Geochemistry,dispersal, volumes and chronology of Holocene silicic tephra layers from the Katla volcanic system,Iceland

At least 12 silicic tephra layers (SILK tephras) erupted between ca. 6600 and ca. 1675 yr BP from the Katla volcanic system, have been identified in southern Iceland. In addition to providing significant new knowledge on the Holocene volcanism of the Katla system which typically produces basaltic tephra, the SILK tephras form distinct and precise isochronous marker horizons in a climatically sensitive location close to both the atmospheric and marine polar fronts. With one exception the SILK tephras have a narrow compositional range, with SiO₂ between 63 and 67%. Geochemically they are indistinguishable from ocean transported pumice found on beaches in the North Atlantic region, although they differ significantly from the silicic component of the North Atlantic Ash Zone One (NAAZO). Volumes of airborne SILK tephra range from 0.05 to 0.3 km³. We present new isopach maps of the six largest layers and demonstrate that they originate within the Katla caldera. The apparently stable magma system conditions that produced the SILK tephras may have been established as a consequence of the eruption of the silicic component of NAAZO (ca. 10.3 ka) and disrupted by another large‐scale event, the tenth century ad Eldgjá eruption (ca. 1 ka). Despite the current long repose, silicic activity of this type may occur again in the future, presenting hitherto unknown hazards. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dissolution and depletion of ferromagnesian minerals from Holocene tephra layers in an acid bog,New Zealand,and implications for tephra correlation

This study examines the depletion of ferromagnesian silicate minerals from a sequence of thin, distal, mainly rhyolitic tephra layers of Holocene age preserved in an acid peat bog (Kopouatai), North Island, New Zealand. The rate of such depletion has been fast, as indicated by the complete loss of biotite from one tephra layer (Kaharoa Tephra), in which it is normally dominant, in only ca. 770 yr. Chemical dissolution is advocated as the likely cause for the depletion, with amphiboles and other mineral grains commonly showing etch pits, microcaves, and other characteristic surface solution features. Theoretical thermodynamic and kinetic models show a marked increase in the rate of dissolution of all ferromagnesian minerals under conditions of low pH (< 4), but that where silica concentrations in solution are high the relative proportions of minerals remaining are unaffected. However, where concentrations of dissolved silica are low, as in most bog environments, the relative proportions of ferromagnesian minerals are affected as well as absolute amounts being decreased. Amphiboles are depleted relative to pyroxenes, consistent with kinetic studies. The results show that the identification and correlation of tephras on the basis of relative abundances of ferromagnesian minerals alone may be unreliable, and emphasise the need to use multiple criteria in such studies.     

The Cretaceous volcanic succession around the Songliao Basin,NE China: relationship between volcanism and sedimentation

With volume ratio of 8:1:1.5 amongst acidic, intermediate and basaltic rocks, the Cretaceous volcanics around the Songliao Basin are a series of high‐K or medium‐K, peraluminous or metaluminous, calc‐alkaline rocks, lacking typical basalts and peralkaline members of typical rift‐related types. Their eruption ages range between 133 and 127 Ma, 124 and 122 Ma and 117 and 113 Ma respectively. They are high in total (Rare earth element) REE contents (96.1–326 ppm), enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE (LREE/HREE = 4.6–13.8), with negative Eu and Ce anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.04–0.88; Ce/Ce* = 0.60–0.97). They have enriched large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g. K, Ba, Th) and depleted high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ti and Y), suggesting a subduction‐related tectonic setting. The volcanic activities migrated from south to north, forming a successively northward‐stepping volcanic series and showing a feature significantly different from the overlying sedimentary sequence striking northeast. Thus, an overlap basin model was proposed. Accompanied by opening of the basin, the volcanogenic succession was formed at the block‐faulting stage (131–113 Ma) owing to the closure of the Mongolia–Okhotsk ocean in the Jurassic and early Cretaceous, while the overlying sedimentary sequence was unconformably deposited at the spreading stage (Albian–Maastrichtian) owing to the oblique subduction of the Pacific plate under the Eurasian plate. The volcanic succession constitutes the lower unit of basin filling and is the forerunner of further basin spreading. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Petrochemistry of granulite xenoliths from the Cenozoic Qiangtang volcanic field,northern Tibetan Plateau: implications for lower crust composition and genesis of the volcanism

High-K calc-alkaline magmas from the Cenozoic Qiangtang volcanic field, northern Tibetan Plateau, contain lower crustal two-pyroxene and clinopyroxene granulite xenoliths. The petrology and geochemistry of six mafic and three felsic xenoliths from the Hol Xil area south of Ulan Ul Lake are discussed. Mafic granulites (Pl, Opx, Cpx, Ksp, and Bt) contain 48.76–58.61% SiO₂, 18.34–24.50% Al₂O₃, 3.16–5.41% Na₂O, 1.58–3.01% K₂O, low Mg# (30–67), LREE and LILE enrichment, high Rb/Sr (0.09–0.21), (La/Yb)_N (17.32–49.35), low Nb/Ta (9.76–14.92), and variable Eu anomalies (Eu?=?0.19?0.89). They also have more evolved Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions in comparison with the host dacites ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.710812 vs. 0.713241), ?_Sr (+169.13 vs.?+203.88), ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512113 vs. 0.512397), ?_Nd (?4.70 to??10.05), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.7000 vs. 18.9565), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.7135 vs. 15.7662), and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (39.1090 vs. 39.4733). Felsic granulites (Qtz, Pl, Ksp, Bt, and Cpx) show enrichment of LREE and LILE and have evolved Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions with (La/Yb)_N (2.04–10.82), ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.712041–0.729088), ?_Sr (+180.71–+430.59), ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0.512230–0.512388); ?_Nd (?4.74 to??7.96), ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (18.9250–19.1717), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (15.7662–15.7720), and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (39.2109–39.6467). These geochemical data suggest that the protolith of the mafic granulites could have been a hybrid mafic magma (e.g. enriched mantle type II) or metasomatized restite derived from the partial melting of metamafic-intermediate rocks rather than basaltic cumulates, whereas the felsic granulite protolith was a quartzofeldspathic S-type granitic rock. We argue that the lower crust of the northern Tibetan Plateau is hot and heterogeneous rather than wholly gabbroic. Interaction between the mantle-derived magma and the metasedimentary/granitic lower crust of the Tibetan Plateau may have played an important role in the generation of shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline andesite-dacite rocks.     

Late Quaternary sea‐level change and evolution of Belfast Lough,Northern Ireland: new offshore evidence and implications for sea‐level reconstruction

The interplay of eustatic and isostatic factors causes complex relative sea‐level (RSL) histories, particularly in paraglacial settings. In this context the past record of RSL is important in understanding ice‐sheet history, earth rheology and resulting glacio‐isostatic adjustment. Field data to develop sea‐level reconstructions are often limited to shallow depths and uncertainty exists as to the veracity of modelled sea‐level curves. We use seismic stratigraphy, 39 vibrocores and 26 radiocarbon dates to investigate the deglacial history of Belfast Lough, Northern Ireland, and reconstruct past RSL. A typical sequence of till, glacimarine and Holocene sediments is preserved. Two sea‐level lowstands (both max. ?40 m) are recorded at c. 13.5 and 11.5k cal a bp . Each is followed by a rapid transgression and subsequent periods of RSL stability. The first transgression coincides temporally with a late stage of Meltwater Pulse 1a and the RSL stability occurred between c. 13.0 and c. 12.2k cal a bp (Younger Dryas). The second still/slowstand occurred between c. 10.3 and c. 11.5k cal a bp . Our data provide constraints on the direction and timing of RSL change during deglaciation. Application of the Depth of Closure concept adds an error term to sea‐level reconstructions based on seismic stratigraphic reconstructions.     

Late Triassic granitoids of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau: Geochronology, petrogenesis and implications for tectonic evolution

Late Triassic granitoids in the Songpan-Garzê Fold Belt (SGFB), on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, formed at 230 to 220 Ma and can be divided into two groups. Group 1 are high-K calc-alkaline rocks with adakitic affinities (K-adakites), with Sr > 400 ppm, Y < 11 ppm, strongly fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)_N = 32–105) and high K₂O/Na₂O (≈ 1). Group 2 are ordinary high-K calc-alkaline I-types with lower Sr (< 400 ppm), higher Y (> 18 ppm) and weakly fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb)_N < 20). Rocks of both groups have similar negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu = 0.50 to 0.94) and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70528 to 0.71086), but group 1 rocks have higher ε_Nd(t) (− 1.01 to − 4.84) than group 2 (− 3.11 to − 6.71). Calculated initial Pb isotope ratios for both groups are: ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.343 to 18.627, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.610 to 15.705 and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 38.269 to 3759. Group 1 magmas were derived through partial melting of thickened and then delaminated TTG-type, eclogitic lower crust, with some contribution from juvenile enriched mantle melts. Group 2 magmas were generated by partial melting of shallower lower crustal rocks. The inferred magma sources of both groups suggest that the basement of the SGFB was similar to the exposed Kangding Complex, and that the SGFB was formed in a similar manner to the South China basement. Here, passive margin crust was greatly thickened and then delaminated, all within a very short time interval ( 20 Myr). Such post-collisional crustal thickening could be the tectonic setting for the generation of many adakitic magmas, especially where there is no spatial and temporal association with subduction.     

渤海湾黄骅盆地晚中生代—新生代火山岩地球化学：岩石成因及构造体制转换

本文研究了渤海湾黄骅盆地早白垩世基性-中性-酸性火山岩和第三纪基性火山岩的元素和Sr-Nd同位素地球化学特征。早白垩世火山岩以碱性系列为主,不同基性程度的岩石具有一致的富集Sr、Ba、K、Rb等大离子亲石元素,强烈亏损Nb、Ta、Zr等高场强元素,轻重稀土强烈分异,Sr-Nd同位素组成与EM I相似,Sr同位素初始比高于方城玄武岩和汉诺坝基性麻粒岩。主量和微量元素分析表明,酸性火山岩主要来自于地壳重熔,基性火山岩具有板片流体/熔体交代富集的特征,二者的岩浆混合作用可能是中性火山岩的成因,它们共同构成了东北亚晚中生代活动大陆边缘岛弧火山岩的一部分。第三纪基性火山岩以碱性系列为主,弱富集大离子亲石元素和Ti,不亏损Nb、Ta等高场强元素,Zr呈弱亏损,Sr-Nd同位素组成显示呈亏损型,亏损程度低于碱锅玄武岩和汉诺坝玄武岩,但总体与OIB相似,表明岩浆源区为软流圈地幔,并且高热上涌的软流圈对上部带有俯冲带印记的岩石圈地幔的萃取可能是导致弱富集的原因。从早白垩世的岛弧环境到第三纪陆内裂谷盆地,其控制因素可能归咎于东北亚东侧大洋板块的俯冲和相互转换。法拉隆板块于晚中生代向东北亚俯冲,但晚白垩世时被伊佐奈崎与北新几内亚板块取代,后两者之间的洋脊俯冲引起的“板片窗”效应,导致了渤海湾地区裂谷盆地的发育和同期软流圈地幔来源的玄武质火山活动。     

Geochemistry of Quaternary sediments of the Jeongokri archaeological site,Korea: implications for provenance and palaeoenvironments during the Late Pleistocene

The geochemical characteristics of an approximately 6‐m‐long sediment core collected from the Jeongokri archaeological site (Hantan River, Korea) were examined to determine the provenance of the sediments and to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment of the study area during the Late Pleistocene (200–127 ka). The core sediments were subdivided into two parts based on grain size: an upper (0–380 cm depth) and lower part (>380 cm depth). The lower part was deposited primarily by fluvial processes during an interglacial period [marine isotope stage (MIS) 7] with warm and humid conditions. Conversely, the upper part was mainly deposited by aeolian processes during a cold and dry glacial period (MIS 6). Geochemical characteristics, represented by major, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions, and textures of the Jeongokri core sediments show distinct differences between the upper and lower parts. The mineralogy and major, trace and REE compositions indicate that the influence of felsic source rocks (e.g. granite) was dominant in the lower sediments, which were derived from the Hantan River. In contrast, increased quartz content and the very fine and homogeneous grain size in the upper sediments indicate an aeolian origin. REE ratios and distribution patterns, and geochemical signatures indicate that these sediments were derived predominantly from Chinese loess deposits and partially from local sediments from the Korean Peninsula; the possible source area of the upper sediments is the northern part of the Yellow Sea basin. The Yellow Sea basin, having mixed geochemical signatures between Chinese loess and Korean‐derived sediments, was exposed because of low sea levels during MIS 6. The exposed Yellow Sea basin was located in the path of winter‐monsoon winds, which may have carried a great deal of airborne sediments from the basin to the Jeongokri area. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Paleozoic volcanic record of the Eastern Junggar terrane, Xinjiang, Northwestern China: Major and trace element characteristics, Sr–Nd isotopic systematics and implications for tectonic evolution

The Eastern Junggar terrane of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt includes a Late Paleozoic assemblage of volcanic rocks of mixed oceanic and arc affinity, located in a structurally complex belt between the Siberian plate, the Kazakhstan block, and the Tianshan Range. The early history of these rocks is not well constrained, but the Junggar terrane was part of a Cordilleran-style accreted arc assemblage by the Late Carboniferous. Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks of the northern part of the east Junggar terrane are divided, from base to top, into the Early Devonian Tuoranggekuduke Formation (Fm.), Middle Devonian Beitashan Fm., Middle Devonian Yundukala Fm., Late Devonian Jiangzierkuduke Fm., Early Carboniferous Nanmingshui Fm. and Late Carboniferous Batamayineishan Fm. We present major element, trace element and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses of 64 (ultra)mafic to intermediate volcanic rock samples of these formations. All Devonian volcanic rocks exhibit remarkably negative Nb, Ta and Ti anomalies on the primitive mantle-normalized trace element diagrams, and are enriched in more highly incompatible elements relative to moderately incompatible ones. Furthermore, they have subchondritic Nb/Ta ratios, and their Zr/Nb and Sm/Nd ratios resemble those of MORBs, characteristics of arc-related volcanic rocks. The Early Devonian Tuoranggekuduke Fm., Middle Devonian Beitashan Fm., and Middle Devonian Yundukala Fm. are characterized by tholeiitic and calc-alkaline affinities. In contrast, the Late Devonian Jiangzierkuduke Fm. contains a large amount of tuff and sandstone, and its volcanic rocks have dominantly calc-alkaline affinities. We therefore propose that the Jiangzierkuduke Fm. formed in a mature island arc setting, and other Devonian Fms. formed in an immature island arc setting. The basalts from the Nanmingshui Fm. have geochemical signatures between N-MORB and island arcs, indicating that they formed in a back-arc setting. In contrast, the volcanic rocks from the Batamayineishan Fm. display geochemical characteristics of continental intraplate volcanic rocks formed in an extensional setting after collision. Thus, we propose a model that involves a volcanic arc formed by northward subduction of the ancient Junggar ocean and amalgamation of different terranes during the Late Paleozoic to interpret the formation of the Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks in the Eastern Junggar terrane, and the Altai and Junggar terranes fully amalgamated into a Cordilleran-type orogen during the end of Early Carboniferous to the Middle–Late Carboniferous.     

Elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic geochemistry of Late Paleozoic volcanic rocks beneath the Junggar basin, NW China: Implications for the formation and evolution of the basin basement

The basement beneath the Junggar basin has been interpreted either as a micro-continent of Precambrian age or as a fragment of Paleozoic oceanic crust. Elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions and zircon Pb–Pb ages of volcanic rocks from drill cores through the paleo-weathered crust show that the basement is composed mainly of late Paleozoic volcanic rock with minor shale and tuff. The volcanic rocks are mostly subalkaline with some minor low-K rocks in the western Kexia area. Some alkaline lavas occur in the central Luliang uplift and northeastern Wulungu depression. The lavas range in composition from basalts to rhyolites and fractional crystallization played an important role in magma evolution. Except for a few samples from Kexia, the basalts have low La/Nb (<1.4), typical for oceanic crust derived from asthenospheric melts. Zircon Pb–Pb ages indicate that the Kexia andesite, with a volcanic arc affinity, formed in the early Carboniferous (345 Ma), whereas the Luliang rhyolite and the Wucaiwan dacite, with syn-collisional to within-plate affinities, formed in the early Devonian (395 and 405 Ma, respectively). Positive ε_Nd(t) values (up to +7.4) and low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratios of the intermediate-silicic rocks suggest that the entire Junggar terrain may be underlain by oceanic crust, an interpretation consistent with the juvenile isotopic signatures of many granitoid plutons in other parts of the Central Asia Orogenic Belt. Variation in zircon ages for the silicic rocks, different Ba, P, Ti, Nb or Th anomalies in the mafic rocks, and variable Nb/Y and La/Nb ratios across the basin, suggest that the basement is compositionally heterogeneous. The heterogeneity is believed to reflect amalgamation of different oceanic blocks representing either different evolution stages within a single terrane or possibly derivation from different terranes.