Phase relations of a high-Mg basalt from the Aleutian Island Arc: Implications for primary island arc basalts and high-Al basalts

Abstract

Many volcanic centers in the Aleutian Islands have erupted lavas that range in composition from high-Mg basalt (MgO>9 wt%) to more fractionated and voluminous high-Al basalts and basaltic andesites. The petrogenetic relationships between these rock types and the composition of primary magmas has been vigorously debated. The phase relations of a typical high-Mg basalt from the Makushin volcanic field on Unalaska Island provide important constraints on petrogenetic models. Results of one-atmosphere and moderate-to high-pressure (5–20 kb) anhydrous experiments are similar to results obtained from primitive MORB. At low pressures olivine is the liquidus phase joined by plagioclase and clinopyroxene at progressively lower temperatures. Clinopyroxene is the second phase to crystallize at pressures greater than 5 kb and replaces olivine on the liquidus at approximately 10 kb. Above 10 kb the liquidus pyroxene is aluminous augite and orthopyroxene is the second phase to crystallize. Glasses in equilibrium with olivine and clinopyroxene at intermediate-pressure (5 to 10 kb) are similar in composition to high-Al basalt. Plagioclase is not involved and most likely does not become a liquidus phase until the liquid has evolved significantly. Although our studies do not confirm the primary nature of high-Mg basalts they do support a model in which high-Al basalts are generated by moderate amounts of crystal fractionation from more primitive (high Mg/Mg+Fe, lower Al2O3) basaltic magmas near the arc crust-mantle boundary.