Petrology and geochemistry of mafic rocks from the Cayman Trench: Evidence for spreading

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 1977 Petrology and geochemistry of mafic rocks from the Cayman Trench: Evidence for spreading Michael R. Perfit Michael R. Perfit 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Michael R. Perfit 1Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1977) 5 (2): 105–110. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1977)5<105:PAGOMR>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 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 Michael R. Perfit; Petrology and geochemistry of mafic rocks from the Cayman Trench: Evidence for spreading. Geology 1977;; 5 (2): 105–110. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1977)5<105:PAGOMR>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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Rocks dredged from 16 localities withing the Cayman Trench suggest a crustal sequence identical to that reported from the mid-oceanic ridge. Serpentinites, serpentinized peridotites, cumulate mafic rocks, and gabbros crop out deep along the precipitous north-trending ridges. Numerous basalts and dolerites crop out somewhat higher, along with minor amounts of limestone and sediment. Major-element variations and trace-element abundances substantiate the abyssal tholeiitic nature of the basalts and indicate possible shallow fractionation from a primary melt in the upper mantle. A combination of dynamic, hydrothermal, and contact metamorphism near the axial valley is proposed to explain the observed metamorphic features. The geochemical data, along with pubulished geophysical evidence, support the hypothesis of a mid-Cayman spreading center in this tectonically complex region. 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.