Mafic forearc cumulates and associated rocks in the central high-pressure belt of the Acatlán Complex of southern México: geochemical constraints

The high-pressure (HP) Piaxtla Suite at Tehuitzingo contains peridotites, gabbros, and serpentinized peridotites, as well as granitoids and metasedimentary rocks. The HP mafic rocks are characterized by low SiO₂ (38–52 wt.%) and high Mg# (～48–70), Ni (100–470 ppm), and Cr (180–1750 ppm), typical of cumulate compositions. Trace elements and rare earth element (REE) primitive mantle-normalized patterns display generally flat profiles, indicative of derivation from a primitive mantle with two distinct patterns: (1) gabbroic patterns are characterized by a positive Eu anomaly, low REE abundances, and slightly depleted high REE (HREE) relative to low REE (LREE), typical of cumulus olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase; and (2) mafic-intermediate gabbroic patterns exhibit very flat profiles characteristic of olivine and clinopyroxene as cumulus minerals. Their Nb/Y and Zr/TiO₂ ratios suggest a subalkaline character, whereas low Ti/V ratios indicate that the Tehuitzingo cumulates are island arc tholeiitic basalts that resemble modern, immature oceanic, forearc magmas. These cumulates have high values of ? _Nd(t) = 5.3–8.5 and ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.18–0.23, which renders calculations of model ages meaningless. Our data are consistent with the Tehuitzingo arc rocks being part of a tectonically extruded Devonian–early Carboniferous arc developed along the west margin of Gondwana.     

Geochemistry of the Desur lavas,Deccan traps: Case study from the vicinity of Belgaum,Karnataka and their petrogenetic inferences

Geochemical characteristics of Desur-type basalt flows in the southern and southwestern part of Belgaum in Karnataka, India have been investigated to understand their petrogenesis. The basalts are compact, hard, massive, and show characteristic microporphyritic textures with abundant well-twinned and un-twinned plagioclase phenocrysts and minor clinopyroxene set in a fine-grained groundmass consisting of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, glass and Fe-Ti oxides. Thin sections show sub-ophitic, intergranular and intersertal textures. The basalts are Fe-rich tholeiites (13.4–13.8 wt %), characterized by high TiO₂ (3.64 to 3.94 wt %); moderate MgO contents (4.79 to 5.41 wt %), low K₂O contents (<0.58 wt %) and low Mg# (42.4–45.9). They are enriched in large ion lithophile elements, moderately enriched in the light rare earths (chondrite-normalized La_N/Yb_N 3.37–4.24), and exhibit nearly flat heavy rare-earth patterns that lack significant Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* 0.86–1.10). Primitive-mantle-normalized element patterns for these rocks show characteristic troughs at K and Sr, absence of a Nb anomaly, and a low Zr/Nb ratio (<15), which suggest insignificant contamination by many types of continental crust, whereas, enrichments in the large ion lithophiles, La, P and Th could suggest enriched source characteristics. Based on the geochemical characteristics of the basalts, it is inferred that the Desur basalts representing the youngest flows of the Deccan Basalt Group are derived by partial melting of a peridotite source, and subsequent fractionation gave rise to the compositions of the basalts that are found in the Belgaum region.     

Phlogopite- and clinopyroxene-dominated fractional crystallization of an alkaline primitive melt: petrology and mineral chemistry of the Dariv Igneous Complex,Western Mongolia

We present field relationships, petrography, and mineral major and trace element data for the Neoproterozoic Dariv Igneous Complex of the Altaids of Western Mongolia. This unique complex of high-K plutonic rocks is composed of well-exposed, km-scale igneous intrusions of wehrlites, phlogopite wehrlites, apatite-bearing phlogopite clinopyroxenites, monzogabbros, monzodiorites, and clinopyroxene-bearing monzonites, all of which are intruded by late stage lamprophyric and aplitic dikes. The biotite-dominated igneous complex intrudes depleted harzburgitic serpentinite. The observed lithological variability and petrographic observations suggest that the plutonic rocks can be ascribed to a fractionation sequence defined by olivine + clinopyroxene ± Fe–Ti oxides → phlogopite + apatite → K-feldspar + plagioclase → amphibole + quartz. Notably, phlogopite is the dominant hydrous mafic mineral. Petrogenesis of the observed lithologies through a common fractionation sequence is supported by a gradual decrease in the Mg# [molar Mg/(Fe_total + Mg) × 100] of mafic minerals. Crystallization conditions are derived from experimental phase petrology and mineral chemistry. The most primitive ultramafic cumulates crystallized at ≤0.5 GPa and 1,210–1,100 °C and oxygen fugacity (fO₂) of +2–3 ?FMQ (log units above the fayalite–quartz–magnetite buffer). Trace element modeling using clinopyroxene and apatite rare earth element compositions indicates that the dominant mechanism of differentiation was fractional crystallization. The trace element composition of a parental melt was calculated from primitive clinopyroxene compositions and compares favorably with the compositions of syn-magmatic lamprophyres that crosscut the fractionation sequence. The parental melt composition is highly enriched in Th, U, large ion lithophile elements, and light rare earth elements and has a pronounced negative Nb–Ta depletion, suggestive of an alkaline primitive melt originating from a subduction-imprinted mantle. Comparison with a global compilation of primitive arc melts demonstrates that Dariv primitive melts are similar in composition to high-K primitive melts found in some continental arcs. Thus, the high-K fractionation sequence exposed in the Dariv Igneous Complex may be a previously unrecognized important fractionation sequence resulting in alkali-rich upper crustal granitoids in continental arc settings.     

Large-scale magmatic layering in the Main Zone of the Bushveld Complex and episodic downward magma infiltration

The Bellevue drillcore intersects ~3 km of Main and Upper Zone cumulates in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex. Main Zone cumulates are predominately gabbronorites, with localized layers of pyroxenite and anorthosite. Some previous workers, using bulk rock major, trace and isotopic compositions, have suggested that the Main Zone crystallized predominantly from a single pulse of magma. However, density measurements throughout the Bellevue drillcore reveal intervals that show up-section increases in bulk rock density, which are difficult to explain by crystallization from a single batch of magma. Wavelet analysis of the density data suggests that these intervals occur on length-scales of ~40 to ~170 m, thus defining a scale of layering not previously described in the Bushveld Complex. Upward increases in density in the Main Zone correspond to upward increases in modal pyroxene, producing intervals that grade from a basal anorthosite (with 5% pyroxene) to gabbronorite (with 30–40% pyroxene). We examined the textures and mineral compositions of a ~40 m thick interval showing upwardly increasing density to establish how this type of layering formed. Plagioclase generally forms euhedral laths, while orthopyroxene is interstitial in texture and commonly envelops finer-grained and embayed plagioclase grains. Minor interstitial clinopyroxene was the final phase to crystallize from the magma. Plagioclase compositions show negligible change up-section (average An₆₂), with local reverse zoning at the rims of cumulus laths (average increase of 2 mol%). In contrast, interstitial orthopyroxene compositions become more primitive up-section, from Mg# 57 to Mg# 63. Clinopyroxene similarly shows an up-section increase in Mg#. Pyroxene compositions record the primary magmatic signature of the melt at the time of crystallization and are not an artefact of the trapped liquid shift effect. Combined, the textures and decoupled mineral compositions indicate that the upward density increase is produced by the downward infiltration of noritic magma into a previously emplaced plagioclase-rich crystal mush. Fresh noritic magma soaked down into the crystallizing anorthositic mush, partially dissolving plagioclase laths and assimilating Fe-enriched pore melt. The presence of multiple cycles showing upward increases in density in the Bellevue drillcore suggests that downward magma infiltration occurred episodically during crystallization of the Main Zone.     

U-Pb zircon dating,Sr-Nd isotope and petrogenesis of Sarduiyeh granitoid in SE of the UDMA,Iran: implication for the source origin and magmatic evolution

ABSTRACT

The Sarduiyeh granitoid (SG) is intruded in the southeastern part of the Dehaj-Sarduiyeh volcano-sedimentary belt in the southeastern end of the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA) in Iran. The medium-to-coarse-grained granitoid unit, with granular texture consists mainly of diorite, tonalite, granodiorite and monzogranitic rocks. Mineralogically, these rocks consist mainly of plagioclase, K-feldspar, quartz, biotite and hornblende. The whole rock geochemical analyses indicates that the SG is calc-alkaline, I-type, metaluminous, enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILE; such as K, Cs, Pb) and depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE; such as Ti, Nb, Ta, Zr). Chondrite normalized plot of SG rare earth elements (REE) show light rare earth element enrichments with (La_N/Yb_N = 2.44–8.68) and flat heavy rare earth element patterns with (Gd_N/Yb_N = 1.02–1.36). The rather high Y (av. 19.35 ppm), low Sr content (av. 293.76 ppm) and low Cr and Ni contents (av. 20.1 and 4.69 ppm, respectively) of the SG demonstrate its normal calc-alkaline and non-adakitic nature, the features of Jebal Barez-type granitoids. The geochemical characteristics and isotopic composition, low I_Sr (0.7046–0.7049) and positive ?^tNd (+3.4 to +4.03) values, of the SG suggest that its parental magma formed as a result of partial melting from metabasic rocks of lower crust in a subduction-related arc setting. Fractionation of an assemblage dominated by plagioclase, K-feldspar, amphibole and magnetite may have been responsible for the evolution of the SG magma. U-Pb zircon geochronology gives an age of 27.95 ± 0.27 Ma for the SG, suggesting that the final collision between the Arabian plate and Central Iranian microcontinent may have happened in the Late Oligocene.     

Continental ca 1.7 – 1.69 Ga Fe-rich metatholeiites in the Curnamona Province,Australia: a record of melting of a heterogeneous,subduction-modified lithospheric mantle

Mg-rich and Fe-rich metatholeiites intruded the Willyama Supergroup of the southern Australian Curnamona Province in the Late Palaeoproterozoic at ca 1700 Ma and 1685 Ma, respectively. Intrusion of the Fe-rich metatholeiites occurred during a period of punctuated extension in the Willyama basin. Major-element concentrations are variable (SiO₂ 45.4 – 56.5 wt%; Fe₂O₃? 8.5 – 20.7; TiO₂ 0.46 – 2.52 wt%; Mg# 70.5 – 29.1) and, in conjunction with trace-element data, support near-closed-system fractionation of a mantle-derived melt with little or no replenishment. Fractionation produced progressively Fe-rich derivative melts. Crystallising phases were dominated by clinopyroxene and olivine, whereas Fe – (Ti) oxide crystallisation was hindered. Primitive mantle-normalised immobile trace elements are characterised by variable Th, Nb, Sr, P and Ti anomalies. Chondrite-normalised rare-earth element patterns for the most primitive, Mg-rich samples from the western Broken Hill Domain have La_N/Sm_N < 1, whereas the most evolved Fe-rich samples from the Olary Domain have ratios of La_N/Sm_N > 1. Initial εNd values range between – 2.2 and + 2.7 for the majority of the samples, with the isotopic compositions showing no correlation with differentiation or assimilation. The combined geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the southern Curnamona Province metatholeiites were extracted from a depleted mantle in the western Broken Hill Domain, and a variably enriched, heterogeneous subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the Olary Domain. Magmatism most likely occurred in a backarc basin or intracontinental setting. It is speculated that the geochemically enriched mantle component was derived from subduction-related processes, probably related to pre-Willyama basin accretionary processes along the southern and eastern margins of the North Australian Craton.     

Geochronology,geochemistry, Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic compositions,and petrogenetic and tectonic implications of Early Cretaceous intrusions associated with the Duolong porphyry–epithermal Cu–Au deposit,central Tibet

This article reports new zircon laser ablation-multicollector-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry U–Pb and Hf isotope, whole-rock major and trace element, and Sr–Nd isotope data for mineralized and barren intrusions associated with the Duolong porphyry–epithermal copper–(gold) deposit (DPCD, a mining camp containing several individual deposits) in the western Qiangtang Terrane (QT), central Tibet. These data are used to further our understanding of the geological evolution of this region. The mineralized and barren DPCD intrusions are typical I-type granitoids that were synchronously emplaced at ca. 112.6–125.9 Ma. These igneous rocks show arc affinities that are characterized by enrichments in the light rare earth elements (La_N/Yb_N = 4.08–15.23) and the light ion lithophile elements (Rb, Th, U, K, and Pb), and depletions in the high field strength elements (Nb, Ta, and Ti). They have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) values of 0.7046–0.7079, _Nd(t) values of –6.0 to +1.1, and two-stage Nd model ages of ca. 823–1410 Ma. Zircons from these intrusive rocks have variable but generally positive ε_Hf(t) values (–2.7 to +13.7) and relatively young zircon Hf crustal model ages of 335–1351 Ma. Combining these data with geochemical data reported in recent studies, we infer that the mineralized and barren DPCD intrusions formed in a continental marginal arc setting and likely originated from a common parental magma that was result of magma mixing of juvenile crust-derived basaltic melts and old lower crust-derived melts. The formation of the DPCD intrusions indicates that the Bangongco–Nujiang oceanic lithosphere was still undergoing northward subduction beneath the western QT at ca. 112.6–125.9 Ma, suggesting in turn that the oceanic basin have not closed completely during the Early Cretaceous. These new data also indicate that the processes that occur during the subduction of oceanic crust in continental marginal arc settings produce and preserve juvenile crustal material, leading to net continental crust vertical growth and thickening.     

Genesis of wollastonite- and grandite-rich skarns in a suite of marble-calc-silicate rocks from Sittampundi, Tamil Nadu: constraints on the P–T–fluid regime in parts of the Pan-African mobile belt of South India

The Pan-African tectonothermal activities in areas near Sittampundi, south India, are characterized by metamorphic changes in an interlayered sequence of migmatitic metapelites, marble and calc-silicate rocks. This rock sequence underwent multiple episodes of folding, and was intruded by granite batholiths during and subsequent to these folding events. The marble and the calc-silicate rocks develop a variety of skarns, which on the basis of mineralogy; can be divided into the following types: Type I: wollastonite?+?clinopyroxene (mg#?=?71–73)?+?grandite (16–21 mol% Adr)?+?quartz?±?calcite, Type II: grandite (25–29 mol% Adr )?+?clinopyroxene (mg#?=?70)?+?calcite?+?quartz, and Type III: grandite (36–38 mol% Adr)?+?clinopyroxene (mg#?=?55–65)?+?epidote?+?scapolite?+?calcite?+?quartz. Type I skarn is 2–10 cm thick, and is dominated by wollastonite (>70 vol%) and commonly occurs as boudinaged layers parallel to the regional foliation Sn₁ related to the Fn₁ folds. Locally, thin discontinuous lenses and stringers of this skarn develop along the axial planes of Fn₂ folds. The Type II skarn, on the other hand, is devoid of wollastonite, rich in grandite garnet (40–70 vol%) and developed preferentially at the interface of clinopyroxene-rich calc-silicates layers and host marble during the later folding event. Reaction textures and the phase compositional data suggest the following reactions in the skarns: 1. calcite?+?SiO₂?→?wollastonite?+?V, 2. calcite?+?clinopyroxene?+?O₂?→?grandite?+?SiO₂?+?V, 3. scapolite?+?calcite?+?quartz?+?clinopyroxene?+?O₂?→?grandite?+?V and 4. epidote?+?calcite?+?quartz?+?clinopyroxene?+?O₂?→?grandite?+?V Textural relations and composition of phases demonstrate that (a) silica metasomatism of the host marble by infiltration of aqueous fluids (X_CO2?<?0.15) led to production of large volumes of wollastonite in the wollastonite-rich skarn whereas mobility of FeO, SiO₂ and CaO across the interface of marble and calc-silicate and infiltration of aqueous fluids (X_CO2?<?0.35) were instrumental for the formation of grandite skarns. Composition of minerals in type II skarn indicates that Al₂O₃ was introduced in the host marble by the infiltrating fluid. Interpretation of mineral assemblages observed in the interlayered metapelites and the calcareous rocks in pseudosections, isothermal P-X_CO2 and isobaric T-X_CO2 diagrams tightly bracket the “peak” metamorphic conditions at c.9?±?1 kbar and 750°?±?30°C. Subsequent to ‘peak’ metamorphic conditions, the rocks were exhumed on a steeply decompressive P–T path. The estimated ‘peak’ P–T estimates are inconsistent with the “extreme” metamorphic conditions (>11 kbar and >950°C) inferred for the Pan-African tectonothermal events from the neighboring areas. Field and petrological attributes of these skarn rocks are consistent with the infiltration of aqueous fluid predominantly during the Fn₁ folding event at or close to the ‘peak’ metamorphic conditions. Petrological features indicate that the buffering capacity of the rocks was lost during the formation of type I and II skarns. However, the host rock could buffer the composition of the permeated fluids during the formation of type III skarn. Aqueous fluids derived from prograde metamorphism of the metapelites seem to be the likely source for the metasomatic fluids that led to the formation of the skarn rocks.     

Petrogenesis and geotectonic setting of early Svecofennian arc cumulates in the Roslagen area,east‐central Sweden

Several intrusions of ultrabasic to basic composition occur in the Roslagen area of east‐central Sweden in close spatial and temporal association with the surrounding 1.90–1.87 Ga old early orogenic Svecofennian granitoids. An imprecise Sm‐Nd WR errorchron yields an age of 1895 ± 71 Ma. In spite of the penetrative deformation in the granitoids, the basic–ultrabasic rocks mostly appear undeformed and largely preserve magmatic textures with plagioclase, olivine (in some rock types), orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene, and amphibole as major constituents. The plagioclase is typically very anorthitic (ca. An₉₀). The Roslagen intrusions range in composition from primitive to evolved (Mg# 80 to 49) but contain only 40–50 wt% SiO₂. Many samples are highly elevated in Al₂O₃ (up to 30 wt%), CaO (up to 16 wt%) and Sr (up to 800 ppm), with strongly positive Eu and Sr anomalies, in line with being plagioclase cumulates. Although masked by cumulus effects, the relative trace element contents indicate a volcanic arc signature. The initial Nd isotope composition is homogeneously ‘mildly depleted’, with ε_Nd of +0.3 to +1.1, and the initial Sr isotope composition ‘mildly enriched’, with ε_Sr of +8 to +15. Non‐cumulus rocks with small Eu and Sr anomalies can be used to deduce the composition of the parental magma. This LILE‐ and LREE‐enriched and HFSE‐depleted high‐alumina basalt magma, with Mg# of ca. 50–60 and Ca# of ca. 80, most likely formed by partial melting of mantle material, enriched by fluids in a subduction environment, at 1.9 Ga. The cumulate rocks apparently crystallized from a somewhat more evolved water‐rich magma with Mg# of ca. 40. Crystallization was followed by the development of late‐magmatic to post‐magmatic coronas between olivine and plagioclase in the presence of H₂O‐rich fluids. The subduction‐related setting would make these intrusions Palaeoproterozoic counterparts of Alaskan‐type ultramafic intrusions, but they differ from those in being plagioclase enriched, possibly reflecting different levels of exposure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Neoarchean Metamorphic Mafic Rocks in the Wutai Complex

Neoarchean metamorphic mafic rocks in the lower and the middle Wutai Complex mainly comprise metamorphic gabbros, amphibolites and chlorite schists. They can be subdivided into three groups according to chondrite normalized REE patterns. Rocks in Group #1 are characterized by nearly flat REE patterns （Lan/Ybn=0.86-1.3）, the lowest total REEs （29-52 ppm）, and weak negative to positive Eu anomalies （Eun/Eun=0.84-1.02）, nearly flat primitive mantle normalized patterns and strong negative Zr（Hf） anomalies. Their geochemical characteristics in REEs and trace elements are similar to those of ocean plateau tholeiite, which imply that this group of rocks can represent remnants of Archean oceanic crust derived from a mantle plume. Rocks in Group #2 are characterized by moderate total REEs （34-116 ppm）, LREE-enriched （Lan/Ybn=1.76-4.34） chondrite normalized REE patterns with weak Eu anomalies （Eun/Eun=0.76-1.16）, and negative Nb, Ta, Zr（Hf）, Ti anomalies in the primitive mantle normalized spider diagram. The REE and trace element characteristics indicate that they represent arc magmas originating from a sub-arc mantle wedge metasomatized by slab-derived fluids. Rocks in Group #3 are characterized by the highest total REEs （61-192 ppm）, the strongest LREEs enrichment （Lan/Ybn=7.12-16） with slightly negative Eu anomalies （Eun/Eun=0.81-0.95） in the chondrite normalized diagram. In the primitive mantle normalized diagram, these rocks are characterized by large negative anomalies in Nb, Ta, Ti, negative to no Zr anomalies. They represent arc magmas originating from a sub-arc mantle wedge enriched in slab-derived melts. The three groups of rocks imply that the formation of the Neoarchean Wutai Complex is related to mantle plumes and island-arc interaction.     

Metasomatism of the Pan-African lithospheric mantle beneath the Damara Belt,Namibia, by the Tristan mantle plume: geochemical evidence from mantle xenoliths

In situ trace element analyses of constituent minerals in mantle xenoliths occurring in an alnöite diatreme and in nephelinite plugs emplaced within the central zone of the Damara Belt have been determined by laser ablation ICP-MS. Primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns of clinopyroxene and amphibole indicate the presence of both depleted MORB-like mantle and variably enriched mantle beneath this region. Clinopyroxenes showing geochemical depletion have low La/Sm_n ratios (0.02–0.2), whereas those showing variable enrichment have La/Sm_n ranging up to 3.8 and La/Yb_n to 9.1. The most enriched clinopyroxenes coexist with amphibole showing similar REE patterns (La/Sm_n = 1.3–4.1; La/Yb_n = 4.5–9). Primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns allow further groups to be distinguished amongst the variably enriched clinopyroxenes: one having strong relative depletion in Rb–Ba, Ta–Nb and relative enrichment in Th–U; another with similar characteristics but with additional strong relative depletion in Zr–Hf; and one showing no significant anomalies. Amphiboles show similar normalized trace element patterns to co-existing clinopyroxene. Clinopyroxene and amphiboles showing LREE_N enrichment have high Sr and low Nd isotope ratios compared to clinopyroxene with LREE-depleted patterns. Numerical simulation of melt percolation through the mantle via reactive porous flow is used to show that the chromatographic affect associated with such a melt migration process is able to account for the fractionation seen in La–Ce–Nd in cryptically metasomatized clinopyroxenes in Type 1 xenoliths, where melt–matrix interactions occur near the percolation front, whereas REE patterns in clinopyroxenes proximal to the source of metasomatic melt/fluid match those found in modally metasomatized Type 2 xenoliths. The strong fractionation between Rb–Ba, Th–U and Ta–Nb shown by some cryptically metasomatized xenoliths can be also accounted for by reactive porous flow, provided amphibole crystallizes from the percolating melt/fluid close to its source. The presence of amphibole in vein-like structures in some xenoliths is consistent with this interpretation. The strong depletion in Zr–Hf in clinopyroxene and amphibole in some xenoliths cannot be accounted for by melt migration processes and requires metasomatism by a separate carbonate-rich melt/fluid. When taken together with published isotope data on these same xenoliths, the source of metasomatic enrichment of the previously depleted (MORB-like) sub-Damaran lithospheric mantle is attributed to the upwelling Tristan plume head at the time of continental breakup.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry and petrogenesis of the Khopoli mafic intrusion,Deccan Traps,India

The Khopoli intrusion, exposed at the base of the Thakurvadi Formation of the Deccan Traps in the Western Ghats, India, is composed of olivine gabbro with 50–55 % modal olivine, 20–25 % plagioclase, 10–15 % clinopyroxene, 5–10 % low-Ca pyroxene, and <5 % Fe-Ti oxides. It represents a cumulate rock from which trapped interstitial liquid was almost completely expelled. The Khopoli olivine gabbros have high MgO (23.5–26.9 wt.%), Ni (733–883 ppm) and Cr (1,432–1,048 ppm), and low concentrations of incompatible elements including the rare earth elements (REE). The compositions of the most primitive cumulus olivine and clinopyroxene indicate that the parental magma of the Khopoli intrusion was an evolved basaltic melt (Mg# 49–58). Calculated parental melt compositions in equilibrium with clinopyroxene are moderately enriched in the light REE and show many similarities with Deccan tholeiitic basalts of the Bushe, Khandala and Thakurvadi Formations. Nd-Sr isotopic compositions of Khopoli olivine gabbros (εNd_t?=??9.0 to ?12.7; ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr?=?0.7088–0.7285) indicate crustal contamination. AFC modelling suggests that the Khopoli olivine gabbros were derived from a Thakurvadi or Khandala-like basaltic melt with variable degrees of crustal contamination. Unlike the commonly alkalic, pre- and post-volcanic intrusions known in the Deccan Traps, the Khopoli intrusion provides a window to the shallow subvolcanic architecture and magmatic processes associated with the main tholeiitic flood basalt sequence. Measured true density values of the Khopoli olivine gabbros are as high as 3.06 g/cm³, and such high-level olivine-rich intrusions in flood basalt provinces can also explain geophysical observations such as high gravity anomalies and high seismic velocity crustal horizons.     

Sr–Nd isotope geochemistry and tectonomagmatic setting of the Dehsalm Cu–Mo porphyry mineralizing intrusives from Lut Block,eastern Iran

The Dehsalm Cu–Mo-bearing porphyritic granitoids belong to the Lut Block volcanic–plutonic belt (central eastern Iran). These rocks range in composition from gabbro-diorite to granite, with dominance of monzonites and quartz monzonites, and have geochemical features of high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic volcanic arc suites. Primitive mantle-normalized trace element spider diagrams display strong enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements such as Rb, Ba and Cs and depletions in some high-field strength elements, e.g., Nb, Ti, Y and HREE. Chondrite-normalized plots display significant LREE enrichments, high La_N/Yb_N and a lack of Eu anomaly. High Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios of Dehsalm intrusives reveal that, despite their K-rich composition, these granitoids show some resemblances with adakitic rocks. A Rb–Sr whole rock–feldspar–biotite age of 33 ± 1 Ma was obtained in a quartz monzonite sample and coincides, within error, with a previous geochronological result in Chah-Shaljami granitoids, further northwest within the Lut Block. (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i and εNd_i isotopic ratios range from 0.70481 to 0.70508 and from +1.5 to +2.5, respectively, which fits into a supra-subduction mantle wedge source for the parental melts and indicates that crustal contribution for magma diversification was of limited importance. Sr and Nd isotopic compositions together with major and trace element geochemistry point to an origin of the parental magmas by melting of a metasomatized mantle source, with phlogopite breakdown playing a significant role in the geochemical fingerprints of the parental magmas; small amounts of residual garnet in the mantle source also help to explain some trace element patterns. Geochemical features of Dehsalm porphyries and its association with Cu–Mo mineralization agree with a mature continental arc setting related to the convergence of Afghan and Lut plates during Oligocene.     

Geochemical and O-isotope constraints on the evolution of lithospheric mantle in the Ross Sea rift area (Antarctica)

Peridotite xenoliths found in Cenozoic alkali basalts of northern Victoria Land, Antarctica, vary from fertile spinel-lherzolite to harzburgite. They often contain glass-bearing pockets formed after primary pyroxenes and spinel. Few samples are composite and consist of depleted spinel lherzolite crosscut by amphibole veins and/or lherzolite in contact with poikilitic wehrlite. Peridotite xenoliths are characterized by negative Al₂O₃–Mg# and TiO₂–Mg# covariations of clino- and orthopyroxenes, low to intermediate HREE concentrations in clinopyroxene, negative Cr–Al trend in spinel, suggesting variable degrees of partial melting. Metasomatic overprint is evidenced by trace element enrichment in clinopyroxene and sporadic increase of Ti–Fe_tot. Preferential Nb, Zr, Sr enrichments in clinopyroxene associated with high Ti–Fe_tot contents constrain the metasomatic agent to be an alkaline basic melt. In composite xenoliths, clinopyroxene REE contents increase next to the veins suggesting metasomatic diffusion of incompatible element. Oxygen isotope data indicate disequilibrium conditions among clinopyroxene, olivine and orthopyroxene. The highest δ¹⁸O values are observed in minerals of the amphibole-bearing xenolith. The δ¹⁸O_cpx correlations with clinopyroxene modal abundance and geochemical parameters (e.g. Mg# and Cr#) suggest a possible influence of partial melting on oxygen isotope composition. Thermobarometric estimates define a geotherm of 80°C/GPa for the refractory lithosphere of NVL, in a pressure range between 1 and 2.5 GPa. Clinopyroxene microlites of melt pockets provide P–T data close to the anhydrous peridotite solidus and confirm that they originated from heating and decompression during transport in the host magma. All these geothermometric data constrain the mantle potential temperature to values of 1250–1350°C, consistent with the occurrence of mantle decompressional melting in a transtensive tectonic regime for the Ross Sea region.     

A geochemical study of magmatism associated with the initial stages of back-arc spreading

Bransfield Strait is a narrow basin separating the South Shetland Islands from the Antarctic Peninsula and is attributed to recent back-arc extension behind the South Shetland volcanic arc. The volcanic islands of Deception and Bridgeman are situated close to the axis of spreading, whereas Penguin Island lies slightly to the north of this axis. The mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of the lavas of the three volcanoes have been studied in order to provide information on the nature of magmatism associated with the initial stages of back-arc spreading.Deception Island lavas range from olivine basalt to dacite, and all are highly sodic, with high Na/K, K/Rb, Ba/Rb and Zr/Nb ratios and with Ce_N/Yb_N = 2. Incompatible elements increase systematically between basalt and rhyodacite, while Sr decreases, suggesting that fractional crystallisation is the dominant process relating lava compositions. The rhyodacites have high concentrations of Zr, Y and the REE and negative Eu anomalies and are compositionally similar to oceanic plagiogranite. Bridgeman Island lavas are mostly basaltic andesites, but the levels of many incompatible elements, including REE, are significantly lower than those of Deception lavas, although Ce_N/Yb_N ratios and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.7035) are the same. Penguin Island lavas are magnesian, mildly alkaline olivine basalts with a small range of composition that can be accommodated by fractional crystallisation of olivine, clinopyroxene and/or chromite. Penguin lavas have higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7039) and Ce_N/ Yb_N (4) ratios than Deception and Bridgeman lavas. The Rb/Sr ratios of Deception and Penguin basalts (ca. 0.01) are much too low to account for their present ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios.Modelling suggests that the source regions of the lavas of the three volcanoes share many geochemical features, but there are also some significant differences, which probably reflects the complex nature of the mantle under an active island arc combined with complex melting relationships attending the initial stages of back-arc spreading. Favoured models suggest that Bridgeman lavas represent 10–20% melting and the more primitive Deception lavas 5–10% melting of spinel-peridotite, whereas Penguin lavas represent less then 5% melting of a garnet-peridotite source. The mantle source for Bridgeman lavas seems to have undergone short-term enrichment in K, Rb and Ba, possibly resulting from dewatering of the subducted slab. Hydrous melting conditions may also account for the more siliceous, high-alumina nature and low trace element contents of Bridgeman lavas.     

Mafic–intermediate plutonic rocks of the Salmas area,northwestern Iran: their source and petrogenesis significance

The Salmas area, in the northernmost part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone of Iran, contains a crystalline mafic–intermediate complex that intrudes into the Precambrian metamorphic basement complex and is composed of gabbroic and gabbrodiorite cumulates and fine-grained non-cumulate gabbronorites and diorites. These rocks have fine- to coarse-grained texture and are mainly composed of plagioclase, pyroxenes, and amphibole. Major element geochemistry indicates that the pluton has a low-K with tholeiitic affinity. Variations of major and trace elements on Harker diagrams, including negative correlations MgO, Fe₂O₃, CaO, and Co and positive correlations Na₂O, K₂O, Rb, Ba, and La, with increasing SiO₂ and chondrite-normalized REE patterns, suggest that fractional crystallization of gabbroic rocks could have played a significant role in the formation of evolved rocks. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns are not fractionated (La_N /Lu_N = 1.3–5.4) and display strong Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 1.15–1.76) in cumulate rocks, which we attributed to cumulus plagioclase. Sr and Nd isotopic ratios vary from 0.704698 to 0.705866 and from 0.512548 to 0.512703, respectively. Gabbronorites with high ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios, low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, and high MgO, Ni, and Cr contents indicate that they were generated from relatively primitive magmas. We used petrogenetic modelling to constrain sources. Trace element ratio modelling indicates that the gabbroic rocks were generated from a spinel-peridotite source via 5–20% degrees of fractional melting at a depth of ～52 km. Major and REE modelling shows that the diorites are the products of fractional crystallization of gabbronorites.     

A mineral and cumulate perspective to magma differentiation at Nisyros volcano,Aegean arc

Lavas and pyroclastic products of Nisyros volcano (Aegean arc, Greece) host a wide variety of phenocryst and cumulate assemblages that offer a unique window into the earliest stages of magma differentiation. This study presents a detailed petrographic study of lavas, enclaves and cumulates spanning the entire volcanic history of Nisyros to elucidate at which levels in the crust magmas stall and differentiate. We present a new division for the volcanic products into two suites based on field occurrence and petrographic features: a low-porphyricity andesite and a high-porphyricity (rhyo)dacite (HPRD) suite. Cumulate fragments are exclusively found in the HPRD suite and are predominantly derived from upper crustal reservoirs where they crystallised under hydrous conditions from melts that underwent prior differentiation. Rarer cumulate fragments range from (amphibole-)wehrlites to plagioclase-hornblendites and these appear to be derived from the lower crust (0.5–0.8 GPa). The suppressed stability of plagioclase and early saturation of amphibole in these cumulates are indicative of high-pressure crystallisation from primitive hydrous melts (≥ 3 wt% H₂O). Clinopyroxene in these cumulates has Al₂O₃ contents up to 9 wt% due to the absence of crystallising plagioclase, and is subsequently consumed in a peritectic reaction to form primitive, Al-rich amphibole (Mg# > 73, 12–15 wt% Al₂O₃). The composition of these peritectic amphiboles is distinct from trace element-enriched interstitial amphibole in shallower cumulates. Phenocryst compositions and assemblages in both suites differ markedly from the cumulates. Phenocrysts, therefore, reflect shallow crystallisation and do not record magma differentiation in the deep arc crust.     

Harzburgite found in the Hegenshan ophiolite,southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Petrogenesis and geological implications

This paper reports detailed studies on harzburgite and serpentinite in the Hegenshan ophiolitic mélange. Harzburgite consists mainly of olivine and orthopyroxene with trace amounts of clinopyroxene and chromian spinel. Clinopyroxene occurs as isolated crystals or in the intergrowth of chromian spinel–clinopyroxene–orthopyroxene. Harzburgite is moderately to highly depleted, displaying high Fo contents in olivine (90.8–92.2), moderate Al₂O₃ contents in orthopyroxene (1.59–2.79 wt%), low heavy REE abundances in clinopyroxene, and moderate Cr# values of spinel (0.50–0.62). The modal proportions of olivine and orthopyroxene pseudomorph grains imply that the parent of the Hegenshan serpentinite should be harzburgite. Whole-rock compositions of the harzburgite and serpentinite samples are characterized by depletions in Al₂O₃ and CaO and enrichments in light REE, Sr, and U. Geochemical modeling suggests that the Hegenshan harzburgite represents residues after 17–18% partial melting of the primitive mantle. The melt in equilibrium with clinopyroxene is more depleted than typical forearc basalt and boninite. Various pyroxene thermobarometers yield equilibrated temperatures of 945–1067 °C and pressures of 4.8–8.0 kbar for the Hegenshan harzburgite. The oxygen barometer yields results of +0.4 to +1.7 log units above the fayalite–magnetite–quartz buffer for the Hegenshan harzburgite. These petrological and geochemical characteristics, as well as the estimated P–T–fO₂ conditions support a back-arc setting for the Hegenshan ophiolitic mélange.     

Fertile Lithospheric Mantle Beneath the North African Plate: Evidence from Gharyan Lherzolite Xenoliths (Northern West Libya)

The late-stage basanite (～12–1 Ma) of the NNW-SSE extending Gharyan Cenozoic volcanics (Northern West Libya) contains numerous fresh lherzolite xenoliths. These xenoliths display magmatic protogranular and porphyroclastic textures. Chemistry of olivine (forsterite content –90–91, NiO = 0.26–0.39 wt %), orthopyroxene (Mg# = 0.91–0.92, Cr# = 0.03–0.07, Al₂O₃ = 3.64–4.43 wt %), clinopyroxene ((Wo_{45.59–48.61}, En_{45.89–48.80}, Fs_4.47–5.81), Mg# = 0.82–0.92, Al₂O₃ = 5.14–6.58 wt % and Cr₂O₃ = 0.5–0.95 wt %) and spinel (hercynite–picotite–Al-rich chromite spinels with Cr# = 0.08–0.11) refer to the fertile nature of Gharyan peridotites. Mantle source region was close to the primitive composition with low degrees of melting and depletion in melt (1.5% in average). However, it underwent metasomatism as illustrated by formation of secondary clinopyroxene (Wo_{37.96–44.77}, En_{47.44–54.18}, Fs_7.59–8.03) with high contents of Na₂O, and enrichment of the Al-spinel in TiO₂. The estimated pre-eruptive temperature ranges from 1066 to 837°C. Despite the Gharyan peridotite is similar to mantle components in many districts in Saharan belt of North Africa, it represents juvenile mantle source with minor refractory residues. This compositional heterogeneity is mainly attributed to the local effect of the interaction of the Gharyan mantle with the host basanite magma that may be related to the Cenozoic rifting of the Pan-African basement.     

Petrogenesis of the ~740 Korab Kansi mafic-ultramafic intrusion,South Eastern Desert of Egypt: Evidence of Ti-rich ferropicritic magmatism

The Neoproterozoic Korab Kansi mafic-ultramafic intrusion is one of the largest (100 km²) intrusions in the Southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. The intrusion consists of Fe-Ti-bearing dunite layers, amphibole peridotites, pyroxenites, troctolites, olivine gabbros, gabbronorites, pyroxene gabbros and pyroxene-hornblende gabbros, and also hosts significant Fe-Ti deposits, mainly as titanomagnetite-ilmenite. These lithologies show rhythmic layers and intrusive contacts against the surrounding granites and ophiolitic-island arc assemblages. The wide ranges of olivine forsterite contents (Fo_67.9-85.7), clinopyroxene Mg# (0.57–0.95), amphibole Mg# (0.47–0.88), and plagioclase compositions (An_85.8-40.9) indicate the role of fractional crystallization in the evolution from ultramafic to mafic rock types. Clinopyroxene (Cpx) has high REE contents (2–30 times chondrite) with depleted LREE relative to HREE, like those crystallized from ferropicritic melts generated in an island-arc setting. Melts in equilibrium with Cpx also resemble ferropicrites crystallized from olivine-rich mantle melts. Cpx chemistry and its host rock compositions have affinities to tholeiitic and calc-alkaline magma types. Compositions of mafic-ultramafic rocks are depleted in HFSE (e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr, Th and U) relative to LILE (e.g. Li, Rb, Ba, Pb and Sr) due to the addition of subduction-related hydrous fluids (rich in LILE) to the mantle source, suggesting an island-arc setting. Fine-grained olivine gabbros may represent quenched melts approximating the primary magma compositions because they are typically similar in assemblage and chemistry as well as in whole-rock chemistry to ferropicrites. We suggest that the Korab Kansi intrusion crystallized at temperatures ranging from ~700 to 1100 °C from ferropicritic magma derived from melting of metasomatized mantle at <5 Kbar. These hydrous ferropicritic melts were generated in the deep mantle and evolved by fractional crystallization under high ƒO₂ at relatively shallow depth. Fractionation formed calc-alkaline magmas during the maturation of an island arc system, reflecting the role of subduction-related fluids. The interaction of metasomatized lithosphere with upwelling asthenospheric melts produced the Fe and Ti-rich ferropicritic parental melts that are responsible for precipitating large quantities of Fe-Ti oxide layers in the Korab Kansi mafic-ultramafic intrusion. The other factors controlling these economic Fe-Ti deposits beside parental melts are high oxygen fugacity, water content and increasing degrees of mantle partial melting. The generation of Ti-rich melts and formation of Fe-Ti deposits in few layered intrusions in Egypt possibly reflect the Neoproterozoic mantle heterogeneity in the Nubian Shield. We suggest that Cryogenian-Tonian mafic intrusions in SE Egypt can be subdivided into Alaskan-type intrusions that are enriched in PGEs whereas Korab Kansi-type layered intrusions are enriched in Fe-Ti-V deposits.