Nd-Sr isotopic characteristics of the Lugano volcanic rocks and constraints on the continental crust formation in the South Alpine domain (N-Italy-Switzerland)

Abstract

The Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope data emphasize the importance of mantle crust interaction, wall-rock assimilation and fractional crystallization for the generation of the Lugano volcanic rocks. It is suggested that the parental magma generation occurs in hot upwelling asthenosphere in the wedge above a subducting slab. In the lower crust the rising mantle derived melts became strongly modified by crust assimilation and formed andesitic melts. These andesitic melts, rising from this lower crustal region, became additionally modified by fractional crystallization and further assimilation of lower and upper crustal components to form the dacites, rhyolites, granophyres and Mt. OrfanoBaveno granites. The best fit lines to the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotope whole rock data points correspond to ages of 346+/− 2 m.y. and 341+/−40 m.y., respectively. These lines are considered to be “pseudo-isochrons” and the result of simultaneously running fractional crystallization and wallrock assimilation. The best age estimate of the investigated volcanites is given by a Rb-Sr mineral isochron of 262+/−I m.y.. It dates a single volcanic event of the Permo-Carboniferous magmatism. Since it is suggested, that the calc-alkaline rock sequence has been generated in an Andean type subduction environment, synchronous with the final phase of convergence of Gondwana and Laurasia, the Rb-Sr mineral isochron indicates, that parts of the Proto-Tethys closed later than 262 m.y. ago. The crustal source material of the Irvea and Strona-Ceneri paragneisses, Lugano volcanites and Mt. Orfano-Baveno intrusive rocks may not necessarily be derived from a shield area in Northern Europe or Africa but may come from a Proterozoic European continental lithosphere.