The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the lavas of the Vulsinian District, Roman province, Central Italy

Abstract

The Vulsinian lavas are dominated by a suite of undersaturated leucite-bearing basic to intermediate compositions. The remaining lavas are mainly oversaturated and have shoshonitic affinities. One hundred and thirty-five samples have been analysed for major elements and most for 20 trace elements. Twenty-seven lavas have been analysed for REE. They are all perpotassic (for the undersaturated lavas: K2O/Na2O=2–8) and have very high LIL element concentrations, (e.g. Rb=400–800 ppm, Th=25–150 ppm, REE/REEcho=c.200, (LREE/HREE)cho=c.20) even in the most basic rocks.