Evolution and genesis of calc-alkaline magmas at Filicudi Volcano, Aeolian Arc (Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

Abstract

Petrological, trace element and Sr, Nd, Pb isotopic data are reported for volcanic rocks from the island of Filicudi, Aeolian Arc, Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. The volcano consists of several monogenic and polygenic centres built up through four major phases of explosive and effusive activity started before 1 Ma. Rock composition ranges from calc-alkaline basalts to high-K andesites. There is a negative correlation between silica and MgO, CaO, TiO 2, FeO total, and a positive trend for K 2O, Na 2O and P 2O 5. LILE and HFSE increase with silica, whereas ferromagnesian trace elements have an opposite tendency. Incompatible elements, such as Zr, Ba, Rb, La, display well-defined positive correlations on elemental variation diagrams; weak correlations are shown by the other incompatible elements; Sr and compatible elements define negative, roughly curvilinear trends with incompatible elements. 87Sr/ 86Sr is poorly but significantly variable (0.704016–0.704740) and shows overall higher values in the mafic than in the sialic rocks. Nd isotope ratios range from 0.512670 to 0.512760 and are negatively correlated with 87Sr/ 86Sr. Pb isotope ratios cluster around 206Pb/ 204Pb=19.31–19.67, 207Pb/ 204Pb=15.64–15.69, 208Pb/ 204Pb=39.11–39.47. Major, trace element and isotopic variations reveal complex, multistage polybaric evolutionary processes for the Filicudi magmas. It is clear that crystal-liquid fractionation processes determined many of the petrologic and geochemical characteristics of these magmas. However, elemental variations when coupled with isotopic variations (in particular Sr isotopes) demonstrate that mixing processes and interaction of the magmas with older crustal material also played an important role. When compared with other Aeolian arc volcanoes, Filicudi shows petrological and geochemical characteristics similar to those of the nearby islands of Salina and Alicudi. The three islands consist of calc-alkaline rocks, but the degree of magma evolution increases going from the Alicudi to Salina. These variations are likely related to the plumbing system of the three volcanoes. However, trace element and isotopic evidence also suggests significant variations of primary magmas, which reveal a zoned source which suffered different types of metasomatism.