The Patuki intrusive suite: closed-system fractionation beneath a slow-spreading ridge

Abstract

A wide range of mafic and ultramafic rock types, together with cogenetic silicic plagiogranites, form a structurally coherent intrusive sequence within the Patuki Volcanics at south D'Urville Island, New Zealand. In addition, gabbroic rocks comprise abundant tectonic inclusions in highly-sheared, concordant serpentinite bands which intrude the Patuki suite. Chemical evidence suggests many of the gabbros, including those in which recrystallization has obliterated original textures, represent magmatic cumulates and indicates extensive closed-system fractionation analogous to that known to occur beneath slow-spreading mid-oceanic ridges. Dyke intrusion occurred throughout the generation of the suite. An early stage of spreading is suggested by the anomalously low thickness of the sequence, the non-sheeted nature of the dyke suite and chemical characteristics of the lavas which comprise the extrusive component of the ophiolite.