Calc-alkaline differentiation trend in the plutonic sequence of the Wadi Haymiliyah section, Haylayn massif, Semail ophiolite, Oman

The Wadi Haymiliyah section, in the Haylayn block (Semail ophiolite, Oman) displays an unusual plutonic sequence closely similar to those of supra-subduction zone harzburgitic ophiolites (“Troodos sub-type”). It comprizes a bottom, 1000 m-thick, coarse-grained layered gabbro unit (MLGU) overlain by a 1000 m-thick, fine-grained, laminated noritic gabbro unit (MLNGU). Taken as a whole, the mineralogical and bulk-rock trends of the Haymiliah plutonic sequence are those of arc-related calc-alkaline plutons. The MLGU layered gabbros are olivine gabbros and gabbros which differ from low-P cumulates of MORB (oceanic gabbros) by Fe³⁺-rich cumulus chrome spinel Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ + Al + Cr) = 0.2-0.3], diopside (Mg# = 85–91) co-crystallized with highly calcic plagioclase (An_96-80) and intercumulus magnesian orthopyroxene (Mg# = 87-80). Plagioclase remains highly calcic at decreasing Fo content, indicating crystallization under high water pressure (> 500 bar). Despite an abrupt decrease in grain size, there exists modal and chemical gradations between MLGU and MLNGU. In the uppermost part of the MLGU, coarse-grained, gabbroic cyclic units culminate with two-pyroxene gabbros containing up to 20 wt.% cumulus Opx. These latter are interbedded over a thickness of ca. 300 m with fine-grained two-pyroxene gabbros and noritic gabbros layers which differ only by slightly higher modal opx and plagioclase contents. The bottom of the MLNGU is marked by norite layers containg up to 80 wt.% plagioclase, cumulus Ti-magnetite and abundant intercumulus Ti-pargasite. Unlike low-pressure differentiates of MORBs, the MLNGU lacks pigeonite and Fe-Ti oxide layers. Cumulus titanomagnetite appears immediately after the orthopyroxene (Mg# = 72–76) in the crystallization order of the norites. The abundance of interstitial Ti-poor pargasite increases at the top of the MLNGU which is brecciated by dioritic differentiates. Both features indicate increasing water pressure and oxygen fugacity (NNO + 2 log units) symptomatic of closed-system magmatic differentiation. Mg#'s of both pyroxenes (70–80) decrease moderately relative to the MLGU coarse-grained gabbros. This and the increase of plagioclase and orthopyroxene modal proportions produce increasing SiO₂-Al₂O₃-Na₂O and Sr contents at nearly constant FeO/MgO in bulk-rock chemistry. This feature similar to the calc-alkaline differentiation trend, is due primarily to a parental tholeiitic magma more hydrated and oxidized than MORBs (?_O2 = NNO instead of NNO-2 to NNO-3 log unit); this trend is fully developed in the Wadi Haymiliah section because closure of the magma reservoir in this region allowed larger extent of magmatic differentiation than in other blocks of the Semail ophiolite. The water-rich and oxidized nature of the parental magmas argues for the evolution of the Semail ophiolite in a marginal basin above a subduction zone rather than at a mature oceanic spreading center.