Abstract
The geochemistry analyses of the clay fraction (< 1 μm) of Tertiary alterites overlying tholeiitic basalt (Site 336) on the Iceland—Faeroe Ridge, revealed — close to the parent rock — the predominance of ferriferous montmorillonite (80%) over kaolinite and halloysite. Conversely, the top of alterite redbeds proved to be exclusively composed of kaolinite. A comparative study of these redbeds with the present-day ones derived from the same type of parent rock, suggested genesis under tropical climatic conditions. Compared to the basaltic parent rock, alterites are characterized by moderate desilication and partial elimination of Ca, Na, Mg, Mn, Sr, Cu and Sr and on the other hand by a concentration of some elements such as Al, Fe, Ti, K, Rb and Zr.
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