Geology and petrology of the McMurdo Volcanic Group at Rainbow Ridge, Brown Peninsula, Antarctica

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1979 Geology and petrology of the McMurdo Volcanic Group at Rainbow Ridge, Brown Peninsula, Antarctica PHILIP R. KYLE; PHILIP R. KYLE 1Institute of Polar Studies, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar JOHN ADAMS; JOHN ADAMS 2Department of Geology, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar PETER C. RANKIN PETER C. RANKIN 3Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information PHILIP R. KYLE 1Institute of Polar Studies, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210 JOHN ADAMS 2Department of Geology, Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand PETER C. RANKIN 3Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lower Hutt, New Zealand Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1979) 90 (7): 676–688. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1979)90<676:GAPOTM>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation PHILIP R. KYLE, JOHN ADAMS, PETER C. RANKIN; Geology and petrology of the McMurdo Volcanic Group at Rainbow Ridge, Brown Peninsula, Antarctica. GSA Bulletin 1979;; 90 (7): 676–688. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1979)90<676:GAPOTM>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Strongly undersaturated rocks of the McMurdo Volcanic Group of late Cenozoic age at Brown Peninsula form three eruptive cycles of basaltic to salic lavas. Two cycles at Rainbow Ridge show a basanite to nepheline-hawaiite to nepheline-benmoreite and a basanite to nepheline-benmoreite eruptive sequence. Fractional crystallization processes for the sequence have been modeled using major-element least squares mass-balance models. Two models can explain the basanite to nepheline-hawaiite transition. Model 1 involves fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, opaque oxides, and apatite; model 2 is similar, but also includes kaersutite. The nepheline-hawaiite to nepheline-benmoreite transition involves fractionation of clinopyroxene, kaersutite, plagioclase, opaque oxides, and apatite. Trace-element (including rare-earth element) contents calculated using solutions from the mass-balance models are compatible with both models for the formation of nepheline-hawaiite. Excellent agreement is shown between calculated and observed trace-element data for the nepheline-benmoreite. Small pods of basanite, derived from a garnet peridotite mantle by a low degree of partial melting, have been intruded into the crust where subsequent fractional crystallization formed the intermediate and salic rocks. This process has apparently occurred repeatedly at many eruptive centers in the McMurdo Sound area. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.