Magma Genesis Research Articles

Petrology, geochemistry, and Sr, Nd isotopes of mantle xenolith in Nghia Dan alkaline basalt (West Nghe An): implications for lithospheric mantle characteristics beneath the region

Petrology, geochemistry, and Sr, Nd isotopes of mantle xenolith in Nghia Dan alkaline basalt (West Nghe An): implications for lithospheric mantle characteristics beneath the region

Cretaceous carbonatites of the southeastern Brazilian Platform: a review

This paper reviews general aspects of alkaline-carbonatitic rocks of Brazilian, Paraguayan and Bolivian terrains. Although 30 such occurrences are known in literature, only the major ones have been thoroughly investigated. The carbonatites are of Cretaceous age, with two well-defined Lower Cretaceous and Upper Cretaceous generation episodes. A clear tectonic control by ancient structural features such as archs, lineaments and faults characterizes most cases. The rocks exhibit a large compositional variation, in decreasing orders of abundance from calciocarbonatites to magnesiocarbonatites to ferrocarbonatites. In some complexes, they form multistage intrusions. C-O isotopes indicate that, in general, the carbonatites were affected by post-magmatic processes associated with the topographic level of emplacement and low-temperature H 2 O-CO 2 rich fluids responsible for the increased amount of heavy carbon and oxygen. Sr-Nd isotopic compositions similar to those of coeval alkaline silicate rocks, ranging from depleted to enriched mantle sources, have been influenced by two distinct metasomatic events in Proterozoic at 2,0-1.4 Ga and 1.0-0.5 Ga. Sr-Nd-Pb-Os data seem related to an isotopically enriched source, their chemical heterogeneities reflecting a depleted mantle that was metasomatized by small-volume melts and by fluids rich in incompatible elements. Fractional crystallization and liquid immiscibility are believed to be the most effective processes in the formation of the Cretaceous carbonatites, with minor contribution of crustal contamination. Pb isotopic ratios yield evidence that HIMU and EM I mantle components played an important role in the genesis of the carbonatitic magma.

Petrogenesis and Assembly of the Don Manuel Igneous Complex, Miocene–Pliocene Porphyry Copper Belt, Central Chile

The 4·0–3·6 Ma Don Manuel igneous complex (DMIC), central Chile, provides a window into igneous processes involved in magma genesis associated with porphyry-style copper mineralization. This study uses petrographic, petrological, geochemical and isotopic data to examine the evolution of magmas from the mid- to lower-crustal source region to shallow emplacement. The data provide evidence for progressive oxidation of magma during differentiation and ascent, fractionation of Cl from S through degassing, and the late-stage, near-solidus removal of Cl from the system. Magmas of basaltic andesite to rhyolite composition were produced by polybaric differentiation of hydrous parental mafic magmas. Variations in crustal differentiation depths led to variable suppression of plagioclase saturation that is recorded in distinctive strontium versus anorthite evolution patterns. Hydrous, derivative magmas generated over a wide range of pressures were episodically emplaced into the shallow crust at depths between 3·5 and 5 km. Intermediate porphyry dikes closely associated with copper mineralization contain diverse crystal cargoes indicating significant magma mixing. These crystal cargoes represent samples of crystal mush entrained from different depths, as well as crystals originating in different magmas and crystals grown in situ from hybridized magmas. Mafic enclaves containing plagioclase and amphibole compositions that match those of the basaltic andesites occur within biotite tonalite, testifying to magma mingling during ascent. Sulfur and chlorine contents of apatite within the different DMIC units record variable degassing and decoupling of volatile components with sulfur showing variations of three orders of magnitude compared with one order of magnitude for chlorine. The hypabyssal nature of the DMIC affords a detailed, integrated record of magmatic differentiation processes occurring within trans-crustal magmatic systems of the sort thought to characterize many crustal arc settings and play a fundamental role in driving porphyry-style copper mineralization.

Timing and origin of magmatism in the Sverdrup Basin, Northern Canada—Implications for lithospheric evolution in the High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP)

Cretaceous magmatism in the Sverdrup Basin of Arctic Canada is widely considered to be part of the circum-Arctic High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP). Recent studies have questioned: (i) plume involvement in the HALIP, and (ii) whether the younger magmatic events constitute the same large igneous province. We present an integrated geochemical and geochronological study to better constrain the initiation and evolution of magma genesis in the Canadian HALIP.Six new U–Pb and four 40Ar/39Ar ages of mafic lavas and intrusive sheets range from 120.9 ± 0.9 Ma to 78.4 ± 0.1 Ma, which is within the published timespan of the HALIP. The U–Pb ages are the first analyzed from the mafic intrusions of Axel Heiberg and Ellesmere Islands. The new geochronology, combined with all recently (post-2000) published ages, detail a >50 Myr duration of magmatism (128 to 77 Ma) with three main pulses. Tholeiites dominate the first 25 Myr while the latter 25 Myr consisted of coeval emplacement of alkali and tholeiitic basalts.Rare-earth-element inversion models reveal that the alkalic and tholeiitic magmas were generated beneath a bimodal lithospheric ‘lid’ thickness of 65 ± 5 and 45 ± 4 km, respectively. Whole-rock Sr–Nd isotope ratios indicate that both magma types are derived from a similar source dominated by convecting mantle. Further, these two magma types were spatially segregated by the tectonic domains of the Sverdrup Basin.We suggest that the early 128–120 Ma tholeiitic event is primarily plume-generated and correlates across the circum-Arctic with the other HALIP tholeiites. The younger magmatism, with coeval alkalic and tholeiitic magmas erupting over 25 Myr, is likely not plume-generated and may be explained by alternating modes of edge-driven mantle convection as the primary control on magma genesis. A distal plume would intensify magma production by edge-driven convection, but its influence would be secondary.

Geochemistry of an Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complex in Eastern Desert, Egypt: New insights and constraints on the Neoproterozoic island arc magmatism

Mikbi intrusion (MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE–SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios (mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta (2–15) and Zr/Hf (19–35), suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity (logƒO2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer (NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity (i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28–3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77–8.24 wt.% H2Omelt (i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates (0.53–6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE (e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE (e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulk-rock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.

Oligocene subduction-related plutonism in the Nodoushan area, Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic belt: Petrogenetic constraints from U–Pb zircon geochronology and isotope geochemistry

Geochemical data and Sr–Nd isotopes of the host rocks and magmatic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) collected from the Oligocene Nodoushan Plutonic Complex (NPC) in the central part of the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) were studied in order to better understand the magmatic and geodynamic evolution of the UDMB. New U–Pb zircon ages reveal that the NPC was assembled incrementally over ca. 5 m.y., during two main episodes at 30.52 ± 0.11 Ma and 30.06 ± 0.10 Ma in the early Oligocene (middle Rupelian) for dioritic and granite intrusives, and at 24.994 ± 0.037 Ma and 24.13 ± 0.19 Ma in the late Oligocene (latest Chattian) for granodioritic and diorite porphyry units, respectively. The spherical to ellipsoidal enclaves are composed of diorite to monzodiorite and minor gabbroic diorite (SiO2 = 47.73–57.36 wt.%; Mg# = 42.15–53.04); the host intrusions are mainly granite, granodiorite and diorite porphyry (SiO2 = 56.51–72.35 wt.%; Mg# = 26.29–50.86). All the samples used in this study have similar geochemical features, including enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g. Rb, Ba, Sr) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) relative to high field strength elements (HFSEs) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). These features, combined with a relative depletion in Nb, Ta, Ti and P, are characteristic of subduction-related magmas. Isotopic data for the host rocks display ISr = 0.705045–0.707959, εNd(t) = −3.23 to +3.80, and the Nd model ages (TDM) vary from 0.58 Ga to 1.37 Ga. Compared with the host rocks, the MMEs are relatively homogeneous in isotopic composition, with ISr ranging from 0.705513 to 0.707275 and εNd(t) from −1.46 to 4.62. The MMEs have TDM ranging from 0.49 Ga to 1.39 Ga. Geochemical and isotopic similarities between the MMEs and their host rocks demonstrate that the enclaves have mixed origins and were most probably formed by interactions between the lower crust- and mantle-derived magmas. Geochemical data, in combination with geodynamic evidence, suggest that a basic magma was derived from an enriched subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), presumably triggered by the influx of the hot asthenosphere. This magma then interacted with a crustal melt that originated from the dehydration melting of the mafic lower crust at deep crustal levels. Modeling based on Sr–Nd isotope data indicate that ∼50% to 90% of the lower crust-derived melt and ∼10% to 50% of the mantle-derived mafic magma were involved in the genesis of the early Oligocene magmas. In contrast, ∼45%–65% of the mantle-derived mafic magma were incorporated into the lower crust-derived magma (∼35%–55%) that generated the late Oligocene hybrid granitoid rocks. Early Oligocene granitoid rocks contain a higher proportion of crustal material compared to those that formed in the late Oligocene. It is reasonable to assume that lower crust and mantle interaction processes played a significant role in the genesis of these hybridgranitoid bodies, where melts undergoing fractional crystallization along with minor amounts of crustal assimilation could ascend to shallower crustal levels and generate a variety of rock types ranging from diorite to granite.

Tectonic control on the genesis of magmas in the New Hebrides arc (Vanuatu)

We present here new bathymetric, petrological and geochemical whole rock, glass and mineral data from the submarine Epi volcano in the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) island arc. The structure has previously been interpreted to be part of a larger caldera structure but new bathymetric data reveal that the volcanic cones are aligned along shear zones controlled by the local tectonic stress field parallel to the recent direction of subduction. We aim to test if there is an interaction between local tectonics and magmatism and to what extent the compositions of island arc volcanoes may be influenced by their tectonic setting. Primitive submarine Epi lavas and those from the neighbouring Lopevi and Ambrym islands originate from a depleted mantle wedge modified by addition of subduction zone components. Incompatible element ratios sensitive to fluid input (e.g., Th/Nb, Ce/Yb) in the lavas are positively correlated with those more sensitive to mantle wedge depletion (e.g., Nb/Yb, Zr/Nb) amongst the arc volcanoes suggesting that fluids or melts from the subducting sediments have a stronger impact on the more depleted compositions of the mantle wedge. The whole rock, glass and mineral major and trace element compositions and the occurrence of exclusively normally zoned clinopyroxene and plagioclase crystals combined with the absence of inversely zoned crystals and water-bearing phases in both mafic and evolved lavas suggest that the erupted melt was relatively dry compared to other subduction zone melts and has experienced little disequilibrium modification by melt mixing or assimilation. Our data also imply that differentiation of amphibole is not required to explain the incompatible element patterns but may rather result from extensive clinopyroxene fractionation in agreement with petrographic observations. Thermobarometric calculations indicate that the melts fractionated continuously during ascent, contrasting with fractionation during stagnation in an established crustal magma reservoir. We interpret the occurrence of this fractional crystallisation end-member in a relatively thick island arc crust (~30 km thickness) to result from isolated and relatively rapid ascent of melts, most likely through a complex system of dykes and sills that developed due to the tectonic positioning of Epi in a complex tectonic zone between a compressional environment in the north and an extensional setting in the south. We can show that the alignment of the cones largely depends on the local tectonic stress field at Epi that is especially influenced by a large dextral strike-slip zone, indicating that structural features have a significant impact on the location and composition of volcanic edifices.

Discriminating characters of ore-forming intrusions in the super-large Chalukou porphyry Mo deposit, NE China

The Chalukou porphyry Mo deposit, located in the Great Hinggan Range, is the largest Mo deposit in northeast China, although the age and genesis of the associated magmatic intrusions remain debated. Here we report zircon U–Pb ages and trace elements, whole rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope data with a view to understand the relationship between the magmatism and molybdenum mineralization. Zircon U–Pb analysis yield an age of 475 Ma for rhyolite in the older strata, 168 Ma for the pre-mineralization monzogranite, and 154 Ma for the syn-mineralization granite porphyry. The granite porphyry and quartz porphyry are considered as the ore-forming intrusions. These rocks are peraluminous, alkali-calcic, and belong to high-K to shoshonitic series with a strong depletion of Eu. They also display characteristics of I-type granites. The rocks exhibit wide variations of (87Sr/86Sr)i in the range of 0.705426–0.707363, and εNd(t) of −3.7 to 0.93. Zircon REE distribution patterns show characteristics between crust and the mantle, implying magma genesis through crust-mantle interaction. The Fe2O3/FeO values (average 1) for the whole rock and EuN/EuN∗ values (average 0.45), Ce4+/Ce3+ values (average 301) for zircon grains from the granite porphyry are higher than those from other lithologies. These features suggest that the ore-forming intrusions (syn-mineralization porphyry) had higher oxygen fugacity conditions than those of the pre-mineralization and post-mineralization rocks. The Chalukou Mo deposit formed in relation to the southward subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. Our study suggests that the subduction-related setting, crust-mantle interaction, and the large-scale magmatic intrusion were favorable factors to generate the super-large Mo deposits in this area.

Re-folded structure of syn-orogenic granitoids (Padrón dome, NW Iberia): Assessing rheological evolution of cooling continental crust in a collisional setting

This contribution discusses about the rheological, kinematic and dynamic frameworks necessary to produce recumbent and upright folds from syn-orogenic granitic massifs that were formed during an early stage of magma genesis related to the onset of a migmatitic dome. Syn-kinematic granitoids occurring within the high-grade infrastructure of the Padrón migmatitic dome (NW Iberia) are deformed into large-scale recumbent folds (D2) that are later affected by upright folds (D3). Petrostructural analysis of a selected area of this dome reveals that after a period of crustal thickening (D1), NNW-directed extensional flow gave way to recumbent folds and penetrative axial plane foliation (S2). Superimposed subhorizontal compression resulted in upright folds (D3). A closer view into the dynamics of the dome allows exploring the factors that may condition the nucleation of folds with contrasting geometries during progressive deformation of molten continental crust. The formation of folds affecting syn-kinematic granitoids suggests a cooling metamorphic path in migmatitic domes. Active and passive folding mechanisms require a crystallizing (cooling) magma to nucleate folds. A more competent metamorphic host inhibits fold nucleation from much less competent magmas. As it crystallizes, magma becomes more rigid (competent), and approaches viscosity values of its host. Passive folding is favored when no significant competence contrast exists between magma and host, so this folding mechanism is more likely shortly after magma genesis and emplacement. In such conditions, and under dominant subhorizontal flow accompanied by flattening (D2), passive folding would produce isoclinal recumbent geometries. Further magma cooling introduces a shift into the rheological behavior of partially molten crust. Thereon, crystallizing magma bodies would represent significant competence contrasts relative to their host. At this point, buckling is a more likely folding mechanism, and more regular, buckle folds re-fold previous structures after significant cooling. The geometry of resulting folds is upright due to dominant subhorizontal compression (D3) at this stage.

The mafic alkaline volcanism of SW Madagascar (Ankililoaka, Tulear region): 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages, geochemistry and tectonic setting

High-precision 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages, major and trace element, and radiogenic isotope data are presented for the basanites and alkali basalts forming the southwesternmost monogenetic volcanic field in Madagascar. The volcanic rocks were erupted along fissure zones and aligned cones in a nearly flat area covered by the Cenozoic sediments of the Morondava basin. The high-precision 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages constrain the beginning of the magmatism in the Ankililoaka area to about 12 Ma, significantly earlier than suggested by previously published K/Ar ages. The Ankililoaka basanites include primitive compositions (MgO &gt;10 wt%, Ni &gt;200 ppm and Cr &gt;400 ppm), whereas other basanites and alkali basalts experienced limited removal of olivine, chromiferous spinel and clinopyroxene. Initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios of the basanites are 0.70343–0.70445 and 0.51279–0.51282, respectively. The Pb isotope compositions are in the ranges 206 Pb/ 204 Pb = 19.08–19.38, 207 Pb/ 204 Pb = 15.61–15.64 and 208 Pb/ 204 Pb = 39.1–39.4. The alkali basalts have similar 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and 207 Pb/ 204 Pb, but slightly lower 206 Pb/ 204 Pb and 208 Pb/ 204 Pb than the basanites. The isotopic composition of the Ankililoaka rocks partially overlaps with that of the Cenozoic volcanic mafic rocks of northern Madagascar, and differs significantly from that of the mafic volcanic rocks of central Madagascar, which have lower 206 Pb/ 204 Pb and 207 Pb/ 204 Pb, and higher 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. Major and trace element systematics and geochemical modelling suggest that the Ankililoaka mafic alkaline rocks are low-degree melts of an incompatible element enriched peridotite source starting from depths where garnet is stable. Crustal contamination during ascent was insignificant. We argue that the genesis of the Ankililoaka alkaline magmas was triggered by melting an enriched, volatile-rich lithospheric mantle uplifted in the Cenozoic. Supplementary material: Analytical techniques, X-ray fluorescence whole-rock data, mineral compositions, 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dataset, mantle source modelling and figures showing volcanological features and thin sections are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4065743

Geochemistry and U–Pb–Hf zircon data for plutonic rocks of the Troia Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil: Evidence for reworking of Archean and juvenile Paleoproterozoic crust during Rhyacian accretionary and collisional tectonics

Rhyacian (c. 2.30–2.05 Ga) subduction-accretion and collisional processes are thought to represent an important event of crustal growth and reworking, often reported in the so-called Tranzamazonian/Eburnean granite-greenstone terranes of N/NE Brazil and West African craton. In this work, we present whole-rock geochemistry and U–Pb–Hf zircon ages for Rhyacian plutonic rocks that intrude Paleoproterozoic granite-greenstone terranes and Archean basement rocks of the Troia Massif, Borborema Province, NE Brazil. U–Pb SHRIMP zircon age of 2185 ± 4 Ma was obtained for a metatonalite sample (Mirador metatonalites). The metatonalites show geochemical affinity similar to those of adakites-like rocks, with all “classic” (slab-derived) adakitic signature (e.g. high Sr/Y, La/Yb and low HREE), but more akin to those evolved from partial melting of the metasomatized mantle wedge, followed by fractional crystallization. Zircon Hf crustal model ages of the metatonalite sample range between 2800 and 2660 Ma, evidencing that Archean crustal components contributed to its magma genesis, probably via subduction of continental-derived sediments to the mantle wedge. For potassic plutons of the Troia Massif (Bananeira suite) we obtained U–Pb SHRIMP zircon age of 2079 ± 4 Ma for a deformed quartz-monzonite with geochemical affinities similar to those derived from low-pressure partial melting of a K-rich mafic protolith. For less-deformed equigranular granites, we obtained a U–Pb LA-ICPMS zircon age of 2068 ± 5 Ma. They are high-K calc-alkaline and slightly peraluminous granites that probably derived from low-pressure partial melting of tonalitic crustal sources (metatonalites) and/or metagraywackes. Zircon Hf crustal model ages of a granite sample range from 2713 to 2535 Ma, evidencing Archean crustal contribution to magma genesis. However, two analyzed c. 2307 Ma inherited zircon grains show εHf(t) values of c. +4.87, indicating that crustal reworking of less-radiogenic Paleoproterozoic sources also participated in its genesis. Regional correlations of our results with the Paleoproterozoic record of the Troia Massif, Borborema Province and surrounding cratonic domains, suggest that the studied plutons are related to the c. 2.2–2.0 Ga Transamazonian/Eburnean orogenic cycle. The c. 2185 Ma metatonalites are associated to pre-collisional setting, while the c. 2079–2068 Ma quartz monzonites and granites evolved during collisional setting.

New petrological, geochemical, and geochronological perspectives on andesite-dacite magma genesis at Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand

Department of Conservation, New Zealand (DOCDM-593774); Victoria University of Wellington (DVC Research Grant 13311); Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Postdoctoral Research Fellowship JSPS P16788)

Timescales of water accumulation in magmas and implications for short warning times of explosive eruptions

Water plays a key role in magma genesis, differentiation, ascent and, finally, eruption. Despite the recognized crucial function of water, there are still several issues that continue to blur our view about its role in magmatic systems. What are the timescales of H2O accumulation in crystallizing magmas? What are the ascent rates of water-rich residual melts leading to explosive eruptions? Here, we track the timescale of water accumulation in a residual melt resulting from crystallization of a hydrous CO2-bearing magmatic mass stored at mid- to deep-crustal levels in a subduction-related geodynamic setting. Our results indicate that, after a repose period ranging from few to several thousand years, water-rich melts with water concentrations larger than 6–9 wt.% can migrate towards the Earth surface in very short timescales, on the order of days or even hours, possibly triggering explosive eruptions with short warning times and devoid of long-term geophysical precursors.

U-Pb geochronology and coupled Hf-Nd-Sr isotopic-chemical constraints of the Cassiterita Orthogneiss (2.47–2.41-Ga) in the Mineiro belt, São Francisco craton: Geodynamic fingerprints beyond the Archean-Paleoproterozoic Transition

The Cassiterita Orthogneiss is the oldest pluton so far found within the Mineiro belt. In situ zircon U-Pb ages constrain the crystallization of the Cassiterita Orthogneiss to between 2472 ± 11 and 2414 ± 29 Ma. Zircon overgrowths are dated at 2024 ± 54 Ma, which matches the timing of the regional metamorphic overprint in the main belt. One metatonalite dike yields a zircon U-Pb age of 2156 ± 17 Ma, while a single inherited core is concordant at 2426 ± 17 Ma. The studied rocks exhibit low to medium grade metamorphism, and show tonalitic and granodioritic composition akin to TTG suites (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite). The trace element patterns suggest that partial melting and fractional crystallization operated in the genesis. The La/YbN, YbN, Sr/Y, Nb/Ta and Zr/Sm values point to a garnet amphibolite residue. The positive εNd(t) (+5.2 to +1.3) and low 87Sr/86Sri (0.700–0.702) isotopic signatures suggest a LREE- and/or LILE LILE-enriched MORB mantle source. The zircon εHf(t) parameters (-8.0 to +2.9) of the studied samples indicate some crustal assimilation during magma genesis. The chemical and isotopic signatures of the Cassiterita Orthogneiss are similar to nearby (ca. 2.35 Ga) TTG plutons, interpreted as cogenetic. This peculiar plutonism (from 2.47 to 2.35 Ga) marks the earliest stage of a long-lived accretionary regime (2.47–2.00 Ga) that built the Mineiro belt. This earliest orogenic event is roughly coeval with the (chemical) sedimentary infill of the passive basin (Minas Supergroup), previously dated at ca. 2.42 Ga. The age matches suggest a geodynamic link between the oceanic arc magmatism and penecontemporaneous basin infill in the continental margin. Early Paleoproterozoic TTG plutons such as the Cassiterita Orthogneiss have been related to the earliest accretionary processes that developed away from continental margins, where roughly coeval dike swarms and A-type plutons are emplaced along with the onset of passive basins. We explore the potential association and temporal interplay between convergent and intraplate settings and other major changes beyond the Archean-Paleoproterozoic Transition.

Origins and evolution of rhyolitic magmas in the central Snake River Plain: insights from coupled high-precision geochronology, oxygen isotope, and hafnium isotope analyses of zircon

We present new high-precision CA-ID-TIMS and in situ U–Pb ages together with Hf and O isotopic analyses (analyses performed all on the same grains) from four tuffs from the 15−10 Ma Bruneau–Jarbidge center of the Snake River Plain and from three rhyolitic units from the Kimberly borehole in the neighboring 10−6 Ma Twin Falls volcanic center. We find significant intrasample diversity in zircon ages (ranges of up to 3 Myr) and in δ18O (ranges of up to 6‰) and eHf (ranges of up to 24 e units) values. Zircon rims are also more homogeneous than the associated cores, and we show that zircon rim growth occurs faster than the resolution of in situ dating techniques. CA-ID-TIMS dating of a subset of zircon grains from the Twin Falls samples reveals complex crystallization histories spanning 104–106 years prior to some eruptions, suggesting that magma genesis was characterized by the cyclic remelting of buried volcanic rocks and intrusions associated with previous magmatic episodes. Age-dependent trends in zircon isotopic compositions show that rhyolite production in the Yellowstone hotspot track is driven by the mixing of mantle-derived melts (normal δ18O and eHf) and a combination of Precambrian basement rock (normal δ18O and eHf down to − 60) and shallow Mesozoic and Cenozoic age rocks, some of which are hydrothermally altered (to low δ18O values) by earlier stages of Snake River Plain magmatism. These crustal melts hybridize with juvenile basalts and rhyolites to produce the erupted rhyolites. We also observe that the Precambrian basement rock is only an important component in the erupted magmas in the first eruption at each caldera center, suggesting that the accumulation of new intrusions quickly builds an upper crustal intrusive body which is isolated from the Precambrian basement and evolves towards more isotopically juvenile and lower-δ18O compositions over time.

Evolution History of Gassan Volcano, Northeast Japan Arc

Evolution history of the volcano is essential not only to characterize the volcano, but also consider magma genesis beneath the volcano. Most of the stratovolcanoes in northeast Japan follow a general evolutional course: cone building, horse-shoe shaped caldera forming collapse, and post-caldera stages. However, the detailed history of each stage is not well investigated. We investigated evolution history of young edifice of Gassan volcano, representative stratovolcano in rear side of northeast Japan arc. Most of the products are lavas, which are divided into two groups by geomorphologic and geologic features. The former (Gassan lower lavas) is composed of relatively thin and fluidal lavas, whose original geomorphology remains a little, while the latter (Gassan upper lavas) is composed of relatively thick and viscous lavas, whose original geomorphology is moderately preserved. Based on geologic features, the upper lavas can be further divided into Gassan upper north lavas and upper summit lavas in ascending order. After the formation of the thick lavas, horse-shoe shaped caldera was formed by the instability of the edifice, probably triggered by fault activity. No evidence of post caldera activity inner part of it is observed. Based on K-Ar data, estimated age of Gassan lower lavas is ca. 0.75 to ca. 0.6 Ma, those of Gassan upper north and upper summit lavas are ca. 0.60 to ca. 0.55 Ma and ca. 0.55 to ca. 0.45 Ma. The eruption rate is estimated to be ca. 0.0004 km3/1000 years in Gassan lower lavas and ca. 0.02 km3/1000 years in Gassan upper summit lavas. These values are lower than the eruption rate of representative Japanese stratovolcanoes.

Mantle-derived trace element variability in olivines and their melt inclusions

Trace element variability in oceanic basalts is commonly used to constrain the physics of mantle melting and the chemistry of Earth's deep interior. However, the geochemical properties of mantle melts are often overprinted by mixing and crystallisation processes during ascent and storage. Studying primitive melt inclusions offers one solution to this problem, but the fidelity of the melt-inclusion archive to bulk magma chemistry has been repeatedly questioned. To provide a novel check of the melt inclusion record, we present new major and trace element analyses from olivine macrocrysts in the products of two geographically proximal, yet compositionally distinct, primitive eruptions from the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland. By combining these macrocryst analyses with new and published melt inclusion analyses we demonstrate that olivines have similar patterns of incompatible trace element (ITE) variability to the inclusions they host, capturing chemical systematics on intra- and inter-eruption scales.ITE variability (element concentrations, ratios, variances and variance ratios) in olivines from the ITE-enriched Stapafell eruption is best accounted for by olivine-dominated fractional crystallisation. In contrast, ITE variability in olivines and inclusions from the ITE-depleted Háleyjabunga eruption cannot be explained by crystallisation alone, and must have originated in the mantle. Compatible trace element (CTE) variability is best described by crystallisation processes in both eruptions. Modest correlations between host and inclusion ITE contents in samples from Háleyjabunga suggest that melt inclusions can be faithful archives of melting and magmatic processes. It also indicates that degrees of ITE enrichment can be estimated from olivines directly when melt inclusion and matrix glass records of geochemical variability are poor or absent. Inter-eruption differences in olivine ITE systematics between Stapafell and Háleyjabunga mirror differences in melt inclusion suites, and confirm that the Stapafell eruption was fed by lower degree melts from greater depths within the melting region than the Háleyjabunga eruption.Although olivine macrocrysts from Stapafell are slightly richer in Ni than those from Háleyjabunga, their overall CTE systematics (e.g., Ni/(Mg/Fe), Fe/Mn and Zn/Fe) are inconsistent with being derived from olivine-free pyroxenites. However, the major element systematics of Icelandic basalts require lithological heterogeneity in their mantle source in the form of Fe-rich and hence fusible domains. We thus conclude that enriched heterogeneities in the Icelandic mantle are composed of modally enriched, yet nonetheless olivine-bearing, lithologies and that olivine CTE contents provide an incomplete record of lithological heterogeneity in the mantle. Modally enriched peridotites may therefore play a more important role in oceanic magma genesis than previously inferred.

Petrogenesis of the Late Triassic diorites in the Hoh Xil area, northern Tibet: Insights into the origin of the high-Mg# andesitic signature of continental crust

An integrated petrologic, geochronologic, major and trace element geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic study of Late Triassic (~215Ma) diorites from the Hoh Xil area, northern Tibet, provides new constraints on the genesis of intermediate magmas and insights into the origin of the high-Mg# andesitic signature of continental crust. These dioritic rocks are characterized by high MgO contents (3.3–5.0wt%) and Mg# values (50–57) comparable to the estimates for the bulk continental crust at the same level of SiO2 contents (61.1–64.5wt%). They also display continental crust-like trace element distribution patterns and uniformly enriched isotope compositions ([87Sr/86Sr]i=0.7081 to 0.7094, ɛNd[t]=−8.0 to −6.9, and ɛHf[t]zircon=−10.1 to −5.0). Combining our results with published data from crystallization experiments, we propose that they were probably produced by fractional crystallization from a primitive andesite parent, rather than a primitive basalt parent. This parental magma may be geochemically similar to the roughly contemporaneous primitive andesites in the adjacent Malanshan area of northern Tibet. Our compilation of modern arc lavas shows that progressive fractional crystallization of primitive andesites is also required to reproduce the Mg# versus SiO2 array for natural arc magmas, in addition to differentiation of mantle-derived primitive basaltic magmas and/or mixing of basaltic with felsic magmas. Therefore, we emphasize that fractional crystallization of primitive andesitic magmas is potentially a frequent occurrence in arc crust and hence may play an important role in producing the high-Mg# signature of intermediate magmas comprising the continental crust.

Origin of carbonatites of the Matcha alkaline pluton from Turkestan-Alai ridge, Kyrgyz Southern Tien Shan

Postorogenic alkaline intrusions in the Turkestan-Alai segment of the Southern Tien Shan coexist with dikes and veins of carbonatites dated at ∼220 Ma. They are primarily composed of calcite and dolomite (60–85 %), as well as sodic amphibole, phlogopite, clinopyroxene, microcline, albite, apatite, and magnetite, with accessory niobate, ilmenite, Nb-rutile, titanite, zircon, baddeleyite, monazite-(Ce), barite, and sulfides. The rocks share mineralogical and geochemical similarity with carbonatites that originated by liquid immiscibility at high temperatures above 500°C. Silicate and salt-carbonate melts are derived from sources with mainly negative bulk εND(t) ∼ from −11 to 0 and high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (∼ 0.7061-0.7095) which may be due to mixing of PREMA and EM-type mantle material. Pb isotopic ratios in accessory pyrrhotite (206Pb/204Pb = 18.38; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.64; 208Pb/204Pb = 38.41) exhibit an EM 2 trend. The intrusions bear signatures of significant crustal contamination as a result of magma genesis by syntexis and hybridism. Concordant isotope composition changes of δ13C (−6.5 to −1.9 ‰), δ18O (9.2-23 %„), δD (−58 to −41 %„), and δ34S (12.6-12.8 ‰) in minerals and rocks indicate inputs of crustal material at the stage of melting and effect of hot fluids released during dehydration of metamorphosed oceanic basalts or sediments. The observed HFSE patterns of the oldest alkaline gabbro may be due to interaction of the primary mafic magma with IAB-type material. The isotope similarity of alkaline rocks with spatially proximal basalts of the Tarim large igneous province does not contradict the evolution of the Turkestan-Alai Triassic magmatism as the «last echo» of the Tarim mantle plume.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of triassic carbonatites in the Matcha alkaline intrusive complex (Turkestan-Alai Ridge, Kyrgyz Southern Tien Shan), SW Central Asian orogenic belt

Postorogenic intrusions of essexites and alkaline and nepheline syenites in the Turkestan-Alai segment of the Kyrgyz Southern Tien Shan coexist with dikes and veins of carbonatites dated at ∼220 Ma by the Ar–Ar and Rb–Sr age methods. They are mainly composed of calcite and dolomite (60–85%), as well as sodic amphibole, phlogopite, clinopyroxene, microcline, albite, apatite, and magnetite, with accessory niobate, ilmenite, Nb-rutile, titanite, zircon, baddeleyite, monazite-(Ce), barite, and sulfides. The rocks share mineralogical and geochemical similarity with carbonatites that originated by liquid immiscibility at high temperatures above 500 °C. Alkaline silicate and salt-carbonate melts are derived from sources with mainly negative bulk εNd(t) ∼ from −11 to 0 and high initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (∼0.7061–0.7095) which may be due to mixing of PREMA and EM−type mantle material. Pb isotopic ratios in accessory pyrrhotite (206Pb/204Pb = 18.38; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.64; 208Pb/204Pb = 38.41) exhibit an EM2 trend. The intrusions bear signatures of significant crustal contamination as a result of magma genesis by syntexis and hybridism. Concordant isotope composition changes of δ13C (−6.5 to −1.9‰), δ18O (9.2–23‰), δD (−58 to −41‰), and δ34S (12.6–12.8‰) in minerals and rocks indicate inputs of crustal material at the stage of melting and effect of hot fluids released during dehydration of metamorphosed oceanic basalts or sediments. The observed HFSE patterns of the oldest alkaline gabbro may be due to interaction of the primary mafic magma with IAB-type material. The isotope similarity of alkaline rocks with spatially proximal basalts of the Tarim large igneous province does not contradict the evolution of the Turkestan-Alai Triassic magmatism as the “last echo” of the Tarim mantle plume.