with Middle Jurassic extension withinthe Shi-Han rift zone, and within-plate magmatism elsewherein South China, indicating that the Dexing adakitic porphyrieswere probably formed in an extensional tectonic regime in theinterior of the continent rather than in an arc setting. Theirhigh Th contents and Th/Ce ratios, and Middle Jurassic age,argue against an origin from a Neoproterozoic (1000 Ma) stalledslab in the mantle. Taking into account available data for theregional metamorphic–magmatic rocks, and the present-daycrustal thickness (31 km) in the area, we suggest that the Dexingadakitic porphyries were most probably generated by partialmelting of delaminated lower crust, which was possibly triggeredby upwelling of the asthenospheric mantle due to the activityof the Shi-Hang rift zone. Moreover, the Dexing adakitic magmasmust have interacted with the surrounding mantle peridotiteduring their ascent, which elevated not only their MgO, Cr andNi contents, but also the oxygen fugacity (fO₂) of the mantle.The high fO₂ could have induced oxidation of metallic sulfidesin the mantle and mobilization of chalcophile elements, whichare required to produce associated Cu mineralization. Therefore,the Cu metallogenesis associated with the Dexing adakitic porphyriesis probably related to partial melting of delaminated lowercrust, similar to the metallogenesis accompanying slab melting. KEY WORDS: adakite; lower crust; delamination; porphyry copper deposit, South China     

A Chemical and Multi-Isotope Study of the Western Cape Olivine Melilitite Province, South Africa: Implications for the Sources of Kimberlites and the Origin of the HIMU Signature in Africa

We present major and trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf–Osisotopic data for the 76–58 Ma Western Cape melilititeprovince, an age-progressive magmatic lineation in which primitiveolivine melilitite intrusives and alkali basalt lavas have beenemplaced on the southwestern margin of South Africa. The magmasrange from alkali basalts with strong HIMU isotopic and traceelement affinities on the continental shelf to melilitites withkimberlite-like incompatible element compositions and EM 1 isotopicaffinities on thick Proterozoic lithosphere (i.e. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i= 0·7029–0·7043,     

Petrology and Geochemistry of Intraplate Basalts in the South Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand: Evidence for Two Coeval Magma Suites from Distinct Sources

The South Auckland Volcanic Field is a Pleistocene (1·59–0·51Ma) basaltic intraplate, monogenetic field situated south ofAuckland City, North Island, New Zealand. Two groups of basaltsare distinguished based on mineralogy and geochemical compositions,but no temporal or spatial patterns exist in the distributionof various lava types forming each group within the field: GroupA basalts are silica-undersaturated transitional to quartz-tholeiiticbasalts with relatively low total alkalis (3·0–4·6wt %), Nb (7–29 ppm), and (La/Yb)_N (3·4–7·6);Group B basalts are strongly silica-undersaturated basanitesto nepheline-hawaiites with high total alkalis (3·3–7·9wt %), Nb (32–102 ppm), and (La/Yb)_N (12–47). GroupA has slightly higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, similar _Nd, and lower ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pbvalues compared with Group B. Contrasting geochemical trendsand incompatible element ratios (e.g. K/Nb, Zr/Nb, Ce/Pb) areconsistent with separate evolution of Groups A and B from dissimilarparental magmas derived from distinct sub-continental lithosphericmantle sources. Differentiation within each group was controlledby olivine and clinopyroxene fractionation. Group B magmas weregenerated by <8% melting of an ocean island basalt (OIB)-likegarnet peridotite source with high ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb mantle (HIMU)and enriched mantle (EMII) characteristics possibly inheritedfrom recycled oceanic crust. Group A magmas were generated by<12% melting of a spinel peridotite source also with HIMUand EMII signatures. This source type may have resulted fromsubduction-related metasomatism of the sub-continental lithospheremodified by a HIMU plume. These events were associated withMesozoic or earlier subduction- and plume-related magmatismwhen New Zealand was at the eastern margin of the Gondwana supercontinent. KEY WORDS: continental intraplate basalts; geochemistry; HIMU, EMII; Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopes; South Auckland; sub-continental lithospheric sources     

The Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic Magmatism of the Benue Trough (Nigeria); Geochemical Evidence for the Involvement of the St Helena Plume

The Benue Trough is a continental rift related to the openingof the equatorial domain of the South Atlantic which was initiatedin Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous times. Highly diversifiedand volumetrically restricted Mesozoic to Cenozoic magmaticproducts are scattered throughout the rift. Three periods ofmagmatic activity have been recognized on the basis of ⁴⁰ Ar-³⁹Ar ages: 147–106 Ma, 97–81 Ma and 68–49 Ma.Trace element and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope determinations, performedon selected basaltic samples, allow two groups of basaltic rocksto be identified: (1) a group with a tholeiitic affinity, withZr/Nb=7–11.1; La/Nb = 0.77–1; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr; =0.7042–0.7065¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd;_i = 0.5125–0.5127; ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 17.59–18.48;(2) a group with an alkaline affinity, with Zr/Nb = 3.6–6.8;La/Nb=0.53–0.66; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶ Sr_i=0.7029–0.7037; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_i=0.5126–0.5129;²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_i = 18.54–20.42. The geochemical data leadto the conclusion that three types of mantle sources were involvedin the genesis of the Mesozoic to Cenozoic basaltic rocks ofthe Benue, without significant crustal contamination: (1) anenriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle from which the tholeiiticbasalts were derived; (2) a HIMU-type (plume) component fromwhich the alkaline basalticrocks originated; (3) a depletedasthenospheric mantle (N-MORB-type source), which was involvedin the genesis of the alkaline basaltic magmas. According to(1) the postulated location of the St Helena hot spot in theEquatorial Atlantic at about 130 Ma and (2) the isotopic compositionof the alkaline basaltic rocks of the Benue Trough and theirgeochemical similarity with the basalts of St Helena, we concludethat the St Helena plume was involved in the genesis of thealkaline magmatism of the Benue at the time of opening of theEquatorial Atlantic. Moreover, the geochemical similarity betweenthe alkaline magmatism of the Benue Trough and that of the CameroonLine suggests that both magmatic provinces were related to theSt Helena plume. Finally, the temporal change of the mantlesources observed in the Benue Trough can be accounted for bythe recent models of plume dynamics, in the general frameworkof opening of the Equatorial Atlantic. KEY WORDS: Benue Trough; Mesozoic to Cenozoic magmatism; Equatorial Atlantic; mantle sources; St Helena plume ^*;Corresponding author.     

Archean Shoshonitic Lamprophyres of the Abitibi Subprovince, Canada: Petrogenesis, Age, and Tectonic Setting

Archean shoshonitic lamprophyre dikes are prevalent along majortranslithospheric structures that demark tectonostratigraphicterranes in the Abitibi greenstone belt of the Superior Province.The lamprophyres post-date volcanism, tonalitic batholiths,deformation, and metamorphism of the terranes, and are mostprominently developed in trans-tensional graben, where theyare associated with molasse sediments and an alkaline suiteof plutons, stocks, and trachytes. Mineralogically, the dikesare characterized by zoned phiogopite or hornblende phenocrystsand/or diopsidic pyroxene, restriction of feldspar to the groundmass,globular segregations of K-feldspar and calcite, olivine ‘pilite’,and accessory Ti-magnetite, Cr-spinel, apatite, titanite, andSr-rich calcite; crustal xenoliths are sporadically present. Compositionally, weakly altered primititive dikes have contentsof SiO₂ (41–48 wt.%), TiO₂ (06–11 wt.%), P₂O₅(041–076 wt.%), Cr (258–915 ppm), Co (36–84ppm), Ni (159–368 ppm), and Sc (15–32 ppm), mg-numbers(72–79), and K₂O/Na₂O ratios (10–43) similar tothose of Phanerozoic shoshonitic lamprophyres. The primitivedikes are also characterized by extreme enrichments of K, Rb,Ba, Cs, U, and Th, enhanced light rare earth elements (REE),and fractionated REE patterns [La_n=33–274; (La/Yb)_n=16–87].On mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) normalized plots the dikesshow coherent patterns, with (1)enrichment of K, Rb, and Barelative to Sr and LREE, (2) variable enrichments of Rb andBa relative to K, (3) troughs at Ta–Nb and Ti, and (4)variable negative P and positive Sm anomalies. Compositionalvariations of lamprophyre suites within restricted areas areinterpreted to reflect melting of compositionally heterogeneoussources, variable degrees of assimilation–fractional crystallization,and mixing of distinct batches of lamprophyric magmas. Primary¹⁸O values of the magmas are close to 63 as given by resistantpyroxene; these are ¹⁸O-relative to MORB, but comparable withPhanerozoic alkali basalts and lamprophyres. Mica, clinopyroxene,hornblende, and feldspar do not retain magmatic equilibriumfractionations for oxygen isotopes. A concordant U–Pbage of 26742 Ma was obtained from titanite, similar to theages of shoshonitic plutons in the same area. The lamprophyredikes possess a total range of _Nd between 041 and 211(1),and define a distinct field in common with other late Archeanshoshonites on an f^(Sm/Nd) vs. _Nd plot. Pyroxenes yield a low⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr(0701102), whereas whole-rock Rb-Sr isotope systematicsare disturbed. Lamprophyres are not known from pre-27-Ga terranes. Their compositionand inferred geodynamic setting is consistent with an originin a depleted mantle wedge, enriched in large ion lithophileelements (LILE) and LREE during subduction by slab and sediment(low Sr/Nd) dehydration. Partial melting may have been triggeredby rebound and decompression that followed accretional collisionof two allochthonous greenstone terranes at a plate margin.The onset of shoshonitic magmatism at 27 Ga coincides withthe transition from tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite(TTG) dominated magmatism with high (La/Yb)_n and low Yb (slabmelting) to mantle-wedge derived granites featuring lower (La/Yb)_nand higher Yb (slab dehydration), owing to decreasing heat flow.Accretion of greenstone belts, and their buoyant harzburgiticroots, consolidated a thick subcontinental mantle lithosphereby 27 Ga, which was subsequently the source of Jurassic kimberlitesthat intruded the persistently reactivated Archean translithosphericstructures.     

Sampling the Cape Verde Mantle Plume: Evolution of Melt Compositions on Santo Antao, Cape Verde Islands

The volcanic history of Santo Antão, NW Cape Verde Islands,includes the eruption of basanite–phonolite series magmasbetween 7·5 and 0·3 Ma and (melilite) nephelinite–phonoliteseries magmas from 0·7 to 0·1 Ma. The most primitivevolcanic rocks are olivine ± clinopyroxene-phyric, whereasthe more evolved rocks have phenocrysts of clinopyroxene ±Fe–Tioxide ± kaersutite ± haüyne ± titanite± sanidine; plagioclase occurs in some intermediate rocks.The analysed samples span a range of 19–0·03% MgO;the most primitive have 37–46% SiO₂, 2·5–7%TiO₂ and are enriched 50–200 x primitive mantle in highlyincompatible elements; the basanitic series is less enrichedthan the nephelinitic series. Geochemical trends in each seriescan be modelled by fractional crystallization of phenocrystassemblages from basanitic and nephelinitic parental magmas.There is little evidence for mineral–melt disequilibrium,and thus magma mixing is not of major importance in controllingbulk-rock compositions. Mantle melting processes are modelledusing fractionation-corrected magma compositions; the modelssuggest 1–4% partial melting of a heterogeneous mantleperidotite source at depths of 90–125 km. Incompatibleelement enrichment among the most primitive magma types is typicalof HIMU OIB. The Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions of theSanto Antão volcanic sequence and geochemical characterchange systematically with time. The older volcanic rocks (7·5–2Ma) vary between two main mantle source components, one of whichis a young HIMU type with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19·88, 7/4 =–5, 8/4 0, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·7033 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd= 0·51288, whereas the other has somewhat less radiogenicSr and Pb and more radiogenic Nd. The intermediate age volcanicrocks (2–0·3 Ma) show a change of sources to two-componentmixing between a carbonatite-related young HIMU-type source(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19·93, 7/4 = –5, 8/4 = –38,⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·70304) and a DM-like source. A more incompatibleelement-enriched component with 7/4 > 0 (old HIMU type) isprominent in the young volcanic rocks (0·3–0·1Ma). The EM1 component that is important in the southern CapeVerde Islands appears to have played no role in the petrogenesisof the Santo Antão magmas. The primary magmas are arguedto be derived by partial melting in the Cape Verde mantle plume;temporal changes in composition are suggested to reflect layeringin the plume conduit. KEY WORDS: radiogenic isotopes; geochemistry; mantle melting; Cape Verde     

Petrology, Mineral and Isotope Geochemistry of the External Liguride Peridotites (Northern Apennines, Italy)

Mantle peridotites of the External Liguride (EL) units (NorthernApennines) represent slices of subcontinental lithospheric mantleemplaced at the surface during early stages of rifting of theJurassic Ligurian Piemontese basin. Petrological, ion probeand isotopic investigations have been used to unravel the natureof their mantle protolith and to constrain the timing and mechanismsof their evolution. EL peridotites are dominantly fertile spinelIherzolites partly recrystallizfd in the plagiodase Iherzplitestability field Clinopyroxenes stable in thespinel-facies assemblagehave nearly fiat REE patterns (Ce_N/Sm_N=06–08) at (10–16)C1and high Na, Sr, Ti and Zr contents. Kaersutitic-Ti-pargasiticamphiboles also occur in the spinel-facies assemblage. TheirLREE-depleted REE spectra and very low Sr, Zr and Ba contentsindicate that they crystallized from hydrous fluids with lowconcentrations of incompatible elements. Thermometric estimateson the spinelfacies parageneses yield lithospheric equilibriumtemperatures in the range 1000–1100C, in agreement withthe stability of amphibole, which implies T<1100C. Sr andNd isotopic compositions, determined on carefully handpickedclinopyroxene separates, plot within the depleted end of theMORB field (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=070222–070263; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd=0513047–0513205)similar to many subcontinental orogenic spinel Iherzolites fromthe western Mediterranean area (e.g. Ivrea Zpne and Lanzfl N).The interpretation of the EL Iherzolites as subcontinental lithosphericmantle is reinforced by the occurrence of one extremely depletedisotopic composition (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0701736; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd=0513543).Sr and Nd model ages, calculated assuming both CHUR and DM mantlesources, range between 24 Ga and 780 Ma. In particular, the12-Ga Sr age and the 780-Ma Nd age can be regarded as minimumages of differentiation. The transition from spinel-to plagioclase-faciesassemblage, accompanied by progressive deformation (from granularto tectonite-mylonite textures), indicate that the EL Iherzolitesexperienced a later, subsolidus decompressional evolution, startingfrom subcontinental lithospheric levels. Sm/Nd isochrons onplagioclase-clinopyroxene pairs furnish ages of 165 Ma. Thisearly Jurassic subsolidus decompressional history is consistentwith uplift by means of denudation in response to passive andasymmetric lithospheric extension. This is considered to bethe most suitable geodynamic mechanism to account for the exposureof huge bodies of subcontinental lithospheric mantle duringearly stages of opening of an oceanic basin. ^*Corresponding author. Present address: Dipartimento di Stienze della Terra, Univenit di Geneva, Corso Europa 26,16132 Genova, Italy     

The Substitution of Al and F in Titanite at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Constraints on Phase Relations and Solid Solution Properties

Experimental studies were carried out to evaluate phase relationsinvolving titanite–F–Al-titanite solid solutionin the system CaSiO₃–Al₂SiO₅–TiO₂–CaF₂. Theexperiments were conducted at 900–1000°C and 1·1–4·0GPa. The average F/Al ratio in titanite solid solution in theexperimental run products is 1·01 ± 0·06,and X_Al ranges from 0·33 ± 0·02 to 0·91± 0·05, consistent with the substitution [TiO²⁺]_–1[AlF²⁺]₁.Analysis of the phase relations indicates that titanite solidsolutions coexisting with rutile are always low in X_Al, whereasthe maximum X_Al of titanite solid solution occurs with fluoriteand either anorthite or Al₂SiO₅. Reaction displacement experimentswere performed by adding fluorite to the assemblage anorthite+ rutile = titanite + kyanite. The reaction shifts from 1·60GPa to 1·15 ± 0·05 GPa at 900°C, from1·79 GPa to 1·375 ± 0·025 GPa at1000°C, and from 1·98 GPa to 1·575 ±0·025 GPa at 1100°C. The data show that the activityof CaTiSiO₄O is very close to the ideal molecular activity model(X_Ti) at 1100°C, but shows a negative deviation at 1000°Cand 900°C. The results constrain