Geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic composition of Eocene lamphrophyre dykes, southeastern British Columbia

Abstract

Mineral compositions, geochemical analyses, and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions are reported for alkaline and calc-alkaline lamprophyres collected along the southern margin of the Valhalla Complex, southeastern British Columbia. The lamprophyres were emplaced during Eocene extension and lithospheric thinning associated with tectonic denudation of the Valhalla Complex. SiO2 contents range from 44.4–51.6 wt.%, K2O from 1.3–3.7 wt.%, and volatile contents (H2O + CO2 + SO3) from 0.8–4.6 wt.%. MgO and Cr contents are 9.5–7.6 wt.% and 540–130 ppm, respectively, for samples with Mg#s between 0.69 and 0.65. Chrondrite-normalized rare-earth element patterns are strongly fractionated with Cen = 120–375 and Ybn = 8.4–12.7. Alkaline lamprophyres contain biotite ± kaersutite ± calcic plagioclase and exhibit a limited range in initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7051–0.7057), initial εNd (–3.7 to –4.3), and TDM (766–796 Ma). Calc-alkaline lamprophyres contain F-rich phlogopite and sodic plagioclase, and exhibit a wider range in initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7064–0.7090), initial εNd (–6.3 to –11.9), and TDM (917–1,614 Ma). Alkaline lamprophyres are interpreted as uncontaminated melts derived from a long-term, volatile, and incompatible element-enriched mantle reservoir. Mantle enrichment coincided with continental rifting of western North America (ca. 760 Ma). The enriched mantle reservoir remained isolated for ~700 Ma. Lamprophyres were generated by partial melting of the mantle reservoir in response to adiabatic decompression and lithospheric thinning during Eocene extension.