Island Arc Tholeiites Research Articles

Petrochemistry and hydrothermal alteration within the Tyrone Igneous Complex, Northern Ireland: implications for VMS mineralization in the British and Irish Caledonides

Although volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits can form within a wide variety of rift-related tectonic environments, most are preserved within suprasubduction affinity crust related to ocean closure. In stark contrast to the VMS-rich Appalachian sector of the Grampian-Taconic orogeny, VMS mineralization is rare in the peri-Laurentian British and Irish Caledonides. Economic peri-Gondwanan affinity deposits are limited to Avoca and Parys Mountain. The Tyrone Igneous Complex of Northern Ireland represents a ca. 484–464 Ma peri-Laurentian affinity arc–ophiolite complex and a possible broad correlative of the Buchans-Robert’s Arm belt of Newfoundland, host to some of the most metal-rich VMS deposits globally. Stratigraphic horizons prospective for VMS mineralization in the Tyrone Igneous Complex are associated with rift-related magmatism, hydrothermal alteration, synvolcanic faults, and high-level subvolcanic intrusions (gabbro, diorite, and/or tonalite). Locally intense hydrothermal alteration is characterized by Na-depletion, elevated SiO2, MgO, Ba/Sr, Bi, Sb, chlorite–carbonate–pyrite alteration index (CCPI) and Hashimoto alteration index (AI) values. Rift-related mafic lavas typically occur in the hanging wall sequences to base and precious metal mineralization, closely associated with ironstones and/or argillaceous sedimentary rocks representing low temperature hydrothermal venting and volcanic quiescence. In the ca. 475 Ma pre-collisional, calc-alkaline lower Tyrone Volcanic Group rift-related magmatism is characterized by abundant non-arc type Fe-Ti-rich eMORB, island-arc tholeiite, and low-Zr tholeiitic rhyolite breccias. These petrochemical characteristics are typical of units associated with VMS mineralization in bimodal mafic, primitive post-Archean arc terranes. Following arc-accretion at ca. 470 Ma, late rifting in the ensialic upper Tyrone Volcanic Group is dominated by OIB-like, subalkaline to alkali basalt and A-type, high-Zr rhyolites. These units are petrochemically favorable for Kuroko-type VMS mineralization in bimodal-felsic evolved arc terranes. The scarcity of discovered peri-Laurentian VMS mineralization in the British and Irish Caledonides is due to a combination of minimal exploration, poor-preservation of upper ophiolite sequences, and limited rifting in the Lough Nafooey arc of western Ireland. The geological and geochemical characteristics of the Tyrone Volcanic Group of Northern Ireland and peri-Gondwanan affinity arc/backarc sequences of Ireland and northwest Wales represent the most prospective sequences in the British and Irish Caledonides for VMS mineralization.

Re-Os AGE OF THE PUEBLO VIEJO EPITHERMAL DEPOSIT, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Research Article| March 01, 2014 Re-Os AGE OF THE PUEBLO VIEJO EPITHERMAL DEPOSIT, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Jason D. Kirk; Jason D. Kirk † 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 †Corresponding author: e-mail, jdkirk@email.arizona.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joaquin Ruiz; Joaquin Ruiz 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stephen E. Kesler; Stephen E. Kesler 2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Adam Simon; Adam Simon 2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John L. Muntean John L. Muntean 3Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Mail Stop 178, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557-0178 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jason D. Kirk † 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Joaquin Ruiz 1Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Stephen E. Kesler 2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Adam Simon 2Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 John L. Muntean 3Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Mail Stop 178, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557-0178 †Corresponding author: e-mail, jdkirk@email.arizona.edu Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists Received: 22 Mar 2013 Accepted: 26 Aug 2013 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1554-0774 Print ISSN: 0361-0128 © 2014 Society of Economic Geologists. Economic Geology (2014) 109 (2): 503–512. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.109.2.503 Article history Received: 22 Mar 2013 Accepted: 26 Aug 2013 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jason D. Kirk, Joaquin Ruiz, Stephen E. Kesler, Adam Simon, John L. Muntean; Re-Os AGE OF THE PUEBLO VIEJO EPITHERMAL DEPOSIT, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Economic Geology 2014;; 109 (2): 503–512. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.109.2.503 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract Re-Os analyses of pyrite from the Pueblo Viejo high-sulfidation epithermal deposit (both Monte Negro and Moore ore zones) yield an isochron age of 111.9 ± 3.7 Ma and initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.22 ± 0.18 (mean square of weighted deviates = 84, n = 21). Isochrons grouped by pyrite setting (layered versus vein) or locations yield ages within uncertainty of the overall isochron and with each other and, as such, do not yield temporally distinguishable ages. Sphalerite vein samples as well as shale source rocks show evidence of open system behavior and loss of Re and therefore are not included in the above regression. These results confirm that the Pueblo Viejo deposit is Early Cretaceous in age and coeval with the volcanic Los Ranchos Formation, which hosts the deposit. Recent paleontological age assignments for the Hatillo Formation, which overlies the Los Ranchos Formation, show that it is only slightly younger, opening the possibility that mineralization in the Hatillo Formation could also be related to late stages of Los Ranchos magmatism. Whether these revised Los Ranchos-Hatillo relations provide sufficient cover to account for the paragenetically late formation of pyrophyllite at Pueblo Viejo remains unclear. Recognition that Pueblo Viejo is coeval with the Los Ranchos Formation shows that large-scale, high-sulfidation epithermal mineralization can form from basal island-arc tholeiitic magmatism. A review of available experimental data confirms that these magmas can generate hydrothermal solutions of the necessary composition; favorability of the Los Ranchos Formation might have been enhanced by its bimodal composition. These results suggest that exploration for epithermal precious metal deposits should include basal island-arc tholeiite terranes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Diverse tectonic settings of formation of the metaigneous rocks in the Jurassic metamorphic accretionary complexes (Refahiye, NE Turkey) and their geodynamic implications

Two isolated metamorphic accretionary complexes of Jurassic age, the Refahiye and Kurtlutepe metamorphic rocks, crop out as tectonic slices within the coeval suprasubduction-zone ophiolite at the southern margin of the Eastern Pontides (NE Turkey), close to the İzmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture. The Refahiye metamorphic rocks are made up of greenschist, marble, serpentinite, phyllite and minor garnet amphibolite, garnet micaschist and metachert. The whole unit was metamorphosed under garnet-amphibolite-facies conditions and strongly retrogressed during exhumation. The Kurtlutepe metamorphic rocks consist of subgreenschist-facies metavolcanics, metavolcaniclastics, marble, calc-phyllite, and minor serpentinite and metachert. Metabasites in the Refahiye metamorphic rocks are represented by four distinct geochemical affinities: (i) cumulate “flavor,” (ii) alkaline oceanic island basalt (OIB), (iii) enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) and (iv) tholeiitic island arc basalt (IAB). On the other hand, the Kurtlutepe metavolcanic rocks display only tholeiitic to calc-alkaline island arc geochemical affinities. The metabasic rocks with OIB affinities were interpreted as parts of the accreted oceanic islands, and those with E-MORB affinities as parts of accreted ridge segments close to oceanic islands and/or plume-distal mid-ocean ridges with a mantle previously metasomatized by plume components. The metabasic rocks with IAB affinities might have been derived from the overlying suprasubduction ophiolite and/or arc domain by a number of tectonic or sedimentary processes including tectonic slicing of accretionary complex and overlying fore-arc ophiolite, juxtaposition of the magmatic arc with subduction zone by strike slip faults, submarine gravity sliding and debris flows or subduction erosion. However, totally recrystallized nature of the metabasic rocks together with field relations does not allow any inference on the processes involved. The Kurtlutepe metavolcanic rocks might represent collided and accreted oceanic island arc with the subduction zone. Attempted subduction of an intraoceanic island arc may also explain the magmatic lull during Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous in the Eastern Pontides.

Geochemistry of granitization and magmatic replacement of basic volcanic rocks in the contact aureole of the Yurchik gabbronorite intrusion, Ganal Range, Kamchatka

Geological and geochemical data indicate that the formation of the granulite-like rocks in the contact aureole of the Yurchik gabbronorite intrusion of the Ganal Range, Kamchatka, was caused by the contact metamorphism, metasomatism, and local melting of the initial volcanosedimentary rocks of the Vakhtalka Sequence of the Ganal Group. The temperature in the inner part of the aureole reached 700–800°C and caused the transformation of the basic volcanic rocks of the sequence into two pyroxene-plagioclase, clinopyroxene-amphibole-plagioclase, and amphibole-plagioclase hornfelses, while sedimentary rocks were converted into garnet-biotite ± cordierite hornfelses. The hornfelsed basic volcanic rocks were locally subjected to metasomatic alteration and magmatic replacement with formation of biotite-orthopyroxene-plagioclase metasomatic bodies containing biotite-orthopyroxene-plagioclase ± garnet veinlets and aggregates. During these processes, sedimentary interlayers were converted into garnet enderbites at 700–800°C and 3.2–4.8 kbar. The comparison of the chemical composition of basic volcanic rocks of the Vakhtalka Sequence and their transformation products indicates that the metasomatic alteration and magmatic replacement correspond to siliceous-alkaline metasomatism (granitization) and cause subsequent and uneven influx of SiO2, Al2O3, Na2O, K2O, Rb, Ba, Zr, Nb, and Cl and removal of Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Cr, Co, Ti, Y, and S. REE data on basic metavolcanic rocks, hornfelses, and metasomatites suggest that the processes of hornfelsation, metasomatism, and magmatic replacement of the initial volcanic rocks were accompanied by significant increase in LREE and slight decrease in HREE. The Sr and Nd isotope study of the rocks in the aureole showed that the initial basic volcanic rocks of the Vakhtalka Sequence are isotopically close to both mature island arc tholeiites and mid-ocean ridge basalts. The metasomatic alteration and magmatic replacement of volcanic rocks in the aureole lead to the decrease of 143Nd/144Nd and increase of 87Sr/86Sr approximately parallel to mantle array. Pb isotopic ratios in the studied rocks become more radiogenic from initial metavolcanic rocks to metasomatites.

Genesis and tectonic implications of podiform chromitites in the metamorphosed ultramafic massif of Dobromirtsi (Bulgaria)

Podiform chromitites occur in the meta-dunite horizon of the Dobromirtsi ultramafic massif, in the Central Rhodope metamorphic core complex (southern Bulgaria). Although these were deformed and metamorphosed together with their host rocks several chromite cores from massive chromitite samples still preserve compositions unaffected by metamorphism – at least in terms of major elements. In situ laser ablation ICP-MS analyses of these chromite cores show a bimodality in the composition of chromite between high-Cr and high-Al {Cr#=[Cr/(Cr+Al)], atomic ratio=0.74–0.55} with Mg# between 0.69 and 0.60 [Mg#=Mg/(Mg+Fe2+), atomic ratio]. These compositions of chromite and the whole rock enrichment of Os–Ir–Ru relative to Pt–Pd in the chromitites resemble that reported for podiform chromitites in ophiolites elsewhere.Magmatic platinum-group minerals (PGM), including laurite (RuS2), Os–Ir alloys and sulfarsenides (irarsite, IrAsS), exhibit a wide range of 187Os/188Os (from 0.1097 to 0.1272) whereas 187Re/188Os is nearly zero. The distribution of the Os model ages calculated for these PGM ranges between 0.13 and 2.6Ga, with age peaks at 0.25, 0.4, 0.7, 2.1 and 2.6Ga. Two xenocrystic zircons were identified in the chromitites and yield concordant U–Pb age of 2257±80Ma (2σ) and 1952±82Ma (2σ). The oldest zircon exhibits a depleted-mantle Hf model age (TDM) of 2.77Ga and a “crustal” Hf model age (TCDM) of 3.1Ga, whereas the youngest has a TDM of 2.21Ga and a TCDM of 2.35Ga.We interpret the coexistence of both types of chromitites in a horizon of meta-dunites as the result of their precipitation from fractionating island arc tholeiite melts. The first reactions produced dunite; later the batches of magma were isolated from reaction with the peridotite wall-rocks and progressively fractionated in a network of dunite channels developed in the upper mantle beneath the back-arc spreading centre. The Os and Hf model ages suggest that the ultramafic protolith of the Dobromirtsi ophiolite was derived from an original Archean mantle at least 3Ga old, which underlay a continental crust and was reworked in the Paleo-proterozoic and possibly even younger times.

Depletion and refertilization of the Tethyan oceanic upper mantle as revealed by the early Jurassic Refahiye ophiolite, NE Anatolia—Turkey

We present new whole-rock major and trace element, Re–Os isotope and mineral chemistry data for the upper mantle peridotites and mafic rocks in the Rehafiye ophiolite in NE Anatolia (Turkey), and discuss their significance for the mantle evolution in Neotethys. The Refahiye peridotites include clinopyroxene (cpx)-rich and cpx-poor harzburgites. Assuming an initial fertile mantle composition, the cpx-rich harzburgites have a limited range of Cr-spl Cr# (33–38), implying 14–18% melt extraction. However, TiO2 contents of the Cr-spl in these rocks are too high (up to 0.24wt.%) to explain their Ti concentrations with a simple melt extraction model in a mid-ocean ridge (MOR) setting, and suggest re-crystallization from an impregnating fertile melt. The interstitial phases of cpx in these samples have high TiO2 (up to 0.40wt.%) and Na2O (up to 0.25wt.%) contents. They also contain interstitial pargasitic amphibole with TiO2 contents varying between 0.69 and 0.88wt.%. These textures and the mineral chemistry data indicate refertilization of the previously depleted, MOR-type peridotites by percolating hydrous melts. The whole-rock REE partial melting modeling is consistent with slightly lower degrees of mantle melting (~12–14%) compared to the melt extraction degrees obtained from the Cr-spl compositions (~15%). Chromian spinel (Cr-spl) phases in the cpx-poor harzburgites show a wider variation of Cr#, ranging between 57 and 75, and reflect 30–40% of partial melting. In contrast, the whole-rock geochemistry of these rocks represents slightly lower degrees of partial melting, varying between 30 and 35%. The enrichment of TiO2 contents of the Cr-spl (up to 0.20wt.%) in some of the cpx-poor harzburgites can be explained by their interaction with Ti-rich hydrous melt formed at supra-subduction (SSZ) tectonic setting. Highly unradiogenic Os isotope composition (0.11956) of a cpx-poor harzburgite sample suggests an ancient melt depletion event experienced by these rocks, whereas its high Re content is a manifestation of subduction enrichment. The mafic units of the Refahiye ophiolite show MORB-like to island arc tholeiite (IAT) geochemical signatures typical of SSZ oceanic crust. A U–Pb zircon age of 183±1Ma obtained from an isotropic gabbro sample suggests that the crystallization of the SSZ-type mafic units in the Refahiye ophiolite is as old as the early Jurassic.

Stratigraphic, geochemical and U–Pb zircon constraints from Slieve Gallion, Northern Ireland: a correlation of the Irish Caledonian arcs

Recent Ar–Ar and U–Pb zircon geochronology from across the British and Irish Caledonides has revealed a prolonged period of arc-ophiolite formation ( c . 514–464 Ma) and accretion ( c . 490–470 Ma) to the Laurentian margin during the Grampian orogeny. The Slieve Gallion Inlier of Northern Ireland, an isolated occurrence of the Tyrone Volcanic Group, records the development of a peri-Laurentian island arc–backarc and its obduction to an outboard microcontinental block. Although a previous biostratigraphic age constraint provides a firm correlation of at least part of the volcanic succession to the Ca1 Stage of the Arenig ( c . 475–474 Ma), there is uncertainty on its exact statigraphic position in the Tyrone Volcanic Group. Earliest magmatism is characterized by light rare earth element (LREE) depleted island-arc tholeiite. Overlying deposits are dominated by large ion lithophile and LREE-enriched, hornblende-phyric and feldspathic calc-alkaline basaltic andesites and andesitic tuffs with strongly negative ϵNd t values. Previously published biostratigraphic age constraints, combined with recent U–Pb zircon geochronology and new petrochemical correlations, suggest that the Slieve Gallion Inlier is equivalent to the lower Tyrone Volcanic Group. Temporal and geochemical correlations between the Slieve Gallion Inlier and Charlestown Group of Ireland suggest that they may be part of the same arc system, which was accreted at a late stage ( c . 470 Ma) in the Grampian orogeny. A switch from tholeiitic volcanism to calc-alkaline dominated activity within the Lough Nafooey Group of western Ireland occurred prior to c . 490 Ma, some 15–20 Myr earlier than at Tyrone and Charlestown. Supplementary materials: Sampling and geochemical results (major elements, loss on ignition, trace elements, REE and Nd isotopes) are available at www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18640 .

Re-interpreting the Devonian ophiolites involved in the Variscan suture: U–Pb and Lu–Hf zircon data of the Moeche Ophiolite (Cabo Ortegal Complex, NW Iberia)

New U–Pb zircon data of a mylonitic greenschist from the Moeche Ophiolite, one of the mafic units involved in the Variscan suture in the Cabo Ortegal Complex (NW of the Iberian Massif), yielded an age of 400 ± 3 Ma. Consequently, this unit can be considered one of the Devonian ophiolites, the most extended group of oceanic units in the Variscan belt. The mafic rocks show transitional compositions between N-MORB and island-arc tholeiites, although Lu–Hf isotope signatures of its zircons clearly indicate contribution from an old continental source. eHf values in the analysed zircons are negative (generally below eHf = −5), and thence, they are not compatible with their generation from a juvenile mantle source. Accordingly, the igneous protoliths were generated in a setting where juvenile mafic magmas interacted with an old continental crust. The Devonian ophiolites from the Variscan suture have been repeatedly interpreted as remnants of the Rheic Ocean. However, the presence of a continental source in the origin of the mafic rocks of the Moeche Ophiolite allows discarding an intraoceanic setting for their generation, at least for the NW Iberian counterparts. The tectonic setting for the Devonian ophiolites of NW Iberia is very likely represented by an ephemeral oceanic basin opened within a continental realm. Herein, the real Rheic Ocean suture could only be located west of the terrane represented by the upper units of the allochthonous complexes. Apparently that suture is not represented in NW Iberia.

The FecB (Booroola) gene and implications for the Turkish sheep industry

The regionally important dismembered ophiolitic sequence from the southern Kahramanmaras region, located along the Arabian-Eurasian collision zone in southeastern Turkey, contains harzburgitic tectonites, ultramafic to mafic cumulates, isotropic gabbros and ophiolite-related metamorphic rocks. The ultramafic-mafic cumulate rocks are composed of wehrlite, lherzolite, olivine websterite, olivine gabbronorite, olivine gabbro and gabbro. The crystallization order of the cumulus phases, the presence of high Ca-plagioclase (An83-94), highly magnesian clinopyroxene (Mg#78-93), olivine (Mg#71-91) and their coexistence in the ultramafic-mafic cumulate rocks indicate a suprasubduction zone (SSZ) environment and suggest that the cumulates were derived from an island arc tholeiitic (IAT) magma. The isotropic gabbros are mainly represented by hornblende gabbro, gabbro and diorite rocks. The major and trace element geochemistry of the isotropic gabbros reveals two different magma types. The first group is characterized by low TiO2 (0.91-1.52 wt.%) and Zr (35-79 ppm), and REEs exhibiting flat to slightly depleted LREE (LaN/YbN = 0.38 to 0.67) patterns, geochemically similar to island arc tholeiites. The second group is characterized by higher TiO2 (2.67-3.87) and Zr (176-351 ppm) and displays significant LREE enrichment (LaN/YbN = 10.9 to 14.5) patterns, which are geochemically similar to oceanic island basalt (OIB). Metamorphic sole rocks are represented by alkali amphibolites and are similar to OIB. All the evidence suggests that the ophiolitic rocks of the southern Kahramanmaras region are associated with different types of magma generation and were emplaced onto the Arabian passive margin along the southern branch of the Neotethys oceanic basin during the Late Cretaceous.

The geochemistry and petrology of the ophiolitic rocks from the Kahramanmaraş region, southern Turkey

The regionally important dismembered ophiolitic sequence from the southern Kahramanmaraş region, located along the Arabian-Eurasian collision zone in southeastern Turkey, contains harzburgitic tectonites, ultramafic to mafic cumulates, isotropic gabbros and ophiolite-related metamorphic rocks. The ultramafic-mafic cumulate rocks are composed of wehrlite, lherzolite, olivine websterite, olivine gabbronorite, olivine gabbro and gabbro. The crystallization order of the cumulus phases, the presence of high Ca-plagioclase (An_{83-94}), highly magnesian clinopyroxene (Mg#_{78-93}), olivine (Mg#_{71-91}) and their coexistence in the ultramafic-mafic cumulate rocks indicate a suprasubduction zone (SSZ) environment and suggest that the cumulates were derived from an island arc tholeiitic (IAT) magma. The isotropic gabbros are mainly represented by hornblende gabbro, gabbro and diorite rocks. The major and trace element geochemistry of the isotropic gabbros reveals two different magma types. The first group is characterized by low TiO_2 (0.91-1.52 wt.%) and Zr (35-79 ppm), and REEs exhibiting flat to slightly depleted LREE (La_N/Yb_N = 0.38 to 0.67) patterns, geochemically similar to island arc tholeiites. The second group is characterized by higher TiO_2 (2.67-3.87) and Zr (176-351 ppm) and displays significant LREE enrichment (La_N/Yb_N = 10.9 to 14.5) patterns, which are geochemically similar to oceanic island basalt (OIB). Metamorphic sole rocks are represented by alkali amphibolites and are similar to OIB. All the evidence suggests that the ophiolitic rocks of the southern Kahramanmaraş region are associated with different types of magma generation and were emplaced onto the Arabian passive margin along the southern branch of the Neotethys oceanic basin during the Late Cretaceous.

Geochemistry, petrography, and zircon U–Pb geochronology of Paleozoic metaigneous rocks in the Mount Veta area of east-central Alaska: implications for the evolution of the westernmost part of the Yukon–Tanana terrane

We report the results of new mapping, whole-rock major, minor, and trace-element geochemistry, and petrography for metaigneous rocks from the Mount Veta area in the westernmost part of the allochthonous Yukon–Tanana terrane (YTT) in east-central Alaska. These rocks include tonalitic mylonite gneiss and mafic metaigneous rocks from the Chicken metamorphic complex and the Nasina and Fortymile River assemblages. Whole-rock trace-element data from the tonalitic gneiss, whose igneous protolith was dated by SHRIMP U–Pb zircon geochronology at 332.6 ± 5.6 Ma, indicate derivation from tholeiitic arc basalt. Whole-rock analyses of the mafic rocks suggest that greenschist-facies rocks from the Chicken metamorphic complex, a mafic metavolcanic rock from the Nasina assemblage, and an amphibolite from the Fortymile River assemblage formed as island-arc tholeiite in a back-arc setting; another Nasina assemblage greenschist has MORB geochemical characteristics, and another mafic metaigneous rock from the Fortymile River assemblage has geochemical characteristics of calc-alkaline basalt. Our geochemical results imply derivation in an arc and back-arc spreading region within the allochthonous YTT crustal fragment, as previously proposed for correlative units in other parts of the terrane. We also describe the petrography and geochemistry of a newly discovered tectonic lens of Alpine-type metaharzburgite. The metaharzburgite is interpreted to be a sliver of lithospheric mantle from beneath the Seventymile ocean basin or from sub-continental mantle lithosphere of the allochthonous YTT or the western margin of Laurentia that was tectonically emplaced within crustal rocks during closure of the Seventymile ocean basin and subsequently displaced and fragmented by faults.

Rehabilitation Idea Begins at Sumers

The Demirci migmatitic quartzofeldspathic gneisses of the Sunnice Massif, exposed in the ‹stanbul Zone north of Bolu, have compositions that show them to be paragneisses, associated with subordinate para- amphibolites. They consist principally of metamorphosed, rather calcareous greywackes, with sediment derived from a continental arc source. They occur in the para-autochthon below a nappe pile (Cele meta-ophiolite), deformed and subjected to amphibolite facies metamorphism before the emplacement of late Neoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks later subjected to greenschist-facies metamorphism (Yellice volcanics). As they are overlain in sequence by nappes comprising sections of the Cele meta-ophiolite with ocean floor basalt and island arc tholeiite compositions respectively, the Demirci paragneisses may represent a section of the ancient continental basement on to which the meta-ophiolite was obducted during the Proterozoic.

Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of mafic xenoliths and volcanic rocks from the Oga Peninsula, Northeast Japan Arc: Genetic relationship between lower crust and arc magmas

Whole-rock and constituent hornblende and plagioclase geochemical and isotopic compositions of 52 mafic xenoliths from the Ichinomegata maar in the Oga Peninsula, located on the backarc side of Northeastern Japan, were investigated to further understand the nature of lower crustal materials beneath the Oga Peninsula. The inter-rock variations in isotopic compositions (87Sr/86Sr ratios of 0.703245–0.705246 and 143Nd/144Nd ratios of 0.512910–0.512608) correlate negatively with 87Rb/86Sr and 147Sm/144Nd ratios. A continuous and arcuate trend in a Sr–Nd isotope diagram suggests a two-component mixing curve is present; at lower 87Sr/86Sr and higher 143Nd/144Nd ratios, this trend extends towards and partly overlaps Quaternary volcanic rock compositions from the Toga, Ichinomegata (xenolith-hosting pumice), and Kampu volcanoes on the Oga Peninsula (herein, Oga volcanic rocks). This overlapping suggests a common control on the isotopic variations within both xenoliths and volcanic rocks. This common control is most likely to be the metasomatism of intact original lower crustal material by parental magmas of the Oga volcanic rocks, herein termed the Oga parental magma, in addition to the contamination of the Oga parental magma by the crustal material after contact between the two. This metasomatism also caused isotopic re-homogenization of these constituent minerals, meaning hornblende and plagioclase within individual xenoliths have the same Sr–Nd isotopic compositions; i.e., they show no intra-rock variations, suggesting thermal re-setting.However, inter-rock variations imply that full metasomatism and destruction of the original isotopic and geochemical characteristics of the lower crust did not occur. These inter-rock variations are consistently present as changes in the geochemistry of constituent minerals, with K2O, Rb, Sr, Sm, and Nd concentrations varying in hornblende, and anorthite contents (An %) varying in plagioclase. The original lower crustal material, as one end-member of a mixing curve, is assumed to have a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.705250 and a 143Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.512570, whereas the Oga parental magma, forming the other end-member on the mixing curve, has a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.702958 and a 143Nd/144Nd ratio of 0.512933, as represented by Oga volcanic rocks with the lowest 87Sr/86Sr and highest 143Nd/144Nd ratios (stage 3 lavas from Kampu volcano near Ichinomegata maar). The isotopic compositions of other Oga volcanic rocks vary from the most contaminated Toga rhyolitic pumices (87Sr/86Sr of 0.703723–0.703885 and 143Nd/144Nd of 0.512906–0.512847) through to the Ichinomegata host pumice (87Sr/86Sr of 0.703398 and 143Nd/144Nd of 0.512895). This research indicates that both the Ichinomegata mafic xenoliths and the Oga volcanic rocks have undergone isotopic changes, creating an overlap in compositions caused by metasomatism and contamination, respectively. This relationship between lower crustal and volcanic rocks can be also be applied to trench-side volcanic rocks. If the Ichinomegata lower crustal material extends to the trench side of the NE Japan Arc, the island-arc tholeiites typically found within the volcanic front probably also contain a similar, if not identical, lower crustal component.

Basalts erupted along the Tongan fore arc during subduction initiation: Evidence from geochronology of dredged rocks from the Tonga fore arc and trench

A wide variety of different rock types were dredged from the Tonga fore arc and trench between 8000 and 3000 m water depths by the 1996 Boomerang voyage. 40Ar‐39Ar whole rock and U‐Pb zircon dating suggest that these fore arc rocks were erupted episodically from the Cretaceous to the Pliocene (102 to 2 Ma). The geochemistry suggests that MOR‐type basalts and dolerites were erupted in the Cretaceous, that island arc tholeiites were erupted in the Eocene and that back arc basin and island arc tholeiite and boninite were erupted episodically after this time. The ages generally become younger northward suggesting that fore arc crust was created in the south at around 48–52 Ma and was extended northward between 35 and 28 Ma, between 9 and 15 Ma and continuing to the present‐day. The episodic formation of the fore arc crust suggested by this data is very different to existing models for fore arc formation based on the Bonin‐Marianas arc. The Bonin‐Marianas based models postulate that the basaltic fore arc rocks were created between 52 and 49 Ma at the beginning of subduction above a rapidly foundering west‐dipping slab. Instead a model where the 52 Ma basalts that are presently in a fore arc position were created in the arc‐back arc transition behind the 57–35 Ma Loyalty‐Three Kings arc and placed into a fore arc setting after arc reversal following the start of collision with New Caledonia is proposed for the oldest rocks in Tonga. This is followed by growth of the fore arc northward with continued eruption of back arc and boninitic magmas after that time.

Geochemistry and geochronology of the Troodos ophiolite: An SSZ ophiolite generated by subduction initiation and an extended episode of ridge subduction?

New trace-element, radiogenic isotopic, and geochronologic data from the Troodos ophiolite, considered in concert with the large body of previously published data, give new insight into the tectonic history of this storied ophiolite, as well as demonstrating the variability of suprasubduction-zone ophiolites, and differences between them and commonly used modern analogs. Similar to earlier studies, we find that island-arc tholeiite of the lower pillow lava sequence erupted first, followed by boninite. We further divide boninitic rocks into boninite making up the upper pillow lava sequence, and depleted boninites that we consider late infill lavas. We obtained an Ar-Ar age from arc tholeiite of 90.6 ± 1.2 Ma, comparable to U-Pb ages from ophiolite plagiogranites. New biostratigraphic data indicate that most of the basal pelagic sedimentary rocks that conformably overlie the boninitic rocks are ca. 75 Ma. This suggests that voluminous eruption of boninitic rocks persisted until ca. 75 Ma. Limited eruption of boninitic lavas may have continued until 55.5 ± 0.9 Ma, based on the Ar-Ar age we obtained. The duration of arc magmatism at Troodos (at least 16 m.y., with some activity perhaps extending 35 m.y.) without the development of a mature arc edifice greatly exceeds that of other well-studied suprasubduction-zone ophiolites. We propose that Troodos was formed over a newly formed subduction zone, similar to many proposed models, but that the extended period of magmatism (boninitic) resulted from a prolonged period of ridge subduction.

Petrology of the İspendere (Malatya) ophiolite from the Southeast Anatolia: implications for the Late Mesozoic evolution of the southern Neotethyan Ocean

Abstract The İspendere ophiolite forms part of the Tauride active continental margin assemblage in SE Anatolia. The ophiolite exhibits an intact oceanic lithosphere section and is intruded by Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline granites. The ophiolite comprises mantle tectonites, ultramafic to mafic cumulates, isotropic gabbros, isolated diabase dykes, a sheeted dyke complex, plagiogranite and volcanic rocks. The volcanics and the sheeted dyke complex exhibit (1) similar rare earth element patterns, with flat to light rare earth element depletion (La–Yb) N =0.71–1.14 and 0.65–1.22, (2) negative Nb anomalies and (3) flat-lying high field strength element trends. These features differ from a typical Normal--Mid Ocean Ridge Basalt fractionation trend and could have resulted from c. 15% partial melting of a previously depleted mantle source. The whole-rock chemistry and the mineral chemistry of the ultramafic to mafic cumulates [high Ca plagioclases (An 89–81 ), magnesian olivines (Fo 88–81 ) and clinopyroxenes (Mg# 90–83 )] show that the primary magma of the plutonic suite is compositionally similar to modern island arc tholeiites. The available evidence suggests that the İspendere ophiolite formed at a northerly supra-subduction zone spreading centre of the Southern Neotethys, between the Taurides and the Bitlis–Pütürge metamorphic units, during the Late Cretaceous. Comparison with the adjacent Göksun, Kömürhan and Guleman ophiolites suggests that the İspendere ophiolite represents part of a single regional-scale sheet of oceanic lithosphere that was accreted to the base of Tauride active continental margin where it was cut by arc-type magmatic rocks.

Petrology of Lasail plutonic complex, northern Oman ophiolite, Oman: An example of arc-like magmatism associated with ophiolite detachment

Lasail plutonic complex (4.7×3.8km), as a typical example of late stage intrusive rocks, is located to the south of Wadi Jizi, and intrudes into the base of V1 volcanic rocks and sheeted dike complex. The Lasail plutonic complex consists of various rock types ranging from ultramafic cumulates to tonalite, and is associated with minor amounts of axis stage gabbro to quartz diorite. These rocks are classified into the following eleven rock types: massive gabbro 1, quartz diorite 1 (axis stage intrusive rocks), olivine websterite, olivine gabbronorite, gabbronorite, hornblende gabbronorite, leucogabbronorite (layered gabbros), massive gabbro 2, diorite, quartz diorite 2, and tonalite (late stage intrusive rocks). The layered gabbros are intruded by the massive gabbro 2, and often occur as large irregular blocks in the massive gabbro 2. The massive gabbro 2 intrudes into the layered gabbros, and sometimes grades into hornblende gabbronorite layer of the layered gabbros. In some places, anastomosing veins of the hornblende quartz gabbronorite injected into the gabbronorite, which continue to the layer of leucogabbronorite. These gabbroic rocks are intruded by small intrusions of diorite, quartz diorite 2, and tonalite. The quartz diorite 2 forms rather larger intrusive bodies that intrude into the gabbroic rocks in the higher level. The tonalite occurs as thin dike and sheet mainly in the layered gabbros. N-MORB normalized trace element patterns for the massive gabbro 2 are characterized by enrichment of LILEs relative to REEs, and resemble to ‘subduction component’ from the island arc tholeiite except a weak enrichment for middle to light REE and P. In contrast, the massive gabbro 1 (axis stage gabbro) shows rather flat pattern similar to MORB with no remarkable ‘subduction component’. From the examination of Sr and Nd isotopic signature, the Lasail plutonic rocks are characterized by higher ε-Sr values than those of MORB. This suggests that the primitive magma of Lasail complex was influenced by the rocks with higher ε-Sr values than those of MORB, e.g., the axis stage rocks interacted with seawater. These lines of evidence suggests that the massive gabbro 2 was formed by the partial melting of residual MORB mantle which is contaminated with slab melt derived from the axis stage rocks interacted with seawater. In addition, petrogenesis of felsic rocks in the Lasail complex can be explained by the partial melting model of pre-existing layered gabbro. U–Pb zircon ages analyzed by LA-ICPMS are 100±2 and 99±2Ma for late stage tonalite and 100±1Ma for axis stage quartz diorite. These ages are slightly older than the ages reported for felsic rocks in the Oman ophiolite (ca., 95Ma), and suggest that the conversion from ridge stage to detachment stage took place rapidly.

Late Cretaceous subduction initiation and Palaeocene–Eocene slab breakoff magmatism in South-Central Anatolia, Turkey

The Late Cretaceous Alihoca ophiolite in the Inner Tauride suture zone (ITSZ) of South-Central Turkey represents part of a single ophiolitic thrust sheet that originated from the Inner Tauride ocean. The ophiolite contains upper mantle peridotites, cumulate wehrlites, layered-to-isotropic gabbros, and microgabbroic-to-doleritic dikes. An ophiolitic mélange beneath the Alihoca ophiolite includes blocks of limestone, peridotite, dolerite, basalt, and deep-sea sedimentary rocks (radiolarite, chert) in a matrix comprising sheared serpentinite and mudstone. Isotropic gabbro and dolerite dike rocks show enrichment in Sr, K, Rb, Ba, and Th (LILE) and depletion of Ta, Nb, Zr, Ti, and Y (HFSE), indicating an island arc tholeiite (IAT) affinity. Relatively younger dolerite rocks display low TiO2 (<0.5 wt.%) contents, concave REE profiles with low HREE concentrations, and high LREE values, typical of boninitic affinities. The Alihoca ophiolite, hence, displays an IAT to boninitic geochemical progression in its magmatic evolution, reminiscent of many other Tethyan ophiolites in the region. It represents the remnant of a forearc oceanic crust, which developed during the early stages of subduction within the Inner Tauride ocean. Volcanic, volcano-sedimentary, and sedimentary rocks of the Ulukışla–Çamardı basin north of the ITSZ disconformably overlie the mafic-ultramafic rocks of the Alihoca ophiolite. Pillowed and massive lavas of the latest Cretaceous–Palaeocene Ulukışla Formation have alkaline basalt-to-basaltic andesite compositions, displaying relatively enriched LILE and LREE patterns with negative Nb and Ta anomalies. These geochemical features suggest that magmas of the Ulukışla–Çamardı volcanic rocks formed from partial melting of a metasomatized lithospheric mantle. This melting event was triggered by the influx of asthenospheric heat through a slab breakoff-induced window in the downgoing Tethyan oceanic lithosphere.

Geochemistry and tectonic significance of ophiolites along the İzmir–Ankara–Erzincan Suture Zone in northeastern Anatolia

Abstract The Ankara–Erzincan suture zone includes large bodies of ophiolite and ophiolitic melange in northeastern Anatolia. The ophiolitic bodies are (1) Refahiye (Erzincan), (2) Şahvelet (Erzurum), (3) Karadağ (Erzurum) and (4) Kırdağ (Erzurum). The ophiolite-related units include well-preserved sections of oceanic lithospheric and accretionary melanges with local blueschist assemblages. The ophiolite-related units in NE Anatolia are unconformably overlain by Campanian–Maastrichtian-aged sediments that were later imbricated with the ophiolitic rocks. Geochemical data for the individual ophiolite sections indicate a tholeiitic composition, depletion in Nb, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements, parallel to slightly depleted high field strength element patterns (compared with normal-mid ocean ridge basalt), and slightly light rare earth element-depleted to parallel rare earth element trends. These features suggest progressive source depletion towards island arc tholeiites and finally boninites. A fore-arc setting is proposed for the generation of the ophiolites. In contrast, the volcanic rocks from the mélange units exhibit tholeiitic to alkaline compositions and either depletion or enrichment of rare earth element and high field strength elements. Seamount-type alkaline and subduction-related tholeiitic basaltic rocks were apparently juxtaposed during subduction/accretion. Models involving either a single north-dipping subduction zone or two north-dipping subduction zones may be applicable. Both models involve the generation of supra-subduction zone-type ophiolites in a forearc setting, an accretionary prism (with blueschists) and a volcanic arc during the Late Cretaceous. The ophiolites, ophiolitic melange and related blueschists were emplaced either northwards onto the Pontide margin or southwards over the passive margin of the Tauride platform.

Geological features of a collision zone marker: The Antique Ophiolite Complex (Western Panay, Philippines)

The Antique Ophiolite Complex exposed along the western side of Panay Island, central Philippines was derived from the Jurassic to Cretaceous proto-South China Sea oceanic leading edge of the Palawan microcontinental block. The subduction and ultimate closure of this ocean basin resulted in the emplacement and exposure of this lithospheric fragment along the collisional boundary of the microcontinental block and the oceanic- to island arc-affiliated Philippine mobile belt. The ophiolite complex has volcanic rocks having normal- to transitional mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) to island arc tholeiitic (IAT) geochemistry consistent with the transitional MORB–IAT characteristics of its peridotites. The chromitites manifest subduction signature suggestive of the involvement of water in its generation. All of these would be consistent with generation in a supra-subduction zone environment, specifically in a subduction-related marginal ocean basin. The collision of the Palawan microcontinental block with the Philippine mobile belt along western Panay resulted, aside from ophiolite emplacement, into arc curvature, island rotation, serpentinite diapirism and thrusting along the forearc side. The offshore bathymetric expression of the microcontinental block along the collision zone shows the leading edge of this oceanic bathymetric high to have spread laterally. This is indicative of its being buoyant resulting to non-subduction as supported by available earthquake hypocenter data.