Polygenetic Quaternary volcanism at Crater Flat, Nevada

Abstract

Alkali basalts erupted during the Quaternary at Crater Flat, Nevada, record a complex history of polycyclic and polygenetic volcanism. Magmas from the two main centers (Black Cone and Red Cone) are petrographically and geochemically similar, although field evidence suggests a number of separate eruptive events. High incompatible element concentrations, low Nb/La and high Zr/Y indicate that the magmas were derived by small degrees of partial melting from the lithospheric mantle. At Red Cone, a significant range of Sr, La, Ce, Ba and Th concentrations is observed with time (e.g., Sr range 1308–1848 ppm): the youngest samples having the more elevated values. However, there is only limited variation in the compatible trace elements (e.g., Sc and Ni). The array of compositions at Red Cone could not have been produced by changes in the degree of partial melting, or by fractional crystallization. Rather, a model of magma mixing is proposed between relatively enriched and depleted end-members. The cluster of Black Cone data falls consistently at the least-enriched end of the Red Cone sample arrays, suggesting that the Black Cone magma represents one of the mixing end-members. The modeling indicates that the magmatic plumbing systems of the two centers were linked, at least during the early stages of volcanism. Moreover, volcanic activity may have occurred at a number of sites along the length of the magmatic feeder zone during a single eruptive phase. This could have significant implications for volcanic hazard assessment in the region around Yucca Mountain, and the proposed nuclear waste repository.