Petrographic and geochemical properties of the ignimbrites around Hatunsaray (Konya)

Abstract

The study area is located around the town of Hatunsaray, approximately 40 km away from the south-west of Konya. In this study, the petrological and geochemical characteristics of the Bulumya ignimbrite, Detse ignimbrite and Sadıklar ignimbrite observed in the region were revealed. The study area contains Upper Miocene - Lower Pliocene aged Güneydere formation and overlying Bulumya ignimbrite, Detse ignimbrite, Sadıklar ignimbrite and Quaternary alluviums. All these units were formed in the Upper Miocene - Lower Pliocene aged fluvial and lake environment and have a lateral vertical transition with carbonate, clastic units. The gray-colored Bulumya ignimbrite contains andesite-dacite rock fragments and large pumice grains. The Detse Ignimbrite is yellow in color and shows a well sorted lapilli tuff composition. The Sadıklar Ignimbrite, on the other hand, contains agglomeratic levels with yellow colored slightly fused lenses and wedge geometry. All ignimbrite samples have porphyric texture and were classified as “crystal-vitric tuff” and “crystal lithic-vitric tuff” in the glass-crystal-rock fragment classification. Petrographic investigations of ignimbrites show that major components are quartz, plagioclase, plagioclase microliths, biotite, amphibole, opaque minerals and rock fragments. Geochemical data shows that all ignimbrite samples are subalkaline, trachy-andesite, andesite-basaltic andesite and calc-alkaline in character. When the main oxide, trace and rare earth elements in ignimbrites are evaluated, fractional crystallization controlled by feldspar minerals is observed. In addition, the high K and Rb content in the spider diagrams indicate crustal contamination. The distribution of the ignimbrite samples in the Rb/Y-Nb/Y diagram suggests that the magma source forming the samples is enriched by subduction and/or crustal components.