Incompatible Trace Element Concentrations Research Articles

Young KREEP-like mare volcanism from Oceanus Procellarum

The Moon’s mare volcanism predominantly occurs within the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT), which is widely thought to be associated with KREEP components within the lunar interior. The Chang’e-5 (CE-5) mission sampled a young (2 Ga) mare basalt Em4/P58 unit of northern Oceanus Procellarum. The geochemistry of the CE-5 mare basalt enables assessment of mantle source compositions which are essential to understand the thermo-chemical mechanism for prolonged volcanism during secular cooling of the Moon. Geochemical compositions of the CE-5 bulk soil, breccias, and basalt clasts from various depths within the drill core consistently display high concentrations of incompatible trace elements (ITE: ∼ 0.3 × high-K KREEP; ∼ 5 μg/g Th) with KREEP-like inter-element ratios, for example for La/Sm, Nb/Ta, and Zr/Y. Exotic impact ejecta, extensive magma differentiation (<70 % fractional crystallization) and significant assimilation of KREEP materials during magma transit and eruption cannot account for the ITE contents and ratios or radiogenic isotope compositions (e.g., εNdinitial of + 8 to + 9 and εHfinitial of + 40 to + 46) of the CE-5 basalts; instead, partial melting of their mantle source played a dominant role. The Chang’e-5 basalt is a chemically evolved low-Ti mare basalt (Mg# of ∼ 34) with enriched KREEP-like ITE compositions but high long-term time-integrated Sm/Nd and Lu/Hf ratios, which represent a hitherto unsampled type of mare basalt. It formed by melting of an augite-rich mantle source (late-stage magma ocean cumulates containing > 30–60 % augite, and little or no ilmenite), with a small amount of late-stage interstitial melt that resembles KREEP (∼1–1.5 modal %, equivalent to 0.2–0.3 μg/g Th in the mantle source). The voluminous mare basalts making up the Em4/P58 unit (>1500 km3) provide compelling evidence for large-scale, ITE enriched young mare magmatism within Oceanus Procellarum. In combination with remote sensing data and with the unique Th-rich Apollo 12 basalt fragment 12032,366–18 (impact ejecta likely from Oceanus Procellarum), this implies that significant portions of the FeO- and Th-rich mare regions of the western PKT may also have formed in a similar way.

Basalts of a Seamount on the Eastern Flank of the Charlie Gibbs Transform Fracture Zone, North Atlantic: Petrochemical and Isotopic Evidence of a Microplume-Affected Formation in the Axial Zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The composition of basalts dredged from the slopes of a single seamount (guyot), which is located south of the eastern end of the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone in the North Atlantic, is studied. Groups of high- and low-Ti rocks, which belong to oceanic tholeiites of the E-MORB and T-MORB types, respectively, are recognized. The first group of basalts have higher contents of TiO2, Na2O, K2O, P2O5, Fe2O3, and incompatible trace elements. The basalts of both groups are similar in the normalized lithophile element patterns indicating their melting from a similar mantle substrate. The difference in their composition is probably caused by melting of high-Ti volcanic rocks at a deeper intermediate level between spinel and garnet facies. Our studies give grounds to believe that the seamount also formed as a large neovolcanic rise 64–67 Ma ago under the influence of a microplume, which was a branch of the Milne deep mantle plume.

Origin of the compositionally zoned Paso Puyehue Tephra, Antillanca Volcanic Complex, Chile

The origin of gaps or zoning in the composition of erupted products is critical to understanding how sub-volcanic reservoirs operate. We characterize the compositionally zoned magma that produced the 2053 ± 50 cal. yr BP Paso Puyehue Tephra from the Antillanca Volcanic Complex in the Andean Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ). The 3.7 km3 Paso Puyehue Tephra is zoned from dacite (69 wt% SiO2) lapilli and ash comprising the lowermost 80% of the deposit that abruptly transitions upward into basaltic andesite scoria (54 wt% SiO2) making up the remaining ∼20%. Variations in whole-rock, matrix glass, and mineral compositions through the deposit allow us to estimate pre-eruptive magma storage conditions and to develop a model of how this magma body was generated.Our findings suggest that amphibole-bearing basaltic andesitic magma stored at ∼8.0 ± 1.3 km depth fractionally crystallized and cooled from 1048 ± 1.1 to 811 ± 28.6 °C under highly oxidizing conditions to produce silicic a melt that upon extraction and rise, pooled at ∼6.4 ± 1.2 km depth at temperatures as low as 810 °C before eruption. MELTS models suggest that crystallization of a basaltic andesite parent magma with 4 wt% dissolved H2O can produce the dacite under conditions predicted by mineral thermobarometers with phase compositions comparable to those measured in minerals. Pervasive normal zoning at the rims of plagioclase crystals—most pronounced at the transition between dacite and basaltic andesite, and compatible vs. incompatible trace element concentrations, suggest that magma mixing was limited and likely occurred at the interface between the dacitic and basaltic andesitic magmas during ascent within the conduit upon eruption. Compositionally bimodal tephras are increasingly recognized throughout the SVZ with several interpreted to reflect basaltic recharge and mixing into extant rhyolitic reservoirs. In further contrast to other SVZ rhyolitic products, e.g., from the nearby Cordón Callue and Mocho Choshuenco volcanoes, the Paso Puyehue magma was highly oxidized. This may reflect enhanced delivery of H2O from the subducting plate into the mantle wedge, which in turn may facilitate efficient extraction and separation of buoyant, low-viscosity rhyolitic melt from crystal-rich basaltic andesitic parent magmas and the co-eruption of both end members.

Mo isotopes record recycling of anoxic sediment in a Paleo-oceanic subduction zone

Mafic arc igneous rocks with oceanic crust-derived fluids in their mantle sources generally show heavy Mo isotope compositions. However, these rocks may exhibit variable Mo isotope compositions due to involvement of seafloor sediments under different redox conditions. Thus, it is intriguing how Mo isotope recycles with sediment subduction and how Mo isotope fractionation occurs during this process. Here we report Mo isotope data for Paleozoic mafic arc igneous rocks from the Qinling-Tongbai orogenic belt in Central China. The Qinling mafic rocks have δ98Mo values of −0.03 to 0.40‰, and the Tongbai mafic rocks have δ98Mo values of −0.26 to 0.17‰. These values are considerably higher than the normal mantle values of −0.20 ± 0.01‰. In combination with low Mo/Ce ratios, enriched SrNd isotope compositions, and high melt-mobile incompatible trace element contents for these rocks, the high δ98Mo values suggest that anoxic sediment-derived melts with heavy Mo isotopes were incorporated by oceanic subduction into the mantle sources. The high δ98Mo values of the mafic rocks indicate the limited Mo isotope fractionation during subduction of the anoxic sediment. This inference is further verified by modeling of Mo isotope fractionation under reducing conditions in the subduction zone. In this regard, Mo isotopes can be used to identify the recycling of sediments in different types and thus provide geochemical constraints on the redox conditions of oceanic subduction zones.

Development of a back-arc basin from initial rifting to seafloor spreading: Constraints from Paleozoic basic rocks in the North Qinling accretionary orogen, central China

The progression from initial back-arc rifting to back-arc opening in ancient orogenic collages is important for reconstructing subduction histories, constraining tectonic switching, and understanding crustal growth and evolution. However, it is difficult to constrain this transition in ancient arcs. The Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt is one of the most important orogenic belts in eastern Asia, yet the history of Paleozoic accretionary processes in this belt remains equivocal, owing to a poor understanding of back-arc opening processes in the Erlangping unit. In this study, we present whole-rock geochemical analyses of mafic dikes in the Erlangping unit, along with U-Pb ages and Hf-O isotope compositions of zircon from these dikes. Zircon secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) dating of these mafic dikes yielded U-Pb ages of 453 ± 3 Ma. The mafic dikes are calc-alkaline and are characterized by high K2O contents (1.16−3.16 wt%). They have enriched ([La/Yb]N = 4.3−14.9) light rare earth elements (REEs) and relatively flat heavy REE ([Dy/Yb]N = 0.9−1.5) patterns, and they exhibit enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) but depletion in high field strength elements (HFSEs), resembling arc-like magmatism. These mafic dikes are characterized by relatively enriched initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.7049−0.7059), chondritic to slightly radiogenic εNd(t) (−0.36 to 1.33), and radiogenic whole-rock and zircon εHf(t) (+7.2−7.6 and +7.5−7.8, respectively). The zircons have δ18O values (5.0‰ ± 0.1‰) similar to those of normal mantle zircon. Accordingly, we interpret that the mafic dikes were derived from an enriched lithospheric mantle source metasomatized by subducted Proto-Tethys (Shangdan) ocean material. In contrast, previously reported ca. 440 Ma gabbros from the Erlangping unit are tholeiitic and have lower incompatible trace-element concentrations with less enrichment in LILEs and less depletion in HFSEs than the mafic dikes presented here. Whole-rock Nd and zircon Hf isotopic compositions suggest that these Silurian gabbros were derived from partial melting of a more depleted mantle with the involvement of asthenosphere, and they have a close geochemical affinity with back-arc basin basalts. In addition, trace-element ratios and geochemical modeling suggest higher melting pressures for the mafic dikes than the gabbros. The geochemical differences show systematic variations from island-arc basalt into back-arc basin basalt types, which is consistent with the magma source evolution of the Mariana Trough. Thus, we interpret that the ca. 454 Ma mafic dikes were emplaced when the infant arc split, and they record initial back-arc rifting in the Erlangping unit, whereas the Silurian gabbros subsequently formed during the opening of the back-arc basin. Our study provides a paradigm for deciphering the evolution of back-arc basins through the study of spatiotemporal geological and geochemical variations of mafic intrusions in ancient accretionary orogens.

The relationship between δ18O values and incompatible element and radiogenic isotope enrichment in the Mashikiri nephelinites, of the Karoo LIP, southern Africa

The Mashikiri nephelinites (MN) are the earliest and most incompatible element-enriched magmas of the Karoo LIP. Their Zr/Nb ratios of ∼1.8 are distinct from most Karoo LIP mafic rocks, which have Zr/Nb from 10 to 18 (average ∼ 16). Low εNd (−6 to −22) with initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.7046 to 0.7073 have previously been explained as due to their derivation from ancient metasomatized mantle lithosphere by low degrees of partial melting. Olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts from the MN have δ18O values ranging from 5.30 to 5.96‰, and 5.50 to 6.61‰, respectively, and crystallization was from magmas having δ18O values that vary from 6.0 to 6.6‰, up to 0.9‰ higher than magmas derived from a depleted mantle source. There is no correlation between δ18O value and indications of either crustal contamination, such as SiO2 and Pb content, or fractional crystallization, such as Mg-number and Ni and Zr content. High δ18O values are, therefore, a feature of the mantle source. There is no relationship between δ18O value and indicators of mantle metasomatism such as εNd, alkalinity, or incompatible trace element concentrations and processes that enriched the magma in 18O are, therefore, unrelated to mantle metasomatism.High δ18O values in the mantle are most likely to be due to the presence of recycled crust e.g. eclogite or pyroxenite. A mixed peridotite-eclogite mantle source could have been formed by emplacement of oceanic crust into the base of the craton during Archaean subduction. Subsequent metasomatic veining that variably infiltrated the mantle, including the high-δ18O component, before eruption of the lavas would allow extremely negative εNd values to develop.

Geochemical characterization, U–Pb apatite geochronology, and geodynamic significance of olivine minette dykes from the Julian Alps, NE Italy

AbstractWe investigated olivine minette dykes from the Rio Colan Valley of the Julian Alps (NE Italy) to provide new constraints on the mantle geochemistry underneath this extreme sector of the Italian Southern Alps. Petrographic observations, high Mg#s, high Cr and Ni contents, low Dy/YbCN ratios and flat heavy rare earth element (REE) profiles imply these are primary magmas derived from a depleted peridotite with olivine and garnet as possible residual phases. However, high K2O and incompatible trace element contents, coupled with superchondritic Nb/Ta ratios, suggest that the source was modified into a rutile–phlogopite-bearing carbonated peridotite by multiple metasomatic events such as recycling of crustal material and carbonatitic metasomatism related to an old orogenic event and rutile-rich metasomatism linked to the Pangaea break-up. Laser ablation – multi-collector – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometer (LA-MC-ICP-MS) U–Pb geochronology of apatites from two dykes yielded differences between unforced and forced discordia ages up to ∼45 Ma, likely due to the initial 207Pb/206Pb correction adopted. Nonetheless, because forced discordia and 206Pb/238U weighted mean ages are overall similar within the uncertainty, our preferred interpretation is that olivine minettes intruded and crystallized at ∼67 Ma. The age and anorogenic signature of these magmas are consistent with the regional extensional tectonics in the Julian Alps due to the advance of the external Dinaric front following Adria plate eastward subduction. Eventually, we show also that Rio Colan magmas are geochemically hybrid products between lamprophyres and lamproites compared with similar Italian and Western Mediterranean volcanics.

Geochemistry, geochronology, and tectonic setting of the Cretaceous volcanic rocks in east Mongolia

Late Mesozoic volcanic rocks in East Mongolia exhibit high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic series and display features of bimodal-like volcanic with a mafic and felsic members. The mafic member is composed mainly of trachybasalt and basaltic trachyandesite, with a minor amount of trachyandesite. The mafic rocks have elevated incompatible trace element concentrations and significantly negative Nb-Ta and Ti anomalies, features of typical subduction-related magmas, distinguished from OIBs. The mafic magmas have undergone fractional crystallization dominated by pyroxene and/or olivine and crustal contamination. The mafic magma was derived from low-degree partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle source that might have been metasomatized by subduction-derived fluids. The felsic member consists of trachydacite and rhyolite. The geochemical data indicate they produced from partial melting of a crustal source that is dominated by juvenile mafic rocks. Our new K-Ar dating and previous age data demonstrated that the late Mesozoic volcanism in East Mongolia took place during Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous at between 156-99 Ma. The model of the arc‒back-arc extension possibly induced by slab roll-back of the westward (paleo) Pacific-subduction can explain the geodynamic setting and the eastward young trend of the late Mesozoic volcanism in East Mongolia and its adjacent NE China.

Comment on: Baddeleyite U-Pb age and Hf isotopes, and constraints on genesis of the Panzhihua carbonatite in SW China by Wang et al. (2023)

Wang et al. (2023) propose that rocks adjacent to the Panzhihua intrusion are not marbles and skarns, but carbonatites. If true, this interpretation could have important implications for models explaining the origin of the large Fe-Ti ore deposits in the intrusion. We reject this interpretation for two principal reasons: 1) the objects described as “mantle xenoliths”, and considered, incorrectly, as diagnostic of carbonatite, are in fact deformed and altered mafic/ultramafic intrusions; 2) the concentrations of incompatible trace elements in the marbles are low and typical of metasedimentary rocks, not carbonatite.

High-C content and CO2/Ba ratio of the Earth’s enriched upper mantle

One of the fundamental constraints on the carbon content in the Earth’s mantle comes from depleted mid-ocean ridge basalts (D-MORB) that experienced minimal CO2 degassing. The CO2/Ba ratio of 120 ± 20 in these D-MORB have been used to estimate the CO2 content in more enriched MORB (e.g., N- and E-MORB) that have lost CO2 through degassing. However, it has been unclear as to how constant the CO2/Ba ratio is in D-, N-, and E-MORB, which are known to derive from partial melting of a chemically and isotopically heterogeneous upper mantle. In this study, we constrained the CO2/Ba ratio of the E-MORB mantle source in the Pacific by studying the compositions of MORB glass samples from the southern East Pacific Rise (on– and off-axial SEPR and Garrett transform fault) as well as volcanic glass samples from the Pukapuka ridges and Rano Rahi seamounts that extend to the west of the SEPR. Some of the submarine glasses from the Rano Rahi seamounts are D-MORB with highly depleted CO2 and incompatible trace element contents, but with isotopic composition pointing to a long-term enriched mantle source. These lavas were generated by re-melting of the residual Pacific E-MORB mantle source that had undergone a recent melting episode responsible for the Pukapuka ridge magmatism. Some Rano Rahi seamount lavas experienced limited CO2 degassing during eruption, and we consider that their most reliable pre-degassing CO2/Ba ratio is the maximum value of 241 ± 30, measured in the most trace element depleted but isotopically enriched sample. While we show that this high CO2/Ba ratio is in part due to fractionation during the earlier melting event that generated the Pukapuka ridges, the estimated initial CO2/Ba ratio of the Pacific E-MORB mantle source is 177-52+71, still higher on average than that of the D-MORB mantle source (120 ± 20). We use this CO2/Ba ratio for the Pacific E-MORB mantle source to provide an estimate of its CO2 content of 391-180+455 ppm. We speculate that the high CO2/Ba and C-enriched nature of the Pacific E-MORB mantle source could originate from either (1) recycling of oceanic lithosphere at subduction zones or (2) foundering of metasomatized continental lithospheric mantle into the convecting mantle.

Lithostratigraphy, geology and geochemistry of the Tertiary volcanic rocks on Svartenhuk Halvø and adjoining areas, West Greenland

The Palaeogene volcanic succession in the northern part of the Nuussuaq Basin in West Greenland comprises three formations: the Vaigat and Svartenhuk Formations of Paleocene age (61–58 Ma) and the Naqerloq Formation of Eocene age (57–54 Ma). In this study, we formalise and describe the volcanic stratigraphy on Svartenhuk Halvø and the areas with lavas that flowed across the basin boundary onto the adjoining basement areas in the north and east. The Vaigat Formation comprises three members. The Kakilisaat and Nerutusoq Members are of minor volume and consist of, respectively, crustally contaminated basalts and chemically enriched basalts with relatively high contents of incompatible trace elements. They are overlain by the voluminous Nunavik Member of tholeiitic picrites (MgO ≥12 wt%) and subordinate magnesian basalts. The oldest volcanic deposits are commonly foreset-bedded hyaloclastites, and the overlying subaerial lavas are mainly thin, grey, crumbling flows. Eruption sites were mainly within the basin, with depocentres in the south and hyaloclastite and lava transport directions towards the north. Thicknesses vary from up to at least 2000 m in the south to ≥380 m in the northernmost exposures close to 72°N. The Svartenhuk Formation comprises four members. The lowest, Kuugaartorfik Member, is up to 100 m thick and consists partly of quartzofeldspathic and partly volcanogenic sediments; it is restricted to northern Svartenhuk Halvø and the Innerit peninsula. The overlying volcanic Tunuarsuk, Nuuit and Skalø Members are voluminous and widespread, with a combined thickness of up to 1800 m. They consist of tholeiitic basalts with similar chemical compositions but with correlatable stratigraphic variation patterns. The Tunuarsuk Member consists of interspersed flow groups of thin, grey flows and massive, brown flows; the Nuuit Member comprises mainly massive brown flows, and the Skalø Member is dominated by light grey flows. The Svartenhuk Formation oversteps the Vaigat Formation on the basement in the north and east. In these distal areas the Tunuarsuk and Nuuit Members constitute the major volumes, and preserved thicknesses are up to 1400 m. In northern and eastern Svartenhuk Halvø and also farther to the north and east, foreset-bedded hyaloclastites indicate transport directions towards the north and possibly east from eruption sites within the basin. The Naqerloq Formation comprises one member, the Arfertuarsuk Member, consisting of flows of brown basalt with relatively enriched chemistry and a single trachyte flow. The member is only found in western Svartenhuk Halvø and on Skalø, where it conformably overlies the older lavas with up to 350 m thickness preserved after erosion. Dykes of all three formations are present. The distribution of dykes of the Naqerloq Formation suggests that this originally extended much farther east. Picrites and basalts of the Vaigat and Svartenhuk Formations are geochemically related; the picritic lavas represent erupted primitive magmas, whereas the basaltic lavas represent fractionated melts formed in deep magma chambers. The melts formed from a geochemically depleted but heterogeneous mantle; in addition melts from enriched sources were occasionally incorporated. The enriched basalts of the Naqerloq Formation arose from another mantle source. Low contents of V, Cu and Ni in some crustally contaminated lavas indicate that accumulation of these elements may be present at depth.

Petrogenesis of PGE mineralised intrusions in the floor of the northern Bushveld Complex

Abstract The floor rocks of the northern lobe of the Bushveld Complex host several sill-like mafic-ultramafic bodies. In the present paper we evaluate whole rock data generated by exploration companies for sills on the farms Townlands, Amatava, Uitloop, Turfspruit and Rietfontein, located to the north of Mokopane, in order to constrain the origin of the sills and their mineralisation. Key observations include: (i) The sills have geochemical affinities to the Lower Zone (LZ) or Lower Critical Zone (LCZ). (ii) Most sills are enriched in sulphides and platinum-group elements (PGE) relative to most other LZ and LCZ cumulates. (iii) Most PGE mineralised intrusives have been emplaced into the carbonaceous-pelitic Duitschland Formation. (iv) The sills are spatially associated with the Mokopane gravity anomaly, possibly representing a major feeder zone to the Bushveld Complex. (v) The sills show evidence for assimilation of the sedimentary host rocks in the form of locally elevated δ34S, incompatible trace element contents and the presence of carbonaceous and pelitic country rock xenoliths. (vi) There is no correlation between PGE abundance and indicators of crustal contamination. Based on these data we propose that in the vicinity of the putative Mokopane feeder zone relatively fertile, unevolved magmas ascended through the crust initially as dykes. When intersecting the relatively fissile Duitschland Formation the mode of magma emplacement changed to one of sills. This facilitated contamination with sulphide- and graphite-rich carbonate and shale, triggering sulphide melt saturation. The sulphides were locally entrained and upgraded within the sills before precipitating, likely within flow dynamic traps.

Geochemical, petrographic, and stratigraphic analyses of the Portage Lake Volcanics of the Keweenawan CFBP: implications for the evolution of main stage volcanism in continental flood basalt provinces

AbstractContinental flood basalt provinces (CFBPs) are large igneous features formed by the extrusion of massive amounts of lavas that require significant evolution within the lithosphere. Although sequential lava flows are effective probes of magmatic systems, CFBPs are typically poorly preserved. We focus on lava flows from the well-preserved 1.1 Ga Keweenawan CFBP that erupted within the Midcontinent Rift System. We present a new geochemical, petrographic, and stratigraphic synthesis from the Main stage Portage Lake Volcanics (PLV). Flow-by-flow analysis of the PLV reveals that major element behaviour is decoupled from trace element behaviour; MgO exhibits limited variability, while compatible and incompatible trace elements deviate from high to low concentrations throughout the sequence. The concentrations of incompatible trace elements slightly decrease from the base of the sequence to the top. We investigate these observations by applying a recharge, evacuation, assimilation and fractional crystallization model to geochemical and petrographic data. Our modelling demonstrates a magmatic system experiencing increased evacuation rates while fractionation and assimilation rates decrease, indicating an increase in magmatic flux. The outcome of this modelling is a progressively more efficient magma system within the PLV. This study highlights the utility of joint petrographic and geochemical interpretation in constraining CFBP magma evolution.

Melting of metasomatically enriched lithospheric mantle – Constraints from Pan-African monzonites (Damara Orogen, Namibia)

The 560.8 ± 2.4 Ma old Okamutambo Pluton is the easternmost intrusion of the syn-collisional Otjimbingwe Alkaline Complex (OAC; Damara Belt, Namibia) and consists of mafic to intermediate alkaline rocks that belong to the monzodiorite-syenite series. The studied samples are potassic (K2O/Na2O > 1) and have moderately high magnesium (MgO: 5.7–2.6 wt%), nickel (Ni: 66–26 ppm), and chromium (Cr: 223–62 ppm) concentrations. LILE (Ba: 2425–1243 ppm; Sr: 1359–941 ppm) and HFSE (Zr: 447–202 ppm, Nb: 32.8–16.4 ppm, Hf: 4.7–9.4 ppm, Ta: 1.2–2.0 ppm) contents are also high. Strontium and Nd isotope data reveal the existence of two magmatic suites indicating a multi-source origin. Group 1 monzonites-quartz monzonites have moderately evolved Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (initial 87Sr/86Sr: 0.7066 to 0.7073; initial εNd: −3.5 to −5.0) and radiogenic Pb isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb: 17.65–18.02; 207Pb/204Pb: 15.62–15.67; 208Pb/204Pb: 38.19–38.32). In contrast, group 2 monzodiorites-syenites display more evolved Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (initial 87Sr/86Sr: 0.7088 to 0.7090; initial εNd: −6.7 to −7.1) but similar Pb isotope ratios (206Pb/204Pb: 17.63–17.82; 207Pb/204Pb: 15.64–15.66; 208Pb/204Pb: 38.21–38.37). Differentiation involved AFC processes in group 1 monzonites-quartz monzonites whereas group 2 monzodiorites-syenites were modified by fractional crystallization. Although second-order processes were operative, high total alkali contents, incompatible trace element concentrations in excess of bulk crustal values, and evolved isotopic compositions of the most primitive samples are source-controlled and provide insight into the origin of the parental magmas. With reference to experimental data from the literature, it is inferred that the Okamutambo alkaline rocks represent evolved melts that were generated through melting of enriched lithospheric mantle (phlogopite-lherzolite). The observed negative Nb-Ta and Ti anomalies and positive Pb anomalies in primitive mantle-normalized trace element patterns are in line with a mantle source that contains a recycled crustal component. Isotopic compositions indicate that mantle enrichment is an ancient feature that might be linked to Proterozoic subduction. At 561 Ma, the geodynamic regime in the Damara Orogen was mainly characterized by compression during convergence and continental collision between the Congo and Kalahari cratons which is difficult to reconcile with the generation of the OAC as alkaline magmatism is commonly associated with extensional tectonic regimes. The OAC is, however, associated with a major suture zone that may have been involved in localized transtensional tectonics during oblique flat subduction and thus enabled the generation and ascent of mantle-derived alkaline melts.

A geochemical study of the Crown Formation and Bird Member lavas of the Mesoarchaean Witwatersrand Supergroup, South Africa

Abstract The ca. 2.97 to 2.80 Ga Witwatersrand Supergroup, South Africa, represents the oldest intracontinental sedimentary basin of the Kaapvaal craton. Two volcanic units occur in this supergroup: the widespread Crown Formation lavas in the marine shale-dominated West Rand Group and the more geographically restricted Bird Member lavas, intercalated with fluvial to fluvio-deltaic sandstone and conglomerate of the Central Rand Group. These units remain poorly studied as they are rarely exposed and generally deeply weathered when cropping out. We report whole-rock major and trace elements, Hf and Nd-isotope whole-rock analyses of the lavas from core samples drilled in the south of the Witwatersrand basin and underground samples from the Evander Goldfield in the northeast. In the studied areas, both the Crown Formation and Bird Member are composed of two units of lava separated by sandstone. Whereas all the Crown Formation samples show a similar geochemical composition, the upper and lower volcanic units of the Bird Member present clear differences. However, the primitive mantle-normalized incompatible trace element concentrations of all Crown Formation and Bird Member samples show variously enriched patterns and marked negative Nb and Ta anomalies relative to Th and La. Despite the convergent geodynamic setting of the Witwatersrand Supergroup suggested by the literature, the Crown Formation and Bird Member are probably not related to subduction-related magmatism but more to decompression melting. Overall, the combined trace element and Sm-Nd isotopic data indicate melts from slightly to moderately depleted sources that were variably contaminated with crustal material. Greater contamination, followed by differentiation in different magma chambers, can explain the difference between the two signatures of the Bird Member. Finally, despite previous proposals for stratigraphically correlating the Witwatersrand Supergroup to the Mozaan Group of the Pongola Supergroup, their volcanic units are overall geochemically distinct.

Early Neoproterozoic Metapicrite–Basalt Association of the Angara Region, Yenisei Ridge: Petrogeochemical Composition, Tectonic Settings, and Pb–Zn Mineralization

In the Angara part of the Yenisei Ridge, a sequential section of the metapicritic–basalt sequence and overlying carbonate rocks of the Gorevskaya Formation is established. This section is considered as a single volcanic–sedimentary complex formed at the Late Mesoproterozoic–Early Neoproterozoic boundary in the riftogenic marginal–continental paleobasin in the southwestern Siberian Craton. It is proposed to introduce the metapicrite–basaltic sequence into the stratigraphic legend of the Shirokaya Group of the western Yenisei Ridge under the name “Nizhnerechinskaya Sequence”. In the studied section, metamorphosed picrobasalts and picrites predominate in the lower part of the Nizhnerechinskaya Sequence, while the middle and upper parts consist mainly of basalts containing Pb–Zn mineralization (Stepanovsky ore occurrence). At the contact with carbonate deposits of the Gorevskaya Formation, an alternation of volcanogenic rocks and terrigenous–carbonate sediments and metabasaltic sills are observed. The petrochemical and trace-element composition of metavolcanic rocks has much in common, which indicates the paragenetic relationship of rocks of this high-Mg rock association. All these rocks are enriched in Fe and Ti, while metabasalts and metagabbros show elevated alkalinity and P2O5 content. In terms of total alkalinity, metabasalt–picrobasalts deviate from the normal petrochemical series towards the subalkaline series, which correlates with their elevated Ti content. Basites enriched in alkalis, especially, in potassium and corresponding to trachybasalts are observed among them. The contents of incompatible trace elements clearly increase from picrites to basalts and reach maximum in trachybasalts, which show 1.5–3 times enrichment in high-field strength elements compared to the basalts. The paragenetic nature of the considered association is supported by the similar REE distribution patterns: (La/Yb)n = 6–7 at Eu/Eu* = 0.9–1. The Late Mesoproterozoic–Early Neoproterozoic rifting of the Earth’s crust in the Angara region led to the opening of the marginal–continental sea basin, where basalt-picrite volcanism occurred simultaneously with accumulation of terrigenous–carbonate sediments, including ore–bearing (Pb–Zn) rocks of the Gorevskaya Formation, which host the Gorevskoye Pb–Zn deposit. The basin under consideration is interpreted as a relict rift-related paleobasin on the western margin of the Siberian craton, while the volcanic–sedimentary Nizhnerechinskaya Sequence is considered as the lower potential stratigraphic level of the base-metal mineralization in the Gorevsky ore field.

Mafic to intermediate composition intrusions from the Kahak area, central Urumieh-Dokhtar arc of Iran: transition from Eocene to Miocene intra-arc extensional magmatism

Several gabbro, gabbroic diorite, and diorite intrusions were emplaced in the Neotethyan Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc in the Kahak area of the Zagros Orogen. The plutonic rocks intruded Cenozoic volcanic and pyroclastic succession. U-Pb dating via LA-ICP-MS of zircon yields early to middle Eocene ages of ~53 to 38 Ma for the diorite and gabbroic diorite in Veshnaveh and Naragh areas and Miocene ages of 23 to 20 Ma for gabbroic rocks in the Kerogan and Fordou areas. The Eocene magmatic phase occurred quite possibly as three continuous pulses. The Eocene and Miocene intrusions have negative Nb-Ta anomalies like those of subduction-related magmas. The Pb isotopic compositions show the involvement of subducted sediment in the source of the studied samples. The Eocene intrusions are tholeiitic and enriched in incompatible-trace-elements (especially the HFSE) compared to the Miocene intrusions which are calc-alkaline and have lower concentrations of most incompatible trace elements. Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Eocene rocks lie close to the mantle array and near Bulk Silicate Earth, but the Miocene suite is shifted to higher (87Sr/86Sr)i. The higher (87Sr/86Sr)i, along with larger Ba, K, Pb, and Sr anomalies, in the Miocene suite imply more slab fluid input and/or crustal contamination. Apparently, the Eocene mafic magmas formed in slightly metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), whereas the Miocene suite was derived from highly metasomatized, deeper levels of the SCLM. We suggest that slab roll back occurred between the Eocene and Miocene and transferred the location of mantle partial melting to greater depths.

A window on mantle-derived magmas within the Central Andes: eruption style transitions at Cerro Overo maar and La Albóndiga lava dome, northern Chile

Cerro Overo maar and La Albondiga lava dome are two independent monogenetic volcanoes located in the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes in northern Chile, close to the active Lascar and Chiliques volcanoes. Cerro Overo maar was formed <77 ka ago by explosive-effusive eruptions, including phreatomagmatic activity, while La Albondiga lava dome (Pleistocene) is the result of magmatic explosive-effusive activity alone. Cerro Overo and La Albondiga are characterized by deposits composed of pyroclastic rocks and dense coherent lava blocks. At Cerro Overo, these deposits are located around the crater rim, while at La Albondiga, they form coherent in situ lava dome features. Cerro Overo also displays thin ash- and lapilli-dominated deposit layers presumed to be pyroclastic surge deposits, which include juvenile pyroclasts exhibiting cauliflower textures, numerous exotic accidental lithics, and ballistically transported lapilli, bombs, blocks, and bomb sags. These fragments include recycled, juvenile pyroclasts, as well as material from older volcanic and intrusive rocks from the stratigraphic units immediately below. These small-volume volcanoes represent two of the less silicic volcanoes (~54 wt.% SiO2) in the northern Chilean Pleistocene to Holocene volcanic provinces. They are characterized by a fine grain size (mainly fine lapilli), olivine phenocrysts with skeletal textures, ignimbritic, dioritic, and granitic xenoliths, and quartz xenocrysts, with high concentrations of incompatible trace elements and light rare earth elements. The general magmatic evolution of the Cerro Overo and La Albondiga systems has been controlled by fast ascent (e.g., skeletal olivine phenocrysts) of mantle-derived magma associated with mixing, fractional crystallization, and a low degree of crustal assimilation during turbulent ascent processes. Such eruptions provide evidence that various factors play an essential role in the transition from explosive-effusive magmatic (Cerro Overo and La Albondiga) to phreatomagmatic (Cerro Overo) volcanic eruption styles.

Different water contents lead to contrasting magmatic differentiation pathways: A case study of two coeval rock suites

Continental magmatism associated with orogenesis is characterized by large geochemical diversity, which is generally attributed to variations in source lithologies, melting condition and differentiation pathway. Water can decrease melt viscosity, reduce solidus temperatures, and control mineral phase equilibria. However, the effects of water on magmatic differentiation are difficult to evaluate, because magmas lose most of their volatiles as they cool and solidify. In this study, we combined the P2O5 and Zr systematics of igneous rocks with thermodynamic modeling of apatite and zircon saturation to constrain magma water content during differentiation. We performed a case study of igneous rocks from an early Paleozoic orogen in South China, and identified two coeval suites of igneous rocks (Series I and II). Unevolved low SiO2 rocks from both series have similar major and trace element compositions; however, as SiO2 increased to intermediate values, Series I evolved to much higher contents of P2O5, TiO2, K2O, and incompatible trace element contents than Series II. Our modeling results show that the two series might have had different initial water contents (~1 wt% vs. ~4 wt%), and that the distinct trace element contents between Series I and II rocks can be explained by differentiation of magmas with different initial water contents.

Silurian post-orogenic volcanic rocks of the South Kunlun Belt, NW China: links to the Proto- to Paleo-Tethyan tectonic transition

ABSTRACT Newly discovered early Palaeozoic intraplate volcanic rocks within the southern Kunlun Orogen provide an opportunity to examine the middle to late Silurian tectonic setting of this area. This study presents new whole-rock geochemical and zircon U–Pb geochronological and Lu–Hf isotope data for the Silurian volcanic rocks of the Wanbaogou area, South Kunlun Belt. These volcanic rocks are split into trachytic and basaltic groups based on field observations and petrographic and geochemical data. Laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb dating of zircons from four samples from this area yields similar ages of 428.2 ± 3.4, 426.4 ± 4.2, 426.1 ± 3.2, and 424.5 ± 3.2 Ma, indicating this volcanic complex formed during the middle to late Silurian. The basalts in this area have high Nb/La ratios, generally positive εHf(t) values and hump-shaped ocean island basalt (OIB)-like intraplate compositions that are free of negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies, indicating the magmas that formed these units underwent at most only slight crustal contamination. In comparison, the trachytes have incompatible trace element concentrations that are higher than the concentrations found in typical arc-type magmas. The melting of the underplated young basaltic crust is a more likely explanation for the formation of the trachytes. These igneous rocks are all of within-plate affinity, were derived either from the asthenospheric mantle or from a mantle plume, and underwent some crustal contamination prior to their emplacement. Combining these data with the results of previous research on the Kunlun high to ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) belt and contemporaneous volcanic and intrusive rocks elsewhere in this region suggests that the Silurian volcanic rocks of the Wanbaogou area formed in a post-orogenic setting as a response to the final closure of the Proto-Tethys Ocean and the transition from Proto- to Paleo-Tethyan tectonic regimes within the East Kunlun Orogen. The geology of this region indicates that middle–late Silurian post-orogenic extension was not just limited to the Wanbaogou area but probably extended across the entire EKO.