Bulk Rock Chemical Composition Research Articles

Changes in the magmatic plumbing system associated with the Gotemba sector collapse at Mount Fuji, Japan

It is well known that magmatic plumbing systems change over time, but there is much debate as to why and how. We studied volcanic ejecta continuously deposited in an outcrop at Kagosaka Pass at the eastern base of Mount Fuji to investigate the factors responsible for changes in the magmatic plumbing system. The sample consisted of pyroclastic sediments from explosive eruptions for approximately 3000 y, which sandwiched the time of the Gotemba sector collapse at approximately 2500 BP. Chemical analyses of whole rocks, minerals, and matrix glasses, as well as mode measurements of glass and bubbles, were performed on samples collected from approximately 30 layers; significant changes were observed before and after the collapse. For example, before and after the collapse, matrix glass area increased around 60% to over 80% and anorthite content (Ca / (Ca + Na) * 100) of phenocryst plagioclase decreased from over 80 to below 65. For a period after the collapse, possibly hundreds of years, the plagioclase and olivine phenocrysts exhibited characteristics indicative of crystallization at low temperatures and pressures, and the pyroclast matrix became highly vitreous. Eruptions with ejecta of these characteristics continued more than a dozen times, lasting about 500 years. In addition, the trend in the distribution of the bulk rock chemical composition changed significantly, showing a differentiation trend with only plagioclase and clinopyroxene crystal separation. An investigation using the MELTS software revealed that the phenomenon of direct eruptions from deep magma chambers to the surface, bypassing shallow magma reservoirs, continued for several hundred years after the collapse. This can be interpreted as a decrease in confining pressure associated with the collapse, facilitating the eruption of magma from the depths. Furthermore, based on an examination of the water content in the magma during this period, we posit that the trigger for the rise of magma from the deep magma chamber of Mount Fuji is the acquisition of excess pressure by the injection of magma from a deeper level.

Geochemistry of the Abiete-Toko komatiite-like ultrabasites: Petrogenesis, evolution and geodynamic implications

The Greenstone Belt of the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Unit, in the northwestern Congo Craton, consists of metasediments and basic-to ultrabasic magmatic rocks. Ultrabasic rocks are of two types in the Abiete-Toko portion of the Nyong Unit. Type 1 has a mesh texture and consists of olivine (∼40 vol %), serpentine (∼30 vol %), orthopyroxene (∼15 vol %), clinopyroxene (∼5 vol %), brucite (∼5 vol %) and magnetite (∼5 vol %), while type 2 typified by spinifex texture is composed of serpentine (∼30 vol %), clinopyroxene (∼25 vol %), magnetite (∼20 vol %), hornblende (∼10 vol %), plagioclase (∼10 vol %) and pyrite (∼10 vol %). These petrographic features indicate that Abiete-Toko ultrabasic rocks have experienced both alteration of the main petrogenic minerals (olivine and pyroxene) and greenschist facies metamorphism. The behaviour of incompatible elements (HFSE and LREE) combined with chemical index of alteration values (35.6 = CIA ≤75.9), suggest that the investigated rocks have retained much of their original chemistry. Olivine is highly forsteritic (Mg# between 89.73 and 90.65), and contains high FeO (9.14–9.89 wt %), low NiO (0.45–0.47 wt %) and CaO (˂ 0.1 wt %), thus suggesting a mantle source. Based on bulk-rock chemical composition, the ultrabasites of the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Unit are hyper-magnesian [(MgO)adj ˃ 39 wt %] and have the Al-undepleted komatiites signature (Munro type). The low (0.17–0.70) (CaO/Al2O3)adj, low (0.60–0.94) (Gd/Yb)N and high (18.18–62.5) (Al2O3/TiO2)adj ratios, associated with the high ƩHREE (0.38–2.03 ppm), Y (0.87–3.57 ppm) and Zr (2–55 ppm) contents, suggest a shallow upper mantle source. The observed chemical characters including, (MgO)adj, (FeO)adj, (Al2O3/TiO2)adj, (CaO/Al2O3)adj, and Na, Ni, Cr, Y, Zr, Hf and REE contents reveal that the parent magma of these rocks was generated through partial melting of a heterogeneous and depleted mantle, at temperatures close to 1550 °C. Multi-element discrimination diagrams are consistent with crystallisation of these rocks in the arc setting, thus suggesting a Paleo subduction zone in the north-western part of the Congo Craton. These results are in favour of plate tectonic dynamics already operating in a hotter and ancient Earth environment point of view.

Genesis of Oceanic Oxide Gabbros and Gabbronorites During Reactive Melt Migration at Transform Walls (Doldrums Megatransform System; 7–8°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge)

Abstract The Doldrums Megatransform System (~7–8°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge) shows a complex architecture including four intra-transform ridge segments bounded by five active transform faults. Lower crustal rocks are exposed along the Doldrums and Vernadsky transform walls that bound the northernmost intra-transform ridge segment. The recovered gabbros are characterized by variably evolved chemical compositions, ranging from olivine gabbros to gabbronorites and oxide gabbros, and lack the most primitive gabbroic endmembers (troctolites, dunites). Notably, the numerous recovered gabbronorites show up to 20 vol. % of coarse-grained orthopyroxene. Although covariations in mineral and bulk-rock chemical compositions of the olivine and oxide gabbros define trends of crystallization from a common parental melt, the gabbronorites show elevated light over heavy rare earth elements (LREE/HREE) ratios in both bulk-rock and mineral compositions. These features are not consistent with a petrological evolution driven solely by fractional crystallization, which cannot produce the preferential enrichments in highly incompatible elements documented in the orthopyroxene-bearing lithologies. We suggest that gabbronorites crystallized from evolved melts percolating and partly assimilating a pre-existing olivine gabbro matrix. Saturation in orthopyroxene and selective enrichments in LREE relative to M-HREE are both triggered by an increase in assimilated crystal mass, which ranges from negligible in the oxide-gabbros to abundant in the gabbronorites. This melt–rock reaction process has been related to lateral melt migration beneath ridge-transform intersections, where variably evolved melts injected from the peripheral parts of the melting region towards the transform zone may interact with a gabbroic crystal mush to form abundant oxide-bearing gabbronoritic associations.

Bulk compositions of the Chang’E-5 lunar soil: Insights into chemical homogeneity, exotic addition, and origin of landing site basalts

Lunar soil is a fine mixture of local rocks and exotic components. The bulk-rock chemical composition of the newly returned Chang’E-5 (CE-5) lunar soil was studied to understand its chemical homogeneity, exotic additions, and origin of landing site basalts. Concentrations of 48 major and trace elements, including many low-concentration volatile and siderophile elements, of two batches of the scooped CE-5 soil samples were simultaneously obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with minimal sample consumption. Their major and trace elemental compositions (except for Ni) are uniform at milligram levels (2–4 mg), matching measured compositions of basaltic glasses and estimates based on mineral modal abundances of basaltic fragments. This result indicates that the exotic highland and KREEP (K, rare earth elements, and P-rich) materials are very low (<5%) and the bulk chemical composition (except for Ni) of the CE-5 soil can be used to represent the underlying mare basalt. The elevated Ni concentrations reflect the addition of about 1 wt% meteoritic materials, which would not influence the other bulk composition except for some highly siderophile trace elements such as Ir. The CE-5 soil, which is overall the same as the underlying basalt in composition, displays low Mg# (34), high FeO (22.7 wt%), intermediate TiO2 (5.12 wt%), and high Th (5.14 µg/g) concentrations. The composition is distinct from basalts and soils returned by the Apollo and Luna missions, however, the depletion of volatile or siderophile elements such as K, Rb, Mo, and W in their mantle sources is comparable. The incompatible lithophile trace element concentrations (e.g., Ba, Rb, Th, U, Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and REE) of the CE-5 basalts are moderately high and their pattern mimics high-K KREEP. The pattern of these trace elements with K, Th, U, Nb, and Ta anomalies of the CE-5 basalts cannot be explained by the partial melting and crystallization of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. Thus, the mantle source of the CE-5 landing site mare basalt could have contained KREEP components, likely as trapped interstitial melts. To reconcile these observations with the initial unradiogenic Sr and radiogenic Nd isotopic compositions of the CE-5 basalts, clinopyroxene characterized by low Rb/Sr and high Sm/Nd ratios could be one of the main minerals in the KREEP-bearing mantle source. Consequently, we propose that the CE-5 landing site mare basalts very likely originated from partial melting of a shallow and clinopyroxene-rich (relative to olivine and orthopyroxene) upper mantle cumulate with a small fraction (about 1–1.5 %) of KREEP-like materials.

Chemické složení křemene a světlé slídy z komplexu ortoruly, granitu, pegmatitů a křemenných žil v Přibyslavicích jako indikátor jejich příbuznosti

The complex of leucocratic granitoid rocks at Přibyslavice (Fig. 1), composed of muscovite-tourmaline orthogneiss, muscovite granite and several types of pegmatites, is well known for numerous finds of interesting minerals like large almandine crystals (Breiter et al. 2005b), Li-Fe-Mn phosphates (Povondra et al. 1987), nigerite (Čech et al. 1978), columbite and cassiterite (Šrein et al. 2004, Breiter et al. 2006), lepidolite (Šrein et al. 2004) and oxy-schorl (Bačík et al. 2013). Less attention has been paid so far to the petrology of orthogneisses, granite and pegmatites and their genetic relationships. This study aims, based on the chemical composition of quartz and muscovite, to assess possible genetic links among all these rocks of granitoid composition including an associated cassiterite-bearing quartz vein with a B, Ta-rich metasomatic halo. Major elements in micas were analyzed using electron microprobe, and trace elements in both quartz and mica were determined using laser ablation-ICP-MS according to methods described in Breiter et al. (2017, 2020). About 550 spot analyses of quartz and 220 spot analyses of mica allow reliable definition of the typical composition of quartz and mica from all types of studied rocks (Tables 2, 3). Some genetic relationships are visualized in Figs. 2 and 3. The Přibyslavice orthogneiss is geochemically more evolved than petrographically similar orthogneisses through entire Moldanubicum as expressed not only in bulk rock chemical composition but also in trace element composition of quartz (higher Al, Ge and Li contents, Fig. 2) and muscovite (higher Li, Nb, Ta, Sn and W contents, Fig. 3). Pegmatoids at Přibyslavice and nearby Březí, forming small nests in orthogneisses with a gradual mutual transition, are interpreted as in situ anatexites. The direct genetic link between the granite intrusion and the quartz vein with cassiterite and B, Ta-rich metasomatites (tourmaline + Ta-rutile) is supported by the Sn, Nb and Ta enrichment of granite. It is highlighted by the relative distribution of Nb and Ta, with Nb preferentially bonded to muscovite in granite and Ta segregated into a fluid (see e.g. Stepanov et al. 2014). Chemical and mineral similarity between the granites and the orthogneiss suggests a common source lithology located deep below the present surface. During the first melting of the protolith in the late Cambrian (Vrána – Kröner 1995), a boron-rich melt was formed, which extracted most boron from the source and facilitated the origin of tourmaline orthogneiss. The second, Variscan melting of the same or a very similar protolith produced a melt slightly enriched in F and Li. We assume that the Přibyslavice granite represents only a small proportion of this melt, strongly enriched in Sn, W, Nb and Ta due to fractionation. Chemistry and mineralogy of several types of associated pegmatites suggest their relation rather to the granite melt than to the anatexis of the orthogneiss. The difference in their chemical composition including the content of water, F, and Li reflects the timing of separation from the parental magma and the distance of the melt transport upwards. During the transport, internal fractionation culminated in the “Li-pegmatite” by crystallization of its quartz-lepidolite core.

Two-stage regional rare-element pegmatite formation at Tysfjord, Norway: implications for the timing of late Svecofennian and late Caledonian high-temperature events

Pegmatite fields within granite plutons are commonly considered to have formed from residual melts of their host. This is not always true as demonstrated by the Tysfjord granite gneiss and its two groups of pegmatites. The Tysfjord granite gneiss, exposed in a tectonic window of the Caledonides of northern Norway, is part of the transscandinavian igneous belt (TIB) that includes several phases of granitic magmatism. In the northern Hamarøy area (Drag-Finnøy), where most rare-element pegmatites occur, Paleoproterozoic and metamorphosed Group 1 allanite–(Ce)–fluorite metapegmatites have similar bulk rock chemical composition as the TIB granite gneiss rocks, indicating that these pegmatites are residual melts. Group 1 metapegmatites, which are up to 400 m in size, are among the largest known intra-plutonic pegmatites with Nb–Y–F (NYF) signature. The formation of these unusually large granite-hosted NYF pegmatites may have been facilitated by the overall high F content of TIB granite gneisses. Undeformed Group 2 amazonite–tourmaline pegmatites yield columbite and zircon U–Pb ages in the range 400–379 Ma. These pegmatites are interpreted to be anatectic melts that formed from the partial melting of Tysfjord granite gneiss. Group 2 pegmatites, including those from Træna Island and the Sjona tectonic window (400 and 414 Ma), formed during late Caledonian ductile shearing and incipient unroofing of the central Scandinavian Caledonides and record progressively younger ages of this event from SW to NE.

The Capiru Group: From passive margin to syn-orogenic units, implications for the evolution of the northern margin of the Curitiba microplate, Western Gondwana

The Capiru Group (Neoproterozoic) is a 4 km-thick succession deposited on the northern margin of the Curitiba microplate, Southern Ribeira Belt, Brazil. The Capiru Group successions are deformed within the Brasiliano - Pan African Ribeira Belt, which culminated in the amalgamation of Western Gondwana. Even though the rocks are metamorphosed and deformed, preserved sedimentary structures and outcrop exposures allowed the interpretation of depositional environments and stratigraphic analysis. The Capiru Group metasedimentary rocks were studied by field mapping, measured sections and bulk-rock chemical compositions. Six formations were identified, termed from oldest to youngest as: Santana (proximal to distal marine shelf), Juruqui (proximal to distal deltaic), Rio Branco (carbonate platform), Morro Azul (lagoonal to shallow marine), Morro Grande (proximal to distal deltaic/marine) and Bocaina formations (estuarine to shallow-marine). Two main basin stages were identified: a passive continental margin stage, with increasing tectonic quiescence followed by a marine regression, and a syn-orogenic stage at the Curitiba microplate margin.Chemical and mineralogical Fe- and Al-rich compositions suggest continental denudation during the passive continental margin stage, with low sediment input rates from a relatively low-gradient relief, highly weathered continental source, and stability since Mesoproterozoic time. Sedimentological and stratigraphic similarities were found among Capiru Group passive margin successions and units deposited on the Río de Plata and Southern Paranapanema margins.The paleoenvironmental interpretations, such as greenhouse conditions and high weathering rates alternated with depositional gaps, indicate climatic changes during the Capiru Group deposition, with far-field or Phantom Glacial influence related to the regional discordances. These features are important for the paleogeographic reconstructions that must consider a tropical or equatorial position ∼650 - 635 Ma for the Curitiba microplate.During deposition of the Bocaina Formation, the arkosic composition of sandstones and lithic conglomerate lags suggest source rejuvenation during the syn-orogenic stage, prior to the collisional thrusting that led to the Western Gondwana assembly.

Thermochronology in South America

The Capiru Group (Neoproterozoic) is a 4 km-thick succession deposited on the northern margin of the Curitiba microplate, Southern Ribeira Belt, Brazil. The Capiru Group successions are deformed within the Brasiliano - Pan African Ribeira Belt, which culminated in the amalgamation of Western Gondwana. Even though the rocks are metamorphosed and deformed, preserved sedimentary structures and outcrop exposures allowed the interpretation of depositional environments and stratigraphic analysis. The Capiru Group metasedimentary rocks were studied by field mapping, measured sections and bulk-rock chemical compositions. Six formations were identified, termed from oldest to youngest as: Santana (proximal to distal marine shelf), Juruqui (proximal to distal deltaic), Rio Branco (carbonate platform), Morro Azul (lagoonal to shallow marine), Morro Grande (proximal to distal deltaic/marine) and Bocaina formations (estuarine to shallow-marine). Two main basin stages were identified: a passive continental margin stage, with increasing tectonic quiescence followed by a marine regression, and a syn-orogenic stage at the Curitiba microplate margin.Chemical and mineralogical Fe- and Al-rich compositions suggest continental denudation during the passive continental margin stage, with low sediment input rates from a relatively low-gradient relief, highly weathered continental source, and stability since Mesoproterozoic time. Sedimentological and stratigraphic similarities were found among Capiru Group passive margin successions and units deposited on the Río de Plata and Southern Paranapanema margins.The paleoenvironmental interpretations, such as greenhouse conditions and high weathering rates alternated with depositional gaps, indicate climatic changes during the Capiru Group deposition, with far-field or Phantom Glacial influence related to the regional discordances. These features are important for the paleogeographic reconstructions that must consider a tropical or equatorial position ∼650 - 635 Ma for the Curitiba microplate.During deposition of the Bocaina Formation, the arkosic composition of sandstones and lithic conglomerate lags suggest source rejuvenation during the syn-orogenic stage, prior to the collisional thrusting that led to the Western Gondwana assembly.

Fluid-Rock Interactions in a Paleo-Geothermal Reservoir (Noble Hills Granite, California, USA). Part 1: Granite Pervasive Alteration Processes away from Fracture Zones

Only few data from geothermal exploited reservoirs are available due to the restricted accessibility by drilling, which limits the understanding of the entire reservoir. Thus, analogue investigations are needed and were performed in the framework of the H2020 MEET project. The Noble Hills range, located along the southern branch of the Death Valley pull-apart (CA, USA), has been selected as a possible granitic paleo-reservoir. The aim is to characterize the pervasive alteration processes affecting this granite, away from the influence of the faults, in terms of mineralogical, petrophysical and chemical changes. Various methods were used as petrographic, geochemical and petrophysical analyses. Mineral changes, clay mineralogy, bulk rock chemical composition, calcite content and porosity were determined on different granite samples, collected in the Noble Hills granite, far from the faults and in the Owlshead Mountains, north of the Noble Hills, considered as its protolith. In order to complete the granite characterization, the metamorphic grade has been studied through the Noble Hills granite body. This complete characterization has allowed distinguishing the occurrence of three stages of alteration: (1) a pervasive propylitic alteration characterized by calcite-corrensite-epidote-K-white mica assemblage, (2) a more local one, only present in the Noble Hills granite, producing illite, kaolinite, illite/smectite, calcite and oxides, characteristic of the argillic alteration, which overprints the propylitic alteration and (3) weathering evidenced by the presence of montmorillonite in the Owlshead Mountains, which is considered as negligible in both granites. Alteration was also outlined by the correlation of the loss on ignition, representing the hydration rate, to porosity, calcite content and chemical composition. Moreover, the Kübler Index calculated from illite crystals allowed to identify a NW-SE temperature gradient in the Noble Hills.

Ophicalcites from the Upper Tectonic Unit on Tinos, Cyclades, Greece: mineralogical, geochemical and isotope evidence for their origin and evolution

Ophicalcites exposed on the island of Tinos, Greece, occur as ellipsoidal bodies within greenschist-facies phyllites of the Upper Cycladic Unit. Close to their outcrops, blocks of serpentinites, metabasic rocks and metasediments were identified, implying a tectonically dismembered ophiolitic sequence in the study area. The ophicalcites comprise brecciated serpentinites cemented by calcite. Based on textural, mineralogical and deformation features, five ophicalcite varieties were discriminated, reflecting calcite precipitation, sedimentary features and increasing brecciation. Serpentinitic fragments comprise antigorite, while Cr-spinel, magnetite, talc and chlorite are accessory minerals. Carbonate veins consist of calcite and minor dolomite, talc, chlorite, and rarely epidote. Bulk rock chemical compositions and Cr-spinel mineral composition point towards a supra-subduction environment. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of calcite imply precipitation from mixed marine and hydrothermal fluids, followed by isotope exchange due to late, greenschist-facies overprint. The Tinos ophicalcites record intraoceanic exhumation of the ultramafics at the seafloor, where faulting and serpentinization caused an extensive network of fractures, healed by carbonates. Such intraoceanic deformation can be attributed either to obduction tectonics expressed by thrusting of oceanic piles, or to transpressional(?) transform faults, or more probably to slip along detachment fault of an oceanic core complex.

Mg and Zn Isotope Evidence for Two Types of Mantle Metasomatism and Deep Recycling of Magnesium Carbonates

AbstractTo test the ability of Mg and Zn isotopes in discriminating between different types of mantle metasomatism and identifying deep carbon cycling, here we present a comparative study on two types of Cenozoic lavas in SE Tibet, that is, K‐rich (potassic‐ultrapotassic) lavas and Na‐rich alkali basalts. The contrasting bulk rock chemical compositions, Sr‐Nd isotopic ratios, and olivine chemistry between them suggest distinct sources in the lithospheric mantle and asthenosphere, respectively. The K‐rich lavas have mantle‐like δ26Mg, slightly lighter δ66Zn relative to global oceanic basalts, high 87Sr/86Sr, and low 143Nd/144Nd, indicating source metasomatism by recycled siliciclastic sediments. By contrast, the alkali basalts possess remarkably lighter δ26Mg and heavier δ66Zn values relative to the mantle that are typically characterized by carbonates. The coupling of high δ66Zn with high‐Zn contents and Zn/Fe ratios further suggests a pyroxenite source containing recycled Zn‐rich magnesium carbonates. This is strongly corroborated by the similarity in major elements between the alkali basalts and experimental partial melts of pyroxenite + CO2. Thus, mantle silicate and carbonate metasomatism contributed to the origin of K‐rich and Na‐rich lavas in SE Tibet, respectively. Notably, the occurrence of the alkali basalts is spatially consistent with a stagnant slab in the mantle transition zone (410–660 km), the latter of which is interpreted to represent the deeply subducted oceanic slab. These observations provide evidence for recycling of carbonates into the deep mantle, which represents a long‐term circulation of subducted carbon compared with that of arc‐trench systems and has crucial significance for global deep carbon cycling.

The basaltic plinian eruption of the ~6 ka San Antonio Tephra and formation of the Masaya caldera, Nicaragua

Masaya is unusual for a basaltic caldera because it formed by piston-subsidence in response to large-volume magma withdrawal by highly explosive eruptions, i.e. in a fashion typical of silicic calderas. The first and most voluminous of the three explosive eruptions formed the 6 ka old basaltic San Antonio Tephra (SAT). This eruption is also unusual in that most of the 9 km3 DRE basaltic magma was discharged by a plinian eruption. The subsequent eruptions of the basaltic Masaya Triple Layer (MTL, 2.1 ka) and the Masaya Tuff/Ticuantepe Lapilli (MT-TIL, 1.9 ka) each discharged 2 km3 DRE magma and enlarged the Masaya caldera.The SAT consists of a lower sequence of alternating scoria lapilli and ash layers, interpreted as an alternation between more or less phreatomagmatically influenced fallout events. These are followed by two prominent well-sorted lapilli layers: the first one formed by a climactic plinian eruption whose column height reached 21–29 km and discharged most of the total erupted mass including about 35 Mt SO2. The second, lithic-rich lapilli layer probably formed by a phreatoplinian event when partial collapse of the magma chamber roof initiated increasing magma-water interaction which ultimately formed the upper sequence of phreatomagmatic cross-bedded surge deposits, accretionary lapilli-rich tuffs and a final fallout of dense lapilli. Phreatomagmatic activity may have been related to disruption of a hydrothermal system reflected in hydrothermally altered lithics, and/or by the caldera floor subsiding closer to the groundwater table.The bulk-rock chemical composition of the SAT is basaltic but the bimodal glass compositions demonstrate mixing of a basaltic with an andesitic melt probably in the conduit during eruption. The SAT basalt differentiated in a reservoir near the MOHO at 20 km depth by fractional crystallization of olivine, plagioclase, and minor clinopyroxene forming a tholeiitic fractionation trend. Minor intermediate-An plagioclase crystallized from the basaltic melt at H2O concentrations of about 2 wt% as measured by FTIR in melt inclusions. However, a key observation is that the melt inclusions are not in equilibrium with the high-An plagioclases hosting them. Re-equilibration of the inclusions requires initially higher water contents (about 5–6 wt%) which also fits the high Ba/La ~ 80 indicating input from the strongly hydrated subducting slab. Therefore, while the SAT magma evolved under hydrous conditions at depth, it was then stored at shallow level long enough to adjust to the low saturation pressure and to precipitate some intermediate-An plagioclase but still preserving its high temperature (around 1100 °C) and phenocryst-poor composition. Large overpressure due to connection to the deep-seated reservoir and water degassing during ascent limited the storage time at shallow level and drove the unusually intense and voluminous plinian-style eruption that facilitated piston-type collapse of the chamber roof.

Interpretation of the origin of analcimes with mineralogical, microtextural, and geochemical investigations: a case study from Aktepe region (NE of Kalecik, Ankara, Central Anatolia, Turkey)

The presence of analcime minerals in volcanic rocks is a topic requiring attention during classification of rocks. In fact, when transformation from leucite to analcime is present, the original chemistry of the rock will change and this situation will cause falsification in identification of the original character of the rock. As a result, it is important to determine the origin of the analcime in rocks containing analcime. This study focuses on the investigation of the origin of analcimes occurring in alkaline volcanic rocks (tephrite, phonotephrite) of the Aktepe region, located in the northeastern part of Ankara (Central Anatolia, Turkey). These volcanic rocks consist of abundant clinopyroxene, analcime, Fe-Ti oxides, minor olivine pseudomorphs, and scarce microcrystals of feldspar. The analcime phenocrysts are typically euhedral to anhedral (nearly rounded) in shape with up to 1 cm diameter and there are no other hydrous minerals in the samples. Leucite-like crystals are rarely preserved in the cores of larger analcime crystals and twin lamellas observed in them could demonstrate this preservation. Even partially transformed leucites are rare but not impossible to find in nature because of the rapid kinetics of the transformation of leucite to analcime. Examination of microprobe and EDS spectra, corona-type texture observed around the analcime–leucite interface suggest that some leucite crystals did not transform entirely to analcime crystals and a progressive transformation of leucite into analcime occurred locally in the region. Analcime and preserved leucite-like crystal existence could also be seen from the obtained X-ray diffractograms. The fresh fracture surfaces of separated large analcime crystals have microporous texture indicating a characteristic feature of analcimes that formed by an ion-exchange process from leucite. Geochemically, calculations of gains and losses of Na and K contents from the original bulk-rock chemical composition reveal that Na content increase is counterbalanced by a decrease in K content. This could also be strongly explained by an analcimization process and/or progressive transformation of leucite into analcime. It is concluded that analcimes formed secondarily from leucite by an ion-exchange process after cooling of magma via graded infiltration of Na-bearing fluids into the Aktepe ultrapotassic alkaline volcanic rocks.

The Growth of Sodic Amphibole at the Greenschist- to Blueschist-facies Transition (Dent Blanche, Western Alps): Bulk-rock Chemical Control and Thermodynamic Modelling

Abstract The sodic amphibole glaucophane is generally considered as indicative of blueschist-facies metamorphism. However, sodic amphiboles display a large range in chemical compositions, owing principally to the Fe2+Mg–1 and Fe3+Al–1 substitutions. Therefore, the whole-rock composition (namely its Na2O and FeO* content, and the Fe2+–Fe3+ ratio), strongly controls the stability field of the sodic amphiboles at the transition from greenschist- to blueschist-facies conditions. Neglecting these variables can lead to erroneous estimates of the metamorphic conditions and consequently the tectonic framework of the rocks. This paper explores the mechanisms that control the development of sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene within the basement of the Dent Blanche Tectonic System (Western Alps), as a result of the Alpine metamorphic history. Field, petrographic and geochemical data indicate that sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene form in different rock types: (1) in undeformed pods of ultramafic cumulates (hornblendite), sodic amphibole (magnesioriebeckite) forms coronas around magmatic pargasite; (2) metatonalite displays patches of radiating sodic (magnesioriebeckite) and calcic (actinolite) amphiboles; (3) sodic amphibole (magnesioriebeckite–glaucophane) occurs with high-Si potassic white mica (phengitic muscovite) in fine-grained (blue) schists; (4) in mylonitized granitoids (amphibole-gneiss) metasomatized along the contact with ultramafic cumulates, sodic amphibole (magnesioriebeckite–winchite) mainly forms rosettes or sheaves, generally without a shape-preferred orientation. Only locally are the needles aligned parallel to the stretching lineation. Pale green aegirine–augite is dispersed in an albite–quartz matrix or forms layers of fine-grained fibrous aggregates. The bulk-rock chemical composition of the different lithologies indicates that sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene developed in Na- and Fe-rich systems or in a system with high Fe3+/Fe*. Thermodynamic modelling performed for different rock types (taking into account the measured Fe2O3 contents) reveals that sodic amphibole appears at ∼8 ± 1 kbar and 400–450 °C (i.e. at the transition between the greenschist- and blueschist-facies conditions) about 5 kbar lower than previous estimates. To test the robustness of our conclusion, we performed a review of sodic amphibole compositions from a variety of terranes and P–T conditions. This shows (1) systematic variations of composition with P–T conditions and bulk-rock chemistry, and (2) that the amphibole compositions reported from the studied area are consistent with those reported from other greenschist- to blueschist-facies transitions.

Genesis of metasomatic gold mineralization in the Pahardiha-Rungikocha gold deposit, eastern India: Constraints from trace element signatures in chromite-cored magnetite and bulk rock geochemistry

The Pahardiha- Rungikocha gold deposit is located south of the Dalma volcano-sedimentary belt within the North Singhbhum Mobile Belt (NSMB), in the eastern part of India. The rocks of this area have undergone three phases of deformation, viz. D1, D2, D3. While the D1 and D2 events signify progressive regional metamorphism, the D3 stage was a consequence of continued N-S compression resulting in E-W trending displacement fractures. This D3 deformation event was responsible for the mobilization of auriferous fluids within the host quartz-chlorite-schist and subsequent gold precipitation. Here, gold occurs as native grains either within the cracks or along grain boundaries of euhedral pyrite. Detailed mineral paragenesis reveals that euhedral pyrite associated with gold is coeval with abundant chromite-cored magnetite. The chromite-cored magnetite shows a complex paragenetic history, i.e., an initial chromite alteration event, followed by epitaxial growth of magnetite rims on the chromite cores, as revealed by LA-ICP-MS trace element data and EPMA X-ray compositional maps. The paragenetic stages of the chromite-cored magnetite is synchronous with the successive deformation events of the host rock. The final phase of deformation is responsible for the formation of the chromite-cored magnetite rims which is coeval with the gold mineralizing event. These magnetite rims formed as a result of metasomatism brought about by the interaction of hydrothermal fluids with the wall rock. The chromite-cored magnetite trace element signatures resemble the high temperature Ca-Fe alteration and high temperature K-Fe alteration facies, reported from various IOCG and IOA type deposits. There is a distinct enrichment of mafic elements such as Ni, Cr, V, Mg, V, Cu within magnetite rims. A similar pattern of enrichment in mafic elements is also seen in the bulk rock geochemical data. Major element discrimination diagrams reveal that the chlorite schists evolved from a mixed provenance of felsic and mafic/ultramafic rocks. Consequently, the D3 induced metasomatism most likely resulted in preferential stripping of the mafic elements, which is well reflected in the analyzed magnetite rims. Thus, we propound that the bulk rock chemical composition of the host chlorite-schist had a first order control on the chemistry of the chromite-cored magnetite, coeval with the gold mineralizing event. Given the fact that there are no causative igneous intrusions underlying the host chlorite schists, we infer that the gold mineralizing fluids were intrabasinal in nature and were mobilized due to reactivation of pre-existing faults and fractures during the D3 deformation event.

A Kárpát-Pannon térség neogén-kvarter vulkanizmusa és geodinamikai kapcsolata

A Kárpát-Pannon térség neogén-kvarter vulkáni működése szorosan kapcsolódik a térség geodinamikai fejlődéséhez. Horváth Ferenc professzor munkássága, ösztönzése nagy mértékben segített abban, hogy a magmaképződés eseményeit, a vulkanizmust igyekezzünk behelyezni a tágabb lemeztektonikai környezetbe. A lemeztektonika elmélete segít abban, hogy a vulkánok elhelyezkedését, a felszínre törő magma összetételét jobban megértsük. Horváth professzor jelentős szerepet játszott abban, hogy a dinamikus Föld globális modellje hazai szinten is elfogadást kapjon és élete végéig kereste az újabb és újabb magyarázatokat, hogy feltárjuk a Pannon-medence keletkezésének okát és a kapcsolódó földtani és geofizikai eseményeket. Az elmúlt 50 év tudományos munkái azonban rámutattak arra, hogy a lemeztektonika paradigmája nem alkalmazható rutinszerűen a vulkáni működés értelmezésében és a földtudományok különböző területeit integráló kutatások szükségesek bolygónk folyamatainak jobb megismeréséhez. A vulkanizmust a forrástól a felszínig kell megértenünk, azaz megtalálni a magmaképződés okát, a magma elhelyezkedését a földkéregbe, a magmatározóban zajló folyamatokat és azok időskáláját, a vulkánkitörések okait és a vulkáni működés lefolyását. A modern geokémiai analitikai módszerek elterjedésével és az ezekhez való hozzáféréssel jelentős mennyiségű, nagy pontosságú összetétel adat áll rendelkezésünkre, amit kiegészítenek az egyre nagyobb pontosággal meghatározott geokronológiai eredmények a vulkánkitörések idejére. Mindezek megteremtik az alapot, hogy a vulkáni működés okaira következtethessünk. Habár a petrogenetikai modellek egyre jobban finomodnak, azonban ezek újabb kérdéseket is felvetnek, perspektívát adva a további kutatásoknak.A Kárpát-Pannon térség neogén-kvarter vulkáni működését négy nagyobb csoportba oszthatjuk: (1) szilíciumgazdag magmák kitörése; (2) mészalkáli bazalt-andezit-dácit-riolit vulkanizmus; (3) alkáli bazalt és trachit vulkáni működés és (4) káli-ultrakáli vulkáni kitörések. Mindegyik magmás esemény esetében a fő befolyásoló tényező a litoszféra és ezen belül a földkéreg elvékonyodása volt. A riftesedés kezdetén andezit-dácit vulkánosság zajlott (19-20 Ma), a földkéregbe nyomuló magmák átfűtötték a litoszférát, megteremtve a lehetőséget többek között arra, hogy néhány millió évvel később jelentős (több ezer) térfogatú szilíciumgazdag magma alakítson ki kiterjedt magmatározó rendszert a Pannon-medence belső területén. A több szakaszban zajló kitörések 4000 km3-t meghaladó mennyiségű vulkáni hamuanyagot hoztak a felszínre, ami alapján a földkéregben ennek többszörös mennyiségű magmás anyaga helyezkedhetett el. Mindez nagymértékben befolyásolta a földkéreg termomechanikai állapotát. A szilíciumgazdag magmák kitörésének egyik fő időszaka 17,5-14,4 millió évvel ezelőtt volt, ami Európában, az elmúlt 20 millió év legnagyobb vulkánkitöréseit eredményezte. Az új cirkon U-Pb koradatok nem csak a kitörési korokat pontosították, hanem a vulkáni működéssel egyidejű blokkforgások idejét (16,8-17,1 Ma, illetve 15-16 Ma), továbbá a magmatározók fennállási idejét is. Ez utóbbiak szerint a szilíciumgazdag magmatározók több százezer éven keresztül létezhettek a földkéreg középső-felső részén. A vulkáni hamurétegek kulcsszerepet játszanak a Paratethys üledékgyűjtők rétegsorainak korrelációjában. A mészalkáli kőzetsorozatok látszólag a Kárpátok ívét követik, azonban a fúrás adatok és a szeizmikus szelvények értelmezései rámutatnak arra, hogy jelentős mennyiségben keletkeztek a Pannon-medence belső területein is. A felszínen megjelenő vulkáni komplexumok esetében a Pannon-medence északi részén húzódó szegmens számos különbséget mutat a keleti vulkáni ághoz képest, ami eltérő képződést sejtet. Az északi szegmens vulkáni területei alapvetően a Pannon-medence fő extenziós időszakában alakultak ki. Az elsődleges magmák kezdetben a korábbi szubdukciós események során átalakult (metaszomatizálódott) földköpeny-litoszféra részleges, nyomáscsökkenéses olvadása során jöttek létre, majd 13 millió év után egy markáns változás tapasztalható a kitörő magmák összetételében, ami a forrásterület megváltozására utal. Ekkor már túlnyomórészt az asztenoszféra-földköpeny olvadása hozta létre a magmákat és vezetett később az alkáli bazalt vulkanizmushoz. A keleti szegmens vulkáni működése időben később történt egy posztkollíziós környezetben, ahol a magmák kialakulásában és felnyomulásában fontos szerepet kapott a tektonikai környezet. Az egyre délebbre húzódó transztenziós szerkezeti mozgások okozhatták a vulkáni működés dél felé fiataladó jellegét. Az alkáli bazalt vulkáni működés fő időszaka 2-5 millió évvel ezelőtt volt, jóval a fő extenziós időszak után. A vulkáni mezők elhelyezkedése és a bazaltok kémiai összetételén alapuló petrogenetikai modellszámítások azt jelzik, hogy a magmák heterogén asztenoszféra-földköpeny kis mértékű olvadása során alakultak ki. A magmaképződésben kulcsszerepet játszhatott a Pannon-medence alatt anomálisan elvékonyodott litoszféra peremi részein indukált asztenoszféra kőzetanyag feláramlás. A káliumban dús magmák erősen metaszomatizált litoszféra földköpeny olvadása során alakultak ki, részben a fő riftesedési időszakban, részben az elmúlt 2 millió évben. A fiatal káli-ultrakáli vulkáni működés a Pannon-medence déli peremére koncentrálódik és egy nyugat-keleti csapású tektonikai zónához kapcsolódik. Ekkor friss asztenoszféra anyag feláramlás hőhatása okozhatta a metaszomatizált litoszféra kis mértékű olvadását. A Kárpát-Pannon térség vulkáni működésének fő időszaka 10-17 millió éve volt, azonban még a kvarterben is tucatnyi kitörés zajlott. A legfiatalabb vulkáni működés értékelése arra hívja fel a figyelmet, hogy a térség alatti asztenoszféra kőzettani felépítése olyan, hogy még jelenleg is képes olvadásra, azaz magma keletkezhet, továbbá a geodinamikai környezet több helyen is lehetőséget adhat magma felnyomulásra és vulkánkitörésre. Mindezek fontos további perspektívát adnak, hogy Horváth professzor szellemi örökségét követve igyekezzünk még jobban megérteni térségünk geodinamikai fejlődését és jelenlegi állapotát, beleértve a vulkáni működés kapcsolatát.

Tenoumer impact crater, Mauritania: Impact melt genesis from a lithologically diverse target

AbstractImpact melt rocks from the 1.9 km diameter, simple bowl‐shaped Tenoumer impact crater in Mauritania have been analyzed chemically and petrologically. They are heterogeneous and can be subdivided into three types based on melt matrix color, occurrence of lithic clast components, amount of vesiculation (melt degassing), different proportions of carbonate melt mingled into silicate melt, and bulk rock chemical composition. These heterogeneities have two main causes (1) due to the small size of the impact crater, there was probably no coherent melt pool where a homogeneous mixture of melts, derived from different target lithologies, could be created; and (2) melt rock heterogeneity occurring at the thin section scale is due to fast cooling during and after the dynamic ejection and emplacement process. The overall period of crystal growth from these diverse melts was extremely short, which provides a further indication that complete chemical equilibration of the phases could not be achieved in such short time. Melt mixing processes involved in the generation of impact melts are, thus, recorded in nonequilibrium growth features. Variable mixing processes between chemically different melt phases and the formation of hybrid melts can be observed even at millimeter scales. Due to extreme cooling rates, different mixing and mingling stages are preserved in the varied parageneses of matrix minerals and in the mineral chemistry of microlites. 40Ar39Ar step‐heating chronology on specimens from three melt rock samples yielded five concordant inverse isochron ages. The inverse isochron plots show that minute amounts of inherited 40Ar* are present in the system. We calculated a weighted mean age of 1.57 ± 0.14 Ma for these new results. This preferred age represents a refinement from the previous range of 21 ka to 2.5 Ma ages based on K/Ar and fission track dating.

The origin of the Popiel peridotite (Western Sudetes, SW Poland): Metamorphism of the island arc tholeiitic cumulate

A small (280 x 140 m) outcrop of peridotite occurs on Popiel Hill (Sudetes, SW Poland) within the low-grade metabasic rocks of the Rudawy Janowickie Complex, which form the eastern and north-eastern cover of the Variscan Karkonosze granite. The peridotite is situated on the Intra-Sudetic Fault, one of the major Variscan dislocations in the region. The rock consists of strongly tectonised olivine (Fo 84-88 ) and orthopyroxene (Mg# 0.84–0.88) aggregates, overgrown by tremolite-magnesiohornblende, locally forming large crystals, embedded in serpentine. Spinel and magnetite are subordinate; ilmenite, Fe-sulfide, and apatite are accessories. The bulk-rock chemical composition suggests a lherzolitic composition and the occurrence of primary clinopyroxene, now completely replaced by tremolite and magnesiohornblende. Rare Earth Element patterns are flat, slightly enriched relatively to primitive mantle, as is typical of island arc tholeiites. Olivine, orthopyroxene, and spinel were the first to crystallize, and they represent relics of a primary igneous assemblage. They were followed by tremolite and serpentine, formed during uplift and related metamorphism. The last mineral to crystallize was magnesiohornblende, which originated due to contact metamorphism by the Karkonosze granite magma. The Popiel peridotite probably represents a small slice of lherzolitic cumulate, which originated in a tholeiitic magma chamber at the roots of a supra-subduction volcanic arc.

Thermal conditions during deformation of partially molten crust from TitaniQ geothermometry: rheological implications for the anatectic domain of the Araçuaí belt, eastern Brazil

Abstract. During the Neoproterozoic orogeny, the middle crust of the Araçuaí belt underwent widespread partial melting. At the regional scale, this anatectic domain is characterized by a progressive rotation of the flow direction from south to north, suggesting a 3-D deformation of the anatectic middle crust. To better determine whether melt volumes present in the anatectic middle crust of the Araçuaí orogen were large enough to allow a combination of gravity-driven and convergence-driven deformation, we used the titanium-in-quartz (TitaniQ) geothermometer to estimate the crystallization temperatures of quartz grains in the anatectic rocks. When possible, we compared these estimates with thermobarometric estimates from traditional exchange geothermobarometers applied to neighboring migmatitic kinzigites. TitaniQ temperatures range from 750 to 900 °C, suggesting that quartz starts crystallizing at minimum temperatures of ≥ 800 °C. These results, combined with the bulk-rock chemical composition of diatexites, allows the estimation of a minimum of ~ 30% melt and a corresponding viscosity of ~ 109–1010 Pa s. Such a minimum melt content and low viscosity are in agreement with interconnected melt networks observed in the field. Considering that these characteristics are homogeneous over a wide area, this supports the finding that the strength of the middle crust was severely weakened by extensive partial melting, making it prone to gravity-driven flow and lateral extrusion.

Petrology, geochemistry, and tectonic significance of Mesozoic shoshonitic volcanic rocks, Luzong volcanic basin, eastern China

We studied the geochemical characteristics of three types of Mesozoic igneous rocks from the Luzong volcanic basin: basaltic trachyandesite at Shuangmiao, pyroxene monzonite at Bajiatan, and quartz-syenite (A-type granite) at Huangmeijian. Based on analyses of whole-rock major elements, all investigated rocks are enriched in K, Na, Ti, Al, but depleted in Ca, representing a shoshonitic series. Trace element analyses show that these rocks are characterized by enrichments of large-ion lithophile elements and high field strength elements. Positive Nb and Ta anomalies in the chondrite-normalized spider diagram indicate that the shoshonitic volcanic rocks share similar features with Nb-enriched basalts, which are different from normal island-arc volcanical rocks (they are typically strongly depleted in Nb and Ta). Bulk-rock chemical compositions and Sr–Nd isotopes indicate that the three types of igneous rocks are geochemically comagmatic, suggesting that the melts were derived from an enriched mantle reservoir. We postulate an extensional tectonic setting for the formation of Luzong volcanic basin, possibly related to subduction of a palaeo-Pacific plate beneath the east Chinese continent during the Yanshanian period (Cretaceous). Therefore, the petrogenetic features of those volcanic rocks as well as A-type granites in the Luzong basin indicate that the regional large-scale Fe–Cu–Au mineralization was associated with oceanic slab melting, but not delamination or recycling of the ancient lower continental crust, as previously proposed.