Chemical and isotopic variations in an iron-rich lava flow from the Kirkpatrick Basalt, north Victoria Land, Antarctica: implications for low-temperature alteration

Abstract

Chemical and isotopic (Sr, O, H) variations have been examined in an iron-rich lava flow of the Kirkpatrick Basalt from the Mesa Range in north Victoria Land, Antarctica. The flow is homogeneous with respect to the less mobile elements, whereas variations observed in K, Na, Si, Fe, and Rb result largely from alteration of glassy matrix material. Whole-rock Rb−Sr isotope data fall along a poorly-defined 103 Ma array attributed to secondary mobilization of Rb during the mid-Cretaceous. Alteration at that time is suggested by paleomagnetic data and would also account for discordant K−Ar dates. Whole-rock δ18O values vary from +5.8 to +8.2‰ and a plagioclase separate has a δ18O value of +5.6‰, reflecting the original composition of the magma. The range of δ18O values for the whole-rock samples results from low-temperature alteration occurring primarily in the Jurassic and/or mid-Cretaceous. Whole-rock δD values (-201 to -243‰) are markedly depleted, approaching equilibrium with modern meteoric water. In light of these data, variable Sr and O isotopic ratios in the underlying sequence of flows, previously interpreted in terms of an assimilation-fractionation model, may largely reflect post-magmatic alteration.