Pre-eruptive geochemistry of the ignimbrite-forming magmas of the Campanian Volcanic Zone, Southern Italy, determined from silicate melt inclusions

Summary ¶The Campanian Ignimbrite rock samples include two compositionally distinct populations of clinopyroxene phenocrysts, and the entrapped MI (melt inclusions) are also different in composition. The cores of the more MgO-enriched phenocrysts carry basaltic trachyandesite MI that contain >6wt.% MgO, whereas other phenocrysts contain MI with <4wt.% MgO. The MgO-enriched MI also contain comparatively greater abundances of F, CaO, TiO₂, P₂O₅, SO₂, and Sr and show marginally higher ratios of (CaO/Al₂O₃) than the low-MgO MI. Most of the high-MgO MI also contain comparatively more H₂O. The MgO-enriched MI are restricted to diopsidic clinopyroxenes and show minimal compositional variability, demonstrating that they were derived from a common magmatic source or sources. We interpret these MI to represent primary, mafic magma. In contrast, the more evolved, low-MgO melt inclusions, which are restricted to salitic clinopyroxenes, span the compositional range of trachyandesite to trachyte. The low-MgO fractions of Campanian Ignimbrite magma evolved via fractional crystallization with or without mingling or mixing with more primitive, high-MgO magma.Interestingly, the MI from the Giugliano sample also cluster into low-MgO and high-MgO fractions, and the evolutionary trends for major, minor, and trace elements mirror those exhibited by the Campanian Ignimbrite MI, suggesting that both magmas were derived from similar or the same source(s) and that the processes of magma evolution were equivalent for both magmas.The MI also indicate that the Campanian Ignimbrite and Giugliano magmas did not form by evolution of Taurano magma, because the geochemical trends expressing melt evolution of the former and latter magmas are too dissimilar. Most Taurano MI show higher (CaO/Al₂O₃) and contain less SiO₂, (Na₂O+K₂O), Cl, Li, Rb, Cs, Sr, Nb, Th, and U than the high-MgO and low-MgO Campanian Ignimbrite and Giugliano MI, indicating that the Taurano MI represent magmas which were much more primitive.Received July 15, 2002; revised version accepted March 27, 2003     

Sarmentofascis zamparelliae n. sp., a new demosponge from the lower Campanian of southern Italy

A new coralline sponge, exhibiting typical “stromatoporoid” bodyplan, is described as Sarmentofascis zamparelliae n. sp. from the lower Campanian of the southern Apennines, Italy. It is differentiated from Sarmentofascis cretacea (Turnsek) (Hauterivian of Montenegro) and Sarmentofascis chabrieri Termier, Termier and Vachard (Santonian of France) above all by its slender arborescent skeleton, exhibiting longitudinally distributed astrorhizae-like canals. S. zamparelliae n. sp. is the youngest representative of the genus and is reported from a period exhibiting a distinct decline of “stromatoporoid” sponges. With its clinogonal microstructure and occurrence in inner platform stromatoporoid-foraminiferan floatstones it can be considered a Late Cretaceous environmental analog to the Late Jurassic Cladocoropsis.     

Ultra-fine structures and genesis of the Campanian Negev high-grade phosphorites (southern Israel)

Ultra-fine structures of the Negev high-grade phosphorites provide valuable clues to unravelling the genesis of these rocks, the question of their differential areal distribution, and the biosedimentary mechanisms involved in their considerable enrichment. Peculiar to these phosphorites is an intergranular phosphate matrix, for the most part constituted by a variety of phosphatic microbial tubules displaying a range of spatial micro-organizations. The phosphate particles fixed by this filamentous meshwork also consists of internally organized and non-organized packed microbial remains of different types. Analogies between the fabrics of the matrix and the corpuscles lead to conception of a two-stage depositional scheme for these phosphorites, based on rhythmical repetition of two sedimentary mini-events, in a slightly oscillating, very shallow marine system—(1) a low-energy event of microbial colonization of the Mishash bottoms, followed by early phosphatization of the organic structures mainly in marginal situations; and (2) a higher-energy event which broke up the phosphatic mats into debris, redepositing them as clastic layers in nearby basinward sites, while becoming bound by a new meshwork of filamentous microphytes. The differential phosphatization of the intergranular microbial binder, again occurring mostly in marginal localities, produced highly enriched phosphorites. Minor truncations and redepositions leading to amalgamation of the successive layers account for the massive fabric now displayed by most of these rocks. Examining the structural and textural features, the validity of the sedimentary mechanisms of Recent phosphorite formation for the Campanian Negev rocks is discussed.     

Effects of the hydrothermal circulation on the strain field of the Campanian Plain (southern Italy)

Focal mechanisms of earthquakes and fault‐slip data have been collected to constrain the strain regime acting in the hydrothermal zone and surrounding areas of the Campanian Plain (southern Italy), a NW–SE elongated structural depression. The NW–SE striking faults bounding the depression move in response to a NE–SW striking regional extension. Within the depression, an extended hydrothermal circulation occurs related to the Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and Ischia active volcanoes. In this zone, the strike of the extension is N–S. Results from a finite element model constrained by the collected data show that the presence of a lower rigidity zone due to the hydrothermal circulation may explain (a) the observed deflection of the direction of regional extension, and (b) why large magnitude earthquakes occur at the boundaries of the hydrothermal zone and not along the faults delimiting the structural depression.     

The origin of lavas and ignimbrites of the Taupo Volcanic Zone,New Zealand,in the light of oxygen isotope data

The Taupo Volcanic Zone consists predominantly of andesites at each end and about a 20times larger volume of rhyolites (incl. ignimbrites and pumice) in the center. In a δ¹⁸O vs SiO₂ diagram the rhyolites do not continue the increasingly ¹⁸O-contaminated andesite (basalt to dacite) trend, but have lower δ¹⁸O values than the most differentiated andesites. Comparison with δ¹⁸O of greywackes and conjectural granitoids seems to rule out a partial fusion origin. In retrospect the Sr isotope data of Ewart and Stipp (1968) are seen to confirm this conclusion. Isotopic adjustment of source rocks before partial fusion, by exchange with circulating subsurface waters, is highly unlikely because of the combined demands for O and Sr isotope shifts, and the constraint offered by the normal igneous to somewhat enriched δ¹⁸O values of the rhyolites. Oxygen isotope results confirm separate origins or at least different modes of ascent of basalt and andesites on one hand and rhyolites on the other. Both magma types appear to have originated below crustal formations and both have become contaminated by greywacke through which they passed to reach the surface.     

Geochemical Constraints on the Origin of Volcanic Rocks from the Andean Northern Volcanic Zone, Ecuador

Whole-rock geochemical data on basaltic to rhyolitic samplesfrom 12 volcanic centers are used to constrain the role of continentalcrust in the genesis of magmas formed beneath the anomalouslywide subduction-related volcanic arc in Ecuador. Relativelyhomogeneous, mantle-like, isotopic compositions across the arcimply that the parental magmas in Ecuador were produced largelywithin the mantle wedge above the subduction zone and not byextensive melting of crustal rocks similar to those upon whichthe volcanoes were built. Cross-arc changes in ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and7/4Pb are interpreted to result from assimilation of geochemicallymature continental crust, especially in the main arc area, 330–360km from the trench. Mixing calculations limit the quantity ofassimilated crust to less than 10%. Most andesites and dacitesin Ecuador have adakite-like trace element characteristics (e.g.Y <18 ppm, Yb <2 ppm, La/Yb >20, Sr/Y >40). Availablewhole-rock data do not provide a clear basis for distinguishingbetween slab-melting and deep crustal fractionation models forthe genesis of Ecuador adakites; published data highlightinggeochemical evolution within individual volcanoes, and in magmaticrocks produced throughout Ecuador since the Eocene, appear tosupport the deep fractionation model for the genesis of mostevolved Ecuadoran lavas. A subset of andesites, which displaya combination of high Sr (>900 ppm), Nd >4·1 and7/4Pb <6·0, appear to be the best candidates amongEcuador lavas for slab-melts associated with the subductionof the relatively young, over-thickened, oceanic crust of theCarnegie Ridge. KEY WORDS: andesite; Ecuador; trace elements; isotopes; adakite     

昌都-思茅构造带晚三叠世构造环境的火山岩地球化学判别

青藏东缘昌都-思茅带构造环境的研究对其所蕴含的找矿潜力具有重要意义,中三叠世末,三江联合地体形成,昌都-思茅构造带进入陆内演化阶段.通过对昌都-思茅构造带晚三叠世火山岩地球化学特征及地层学的研究,指出本区晚三叠世火山岩具有堑垒相间的古地貌、双峰式火山岩的火山-沉积组合及显伸展因子的岩浆作用等特点.火山活动主要是沿着乡城形成了所谓滞后形的岛弧岩浆,但很多地质事实表明,这之后并不是挤压的,而是在短暂的挤压后的伸展.对此问题,我们搜集了大量的数据,分析发现火山岩具有双峰特征.并通过岩石地球化学图解投图,指出昌都-思茅构造带在晚三叠世属于伸展构造环境,综合得出本区为陆内裂谷环境.     

Tectonic controls on drainage evolution and development of terminal alluvial fans, southern Pyrenees, Spain

An understanding of how drainage patterns respond to tectonics can provide an insight into past deformational events within mountain belts and where sediment flux is supplied to depositional basins. The transverse rivers draining the Spanish Pyrenees show sudden diversions to axial courses and the capture of lateral systems producing large trunk rivers that break through the thrust front at structurally controlled points. The drainage reorganization from the initial regularly spaced pattern in the Late Eocene caused by the growth of thrust‐controlled topography influenced the location of outlets into the Ebro basin. The headward capture and merger of rivers as a result of structural diversion formed two large terminal fan systems during the Oligo‐Miocene along the Pyrenean thrust front. The early structural topographic controls on drainage evolution will have long‐term effects on sedimentation and stratigraphic architecture of foreland basins. This will only be maintained as long as there is tectonic uplift and the river systems strive to re‐attain a regular drainage spacing across the orogenic belt as partly achieved in the Pyrenees.     

Tectonic controls on the geomorphic evolution of alluvial fans in the Piedmont Zone of Ganga Plain,Uttarakhand, India

The Piedmont Zone is the least studied part of the Ganga Plain. The northern limit of the Piedmont Zone is defined by the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) along which the Himalaya is being thrust over the alluvium of the Ganga Plain. Interpretation of satellite imagery, Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and field data has helped in the identification and mapping of various morphotectonic features in the densely forested and cultivated Piedmont Zone in the Kumaun region of the Uttarakhand state of India. The Piedmont Zone has formed as a result of coalescing alluvial fans, alluvial aprons and talus deposits. The fans have differential morphologies and aggradation processes within a common climatic zone and similar litho-tectonic setting of the catchment area. Morphotectonic analysis reveals that the fan morphologies and aggradation processes in the area are mainly controlled by the ongoing tectonic activities. Such activities along the HFT and transverse faults have controlled the accommodation space by causing differential subsidence of the basin, and aggradation processes by causing channel migration, channel incision and shifting of depocentres. The active tectonic movements have further modified the landscape of the area in the form of tilted alluvial fan, gravel ridges, terraces and uplifted gravels.     

Stratigraphy and geology of the ignimbrites of Vulsini Volcano,central Italy

Vulsini Volcano, Bolsena District, central Italy is a Quaternary centre eruptions of which have been dominated by the production of ignimbrites. Stratigraphic studies show that there are six major ignimbrite units with individual minimum volumes of 0.5 to 3 km³ and a large number of smaller ignimbrite units, together with pyroclastic surge and pyroclastic fall deposits. It is estimated that at least 90% of the volcanic products are pyroclastic producing a low profile volcano with 1 to 5 slopes.Lithic clasts in the ignimbrite units decrease systematically in size away from the source, but pumice clasts have an irregular size distribution. Grain size characteristics of the ignimbrites are typical of pyroclastic flow deposits with clasts ranging from a metre to a few microns in size. Reverse grading of large pumice clasts and normal grading of large lithic clasts are common in individual flow units. Each ignimbrite is composed of a large number of individual flow units each having a finer grained basal layer. Both sillar and non-welded facies occur. Coherent ignimbrite (sillar) is the result of vapour phase crystallisation in the pore spaces with no deformation of the clasts. The ignimbrites are associated with fine grained air fall ash beds, cross-bedded pyroclastic surge deposits and pumice fall deposits formed in the same eruptions.Chemical analyses show that the ignimbrites have a wide range of composition (50 to 62% SiO₂). Many chemical studies of volcanoes exclude pyroclastic rocks in favour of lavas. The implications and problems of such biased sampling are discussed.Transportation of the ignimbrites is believed to be that of a semi-fluidised debris flow. Viscosities of the pyroclastic flows, estimated from their capacity to transport lithic debris, must have been between 10¹ and 10³ poises. The previously proposed hypothesis that these ignimbrites have formed from a gas super-saturated lava or froth flow is incompatible with their field and grain size characteristics and is rejected.

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Zusammenfassung Der Vulkan Vulsini in Mittelitalien entstand im Quartär und wird von pyroklastischen Lavadecken geprägt. Sechs ausgedehnte Ignimbritmassen (Mengen 0,5 bis 4 km³) und eine gro\e Anzahl kleinerer Ignimbritkörper wurden festgestellt. Die Ignimbrite kommen zusammen mit Pyroklastiten, feinen Aschen und einigen hochtemperierten pyroklastischen surge-Absätzen vor. Die Ignimbrite sind schlecht sortiert, verschwei\t und unverschwei\t. Jeder Ignimbrit besteht aus vielen Lagen, und der Boden jeder Lage ist durch eine feinkörnige Grundlage markiert. Inverse Gradierung gro\er Bimsstein-Fragmente und normale Gradierung gro\er Klastite kommen häufig vor. Die grö\ten Fremdgesteins-Fragmente nehmen mit der Entfernung von der Caldera di Latera ab, nur Ignimbrit C verringert sich mit der Entfernung von der Caldera di Bolsena. Analysen von Bimsstein-Fragmenten der Ignimbrite zeigen eine wechselnde Zusammensetzung (SiO₂ 49–62%). Ein Vergleich der Zusammensetzung der Lava und der Pyroklastika zeigt jedoch, da\ die Magmen, die das pyroklastische Gestein bilden, allgemein kieselsäurereicher entwickelt sind. Die Korngrö\e und die Morphologie der Ignimbrite deuten darauf hin, da\ sie aus dichten Gas/Feststoff-Dispersionen deponiert worden sind, und pyroklastische Lagen werden als durch Gas transportierte Gesteinstrümmer gedeutet.

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Riassunto Il vulcano di Vulsini, nell'Italia Centrale, è un centro di epoca quaternaria nel quale la produzione di colate piroclastiche è stata prédominante. Vi si possono riconoscere sei maggiori ignimbriti di larga mole (volumi 0.5–3 Km³) oltre a un gran numéro di ignimbriti di minor volume, associate a depositi di pyroclastic fall, di ceneri minute e a depositi di spinta piroclastica (base surge) ad alta temperatura, formatesi nelle stesse eruzioni.Le ignimbriti si presentano sia saldate o non saldate e sono scarsemente separate. Ognuno di esse è composto da un insieme di colate individuali la cui base è segnata da uno strato basilare a grana più fine, e nelle quali sono comuni larghi frammenti di pomice a gradazione inversa e larghi frammenti litici di gradazione normale. Per quanto riguarda tutti le maggiori ignimbriti, la mole massima dei frammenti di roccia estranea decresce con l'allontanarsi dalla caldera di Latera, ad eccezione dell'ignimbrite C, per la quale questo avviene allontanandosi dalla caldera di Bolsena. Analisi di frammenti di pomice proveniente dalle ignimbriti mostrano la presenza di una vasta gamma die elementi (SiO₂ 49%–62%), tuttavia dal confronta fra lave e materiali piroclastici risulta che i magmi che formano le rocce piroclastiche sono, in generale, molto più evoluti. La grossezza della grana e le caratteristiche morfologiche delle ignimbriti fanno ritenere che la loro origine sia dovuta al depositarsi di dispersioni di gas densi, poco espansi e di solidi, e che le colate piroclastiche siano da considerarsi come colate di detriti, lubrificati dal gas.

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. 6 , 0,5 4 « . , «surge» . . , . . Caldera di Latra, Caldera di Bilsena. (SiO₂ 49 62%). , , , . , - , , .

     

The Campanian Ignimbrite (southern Italy) geochemical zoning: insight on the generation of a super-eruption from catastrophic differentiation and fast withdrawal

More than ca 100 km³ of nearly homogeneous crystal-poor phonolite and ca 100 km³ of slightly zoned trachyte were erupted 39 ka during the Campanian Ignimbrite super eruption, the most powerful in the Neapolitan area. Partition coefficient calculations, equilibrium mineral assemblages, glass compositions and texture were used to reconstruct compositional, thermal and pressure gradients in the pre-eruptive reservoir as well as timing and mechanisms of evolution towards magma chamber overpressure and eruption. Our petrologic data indicate that a wide sill-like trachytic magma chamber was active under the Campanian Plain at 2.5 kbar before CI eruption. Thermal exchange between high liquidus (1199°C) trachytic sill and cool country rocks caused intense undercooling, driving a catastrophic and fast (10² years) in situ fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation that produced a water oversaturated phonolitic cap and an overpressure in the chamber that triggered the super eruption. This process culminated in an abrupt reservoir opening and in a fast single-step high decompression. Sanidine phenocrysts crystal size distributions reveal high differentiation rate, thus suggesting that such a sill-like magmatic system is capable of evolving in a very short time and erupting suddenly with only short-term warning.     

Mineral control of arsenic content in thermal waters from volcano-hosted hydrothermal systems: Insights from island of Ischia and Phlegrean Fields (Campanian Volcanic Province, Italy)

This paper documents arsenic concentrations in 157 groundwater samples from the island of Ischia and the Phlegrean Fields, two of the most active volcano-hosted hydrothermal systems from the Campanian Volcanic Province (Southern Italy), in an attempt to identify the environmental conditions and mineral-solution reactions governing arsenic aqueous cycling. On Ischia and in the Phlegrean Fields, groundwaters range in composition from NaCl brines, which we interpret as the surface discharge of deep reservoir fluids, to shallow-depth circulating fluids, the latter ranging from acid-sulphate steam-heated to hypothermal, cold, bicarbonate groundwaters. Arsenic concentrations range from 1.6 to 6900 μg·l^− 1 and from 2.6 to 3800 μg·l^− 1 in the Phlegrean Fields and on Ischia, respectively. They increase with increasing water temperature and chlorine contents, and in the sequence bicarbonate groundwaters < steam-heated groundwaters < NaCl brines. According to thermochemical modeling, we propose that high As concentrations in NaCl brines form after prolonged water-rock interactions at reservoir T, fO₂ and fH₂S conditions, and under the buffering action of an arsenopyrite + pyrite + pyrrhotite rock assemblage. On their ascent toward the surface, NaCl brines become diluted by As-depleted meteoric-derived bicarbonate groundwaters, giving rise to hybrid water types with intermediate to low As contents. Steam-heated groundwaters give their intermediate to high As concentrations to extensive rock leaching promoted by interaction with As-bearing hydrothermal steam.     

东天山板块缝合带石炭纪火山岩地球化学和Sr-Nd同位素特征及其大地构造意义

对东天山沿康古尔塔格缝合带分布的企鹅山群和梧桐窝子组火山岩的地球化学特征及Rb-Sr和Sm-Nd同位素进行了系统研究。结果显示：企鹅山群火山岩富集LREE,Eu异常变化较大（从明显负异常到微弱正异常）,富集Sr、Ba和U等大离子亲石元素,相对亏损Nb、Zr、Ti等高场强元素,Sr-Nd同位素特征是I_Sr=0.703 97~0.704 26,ε_Nd(t)=5.61~6.99,具有亏损地幔性质,表明其岩浆源区可能来自古生代期间被古亚洲洋俯冲板片释放的流体/熔体交代过的岩石圈地幔楔;梧桐窝子组玄武岩富集轻稀土元素(LREE)和大离子亲石元素,而高场强元素没有明显负异常,样品的ε_Nd值都在9以上,I_Sr(330 Ma)为0.704 71~0.705 33,表明梧桐窝子组玄武岩可能来自亏损的软流圈地幔的部分熔融。企鹅山群和梧桐窝子组火山岩在Zr-Zr/Y判别图解中分别落在岛弧拉斑玄武岩（IAB）和板内玄武岩（WPB）范围内,表明企鹅山群可能为准噶尔洋盆向南俯冲形成的石炭纪岛弧火山岩,而梧桐窝子组火山岩可能形成于在弧后盆地的基础上拉张为裂陷槽的伸展环境。     

郯庐断裂带莒县地区早白垩世中酸性火山岩成因及其地质意义

莒县早白垩世火山岩沿郯庐断裂带分布,由粗安岩、粗面岩和流纹岩组成,属高钾钙碱性-钾玄岩系列.岩石富集Rb、K、Ba等大离子亲石元素和轻稀土元素,相对亏损Nb、Ta、Ti等高场强元素和重稀土元素,Sr-Nd同位素组成((87Sr/86Sr)t=0.7082～0.7095,ENd(t)=-16.4～-19.8)与区内基性岩的相类似,而Pb同位素组成((206pb/204Pb)t=16.523～17.038,(207pb/204Pb)t=15.414～15.468,(208pb/204Pb)t=37.058～37.427)类似于EM1型富集地幔.(87Sr/86Sr)t和εNd(t)与SiO2没有明显的相关性,且较高的Th/U、Ce/Pb值和较低的Nb/La、Nb/U值均暗示岩浆在上升过程中未遭受明显的地壳混染.粗安岩具有高的Cr、Ni、MgO含量及Mg#值和古老Nd同位素模式年龄,暗示其起源于富集的岩石圈地幔.粗面岩与粗安岩的主要氧化物、微量元素与SiO2呈明显的相关性,这暗示可能为同源岩浆结晶分异而来.研究表明,莒县地区中酸性火山岩形成于岩石圈伸展减薄背景下,由曾遭受俯冲扬子陆壳熔体改造的华北岩石圈地幔部分熔融形成的岩浆分离结晶作用而成.郯庐断裂带的伸展活动控制着火山岩的分布,为岩浆的形成和运移提供了有利的场所,在华北克拉通破坏中可能起到了重要的作用.     

中条山铜矿峪铜矿区火山岩的地球化学特征及构造背景

对铜矿峪火山岩进行常量元素、微量元素及稀土元素研究表明,SiO2质量分数为47.22%～76.00%,平均66.21%,Al2O3含量为11.03%～20.03%,属铝饱和类型。通过常量元素投点图分析,属一种高钾系列火山岩。稀土元素特征表明,火山岩的源岩浆来源于上地慢。在微量元素的球粒陨石标准化图上,表现为不相容元素Rb、K、Ba、Th的高度富集,同时,具有Sr、Tb和Nb、Ti的亏损,其总体配分型式类似于板内拉斑玄武岩。     

New chronological and geochemical constraints on the genesis and geological evolution of Ponza and Palmarola Volcanic Islands (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

A new geochronological and geochemical study of the volcanic rocks of the Ponza and Palmarola Islands, Pontine Archipelago, has been carried out. This archipelago is located along the boundary between the Italian continental shelf and the opening Tyrrhenian basin. It is a key area to study volcanism related to the opening of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Ponza is the oldest felsic magmatic manifestation in the central Tyrrhenian area. Previous studies suggested that Ponza volcanic activity began before 5 Ma. Twenty-five new K–Ar ages constrain the volcanic activity (rhyolitic hyaloclastites and dykes) to the last 4.2 Ma, with two episodes of quiescence between 3.7 and 3.2 Ma and between 2.9 and 1.0 Ma. A new volcanic episode dated at 3.2–2.9 Ma has been identified on the central and southern Ponza, with emplacement of pyroclastic units. At 1.0 Ma, a trachytic episode ended the volcanic activity. The near island of Palmarola exhibits rhyolitic hyaloclastites and domes dated between 1.6 and 1.5 Ma, indicating that the island was entirely built during the Early Pleistocene in a short span of time of ca. 120 ka. Although only 6–8 km apart, the two islands display significantly different geochemical signatures. Ponza rhyolites show major and trace element compositions representative of orogenic magmas of subduction/collision zones: high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous rhyolites (Agpaitic Index [AI] and Alumina Saturation Index [ASI] <1), high LILE/HFSE (Th/Ta=16–21) and LREE/HFSE ratios (La/Nb>3), and Nb–Ta negative anomalies. In Palmarola, the orogenic character is also present, but much less marked than in Ponza: rhyolites have a peralkaline character (AI>1), lower LILE/HFSE (Th/Ta=11–15), low LREE/HFSE ratios (La/Nb=1–2) close to those of anorogenic lavas, and the Nb–Ta negative anomalies are almost absent. Y/Nb ratios indicate different magmatic sources, one similar to island-arc or active continental margin basalts for Ponza rhyolites, and the others probably involving an OIB type component for Palmarola rhyolites and Ponza trachytes. Palmarola volcanics represent a transitional magmatism: although a preserved collisional geochemical imprint, they show geochemical features approaching those of anorogenic lavas erupted in a within-plate context. The change of magmatism evidenced in this study can be related to the tectonic evolution of the area. Indeed, Hf, Ta and Rb contents suggest that the oldest Pliocene rhyolites of Ponza would emplace in a syn- to late-collisional setting, while the younger Pleistocene rhyolites of Palmarola would be emplaced in a post-collisional setting in which the orogenic character (Th/Ta) decreases and mantle influence (Nb/Ta) increases. Geochemical modeling strongly suggests that the Palmarola rhyolites represent the waning stages of a subduction-related magmatism. The K–Ar datings allow us to estimate precisely the transition of magmatism to last less than 1.3 Ma. The transitional magmas may be the result of the upwelling of asthenospheric mantle inducing melting of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle and the mixing between these two sources. This upwelling could occur during the extension of the Tyrrhenian basin, caused by the slab retreat and steepening, or during a process of slab break-off starting in the Pliocene.     

Tectonic controls on post-subduction granite genesis and emplacement: The late Caledonian suite of Britain and Ireland

Rates of magma emplacement commonly vary as a function of tectonic setting. The late Caledonian granites of Britain and Ireland are associated with closure of the Iapetus Ocean and were emplaced into a varying regime of transpression and transtension throughout the Silurian and into the early Devonian. Here we evaluate a new approach for examining how magma volumes vary as a function of tectonic setting. Available radiometric ages from the late Caledonian granites are used to calculate probability density functions (age spectra), with each pluton weighted by outcrop area as a proxy for its volume. These spectra confirm an absence of magmatic activity during Iapetus subduction between c. 455 Ma and 425 Ma and a dominance of post-subduction magmas between c. 425 Ma and 380 Ma. We review possible reasons why, despite the widespread outcrop of the late Caledonian granites, magmatism appears absent during Iapetus subduction. These include shallow angle subduction or extensive erosion and tectonic removal of the arc.In contrast to previous work, we find no strong difference in the age or major element chemistry of post-subduction granites across all terranes. We propose a common causal mechanism in which the down-going Iapetus oceanic slab peeled back and detached beneath the suture following final Iapetus closure. The lithospheric mantle was delaminated beneath the suture and for about 100 km back beneath the Avalonian margin. While magma generation is largely a function of gravitationally driven lithosphere delamination, strike slip dominated kinematics in the overlying continental crust is what modulated granitic magma emplacement. Early Devonian (419–404 Ma) transtension permitted large volumes of granite emplacement, whereas the subsequent Acadian (late Early Devonian, 404–394 Ma) transpression reduced and eventually suppressed magma emplacement.     

Geochemical and isotopic variations in the calc-alkaline rocks of Aeolian arc,southern Tyrrhenian Sea,Italy: constraints on magma genesis

New geochemical and isotopic data are reported for calc-alkaline (CA) volcanics of the Aeolian arc. Three main groups are recognized: the Alicudi and Filicudi volcanics in the western part of the arc; the Panarea, Salina and Lipari (henceforth termed PSL) volcanics in the central part of the arc and the Stromboli suite which makes up the eastern part of the arc. Each group is characterized by distinctive isotopic ratios and incompatible element contents and ratios. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (0.70352–0.70538) increase from west to northeast, and are well correlated with ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (Nd from +4.8 to -1.5). Pb isotope ratios are fairly high (6/4=19.15–19.54; 7/4=15.61–15.71; 8/4=38.97–39.36), with a general increase of 7/4 and 8/4 values from Alicudi to PSL islands and Stromboli. LILE contents and some incompatible element ratios (e.g. Ba/La, La/Nb, Zr/Nb, Rb/Sr) increase from the western to the central part of the arc, whereas HFSE and REE abundances decrease. Opposite variations are often observed in the volcanics toward the north-east from PSL islands. To account for these features and the decoupling observed between isotopic compositions and incompatible element abundances and ratios, it is suggested that a mantle source with affinities to the MORB source is metasomatized by slab-derived, crustal components. The proportion of crustal material entrained in the mantle source increases from Alicudi to Stromboli, according to the Sr and Nd isotope variations. It is also proposed that slab derived hydrous fluids play an important role, but which is variable in different sectors of the arc. This is attributed to the metasomatizing agent having variable fluid/melt ratios, reflecting different types of mass transfer from the subducted contaminant (probably pelagic sediments) to the mantle wedge. Thus, it is suggested that the slab derived end-member has a high hydrous fluid/melt ratio in the PSL mantle source and a correspondingly lower ratio in the Alicudi and Stromboli sources.     

Tectonic structure and post-Hercynian evolution of the Serre, Calabrian Arc, southern Italy: Geological, petrological and radiometric evidences

Conflicting opinions exist concerning the structure and the post-Hercynian evolution of the Serre. The present paper deals with these topics on the basis of new geological, petrological and radiometric evidence. The composition of the so-called Stilo and Polia-Copanello units has been redefined. The above domains—former sections of upper and lower Palaeozoic continental crust respectively—came into contact, due to transcurrent movements 130–140 Ma ago. A significant vertical component during the transcurrent movements, probably, exhumed the former section of lower crust. The above domains, juxtaposed, were successively involved as a single kinematic body in the Alpine orogenesis. The results enable us to make inferences for the Calabrian Arc evolution and call attention to similarities between an Austro-Alpine element (Stilo + Polia-Copanello) of the Calabrian chain and a South-Alpine sector of the Alps (Ivrea + Ceneri zones).     

Tectonic evolution of the southern Gawler Craton,South Australia,from electromagnetic sounding

Long-period natural-source electromagnetic data have been recorded using portable three-component magnetometers at 39 sites in 1998 and 2002 across the southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia that forms part of the Gawler Craton. Site spacing was of order 5 km, but reduced to 1 km or less near known geological boundaries, with a total survey length of approximately 50 km. A profile trending east – west was inverted for a 2D electrical resistivity model to a depth of 20 km across the southern Eyre Peninsula. The main features from the models are: (i) on the eastern side of the Gawler Craton, the Donington Suite granitoids to the east of the Kalinjala Shear Zone are resistive (>1000 Ωm); (ii) the boundary between the Donington Suite granitoids and the Archaean Sleaford Complex, which has much lower resistivity of 10 – 100 Ωm, is almost vertical in the top 10 km and dips slightly westwards; and (iii) two very low resistivity (<1 Ωm) arcuate zones in the top 3 km of Hutchison Group sediments correlate with banded iron-formations, and are probably related to biogenic-origin graphite deposits concentrated in fold hinges. Such features suggest an extensional regime during the time period 2.00 – 1.85 Ga. We suggest that the resistivity boundary between the Donington Suite and the Archaean Sleaford Complex represents a growth fault, typical for rift systems that evolve into a half-graben structure. In the graben basin, low-resistivity shallow-marine Hutchison Group sediments were deposited. Folding of the sediments during the Kimban Orogeny between 1.74 and 1.70 Ga has led to migration of graphite to the fold hinges resulting in linear zones of very low resistivity that correlate with banded iron-formation magnetic anomalies.