Neogene Alkali Basalts from Central Slovakia (Ostrá Lúka Lava Complex); Mineralogy and Geochemistry

Ján Spišiak,Viera Šimonová,Roberta Prokešová,Juraj Butek

doi:10.3390/min12020195

Ján Spišiak, Viera Šimonová + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/min12020195

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Abstract

Ostrá Lúka basalts are a product of the final phase of Neogene volcanism in Central Slovakia. Their major and trace elements composition is alkaline, a feature confirmed by light rare earth elements (LREE) relative enrichment and some incompatible trace elements ratios. The basalts contain rare surrounded gabbro cumulates. Their peculiarity is a strong zonation of olivines and clinopyroxene. The significant zonation probably indicates a short stop of the melt at shallow depth. The Sr, Nd and Pb isotope compositions indicate an origin from a moderately depleted mantle source. The mineral and chemical composition of the basalts is similar to the Pannonian basin alkali basalts and the Western and Central Europe alkali basalts.

Highlights

Alkali Basalts from Central SlovakiaAll Neogene alkali basalts in the Western Carpathian part of the Carpathian-PanonianRegion (CPR) have a similar chemical and mineral composition
This study focuses on the mineralogy and geochemistry of basalts from the Ostrá
Alkali basalt (AB) volcanic activity represents the youngest phase of Cenozoic volcanism of the Carpathian-Panonian Region (CPR) (Figure 1a, [18])

Summary

Introduction

All Neogene alkali basalts in the Western Carpathian part of the Carpathian-Panonian. Region (CPR) have a similar chemical and mineral composition. The composition of the main rock-forming minerals of alkali basalts of the Carpathian region (olivines, clinopyroxenes) has been extensively studied, focusing on geochemistry and isotopic composition ([1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] and others). Detailed mineral as well as chemical composition of the basalts of central Slovakia has been studied only marginally (e.g., [5,7,10,11], and others). Our findings can be generalized for the area of the Western Carpathians and/or eventually for the whole Carpathian-Panonian Region (CPR).

Geological Settings

Analytical Methods

Geochemistry

10. Discrimination diagram for basalts:

Findings

Discussion and Conclusion