Geochemistry of meta-igneous rocks from southern Ethiopia: a new insight into neoproterozoic tectonics of northeast Africa

Abstract

Utilising geochemical data, various discriminant diagrams have been employed to establish the magma type and original tectonic environment for some Neoproterozoic amphibolites, ultrabasic rocks and gabbros of the Moyale area, southern Ethiopia. The gneissic amphibolites are found to have mixed geochemical characteristics indicative of island arc and/or ocean ridge basalts with tholeiitic composition whereas the porphyritic amphibolites show alkalic features with no clear tectonic setting. The ultrabasic and gabbroic units of the Moyale area are described in terms of their relation with mantle melts and parental material. The majority of ultrabasics relate to a cumulate origin and the gabbroic rocks appear as more differentiated magma from the same source. The mainly dunite bodies in the eastern sub-area at Moyale probably represent refractory residues left after variable degree of partial melting of a periodotite mantle. It is concluded that the gneissic amphibolites were probably part of an accreting arc associated with closure of a pre-existing oceanic basin. The ultrabasic and gabbroic rocks (together with the porphyritic amphibolite) are considered to be remnants of oceanic crust.