Basaltic Material Research Articles

Basaltic material in the main belt: a tale of two (or more) parent bodies?

The majority of basaltic objects in the main belt are dynamically connected to Vesta, the largest differentiated asteroid known. Others, due to their current orbital parameters, cannot be easily dynamically linked to Vesta. This is particularly true for all the basaltic asteroids located beyond 2.5 au, where lies the 3:1 mean motion resonance with Jupiter. In order to investigate the presence of other V-type asteroids in the middle and outer main belt (MOVs) we started an observational campaign to spectroscopically characterize in the visible range MOV candidates. We observed 18 basaltic candidates from TNG and ESO - NTT between 2015 and 2016. We derived spectral parameters using the same approach adopted in our recent statistical analysis and we compared our data with orbital parameters to look for possible clusters of MOVs in the main belt, symptomatic for a new basaltic family. Our analysis seemed to point out that MOVs show different spectral parameters respect to other basaltic bodies in the main belt, which could account for a diverse mineralogy than Vesta; moreover, some of them belong to the Eos family, suggesting the possibility of another basaltic progenitor. This could have strong repercussions on the temperature gradient present in the early Solar System, and on our current understanding of differentiation processes.

Petrogenesis of Mid-Eocene granites in South Sakhalin, Russian Far East: Juvenile crustal growth and comparison with granitic magmatism in Hokkaido and Sikhote-Alin

This study presents new whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd isotopic data, together with zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope ratios, of granitic rocks and associated dikes from the Okhotsk and Aniva plutons in South Sakhalin. The two plutons emplaced in the Mid-Eocene show markedly contrasting geochemical characteristics. The Okhotsk granites (44–42 Ma) are mildly peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.02–1.08), ferroan and alkali-calcic, and have transitional I- and A-type granite features. This granite suite contains rare inherited zircons. The Aniva granites (40 Ma) are peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.08–1.21), magnesian and calc-alkaline, typical of S-type features. This suite, essentially biotite-cordierite bearing, has abundant inherited zircons dated from 48 to 2446 Ma. Whole-rock Sr-Nd and zircon Hf isotopic data indicate that the genesis of the two plutons involved partial melting of mixed sources with dominant juvenile crustal components (newly accreted accretionary complexes or newly underplated basaltic materials) and magma mixing between underplated mantle-derived magmas and crustal partial melts. The Okhotsk granites have εNd (T) values of +3.1 to +3.7, initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7047–0.7048, and zircon εHf (T) values of +11 to +16. The Aniva granites have εNd (T) values of +0.5 to +0.9 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7052 to 0.7055, and zircon εHf (T) values of +4 to +12. According to Sr-Nd and Nd-Hf isotopic mixing calculations, the proportion of the juvenile component (=mantle-derived materials) is estimated to be >70%, and that of the upper crust component is less than 30% in the sources of the Okhotsk and Aniva plutons. We further argue that, based on Nd and Hf isotopic constraints, the Okhotsk and Aniva granites are correlated to the Mid-Eocene granites in the western and eastern parts, respectively, of the Hidaka terrane in Hokkaido. From the Sikhote-Alin area to the Sakhalin and Hokkaido Islands, the increase in juvenile sources and the decrease in recycled crustal materials are exhibited in the Nd isotopic signatures of the granitoids from early Cretaceous to Miocene. The granitic magmatism in South Sakhalin and Hokkaido may be the most prominent example of juvenile crustal growth among these areas.

The Role of Bimodal Magmatism in Seafloor Massive Sulfide (SMS) Ore-forming Systems at the Middle Okinawa Trough, Japan

Igneous rocks from three distinct morphological areas, Iheya North Knoll, Iheya Minor Ridge, and Izena Hole, in the actively rifting middle Okinawa Trough, Japan, were investigated to understand petrogenetic relations among seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) mineralization (including sources of metals), igneous processes, and tectonics. Mafic rocks in the Iheya Minor Ridge form mountain-chain-like morphology due to the eruption of low-viscosity magma through normal faults formed by the extensional regime. The normal faults also play a role as major pathways of seawater recharge and induced basalt-hosted hydrothermal circulation and mineralization. Felsic rocks in the Iheya North Knoll form lava dome-like morphology due to the periodic ascent of felsic magma. In contrast, the Izena Hole is a subsidence caldera formed by the voluminous eruption of felsic magma. In both cases, felsic magma is essentially formed by water-fluxed melting of basaltic materials formed by the previous mafic magmatism. This mechanism reasonably explains the similar isotopic signatures between mafic and felsic rocks by contemporaneous magmatism of bimodal composition, which has been suggested by previous studies. Introduction of seawater into the deep crust and water-fluxed melting in these areas inevitably involves high-temperature hydrothermal alteration and leaching of metal elements from mafic materials and produces Cu-rich, bimodal-mafic mineralization. Since the magmatism produces voluminous felsic rocks in the upper crust, Cu-poor but Zn- and Pb-rich, bimodal-felsic mineralization is an expected result of felsic magmatism.

Late Mesozoic–early Cenozoic intermediate–acid intrusive rocks from the Gerlache Strait area, Antarctic Peninsula: Zircon U–Pb geochronology, petrogenesis and tectonic implications

This paper reports zircon U–Pb geochronology, whole-rock chemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf isotopic data of intermediate-acid intrusive rocks from the Gerlache Strait area, Antarctic Peninsula. These intrusive rocks can be divided into three groups. Group #1 has an emplacement age of ca. 117 Ma, and is further subdivided according to K2O contents into High-K (HKS) and Low-K (LKS) Subgroups. The HKS monzogranites are weakly peraluminous, and yield εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of +0.9 to +2.3 and +0.1 to +2.3, respectively, with corresponding model Nd ages (TDMNd) of 766–471 Ma, indicating that they were derived from the partial melting of dominantly early Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic juvenile basaltic materials with minor involvement of sediments. In contrast, the LKS granodioritic magma was derived from partial melting of early Paleozoic juvenile basaltic materials with εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of +10.3 to +12.5 and +5.4 to +5.5, respectively, and corresponding TDMNd ages of 548–500 Ma. Group #2 consists of granite porphyry that formed at ca. 82 Ma and is characterized by positive values of εHf(t) (+5.1 to +8.1) and εNd(t) (+1.9 to +3.1) with weakly peraluminous chemistry and corresponding TDMNd ages of 712–548 Ma, suggesting that it was generated from partial melting of dominantly Neoproterozoic juvenile basaltic materials with minor involvement of sediments. Group #3 comprises dioritic–granodioritic rocks that were emplaced at ca. 62–54 Ma. These rocks have Mg# values of 39–46, and εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of +6.7 to +12.2 and +3.6 to +7.2, respectively, with corresponding TDMNd ages of 529–307 Ma, indicating that they were derived from partial melting of Paleozoic juvenile basaltic materials with minor injection of mantle materials. Spatially, the lithology of these plutons roughly changes from acid to intermediate from east to west, concomitant with increasing εHf(t) and εNd(t) values and decreasing initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and TDMNd ages. This trend reflects changes in source characteristics from a Gondwana affinity to a juvenile crust affinity. Overall, the southeast-to-northwest migration of magmatism in the northern Antarctic Peninsula since the Mesozoic may have been related to retreating subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate.

A collapsed narrative? Geochemistry and spatial distribution of basalt quarries and fine–grained artifacts reveal communal use of stone on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Many publications document Easter Island's famous ahu (platform), moai (statue), pukao (topknot), and almost millennium–long culture. Yet, little investigation has been dedicated to basalt resources, artifacts, and their geochemistry. As part of the Rapa Nui Geochemical Project (2014–2017), we conducted comprehensive fieldwork, material culture and archaeometric analyses focused on Easter Island's archaeological basalt industries. Our results highlight how the prehistoric Rapanui were sophisticated Polynesian stone workers who developed multiple tool reduction sequences for several types of basaltic material, creating unique anthropogenic landscapes in the process. Using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) of geological source material from 31 quarries and 61 artifacts from the Sebastián Englert Anthropology Museum, we argue that similar to other culturally valuable stone (i.e. obsidian, scoria, and tuff), there was communal access to and use of Rapa Nui's basalt resources. In turn, prehistoric communal access to stone hints at patterns of sociopolitical and economic interaction, including cultural connectivity on this eastern Polynesian outpost. Thus, our empirically derived archaeological conclusion casts doubt on sociopolitical and economic interpretations proposed by Easter Island's collapse narrative.

Hydrothermal Alteration of Basaltic Rocks at Eruptive Vents on Mount Cameroon Volcano, West Africa

The study of changes in rocks due to interaction with hydrothermal fluids at active volcanoes provides insights into wall rock alteration associated with ore deposits formed in the geological past. Therefore, the nature of mineral alteration and chemical changes experienced by wall rocks can be investigated at eruptive sites on active volcanoes and the results used to better constrain ore-forming processes. In this study, we investigated the alteration at eruptive sites at Mount Cameroon volcano. These eruptive vents lie along NE-SW-trending fissures that define the Mount Cameroon rift. The vents are surrounded by cones composed largely of pyroclastic materials and to a lesser extent lava. Fumaroles (volcanic gases) rising through the vents during and after the 1999 eruption have resulted in the alteration of the pyroclastic robble along the fissures and the inner walls of the cones. Consequently, altered basaltic materials are covered with thin films of reddish, yellowish to whitish secondary minerals. These coatings result from an interaction between the surfaces of the basaltic glass with volcanically-derived acidic fluids. Petrographic investigations and XRD analysis of the basalts have identified primary mineral phases, such as olivine, pyroxene (mainly augite) and feldspars. Alteration products revealed include ubiquitous silica as well as gypsum, magnetite, feldspar, alunite and jarosite. Jarosite occurrence indicates that SO2 is the primary volcanically-derived acid source involved in coating formation. High contents of sulfur identified in the basalts indicate that melts at Mount Cameroon can be sulfur saturated as backed by previous melt inclusion data. Whole rock geochemical analysis shows a gain in silica in the altered samples and this ties with the mass balance calculations although minor gains of Al2O3, , MgO, MnO, CaO and K2O are shown by some samples.

Cyanobacterial-algal crusts from Late Ediacaran paleosols of the East European Craton

The top surface of the Ediacaran flood basalts of West Ukraine (Volyn), extruded during the break-up of Rodinia supercontinent, is weathered into several meters thick paleosol, covered by late Ediacaran (ca. 550 Ma) sediments. The paleosol grades from unaltered basaltic material into saprock and finally clay-dominated saprolite with a minor content of the organic matter. The upper parts are dominated by kaolinite and hematite. SEM images and SEM-EDS analyses revealed in one of the paleosol profiles a horizon with significant amount of morphologically recognizable organic structures, mineralized by silicates and iron oxides. HF-etching of the bulk rock samples revealed lithic fragments covered irregularly by a biocrust of colonial coccoid cyanobacteria associated with irregularly distributed unicellular algae. The cyanobacteria are preserved as mineralized common mucilage sheaths (glycocalyx), which reproduce the original shape typical of sheaths of modern coccoidal cyanobacterial biofilms, whereas the heavily mineralized algae show features characteristic of modern chlorococcaleans. The preservation of morphologically distinguishable remnants of cyanobacterial biofilms and aggregates of unicellular algae in terrestrial weathering deposits is a rare preservational phenomenon requiring rapid post-mortem permineralization of the dead microbiota. One of the main factors facilitating such a unique fossilization was supposedly a copious excretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by the biocrust forming biota in which early mineral nucleation occurred. The colonization of the Late Ediacaran land by the presumably desiccation-resistant cyanobacteria-dominated crust communities associated with algae was of importance for creating fertile soils and a soil-forming microbial ecosystem that later allowed a successful land invasion by the ancestors of vascular plants.

Early Bronze Age Basalt Vessel Remains from Tell eṣ-Ṣâfi/Gath

Basalt is long thought to have been one of the more valued geological materials from which ground stone objects were manufactured (Ebeling and Rowan 2004: 108; Milevski 2008). Although it was readily available in some regions of the southern Levant, the widespread utilization of basaltic material was likely due to its physical and aesthetic properties. As a quick-cooling, extrusive igneous rock, basalt is dominated by mafic minerals and characterized by a high durability and hardness (Mohs' scale 7), a fine-grained texture, and a green-black colored appearance (Le Maitre 2002). Furthermore, basalt sheens well and leaves less grit in processed food than other materials (Ebeling and Rowan 2004: 108).

Heat resistance study of basalt fiber material via mechanical tests

This paper focuses on the study of the relationship between the fracture strength of basalt rovings and temperature. Strong stretching performance of the rovings has been tested after the treatment at fixed temperatures but different heating time and then the fracture strength of the rovings exposed to the heating at different temperatures and cooled in different modes investigated. Finally, the fracture strength of the basalt material after the heat treatment was studied. The results showed that the room-temperature strength tends to decrease with an increase of the heat treatment time at 250 °C, but it has the local maximum after 2h heating. And the basalt rovings strength increased after the heat treatment up to 200 °C. It was 16.7 percent higher than the original strength. The strength depends not only on the temperature and duration of the heating, but also on the cooling mode. The value of the strength measured after cold water cooling was less by 6.3% compared with an ambient air cooling mode. The room-temperature breaking strength of the rovings heated at 200 °C and 100 °C for 2 hours each increased by about 14.6% with respect to unpretreated basalt rovings.

Geochemical constraints on the spatial distribution of recycled oceanic crust in the mantle source of late Cenozoic basalts, Vietnam

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the major and trace element, mineral, and Sr, Nd, Pb and Mg isotopic compositions of late Cenozoic intraplate basaltic rocks from central and southern Vietnam. The Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions of these basalts define a tight linear array between Indian mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB)-like mantle and enriched mantle type 2 (EM2) components. These basaltic rocks contain low concentrations of CaO (6.4–9.7wt%) and have high Fe/Mn ratios (>60) and FeO/CaO–3MgO/SiO2 values (>0.54), similar to partial melts derived from pyroxenite/eclogite sources. This similarity is also supported by the composition of olivine within these samples, which contains low concentration of Ca and high concentrations of Ni, and shows high Fe/Mn ratios. The basaltic rocks have elevated Dy/Yb ratios that fall within the range of melts derived from garnet lherzolite material, although their Yb contents are much higher than those of modeled melts derived from only garnet lherzolite material and instead plot near the modeled composition of eclogite-derived melts. The Vietnamese basaltic rocks have lighter δ26Mg values (−0.38±0.06‰) than is expected for the normal mantle (−0.25±0.07‰), and these values decrease with decreasing Hf/Hf* and Ti/Ti* ratios, indicating that these basalts were derived from a source containing carbonate material. On primitive mantle-normalized multi-element variation diagrams, the central Vietnamese basalts are characterized by positive Sr, Eu, and Ba anomalies. These basalts also plot within the pelagic sediment field in PbPb isotopic space. This suggests that the mantle source of the basalts contained both garnet peridotite and recycled oceanic crust. A systematic analysis of variations in geochemical composition in basalts from southern to central Vietnam indicates that the recycled oceanic crust (possibly the paleo-Pacific slab) source material contains varying proportions of gabbro, basalt, and sediment. The basalts from south-central Vietnam (12°N–14°N) may be dominated by the lowest portion of the residual slab that contains rutile-bearing plagioclase-rich gabbroic eclogite, whereas the uppermost portion of the recycled slab, including sediment and basaltic material with small amounts of gabbro, may be a major constituent of the source for the basalts within the central region of Vietnam (14°N–16°N). Finally, the southern region (10°N–12°N) contains basalts sourced mainly from recycled upper oceanic crust that is basalt-rich and contains little or no sediment.

Basalt–trachybasalt samples in Gale Crater, Mars

AbstractThe ChemCam instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity, observed numerous igneous float rocks and conglomerate clasts, reported previously. A new statistical analysis of single‐laser‐shot spectra of igneous targets observed by ChemCam shows a strong peak at ~55 wt% SiO2 and 6 wt% total alkalis, with a minor secondary maximum at 47–51 wt% SiO2 and lower alkali content. The centers of these distributions, together with the rock textures, indicate that many of the ChemCam igneous targets are trachybasalts, Mg# = 27 but with a secondary concentration of basaltic material, with a focus of compositions around Mg# = 54. We suggest that all of these igneous rocks resulted from low‐pressure, olivine‐dominated fractionation of Adirondack (MER) class‐type basalt compositions. This magmatism has subalkaline, tholeiitic affinities. The similarity of the basalt endmember to much of the Gale sediment compositions in the first 1000 sols of the MSL mission suggests that this type of Fe‐rich, relatively low‐Mg#, olivine tholeiite is the dominant constituent of the Gale catchment that is the source material for the fine‐grained sediments in Gale. The similarity to many Gusev igneous compositions suggests that it is a major constituent of ancient Martian magmas, and distinct from the shergottite parental melts thought to be associated with Tharsis and the Northern Lowlands. The Gale Crater catchment sampled a mixture of this tholeiitic basalt along with alkaline igneous material, together giving some analogies to terrestrial intraplate magmatic provinces.

Magma source transition of lunar mare volcanism at 2.3 Ga

AbstractMare basalts provide insights into the composition and thermal history of the lunar mantle. The ages of mare basalts suggest a first peak of magma activity at 3.2–3.8 Ga and a second peak at ~2 Ga. In this study, we reassess the correlation between the titanium contents and the eruption ages of mare basalt units using the compositional and chronological data updated by SELENE (Kaguya). Using morphological and geological criteria, we calculated the titanium content of 261 mare units across a representative area of each mare unit. In the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, where the latest eruptions are located, an increase in the mean titanium content is observed during the Eratosthenian period, as reported by previous studies. We found that the increase in the mean titanium content occurred within a relatively short period near approximately 2.3 Ga, suggesting that the magma source of the mare basalts changed at this particular age. Moreover, the high‐titanium basaltic eruptions are correlated with a second peak in volcanic activity near ~2 Ga. The high‐titanium basaltic eruptions occurring during the last volcanic activity period can be explained by the three possible scenarios (1) the ilmenite‐bearing cumulate rich layer in the core‐mantle boundary formed after the mantle overturn, (2) the basaltic material layers beneath the lunar crust formed through upwelling magmas, and (3) ilmenite‐bearing cumulate blocks remained in the upper mantle after the mantle overturn.

Characteristics of Basalt Materials Derived from Recycling Steel Industry Slags

In this study, Fe-Ni slag, converter slag and dephosphorization slag generated from the steel industry, and fly ash or bottom ash from a power plant, were mixed at an appropriate mixing ratio and melted in a melting furnace in a massproduction process for glass ceramics. Then, glass-ceramic products, having a basalt composition with SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, and Fe2O3 components, were fabricated through casting and heat treatment process. Comparison was made of the samples before and after the modification of the process conditions. Glass-ceramic samples before and after the process modification were similar in chemical composition, but Al2O3 and Na2O contents were slightly higher in the samples before the modification. Before and after the process modification, it was confirmed that the sample had a melting temperature below 1250 °C, and that pyroxene and diopside are the primary phases of the product. The crystallization temperature in the sample after modification was found to be higher than that in the sample before modification. The activation energy for crystallization was evaluated and found to be 467 kJ/mol for the sample before the process modification, and 337 kJ/mol for the sample after the process modification. The degree of crystallinity was evaluated and found to be 82% before the process change and 87% after the process change. Mechanical properties such as compressive strength and bending strength were evaluated and found to be excellent for the sample after process modification. In conclusion, the samples after the process modification were evaluated and found to have superior characteristics compared to those before the modification.

Neoarchean arc magmatism and crustal growth in the north-eastern North China Craton: Evidence from granitoid gneisses in the Southern Jilin Province

Late Neoarchean granitoid gneisses are widespread in the Jiapigou–Jingyu area of the Southern Jilin Province (SJP) of the North China Craton (NCC). These rocks are composed of tonalitic–trondhjemitic–granodioritic–dioritic (TTGD) gneisses and preserve important information on the geodynamic evolution and Archean crustal growth along the northeastern margin of the NCC. Here we present LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb isotopic ages which reveal that the magmatic precursors of the tonalitic–trondhjemitic gneisses were emplaced at ∼2578–2574Ma, and the granodioritic–quartz dioritic magmas crystallized at ∼2546–2524Ma. The rocks were subjected to regional amphibolite facies metamorphism at ∼2510–2490Ma.Geochemically, the tonalitic–trondhjemitic gneisses can be subdivided into two subgroups. The magmas of high-Yb subgroup were derived by partial melting of dominantly ancient basaltic materials at the crustal level in the stable field of amphibole, clinopyroxene and significant amounts of garnet, and subsequently subjected to varying degrees of fractionation. Magmas of the low-Yb subgroup were generated by partial melting of dominantly juvenile basaltic materials with minor greywackes at the lower crustal level in the stability field of garnet and rutile, with a possible eclogitic residue. The magmatic precursors of granodioritic gneisses were produced by partial melting of subducted oceanic slabs and minor sediments, with the melts contaminated by the mantle wedge materials during their ascent. The parental magmas for the quartz dioritic gneisses were possibly generated by partial melting of a depleted mantle source that was significantly metasomatized by slab-derived fluids or melts.Combined with their petrogenesis, ∼2578–2574Ma tonalitic–trondhjemitic gneisses display positive zircon εHf(t2) values (+0.4 to +6.2) with TDM(Hf) ages of 2856–2643Ma, suggesting a crustal reworking process. On the other hand, ∼2546–2524Ma granodioritic to quartz dioritic gneisses have highly depleted zircon εHf(t2) values (+4.5 to +7.7) and TDM(Hf) ages of 2682–2550Ma that are close to their magmatic crystallization ages, indicating a significant crustal growth. Integrated with our recent studies on ∼2683–2654Ma metavolcanic rocks in Helong granite-greenstone belt and voluminous ∼2588–2536Ma metavolcanics in Jiapigou granite-greenstone belt, we infer that the Southern Jilin Province experienced Neoarchean subduction-related evolution history, with an Andean-type active continental margin along the northern margin of the NCC, and witnessed two major episodes of subduction-related crustal growth at ∼2.7Ga and ∼2.6–2.5Ga, with the latter period coupled with reworking of old crustal materials.

Acid weathering of basalt and basaltic glass: 2. Effects of microscopic alteration textures on spectral properties

AbstractAcid alteration has long been proposed for the Martian surface, and so it is important to understand how the resulting alteration textures affect surface spectra. Two basaltic materials of varying crystallinity were altered in two different H2SO4 solutions (pH 1 and pH 3) for 220 days. The unaltered and altered samples were studied in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) and thermal infrared (TIR), and select samples were chosen for scanning electron microscopy analysis. Materials altered in pH 3 solutions showed little to no physical alteration, and their spectral signatures changed very little. In contrast, all materials altered in pH 1 acid displayed silica‐rich alteration textures, and the morphology differed based on starting material crystallinity. The more crystalline material displayed extensive alteration reaching into the sample interiors and had weaker silica spectral features. The glass sample developed alteration layers tens of microns thick, exhibiting amorphous silica‐rich spectral features that completely obscured the substrate. Thus, the strong absorption coefficient of silica effectively decreases the penetration depth of TIR spectral measurements, causing silica abundances to be grossly overestimated in remote sensing data. Additionally, glass samples with silica layers exhibited distinct concave up blue spectral slopes in the VNIR. Spectra from the northern lowland plains of Mars are modeled with high abundances of amorphous silica and exhibit concave up blue spectral slopes and are thus consistent with acid altered basaltic glass. Therefore, we conclude that large regions of the Martian surface may have formed through the interaction of basaltic glass with strongly acidic fluids.

Converted phases from sharp 1000 km depth mid-mantle heterogeneity beneath Western Europe

Until recently, most of the lower mantle was generally considered to be well-mixed with strong heterogeneity restricted to the lowermost several hundred kilometres above the core–mantle boundary, known as the D″ layer. However several recent studies have started to hint at a potential change in Earth's structure at mid-mantle depths beneath the transition zone.Here we present a continental-wide search of Europe and the North Atlantic for mid-mantle P-to-s wave converted phases. Our data set consists of close to 50,000 high quality receiver functions. These are combined in slowness and depth stacks to identify seismic discontinuities in the range of 800–1400 km depth to determine at which depths and in which tectonic settings these features exist. Receiver functions are computed in different frequency bands to resolve the sharpness of the observed discontinuities. We find most seismic velocity jumps are observed between 975–1050 km depth, localised beneath western Europe and Iceland. The shear wave velocity jumps are roughly 1–2.5% velocity increase with depth occurring over less than 8 km in width. The most robust observations are coincident with areas of active upwelling (under Iceland) and an elongate lateral low velocity anomaly imaged in recent tomographic models which has been interpreted as diverted plume material at depth.The lack of any suggested phase change in a normal pyrolitic mantle composition at around 1000 km depth indicates the presence of regional chemical heterogeneity within the mid-mantle, potentially caused by diverted plume material. We hypothesise that our observations represent either a phase change within chemically distinct plume material itself, or are caused by small scale chemical heterogeneities entrained within the upwelling plume, either in the form of recycled basaltic material or deep sourced chemically distinct material from LLSVPs.Our observations, which cannot be directly linked to an area of either active or ancient subduction, along with observations in other hotspot regions, suggest that such mid-mantle seismic features are not unique to subduction zones despite the large number of observations that have previously been made in such settings.

Compositional layering within the large low shear‐wave velocity provinces in the lower mantle

AbstractThe large low shear‐wave velocity provinces (LLSVP) are thermochemical anomalies in the deep Earth's mantle, thousands of km wide and ∼1800 km high. This study explores the hypothesis that the LLSVPs are compositionally subdivided into two domains: a primordial bottom domain near the core‐mantle boundary and a basaltic shallow domain that extends from 1100 to 2300 km depth. This hypothesis reconciles published observations in that it predicts that the two domains have different physical properties (bulk‐sound versus shear‐wave speed versus density anomalies), the transition in seismic velocities separating them is abrupt, and both domains remain seismically distinct from the ambient mantle. We here report underside reflections from the top of the LLSVP shallow domain, supporting a compositional origin. By exploring a suite of two‐dimensional geodynamic models, we constrain the conditions under which well‐separated “double‐layered” piles with realistic geometry can persist for billions of years. Results show that long‐term separation requires density differences of ∼100 kg/m3 between LLSVP materials, providing a constraint for origin and composition. The models further predict short‐lived “secondary” plumelets to rise from LLSVP roofs and to entrain basaltic material that has evolved in the lower mantle. Long‐lived, vigorous “primary” plumes instead rise from LLSVP margins and entrain a mix of materials, including small fractions of primordial material. These predictions are consistent with the locations of hot spots relative to LLSVPs, and address the geochemical and geochronological record of (oceanic) hot spot volcanism. The study of large‐scale heterogeneity within LLSVPs has important implications for our understanding of the evolution and composition of the mantle.

Synthesis of hydroxysodalite zeolite by alkali-activation of basalt powder rich in calc-plagioclase

Hydroxysodalite (H-SOD) microcrystalline particles were synthesized from basalt powder rich in calcic-plagioclase (anorthite) by alkali activation at 80°C/24h. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution was used as alkaline activator. The reactivity of the natural solid precursor basalt was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a maximum reaction enthalpy of (−ΔH) of 170J/g was obtained. The chemical, mineralogical, and textural properties were obtained by using X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N2-adsorption-desorption measurements. The synthesized material has a specific BET surface area of 20.5m2g−1 approximately 200 times higher than raw basalt material (0.1m2g−1). The compressive strength of basalt based H-SOD/sand composite samples cured at 80°C for 24h upon using different amounts of the activator (NaOH) was evaluated under dry and saturated conditions. The dry samples with NaOH/basalt mass ratio of 0.12 have reached a compressive strength of 57MPa. Wet samples, on the other hand, showed a compressive strength of 25MPa after seven days of soaking in water and four episodes of wetting and drying. The present work illustrates that crystalline H-SOD could be synthesized from cheap basalt powder precursor.

Raw material variability as archaeological tools: Preliminary results from a geochemical study of the basalt vessel workshop at Iron Age Tel Hazor, Israel

The discovery of a basalt vessel workshop at Tel Hazor, one of the most important Iron Age sites in the Near East, marks a turning point in our understanding of stone artifact production and distribution during the1st millennium BCE. It offers a rare opportunity to characterize ancient raw material sources, production sites, and study production, trade and distribution systems. The basalt vessel workshop, the only one of its kind in the Levant, produced large quantities of bowl preforms and production waste. To better understand the production and distribution systems behind this specialized production center, in 2011 we initiated a focused geochemical project that concentrated on the products of this unique workshop. We measured the major and trace element composition of 44 unfinished basalt vessels from the workshop and other contexts at Hazor, and can demonstrate that the majority of these objects were derived from one specific, geochemically well-constrained, basaltic rock source. Only a few bowls clearly deviate from this geochemical composition and were produced using raw material from other sources. Thus, we believe that one major quarry existed that supplied the Hazor workshop with the majority of the basaltic raw material. The products from this specific extraction site provide us with a “Hazor reference group” that can be used to test whether or not finished vessels from Hazor and contemporary sites were produced in the Hazor workshop.

Determination of tungsten in geochemical reference material basalt Columbia River 2 by radiochemical neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Determination of environmental tungsten (W) is inhibited by a lack of reference materials and practical methods to remove isobaric and radiometric interferences. We present a method that evaluates the potential use of commercially available sediment, Basalt Columbia River-2 (BCR-2), as a quality control standard for W. Tungsten concentrations determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA) and mass spectrometry are in statistical agreement at the significance level α = 0.05 (92 ± 4 ng g−1 for NAA and 100 ± 7 ng g−1 for mass spectrometry). These results indicate that BCR-2 may be suitable as a quality control standard for future studies.