Mantle processes during ocean formation：Petrologic records in peridotites from the Alpine－Apennine ophiolites

Mantle peridotites were early exposed at the sea-floor of the Jurassic Tethys derived from the subcontinental mantle of the Europe-Adria system. During continental rifting and oceanic spreading, these lithospheric peri-dotites were percolated via diffuse reactive porous flowby melt fractions produced by near-fractional melting of the upwelling asthenosphere. Ascending melts inter-acted with the lower lithosphere, dissolving pyroxenes and precipitating olivine, and crystallized at shallower levels in the mantle column causing melt impregnation.Subsequent focused porous flow formed replacive dunitechannels, cutting the impregnated oeridotites, which were conduits for upward migration of MORB-type liq-uids. Melt migration produced depletionlrefertilization and significant heating of the percolatedlimpregnated mantle, i.e the thermochemical erosion of the litho-sphere. Impregnated and thermally modified lithos-pheric mantle was cooled by conductive heat loss dur-ing progressive lithosphere thinning and was intrudeaby MORB magmas, which formed Mg-rich and Fe-richgabbroic dykes and bodies. Alpine-Apennine ophiolitic peridotites record the deep-seated migration of melts which changed their compositions and dynamics during the rift evolution. The thermochemical erosion of the lithospheric mantle by the ascending asthenospheric melts, which induces significant compositional and rhe-ological changes in the lower lithosphere, is a major process in the evolution of the continent-ocean transi-tion towards a slow spreading oceanic system.     

Trace element and isotope geochemistry of depleted peridotites from an N-MORB type ophiolite (Internal Liguride,N. Italy)

 Mantle peridotites of the Internal Liguride (IL) units (Northern Apennines) constitute a rare example of the depleted lithosphere of the Jurassic Ligurian Tethys. Detailed chemical (ICP-MS and SIMS techniques) and isotopic investigations on very fresh samples have been performed with the major aim to constrain the timing and mechanism of their evolution and to furnish new data for the geodynamic interpretation. The data are also useful to discuss some general geochemical aspects of oceanic-type mantle. The studied samples consist of clinopyroxene-poor spinel lherzolites, showing incipient re-equilibration in the plagioclase-facies stability field. The spinel-facies assemblage records high (asthenospheric) equilibration temperatures (1150–1250° C). Whole rocks, and constituent clinopyroxenes, show a decoupling between severe depletion in highly incompatible elements [light rare earth elements (LREE), Sr, Zr, Na, Ti] and less pronounced depletion in moderate incompatible elements (Ca, Al, Sc, V). Bulk rocks also display a relatively strong M(middle)REE/H(heavy)REE fractionation. These compositional features indicate low-degree (<10%) fractional melting, which presumably started in the garnet stability field, as the most suitable depletion mechanism. In this respect, the IL ultramafics show strong similarity to abyssal peridotites. The Sr and Nd isotopic compositions, determined on carefully handpicked clinopyroxene separates, indicate an extremely depleted signature (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.702203–0.702285; ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd=0.513619–0.513775). The Sm/Nd model ages suggest that the IL peridotites melted most likely during Permian times. They could record, therefore, the early upwelling and melting of mid ocean ridge basalt (MORB) type asthenosphere, in response to the onset of extensional mechanisms which led to the opening of the Western Tethys. They subsequently cooled and experienced a composite subsolidus evolution testified by multiple episodes of gabbroic intrusions and HT-LP retrograde metamorphic re-equilibration, prior to their emplacement on the sea floor. The trace element chemistry of IL peridotites also provides useful information about the composition of oceanic-type mantle. The most important feature concerns the occurrence of Sr and Zr negative anomalies (relative to “adjacent” REE) in both clinopyroxenes and bulk rocks. We suggest that such anomalies reflect changes in the relative magnitude of Sr, Zr and REE partition coefficients, depending on the specific melting conditions. Received: 15 February 1995/Accepted: 4 August 1995     

Subsolidus reactions monitored by trace element partitioning: the spinel- to plagioclase-facies transition in mantle peridotites

Mantle peridotites of the External Liguride (EL) Units (Northern Apennines) mainly consist of fertile spinel-lherzolites partially recrystallized to plagioclase-facies assemblages, and are consequently appropriate to investigate the interphase element partitioning related to the transition from spinel- to plagioclase-facies stability field. Evidence for the development of the plagioclase-facies assemblage is mainly given by: (1) large exsolution lamellae of orthopyroxene and plagioclase within spinel-facies clinopyroxene; (2) plagioclase rims around spinel; (3) granoblastic domains made up of olivine+plagioclase±clino-and orthopyroxene. In situ major and trace [REE (rare-earth elements), Ti, Sc, V, Cr, Sr, Y, Zr and Ba] element mineral analyses have been performed, by electron and ion probe, on selected samples which show the progressive development of the plagioclase-bearing assemblage. The main compositional variations observed during the change from spinel- to plagioclase-facies minerals are as follows: (1) clinopyroxenes decrease in Al, Na, Sr, Eu/Eu^* and increase in Y, V, Sc, Cr, Zr and Ti; (2) amphiboles decrease in Eu/Eu^*, Sr, Ba and increase in Zr and V; (3) spinels decrease in Al and increase in Cr and Ti. The most striking feature is the decoupling in the behaviour of similarly incompatible elements (D about 0.1) in clinopyroxene, e.g. Sr decrease is mirrored by Zr increase. Massbalance calculations indicate that the trace element interphase redistribution documented in the EL peridotites occurred in a closed system and in response to the metamorphic reaction governing the transition from the spinel- to the plagioclase-facies stability field. The observed element partitioning reveals, moreover, that subsolidus re-equilibration processes in the upper mantle produce HFSE (high-field-strength element)/REE fractionation in minerals, which must be evaluated for a reliable determination of mineral-melt distribution coefficients. The results of this study furnish evidence for subsolidus metamorphic evolution during decompression, without concomitant partial melting processes. This is consistent with the interpretation that the EL peridotites represent subcontinental lithospheric mantle emplaced at the surface in response to lithospheric thinning and tectonic denudation mechanisms related to the Triassic-Jurassic rifting of the Ligure-Piedmontese basin.     

Clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene major and rare earth elements partitioning in spinel peridotite xenoliths from Assab (Ethiopia)

Major element and rare earth element (REE) partitioning among coexisting clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene pairs from mantle xenoliths of the Assab Range (Ethiopia) are discussed in terms of crystal-chemistry.Major element partitioning indicates relatively uniform conditions of subsolidus equilibration over a narrow range of temperatures (mean value about 1100 C) in the spinel peridotite stability field. Major element distributions and correlations, moreover, seem to indicate that the mantle material studied underwent slightly different depletions prior to the metamorphic equilibration.In spite of the rather homogeneous major element compositions for both cpx and opx, clinopyroxenes show chondrite-normalized REE patterns which are widely variable both in shape and absolute values, whereas orthopyroxenes exhibit more restricted ranges and concordant profiles.REE activity ratios have been investigated by applying Iiyama's (Bull. Soc. fr. Minéral. Christallogr.97, 143–151) thermodynamic model: the estimated activity patterns exhibit a good coherence for the different pyroxene pairs, in spite of the contrasting features of their REE concentration ratios. The wide ranges in the measured partition values for the same rare earth element in different pyroxene pairs have been related to coupled substitutions involving A1 in the Z site and REE in the M₂ site of clinopyroxene.     

Experimental models of extension of continental lithosphere weakened by percolation of asthenospheric melts

Analogue models are used to investigate extension of a continental lithosphere weakened by asthenospheric melts percolating through the upper mantle, a process that has been hypothesised to control the opening of the Ligurian Tethys. Models were performed in a centrifuge apparatus and reproduced, by using materials such as sand and viscous mixtures, extension of 60-km thick, three-layer continental lithosphere floating above the asthenosphere. The percolated lithospheric mantle was assumed to be characterised by a rheological behaviour similar to that of the asthenosphere. Two sets of experiments investigated the influence on deformation of (1) the thickness of the percolated mantle and the associated strength contrast between the normal and weakened lithosphere, and (2) the lateral width of the weakened zone. Model results suggest that mantle percolation by asthenospheric melts is able to promote strong localised thinning of the continental lithosphere, provided that a significant thickness of the lithospheric mantle is weakened by migrating melts within a narrow region. Strain localisation is maximised for percolation of the whole lithospheric mantle and strong strength contrast between the normal and weakened lithosphere. Under these conditions, the thickness of the lithosphere may be reduced to less than 12 km in 3 Ma of extension. Conversely, localised thinning is strongly reduced if the thickness of the percolated zone is ≤1/3 of the thickness of the whole lithospheric mantle and/or the lithosphere is weakened over wide regions. Overall, model results support the working hypothesis that mantle percolation by asthenospheric melts is a controlling factor in the transition from distributed continental deformation to localised oceanic spreading.     

Petrogenesis of some Ligurian peridotites—I. Mineral and bulk-rock chemistry

Bulk-rock and mineral compositions of eleven lherzolitic specimens have been determined. Eight samples are from the Erro-Tobbio thrust sheet of the Gruppo di Voltri, western Liguria; three samples are from allochthonous eastern Ligurian masses within the External Ligurides. All specimens consist of spinel (±plagioclase) in addition to ol + opx + cpx, and have been derived from mantle portions of the South Alpine-Apennine lithospheric plate.Electron microprobe analyses of 11 olivines, 17 orthopyroxenes, 13 clinopyroxenes, eight spinels and one plagioclase have been performed. Except for Ca-rich and Ca-poor lamellae in some pyroxenes, and iron-enriched rims in a few spinels, the analyzed phases are remarkably homogeneous. Mineral compositions vary insignificantly from rock to rock. Consideration of major element partitioning in coexisting opx + cpx pairs, combined with the petrogenetic grid for aluminous lherzolite bulk compositions, yield the following provisional P-Tequilibration conditions: Erro-Tobbio complex, 1150 ± 50°C, 16 ± 6 kbar; External Ligurides, 1000 ± 50°C, 14 ± 6 kbar. Evidently the western Ligurian peridotites equilibrated at higher temperatures and possibly at slightly greater depths with the upper mantle than those from eastern Liguria.The lherzolite samples have nearly identical bulk-rock major element compositions. Comparisons with estimated compositions for the upper mantle, and for model pyrolite indicate that these Ligurian peridotites are primitive or only very slightly depleted in basaltic constituents. Thus, based on major element chemistry, the Ligurian peridotites cannot be regarded as residua left after extensive partial fusion, hence evidently cannot have produced large proportions of oceanic tholeiite liquid; on the other hand, they seem to represent a fertile mantle source for such melts.Relics of garnet have not been found, and apparent temperatures for both Erro-Tobbio and eastern Ligurian ultramafic suites exceed the classical intraplate oceanic geotherm; accordingly, these bodies may represent rising mantle material that recrystallized during ascent in the general vicinity of a spreading center, without having undergone extensive partial melting.     

Distribution of trace elements during breakdown of mantle garnet: an example from Zabargad

Ion probe investigations on mineral phases forming the Al-Di pyroxenites from the Zabargad peridotite body indicate that porphyroclastic pyroxenes in composite mafic layers record an unusual HREE, Zr, Sc enrichment not registered by pyroxenes in spinel websterites. Orthopyroxene in the opx+sp clusters forming the inner, cpx-free zone of layered pyroxenites shows strongly fractionated REE patterns (HREE_N/LREE_N>1000; Yb>100xch) and very high Zr, Sc and Y abundances (up to 30,672 and 60ppm, respectively). In the outer, cpx-rich zone porphyroclastic clinopyroxene is strongly HREE enriched (HREE_N/LREE_N29; Yb 269xch) and displays very high Sc and Zr abundances (up to 819 and 164 ppm, respectively). It is suggested that the unusual trace element abundances are inherited from a precursor garnet. Composite pyroxenite layers are interpreted as former garnet clinopyroxenites characterized by gnt/cpx modal zoning. The sp+opx(cpx-free) assemblage in the inner part is a product of the break-down reaction of garnet upon decompression, with Ca of the original garnet completely entering the enstatite solid solution. The temperature at which the breakdown reaction occurred is estimated to be higher than 1000°C (P in the range 20–30 kbar). In the outer part, decompression caused the garnet to form a sp+opx assemblage; however, the grossularite component participated in the formation of new clinopyroxene which reacted with the clinopyroxene present in the original mode before the decompression reaction, thus forming a cpx₂+sp+opx assemblage. As a result of garnet breakdown, pyroxenes have peculiar HFSE anomalies. Progressive upwelling during the Red Sea rifting produced incomplete reaction under pl-facies conditions. The geochemical signatures of precursor garnet in pyroxenes were partially crased during the recrystallization from granular spincl-bearing to granoblastic plagioclase-bearing assemblages, being preserved only in a few porphyroclast relies. The finding of pyroxenes with trace element characteristics of precursor garnet has important geodynamic and geochemical implications. Al-Di pyroxenite layers had a long history within the mantle, before the continental lithosphere rifting and thinning took place in the region. It is suggested that Al-Di pyroxenites were formed by deep-seated tholeiitic magmatism unrelated to the Red Sea evolution, thus representing the earliest event in the Zabargad upper mantle. Garnet breakdown significantly preceded the metasomatism induced by hydrous fluids (crystallization of Ti-rich pargasite) and the later intrusion of hydrous (Cr-Di) pyroxenite dykes. During the stages of mantle evolution, the HFSE anomalies in pyroxenes varied significantly. We note that the study of HFSE anomalies in mineral phases reveals complex geochemical histories which are not recorded by the whole-rock system.     

Preliminary investigations on volcanism of the Sadah region (Yemen Arabic Republic)

Petrographic, geochemical and geochronological data on the volcanic sequences of the Sadah region (Yemen Arabic Republic — Y.A.R.) are presented and discussed. Two main volcanic units have been recognized in this area. The older unit (Trap Series) is characterized by alkaline and transitional basalts with minor differentiates. K/Ar age determinations on these rocks give values ranging from 30 to 22 m.y.B.P. The dominance of poorly evolved rock types indicates a fairly rapid ascent of the magmas. The feeding fissures are thought to be NNW-SSE trending fractures. This is deduced by the occurrence of many dykes cutting through the underlying basament which are comparable in both chemical composition and age range to those of the Trap Series. The younger unit (Al Harf Series) is made up of alkaline basalts whose K/Ar ages are around 10 m.y.B.P. and outcrops in a tectonic depression defined by NNW-SSE trending normal faults. The volcanism in the northern Y.A.R. extends from late Oligocene to late Miocene, and follows regional structures parallel to the present-day spreading axis of the Red Sea.     

Melt/peridotite interaction in the Southern Lanzo peridotite: Field, textural and geochemical evidence

This paper presents field, petrographic–structural and geochemical data on spinel and plagioclase peridotites from the southern domain of the Lanzo ophiolitic peridotite massif (Western Alps). Spinel lherzolites, harzburgites and dunites crop out at Mt. Arpone and Mt. Musinè. Field evidence indicates that pristine porphyroclastic spinel lherzolites are transformed to coarse granular spinel harzburgites, which are in turn overprinted by plagioclase peridotites, while strongly depleted spinel harzburgite and dunite bands and bodies replace the plagioclase peridotites. On the northern flank of Mt. Arpone, deformed, porphyroclastic (lithospheric) lherzolites, with diffuse pyroxenite banding, represent the oldest spinel-facies rocks. They show microstructures of a composite subsolidus evolution, suggesting provenance from deeper (asthenospheric) mantle levels and accretion to the lithosphere. These protoliths are locally transformed to coarse granular (reactive) spinel harzburgites and dunites, which show textures reminiscent of melt/rock reaction and geochemical characteristics suggesting that they are products of peridotite interaction with reactively percolating melts. Geochemical data and modelling suggest that <1–5% fractional melting of spinel-facies DMM produced the injected melts. Plagioclase peridotites are hybrid rocks resulting from pre-existing spinel peridotites and variable enrichment of plagioclase and micro-gabbroic material by percolating melts. The impregnating melts attained silica-saturation, as testified by widespread orthopyroxene replacement of olivine, during open system migration in the lithosphere. At Mt. Musinè, coarse granular spinel harzburgite and dunite bodies replace the plagioclase peridotites. Most of these replacive, refractory peridotites have interstitial magmatic clinopyroxene with trace element compositions in equilibrium with MORB, while some Cpx have REE-depleted patterns suggesting transient geochemical features of the migrating MORB-type melts, acquired by interaction with the ambient plagioclase peridotite. These replacive spinel harzburgite and dunite bodies are interpreted as channels exploited for focused and reactive migration of silica-undersaturated melts with aggregate MORB compositions. Such melts were unrelated to the silica-saturated melts that refertilized the pre-existing plagioclase peridotites. Finally, MORB melt migration occurred along open fractures, now recorded as gabbroic dikes.

Our data document the complexity of rock-types and mantle processes in the South Lanzo peridotite massif and describe a composite tectonic and magmatic scenario that is not consistent with the “asthenospheric scenario” proposed by previous authors. We envisage a “transitional scenario” in which extending subcontinental lithospheric mantle was strongly modified (both depleted and refertilized) by early melts with MORB-affinity formed by decompression partial melting of the upwelling asthenosphere, during pre-oceanic rifting and lithospheric thinning in the Ligurian Tethys realm.     

Evolution of the upper mantle under the Assab Region (Ethiopia): Suggestions from petrology and geochemistry of tectonitic ultramafic xenoliths and host basaltic lavas

New data on major and trace elements geochemistry of the Assab Range (Ethiopia) basalts and enclosed mantle xenoliths are presented and discussed.Mantle ultramafics consist of spinel-peridotites and minor green spinel-pyroxenites (sometimes present as dykes within the former ones). Petrography and mineral chemistry indicate that both xenoliths families underwent a common subsolidus equilibrium crystallization at 1050°–1100° C., in the spinel-peridotite stability field.REE data on whole rock and on separated phases (cpx, opx and ol) have been obtained by RNAA. Spinel-peridotites exhibit LREE-enriched — HREE-depleted patterns with respect to chondrites. Mass balance calculations indicate that this is a characteristic feature of spinel-peridotite xenoliths which cannot be solely imputed to host basalt contamination.Xenoliths selected as representative of different depletion intensities, suffered by Assab spinel-peridotites prior to their subsolidus equilibration, show dependences from major elements composition in their REE geochemistry and wide variations in the measured REE partition values among coexisting phases.Concordancy in the REE compositions of liquids calculated utilizing the measured REE partitioning in the different xenoliths and theShaw's (1970) mass balance equation for non-modal equilibrium melting, confirms that the measured REE distribution represent equilibrium conditions.Theoretical least fusion liquids differ from the least differentiated among the enclosing basalts, both in their La/Lu ratio and in the total REE concentrations. Some similarities are observed with the composition of the pyroxenite dykes, however no firm conclusions on the comagmaticity of the two xenoliths types are reached.Trace geochemistry (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) on the host basalts indicates that the primary alkaline melts underwent an indipendent differentiation history by fractional crystallization at intermediate pressure conditions prior to the mantle xenoliths inclusion.Extrapolated seismic velocities for the Assab mantle xenoliths allow to ascribe them to the 7.3–7.7 V_P layer, underlying the crustal layers in the Assab and Afar area, as recognized on the basis of the geophysical surveys.In light of the above evidences, an evolutive picture of the Assab association is proposed which takes into account present day knowledges on the geodynamic evolution of the Afar-Red Sea system.

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Zusammenfassung Die ultrabasischen Gesteine des Mantels der Zone Assab (Äthiopien) bestehen aus Spinell-Peridotiten und aus wenigen grünen Spinell-Pyroxeniten (manchmal sind sie in Form von Intrusivgängen in den Spinell-Peridotiten). Die Petrologie und die Mineralchemie zeigen, daß die zwei Xenolith-Familien eine gemeinsame Rekristallisation unter Gleichgewicht bei den Temperaturen 1050°–1100° C im Stabilitäts-Feld der Spinell-Peridotite hatten.Die Daten über die Seltenen Erden im Gesamtgestein und die getrennten Mineralien (cpx, opx und 01) wurden mit der RNAA-Methode erhalten. Die Spinell-Peridotite zeigen eine Anreicherung an leichten Seltenen Erden und eine Verarmung an schweren Seltenen Erden in Beziehung auf die Chondrite.Die Berechnungen der Massengleichgewichte zeigen an, daß dies eine Charakteristik von Spinell-Peridotit-Xenolithen darstellt, die nicht auf eine Verunreinigung durch die umgebenden Basalte zurückgeführt werden darf.Xenolithe aus verschiedenen Stadien der Aufschmelzung zeigen einfache Beziehungen zwischen Hauptelementen und der Geochemie der Seltenen Erden und weite Variationen der Verteilungs-Koeffizienten der Seltenen Erden unter koexistenten Phasen.Die Geochemie der Spurenelemente (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) in den Basalten zeigt, daß sich das primäre, alkalische Magma durch fraktionierte Kristallisation differenziert hat bevor die Peridotiteinschlüsse auftraten.Diese Beobachtungen stehen im Einklang mit der modernen Erkenntnis über die geodynamische Entwicklung der Afar-Region und des Roten Meeres.

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Résumé Dans ce travail nous presentons des nouvelles données sur la géochimie des éléments majeurs et en traces dans les basaltes et dans les enclaves du manteau de la zone d'Assab (Éthiopie).Les enclaves; ultrabasiques du manteau sont constituées par des peridotites à spinelle et subordonnément par des pyroxenites à spinelle (quelquefois en forme de dykes dans les (peridotites). La pétrographie et la chimie des mineraux indiquent que les deux familles des enclaves esseurent une commune recristallization à l'équilibre aux temperatures de l'ordre de 1050°–1100° C dans le champ de stabilité de la peridotite à spinelle.Les données sur les terres rares dans la roche totale et dans les minéraux séparés ont été obtenues par RNAA. Les peridotites à spinelle montrent des patterns enrichis en terres rares légères et appauvries en terres rares lourdes par rapport à les aux condrites. Des calculs de balance de masse indiquent que cette caractéristique ne peut pas être attribuée simplément à la contamination par le basalte encaissant.Des enclaves sélectionées comme residus des differentes intensités de fusion partielle montrent des relations simples entre éléments majeurs et la géochimie des terres rares et des importantes variations des coefficients de partage des terres rares entre les differentes mineraux coexistants dans le même enclave.D'ailleurs la concordance entre les compositions en terres rares des differents liquides calculés à partir de la distribution des terres rares entre les mineraux des differents enclaves (en utilisant la loi deShaw, 1970) montre que les distributions mesurées sont representatives des conditions d'équilibre.Les liquides théoriques de fusion minime ont des valeurs differentes La/Lu et des teneurs differentes en terres rares par rapport à les laves aux encaissantes. Par contre quelque similitude peut-être envisagée avec les pyroxenites cependant les données actuelles ne permettent pas de rejoindre des conclusions sur la comagmaticitée des deux familles des enclaves.La géochimie des traces (REE, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA) sur les laves encaissantes montre que le magma alcalin primaire a differencié par cristallization fractionnée à des conditions de pression intermediaire avant d'encaisser les enclaves du manteau.Les vitesses seismiques déduites pour les enclaves du manteau à partir des données experimentales permettent d'identifier ces matériaux avec la couche à vitesse V_P=7.3 –7.7 sous la région d'Assab et de l'Afar.Un modèle evolutif de l'association étudiée est presenté tout en considérant les conaissances actuelles de l'evolution geodinamique du sytème Afar-Mer Rouge.

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, . , , , - - , -. , 1050–1100 °C . — , ol — RNAA. . , , . , . — La/Lu, REE — , . — , Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, U, Th, Hf, Zr, Ta, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni: RNAA, INAA — , . , — .

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Financial supports by Italian C. N. R. and French C. N. R. S.