Crustal Xenoliths Research Articles

Correction: Leeman et al. U-Pb LA-ICP-MS Zircon Dating of Crustal Xenoliths: Evidence of the Archean Lithosphere Beneath the Snake River Plain. Minerals 2024, 14, 578

There were three errors in the original publication [...]

On the occurrence of kalsilite in melilite-bearing ultrapotassic lavas from the Roman Province (Vulsini Mts., central Italy)

The Montefiascone Volcanic Complex belongs to the Vulsini Mts. volcanic district, one of the several leucite-bearing ultrapotassic Pleistocene volcanoes of the Roman Province (Central Italy). It is characterized by abundant pyroclastic successions and minor lava flows emplaced during a caldera formation phase occurred ∼0.3–0.2 Ma. The volcanic products span from leucite-basanites and leucite-tephrites to rarer leucitites and melilitites, occasionally associated with very rare kalsilite melilitolite ejecta. Here we report for the first time the presence of primary kalsilite in two lava flows in Forcinella and Feltricci localities, identifying a kamafugitic component among the Montefiascone volcanics.Detailed petrographic, SEM and EPMA studies on ten samples from the two localities revealed, in addition to kalsilite, variable amounts of clinopyroxene, melilite, leucite and nepheline plus rarer olivine coupled with carbonate-bearing segregation pockets in the groundmass. Geochemical and isotopic data confirm the exotic nature of the analysed rocks, showing ultrabasic/basic (SiO2 = 42.15–45.94 wt%) and ultrapotassic (K2O = 6.17–8.48 wt%; K2O/Na2O = 5.3–8.7) compositions, as well as strongly radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr (0.71038–0.711068), poorly radiogenic 143Nd/144Nd (0.512057.512091) and uniform middle radiogenic 206Pb/204Pb (18.76–18.78). Boron isotopes (δ11B ranges from 7.36 to 8.82‰) almost overlaps the typical MORB-OIB range values.These geochemical features recall those of the nearby kamafugite rocks from the Intra-Apennine Province. Major oxide and trace element modelling support fractionation links among the Italian kamafugite types. The overall geochemical and isotopic signatures speak for a common strongly subduction-metasomatized and orthopyroxene-free lithospheric mantle source. As already proposed for some nearby kamafugite centres in central Italy, limestone assimilation during magma ascent is a viable option to explain the mineralogical and whole-rock composition of Montefiascone lavas (i.e., the presence of carbonate plagues in the lava groundmass). This is particularly relevant considering the thick sedimentary sequence pierced by the limited volume of the upwelling magma. On the other hand, many other key features (such as the general lack of crustal xenoliths, the overall incompatible element fractionation and the radiogenic Sr isotopic ratios) clearly require also derivation from subduction-modified mantle sources.

U-Pb LA-ICP-MS Zircon Dating of Crustal Xenoliths: Evidence of the Archean Lithosphere Beneath the Snake River Plain

U-Pb LA-ICP-MS Zircon Dating of Crustal Xenoliths: Evidence of the Archean Lithosphere Beneath the Snake River Plain

Early arc crust formation preserved in the Grenadines archipelago, southern Lesser Antilles arc.

Intra-arc diversity in volcanic activity and composition is ubiquitous, but its underlying causes remain largely unresolved in many settings. In this work, we examine such variability in the Grenadines archipelago, southern Lesser Antilles arc. Here, juxtaposed volcanic centres exhibit eruptive longevities and chemistries distinct from northern counterparts in the same arc. Our goal is to explain this deviation by investigating variations in magmatic processes using petrological data from erupted crustal xenoliths and lavas, and interpreting these findings within the context of the archipelago's tectonic history and geophysical structure. Textural analyses of xenoliths reveal crystallization over a wide range of pressure-temperature-melt composition conditions in the crust. Mineral phases display discrete compositional trends pointing towards significant inter-island variability in underlying plumbing systems. The geochemical variety of erupted magmas is reminiscent of the entire arc. We speculate that the Grenadines represents the early onset of subduction forming the modern-day Lesser Antilles arc. Extrusive volcanism initiated as submarine activity. Subsequent uplift eroded the original topography of these volcanic centres following the eventual cessation of volcanism in the Neogene. The positioning of the Grenadines on an elevated platform provides rare modern insight into early arc crust formation not commonly preserved in established active arcs.

Petrography, geochemistry and monazite geochronology of crustal xenoliths hosted by Afonso Cláudio Intrusive Complex, Araçuaí-West Congo orogen (southeast Brazil): Insights about contamination, magma sources and evolution of the post-collisional magmatism

The Afonso Cláudio Intrusive Complex (ACIC) is a typical post-collisional intrusion from Araçuaí-West Congo orogen (AWCO). The ACIC intruded allanite-bearing orthogneisses from AWCO pre-collisional tectonic stage (Rio Doce arc related rocks) and paragneisses from Nova Venécia Complex and it is composed of two lowered off-centered monzogabbroic and monzodioritic cores surrounded by quartz monzonite high hills, showing intense magma mingling and mixing between these domains. Xenoliths attributed to the enclosing gneisses have been commonly found widespread in the quartz monzonitic rocks, while are occasional in the monzogabbroic and monzodioritic domain. This paper presents the first detailed investigation of the xenoliths hosted by an AWCO post-collisional intrusion, focusing on petrography, major and trace element geochemistry and U–Th–Pb monazite dating of the main xenolith types. For comparison, major and trace element data investigation of the ACIC enclosing rocks has also been conducted. The correlated xenoliths and ACIC enclosing rocks show partially similar geochemical features, however both show different REE and multi-element normalized patterns compared to the ACIC main rocks. These results suggest that correlated xenoliths and enclosing rocks are cogenetic, however both could not represent the main sources of magmas that generated the ACIC. Geochemical modeling of igneous processes of previous ACIC dataset considering the investigated xenoliths and enclosing rocks as the main assimilant material suggests that mixing was responsible for both ACIC main rocks similar geochemical patterns and linear trends in the bimodal diagrams. This modeling also indicates that the evolution of the ACIC main rocks was ruled by different processes. Fractional crystallization with minor influence of assimilation of enclosing rocks controlled the magmatic evolution of monzogabbro and monzodiorite related to an enriched mantle source, while coupled assimilation and fractional crystallization ruled the evolution of quartz monzonite possibly associated to lower crust magmas mainly contaminated by enclosing rocks. U–Th–Pb monazite dating of two xenoliths showed that these rocks preserved similar main ages related to different stages of ACIC and AWCO post-collisional evolution. Both xenoliths showed main older ages of 478 and 477 Ma which are related to ACIC intrusion during AWCO post-collisional stage, while younger ages of 431 and 427 Ma are probably related to the intrusion of syenogranite dykes that crosscut the ACIC, representing an extension of AWCO post-collisional magmatism or a later unrelated thermal event. Due to the similarities between the typical AWCO post-collisional intrusions, the insights brought about the evolution of ACIC magmas could be considered to the typical AWCO post-collisional mantle and crustal magmas. This first investigation of xenoliths hosted by an AWCO post-collisional intrusion has showed that these strange rock pieces could bring new and important insights about the AWCO evolution, which shows an amazing and long-lasting magmatism with common occurrence of poorly investigated xenoliths.

Connection between tectonothermal events of the Yakutian kimberlite province and assembly of the Siberian craton

The tectonic framework of the Siberian craton is still under debate. It is generally assumed that the Markha and Daldyn terranes collided at 2.2–2.1 Ga and the final assembly of the Siberian craton occurred at 1.9–1.8 Ga. However, previous study on zircons from xenoliths of the Zapolyarnaya pipe, which is located in the Upper Muna kimberlite field and close to the boundary between the Markha and Daldyn terranes, do not show tectonothermal evidence younger than 2.7 Ga. To clarify the tectonothermal evolution of the Siberian craton, we present U-Pb ages and Hf isotope data of zircons from crustal xenoliths in the Novinka and Komsomolskaya Magnitnaya kimberlite pipes in the Upper Muna field. The zircon ages confirm only one major tectonothermal event at 2.7 Ga in the Upper Muna field, which doubts the existence of the collision zone between the Markha and Daldyn terranes. The middle-lower crust beneath the Upper Muna field is mainly composed of mafic and intermediate granulites and experienced long-term cooling. The negative values of εHf(2.7) suggests ignorable addition of juvenile component during partial melting of the Paleoarchean crust at 2.7 Ga. Compared with crustal xenoliths from other kimberlite pipes in the Yakutian diamondiferous province, the crust of the Anabar province shows vertical and lateral heterogeneity and the absence of a relationship between the crustal reworking degree and the main collision zones. We propose that the widespread 2.7 and 1.9 Ga tectonothermal events in the Anabar tectonic province were associated with the episodic rise of superplumes, which not only caused the crustal growth and reworking but also facilitated collision and amalgamation of terranes.

Heterogeneous dacitic magmas and the role of crustal assimilation in the Sierra Chichinautzin Volcanic Field, central Mexico: a perspective from crustal xenoliths

ABSTRACT The Sierra Chichinautzin Volcanic Field (SCVF) is constituted by diverse monogenetic volcanic structures with heterogeneous chemical composition. Dacitic magmas are widely distributed in this volcanic field and are the most felsic products. Tabaquillo lava is an example of such felsic rocks, it is porphyritic and highly crystalline, constituted by large phenocrysts of plagioclase and quartz (>1 mm long) + ortho and clinopyroxene + biotite and minor amphibole. Coarse-grained and equigranular clasts classified as ‘crystal-rich enclaves’ are also common in the lava flow, with variable compositions (basaltic andesite, andesite, and dacite) and ages of 0.35–0.36 Ma. The presence of metasandstone crustal xenoliths in the Tabaquillo lava flow, with a maximum sedimentation age of 150 Ma, attests to crustal assimilation of the Guerrero terrain rocks. Isotopic data of Tabaquillo lava and other volcanic rocks from the SCVF show notable variations (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70379–0.70474; 143Nd/144Nd = 0.51272–0.51288). Most of them lie in the mantle array but trending to the more radiogenic metasandstone xenolith and Guerrero terrain rocks (87Sr/86Sr = 0.71271 and 0.71627), suggesting that SCVF magmas have partially assimilated these rocks. Interaction between SCVF magmas with metasandstone, quartzite, and skarn rocks took place at depths > 1.3 km, imprinting geochemical and isotopic characteristics on the felsic magmas and produced the diverse compositional lithologies in the entire SCVF. Additionally, crystal-rich enclaves produced during previous magmatic pulses stalled at different depths, were later mixed with the ascending mafic magma, and subsequently incorporated into the crystal cargo that reached the surface. The common presence of quartz crystals (sometimes with reaction rims of clinopyroxene) found in many SCVF lavas could derive from the crystal-rich magmatic enclaves and/or from the metasandstone basement rocks.

Metasomatic enrichment of the sub-arc mantle: Evidence from the petrography and geochemistry of the xenolith-bearing andesites from Dinem Island, Batanes, Philippines

The Babuyan Segment of the Luzon Arc in the Philippines is divided into an older west volcanic chain (WVC) and a younger east volcanic chain (EVC) based on the geochemical and geochronological characteristics of their volcanic rocks. Mantle and crustal xenoliths have been previously reported in the volcanic rocks of young Batan (EVC) and Sabtang (WVC). In this work, we present new petrographic and geochemical data on volcanic rocks from Dinem Island (EVC), which also host mantle and crustal xenoliths. These volcanic rock data are compared to the data of other volcanic centers in the region to better understand magmatic-metasomatic processes that occur beneath island arcs.The Dinem volcanic rocks are generally porphyritic andesites, with plagioclase and hornblende phenocrysts, minor clinopyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides. Correlation between major oxides (i.e., K2O, Na2O, TiO2, CaO and Al2O3) and trace elements (i.e., Ni and Cr) with FeO*/MgO suggests that the Dinem volcanic rocks are related by magmatic differentiation. These rocks also record enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Ba, Th) and depletion in high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, Ti), which are typical of arc volcanic rocks. The volcanic rocks from Dinem also have elevated (La/Sm)N and Th/Yb and low Ba/Th values relative to WVC volcanic rocks. These trace element ratios and enriched LREE signature suggest that the Dinem and younger Batan volcanic rocks of the EVC were derived from a mantle wedge that is highly metasomatized by slab-derived fluids/melts relative to the source region of the WVC volcanic rocks.

Eoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Crust History in the Yakutian Diamond Province: Evidence from U–Th–Pb (LA-ICP-MS) and Lu–Hf Dating of Zircons from Crustal Xenoliths in Kimberlite Pipes

Abstract —Radiometric dating of zircon grains from crustal xenoliths in kimberlites of the Yakutian diamond province show that most of the Daldyn and Markha terranes were formed in Paleoarchean but preserve some fragments of Eaoachean and possibly even Hadean crust recycled in several tectonothermal events. The oldest zircons were crystallized about 3.2 Ga and recrystallized during later activity stages of 2.9, 2.8–2.7, and 1.9 Ga, whereby they gained radiogenic hafnium produced by 176Lu decay in the rock. The degrees crust rework and the tectonothermal stages varied across the Anabar tectonic province. The earliest events of 3.2 and 2.9 Ga left record in zircons from kimberlites in the Nakyn field, while the signatures of the 2.7 Ga activity are best pronounced in zircons from kimberlites sampled in the Upper Muna and Nakyn fields. On the other hand, zircons from lower crustal mafic granulite xenoliths in the Daldyn and Alakit-Markha kimberlites lack traces of the earliest crust history and only evidence of the last 1.9 Ga event, which remained mute in xenolith samples from the Upper Muna field. Zircons from felsic granulite and metadiorite xenoliths in the Udachnaya kimberlite, which represent middle and upper crust, show a peak at 2.6 Ga besides that of 1.9 Ga. The synthesized available data support several previous inferences: vertical and lateral heterogeneity of the crust in the Yakutian diamond province; absence of linkage between the crust recycling degree and major collisional zones of the Siberian craton; absence of the separate Markha terrane. Correlation of age peaks corresponding to thermal events in the crust history of the Anabar tectonic province with those of large igneous provinces allows a hypothesis that the revealed tectonothermal events may be related with the activity of superplumes.

Zircon U–Pb ages and geochemistry of deep-seated crustal xenoliths from Yangyuan: Implications for the evolution of lower crust beneath the Trans North China Orogen

Deep-seated crustal xenoliths captured by volcanic rocks play a rare opportunity in understanding the composition and evolution of the lower continental crust. Here, we present mineral chemistry, whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr–Nd isotopes, and in-situ zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotope data for a suite of granulite and biotite gneiss xenoliths entrained in the Oligocene basalts from the Yangyuan county in the central part of the Trans North China Orogen (TNCO) with aims to decipher the composition and evolutionary history of the lower crust beneath this area. Calculated equilibrium temperatures (841–933 °C) and pressures (9.7–14.3 kbar) suggest an origin of the Yangyuan granulites from the lower crust. The dominantly Archean–Proterozoic zircon ages and low Mg# values (29.0–68.4) of the Yangyuan crustal xenoliths indicate that they represent the ancient crust and the fractional crystallization plays a key role during the protolith formation. Furthermore, the zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopes data reveal multiple thermal events, including two main peaks of crustal growth at ∼2.7 Ga and ∼2.5 Ga, ∼1.85–1.80 Ga and the Phanerozoic accretion and reworking of the lower crust beneath Yangyuan. In addition, a comparison study of crustal xenoliths from Yangyuan, Nangaoya and Hannuoba areas demonstrates that the lower crust beneath the central–northern part of the TNCO experienced as a whole the Neoarchean crustal growth, Paleoproterozoic metamorphism and Phanerozoic magmatic underplating. More importantly, the absence of U–Pb age peak of ∼1.95 Ga and Hf model age peaks of ∼3.9–3.8 Ga, ∼2.9–2.8 Ga, ∼2.2–2.1 Ga and ∼700–600 Ma in Yangyuan shows a heterogeneous evolution of the lower crust beneath the TNCO, which could pave the way for a more comprehensive picture of the crustal evolutional history beneath the North China Craton.

Primitive high-Mg andesites from the Western Alps, Italy: Products of interaction of sediment diapir derived melts with mantle-wedge peridotite in a continental collision zone

Primitive (high-Cr, Ni), high-Mg andesites (HMA) at convergent plate margins are considered primary, mantle-derived melts, and are not part of the classical tholeiitic or so-called calc-alkaline igneous differentiation series. Their genesis is often considered the product of melting of lower crustal sequences or the subducting slab, though their genesis is far from being understood. Alternatively, they may represent differentiated rocks from boninitic precursors. Here we present isotope and geochemical data for a rare suite of high-Mg andesites that were preserved as decimetre-sized boulders in molasse-type sedimentary rocks of the Oligocene-Miocene Gonfolite Lombarda (Como Formation; Italy), as part of the post-orogenic alpine sedimentary succession. The HMA have moderate to high MgO (1.9–6.4 wt%), high Al2O3 (16.3–18.8 wt%), along with high Cr (30–306 ppm) and Ni (13–92 ppm), and moderate Yb (1.2–2.5 ppm) and Y (12–26 ppm) abundances, matching those of primitive HMA. These HMA are LILE- and LREE-enriched and most samples have negligible negative Eu anomalies. Primitive mantle-normalized compositions show depletions in Nb, Ta, P, Ti and Y. Most samples have unradiogenic Nd (εNd: −6.2 to −7.8) and radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr isotope compositions (0.708 to 0.710), elevated δ18O values (+7.6 ‰ to +9.5 ‰) and radiogenic Pb isotope compositions, with a pronounced variation in 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb at rather constant 206Pb/204Pb. Initial εHf isotope values range from −0.4 to −2.3, some of which deviate from the HfNd crust-mantle isotope array. One sample is unevolved (87Sr/86Sr: 0.708; εNd: −3.3, εHf: +1.8, δ18O: 8.5 ‰) whereas another sample is strongly evolved (87Sr/86Sr: 0.720; εNd: −9.3, εHf: −5.8, δ18O: 9.3 ‰); the latter probably representing a crustal melt. The remaining samples have intermediate compositions (87Sr/86Sr: 0.709–0.713; εNd: −6.2 to −8.5, εHf: −0.4 to −4.3, δ18O: 7.6–10.6 ‰) that either result from limited AFC processes or represent source heterogeneities. The sum of these features cannot be the result of a simple slab or mantle wedge melting process. To account for the observed geochemical signatures of the high-Mg andesites, a three-stage model is suggested that invokes melting of slab-derived sediment diapirs, followed by melt-rock-reaction in the mantle wedge and subsequent crustal assimilation-fractional crystallization (AFC). The diapirs that rise into the mantle wedge are composed of subducted wet, Alpine sediments. Hydrous dacitic (siliceous) partial melts derived from them react with the ambient mantle wedge and cause the formation of boninitic melts with elevated MgO, Ni and Cr; the archetype features of primitive high-Mg andesites. Subsequent interaction with the overlying arc crust is evidenced by crustal xenoliths, which may account for some isotope features of the rock suite. We consider this scenario most plausible because it is relatively simple, and explain most if not all geochemical features, based on modelling and experimental evidence.

Silicic frothy xenoliths (xeno-pumice) in recent volcanics from Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

The Quaternary small-volume alkaline magmatic episode on Gran Canaria erupted dominantly basanite and nephelinite lavas and scoria deposits that contain a range of mantle and crustal xenoliths. These xenoliths comprise peridotite nodules, partially melted plutonic and volcanic rock fragments, and a group of light colored, felsic, and commonly frothy quartz-bearing rock fragments (xeno-pumice) that show evidence for intense interaction with their host magmas. Here we study a selection of these felsic and, in part, glassy and vesicular xenoliths from North and North-East Gran Canaria, with the aim to unravel their ultimate origin and learn more about magma storage and ascent within and below the island. Inspection of textures, mineral assemblages and glass compositions reveal one group of felsic xenoliths with fresh to partly altered igneous phenocryst assemblages and relict magmatic textures in addition to δ18O values of 3.6 to 6.6‰. This group is interpreted to be of igneous origin. A second group of frothy felsic xenoliths displays mineralogy and textural characteristics more similar to sedimentary rocks with frequent occurrence of quartz, a mineral usually not present as phenocrysts in magmatic rocks from the Canary Islands. This second group displays relatively high δ18O values (8.1 to 16.8‰), more typical for sedimentary lithologies, and is thus interpreted to represent material derived from the extensive pre-island sedimentary part of the ocean crust. The investigated xenoliths from North Gran Canaria thus provide a snapshot of pre-island sedimentary geology as well as the island's “magmatic” interior. These new data help constrain the available subsurface compositional variations within and below the Canary Islands and will hence be useful in interpreting magma evolution trends and magma storage levels.

Zinc isotopic systematics of deep crustal xenoliths from the southeastern North China craton and implications for intra-crustal differentiation

Zinc isotopic systematics of deep crustal xenoliths from the southeastern North China craton and implications for intra-crustal differentiation

Was cratonic Asia deeply subducted beneath the Pamir? Evidence from P–T conditions and tectonic affinities of Cenozoic Pamir crustal xenoliths

AbstractOne of the most striking geological features of the Pamir is the south‐dipping lithospheric slab beneath the orogen characterized by an intracontinental Wadati‐Benioff zone. A widely accepted hypothesis over the past 40 years interprets the slab to represent southward subducted cratonic Asian continental lithosphere, which predicts significant cratonic Asia‐sourced crustal materials (e.g., Tarim Basin) beneath the Pamir. Alternatively, recent studies have interpreted the slab to be lithosphere delaminated from the base of the Pamir. To test these hypotheses, depth–tectonic affinity relations of crustal xenoliths carried by Miocene volcanic rocks in the eastern Pamir, interpreted to be sourced from the Pamir deep lithosphere, are used to determine whether they represented Asian affinity cratonic crust. Thermodynamic calculations, zircon U–Pb geochronology combined with rare earth element analysis, and whole‐rock major‐trace element and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses document that (1) eclogite and pyroxenite xenoliths (~31–43 kbar/~960–1170°C) are the deepest sourced portions of the lithosphere from ~100 to 140 km depth, the protoliths of which represent the mid‐lower crustal rocks of the Cretaceous Pamir magmatic arc, rather than material from cratonic Asia, and (2) granulite xenoliths (~20 kbar/~900°C) represent the Cenozoic lower crustal rocks of Pamir terranes from ~70 km depth. These results indicate the south‐dipping slab represents delaminated Pamir lower crust and mantle lithosphere, rather than intracontinental subduction of Asian lithosphere, and further support the hypothesis of minimal Cenozoic northward translation of the Pamir.

Metasediments from the lower crust reveal the history of the Picuris orogeny, southwest USA

Petrologic and geochronologic data for metapelitic lower crustal xenoliths from New Mexico (USA) and Chihuahua (Mexico) states provide evidence for both a magmatic and collisional component to the enigmatic Mesoproterozoic Picuris orogeny. These garnet-sillimanite-bearing metapelites are found within the southern Rio Grande rift at Kilbourne Hole and Potrillo Maar in southern New Mexico and northern Chihuahua. Geothermobarometry and rutile with Quaternary U-Pb dates indicate equilibration in the local lower crust, which is actively undergoing ultra-high temperature (UHT) metamorphism (Cipar et al., 2020). The samples contain older detrital zircons dating back to the Paleoproterozoic, marking their deposition at the surface. Coupled zircon U-Pb dates and trace-element ratios (e.g., Gd/Yb) show a clear transition from oscillatory-zoned, low-Gd/Yb detrital magmatic zircon to featureless, high-Gd/Yb metamorphic zircon between 1500 and 1400 Ma, marking the transition from subduction to collision during this period. Metamorphic zircon and monazite grew in two major intervals. The first, between ca. 1450 and 1350 Ma, documents the journey of the sediments to depth within the orogen and provides evidence of extended Mesoproterozoic metamorphism in the region. The second corresponds with UHT metamorphism that commenced at ca. 32 Ma and is associated with the Rio Grande rift. Whereas nearly all garnets are homogeneous in both major and trace elements, a single garnet from one sample has a core defined by abundant quartz and acicular sillimanite inclusions. The core and rim of this garnet is homogeneous in major and most trace elements, but the rim is enriched in the slowest diffusing elements, Zr and Hf, which likely indicates rim growth at higher temperatures. We interpret the garnet core to have grown at the time of emplacement of the sediments into the lower crust. Because this occurred in the sillimanite stability field and because the metamorphic zircon and monazite all have negative Eu anomalies, indicating their equilibration with feldspar (stable at depths of <45 km), we conclude that the sediments were not emplaced via subduction and/or relamination of forearc sediments, but were instead metamorphosed under warmer, shallower conditions in an orogenic setting. Collectively, the data point to a collisional orogen during the inferred timing of the Picuris orogeny. These samples may therefore define the location of the Picuris suture zone, a key feature of this orogenic event.

Robust laser ablation Lu–Hf dating of apatite: an empirical evaluation

Abstract Recent developments in laser-ablation Lu–Hf dating have opened a new opportunity to rapidly obtain apatite ages that are potentially more robust to isotopic resetting compared to traditional U–Pb dating. However, the robustness of the apatite Lu–Hf system has not been systematically examined. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted four case studies to determine the resistivity of the apatite Lu–Hf system compared to the zircon and apatite U–Pb system. In all cases, the apatite U–Pb system records a secondary (metamorphic or metasomatic) overprint. The apatite Lu–Hf system, however, preserves primary crystallization ages in unfoliated granitoids at temperatures of at least c. 660°C. Above c. 730°C, the Lu–Hf system records isotopic resetting by volume diffusion. Hence, in our observations for apatites of ‘typical’ grain sizes in granitoids ( c. 0.01–0.03 mm 2 ), the closure temperature of the Lu–Hf system is between c. 660 and c. 730°C, consistent with theoretical calculations. In foliated granites, the Lu–Hf system records the timing of recrystallization, while the apatite U–Pb system tends to record younger cooling ages. We also present apatite Lu–Hf dates for lower crustal xenoliths erupted with young alkali basalts, demonstrating that the Lu–Hf system can retain a memory of primary ages when exposed to magmatic temperatures for a relatively short duration. Hence, the apatite Lu–Hf system is a new insightful addition to traditional zircon (or monazite) U–Pb dating, particularly when zircons/monazites are absent or difficult to interpret due to inheritance or when U and Pb isotopes display open system behaviour. The laser-ablation-based Lu–Hf method allows campaign-style studies to be conducted at a similar rate to U–Pb studies, opening new opportunities for magmatic and metamorphic studies.

The eruption interface between carbonatitic dykes and diatremes – The Gross Brukkaros volcanic field Namibia

Carbonatites exist as intrusive and extrusive rocks, with the former dominating the rock record. The geochemical link between intrusive and extrusive equivalents and the processes during eruption of carbonatite melt are essentially unknown. This contribution aims at providing new insights into the transition from intrusive to extrusive carbonatites with special emphasis on the trace element budget. The Gross Brukkaros natural laboratory in central Namibia was chosen to study the interface between fine-grained dolomite‑carbonatite dykes and associated diatremes. Whole rock geochemistry combined with micro-scale petrography via BSE imaging and microXRF mapping provide evidence that the carbonatite dykes contain significant amounts of silica and aluminium, which is inherited from crustal xenoliths by resorption and leaching. At the transition from carbonatite dyke to diatreme, the CO2 component (likely together with most of the other volatiles e.g. Cl, H2O, F, S) of the carbonatitic brine-melt vaporised and was released into the atmosphere. During this process the Si, Ca, Mg and Fe transported together with a high amount of trace elements became precipitated from a resulting primarily magmatic fluid as a mixture of cryptocrystalline quartz (quartz I) and aegirine-augite (plus minor magnetite) with frequently occurring microcrystalline quartz I grains. This mineral assemblage forms the matrix in the diatreme breccia and precipitated by rapid temperature drop in the course of decompression from the hydrothermal fluid. In the post-eruption stage the influx of meteoric waters (into the system), which mixed with the remaining magmatic fluid, caused precipitation of a second quartz generation (quartz II; euhedral grains), which is depleted in trace elements. All measured trace elements show significantly higher contents in quartz I compared to quartz II (with exception of Li). The application of the TitaniQ geothermometer indicates that Ti incorporation in quartz is kinetically controlled for quartz I. During quartz II formation the system thermodynamically equilibrates and ends up with realistic precipitation temperatures of 290–350 °C. Therefore, this study shed light on the trace element behaviour at the interface between feeder dykes and diatreme roots of a strongly contaminated carbonatite melt.

Aegirine-Bearing Clinopyroxenes in Granulites from Xenoliths of the Udachnaya Kimberlite Pipe, Siberian Craton: Comparison of the Results of Mössbauer Spectroscopy and Electron Micropobe Analysis

The aegirine end-member (NaFe3+Si2O6) in clinopyroxenes resulted from incorporation of Fe3+ into the mineral structure effects the accuracy of reconstruction of the P-T conditions in the high-grade metamorphic rocks and also allows evaluation the redox conditions of their formation. As a rule, the content of this end-member in clinopyroxenes is evaluated based on the crystal chemical recalculations of microprobe analyses. However, in some publications on eclogites, the results of recalculations of clinopyroxenes were compared with the data of Mössbauer spectroscopy. Significant difference was revealed between the measured and calculated Fe3+/ΣFe ratios, that can significantly affect the results of geothermometry. This paper presents the results of the Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements of clinopyroxene fractions separated from three samples of garnet-clinopyroxene granulites from the Udachnaya kimberlite pipe. The ratios Fe3+/ΣFe = 0.22–0.26 measured in clinopyroxenes correspond to 6–10 mol. % aegirine. These estimates are in good agreement with the values obtained for clinopyroxenes from the same samples by the recalculation of microprobe analyzes using the charge balance method. Following to this conclusion, we believe that crystal chemical recalculations of microprobe analyzes of clinopyroxenes from non-eclogitic rocks make it possible to correctly estimate the Fe3+ content in them. Similar recalculation of microprobe analyzes of clinopyroxenes from crustal xenoliths from other localities, as well as from ferrobasalts of the continental flood basalts provinces, ferrodolerite dikes, and gabbroid xenoliths (similar in bulk chemical composition to many lower-middle-crustal xenoliths) revealed significant amounts of previously unaccounted aegirine in them (up to 13 and 4–9 mol. %, respectively), that unleashes the potential for the reconstruction of redox conditions in many rocks.

Nature and evolution of the lower crust under central Spain: Inferences from granulite xenoliths (Calatrava Volcanic Field-Spanish central system)

So far, the nature and evolution of the lower crust under central Spain have been constrained mainly on the basis of a heterogeneous suite of granulite xenoliths from the Spanish Central System (SCS). In recent years, ultramafic volcanics from the Calatrava Volcanic Field (CVF) have also provided deep-seated crustal xenoliths which have not been studied in detail. Our data, combining mineral, whole-rock and isotopic geochemistry with U–Pb–Hf isotope ratios in zircons from the CVF and SCS xenoliths, highlight the felsic composition of the lower crust under central Iberia. A number of the Calatrava xenoliths represents Variscan igneous protoliths, which are a minor population in the SCS, and were likely formed by crystallisation of intermediate and felsic melts in the lower crust during the Variscan orogeny (leucodiorite protolith age of 314 ± 3 Ma and leucogranite protolith age of 308 ± 2.5 Ma). U–Pb data of metamorphic zircons show that granulite-facies metamorphism mainly occurred from 299 to 285 Ma in both areas. These ages are slightly younger than those of granitic intrusions that could be genetically related to the granulitic residue, which points to a main role of U–Pb isotope resetting in lower crustal zircons during HT or UHT conditions. The zircon U–Pb–Hf isotopic ratios support the idea that the lower crust in central Iberia consists mainly of Ordovician–Neoproterozoic metaigneous and metasedimentary rocks associated with the Cadomian continental arc of northern Gondwana. These rocks provide evidence of mixing between juvenile magmas and an enriched crustal component, ultimately extracted from an Eburnean crust. Other more evolved components present in detrital zircons are likely related to recycling of Archean crust derived from North Africa cratonic terranes.

Fluorine-rich mafic lower crust in the southern Rocky Mountains: The role of pre-enrichment in generating fluorine-rich silicic magmas and porphyry Mo deposits

AbstractFluorine-rich granites and rhyolites occur throughout the southern Rocky Mountains, but the origin of F-enrichment has remained unclear. We test if F-enrichment could be inherited from ancient mafic lower crust by: (1) measuring amphibole compositions, including F and Cl contents, of lower crustal mafic granulite xenoliths from northern Colorado to determine if they are unusually enriched in halogens; (2) analyzing whole-rock elemental and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic compositions for upper crustal Cretaceous to Oligocene igneous rocks in Colorado to evaluate their sources; and (3) comparing batch melting models of mafic lower crustal source rocks to melt F and Cl abundances derived from biotite data from the F-rich silicic Never Summer batholith. This approach allows us to better determine if the mafic lower crust was pre-enriched in F, if it is concentrated enough to generate F-rich anatectic melts, and if geochemical data support an ancient lower crustal origin for the F-rich rocks in the southern Rocky Mountains.Electron microprobe analyses of amphibole in lower crustal mafic granulite xenoliths show they contain 0.56–1.38 wt% F and 0.45–0.73 wt% Cl. Titanium in calcium amphibole thermometry indicates that the amphiboles equilibrated at high to ultrahigh temperature conditions (805 to 940 °C), and semiquantitative amphibole thermobarometry indicates the amphiboles equilibrated at 0.5 to 1.0 GPa prior to entrainment in magmas during the Devonian. Mass balance calculations, based on these new measurements, indicate parts of the mafic lower crust in Colorado are at least 3.5 times more enriched in F than average mafic lower crust. Intrusions coeval with the Laramide Orogeny (75 to 38 Ma) pre-date F-rich magmatism in Colorado and have Sr and Nd isotopic compositions consistent with mafic lower crust ± mantle sources, but many of these intrusions contain elevated Sr/Y ratios (>40) that suggest amphibole was a stable phase during magma generation. The F-rich igneous rocks from the Never Summer igneous complex and Colorado Mineral Belt also have Sr and Nd isotopic compositions that overlap with the lower crustal mafic granulite xenoliths, but they have lower Sr/Y, higher Nb and Y abundances, and distinctly less radiogenic 206Pb/204Pbi compositions than preceding Laramide magmatism. Batch melt modeling indicates low-degree partial melts derived from rocks similar to the mafic lower crustal xenoliths we analyzed can yield silicic melts with >2000 ppm F, similar to estimated F melt concentrations for silicic melts that are interpreted to be parental to evolved leucogranites.We suggest that F-rich silicic melts in the southern Rocky Mountains were sourced from garnet-free mafic lower crust, and that fluid-absent breakdown of amphibole in ultrahigh temperature metamorphic rocks was a key process in their generation. Based on the composition of high-F amphibole measured from lower crustal xenoliths, the temperature of amphibole breakdown and melt generation for these F-enriched source rocks is likely >100 °C higher than similar lower crust with low or average F abundances. As such, these source rocks only melted during periods of unusually high heat flow into the lower crust, such as during an influx of mantle-derived magmas related to rifting or the post-Laramide ignimbrite flare-up in the region. These data have direct implications for the genesis of porphyry Mo mineralization, because they indicate that pre-enrichment of F in the deep crust could be a necessary condition for later anatexis and generation of F-rich magmas.