Island Arc Tholeiitic Affinity Research Articles

GEOCHEMISTRY AND PETROGRAPHY OF METAMORPHIC SOLE AMPHIBOLITES FROM THE SLATINA QUARRY, MT. ZRINSKA GORA, CROATIA

The investigated Mt. Zrinska Gora amphibolites are a part of the metamorphic sole of the Banovina ophiolite complex. Mineral composition and other petrographic characteristics of amphibolites and adjacent peridotite were investigated by polarised microscopy and chemical analyses of rocks were obtained by a combination of inductively coupled plasma mass and emission spectrometry. The main minerals in these garnet-bearing amphibolites are amphibole and plagioclase with accessory garnet, sphene, spinel, opaque mineral ± clinopyroxene ± quartz ± actinolite ± zoisite-clinozoisite ± prehnite ± pumpelyite and ± clay minerals. Kelyphitic corona is developed around garnet. The amphibolites have nematoblastic, nematogranoblastic, porphyroblastic and porphyroclastic textures and homogenous to foliated structures. The presence of clinopyroxene in some of the investigated amphibolites points to their possible formation under P‒T conditions of upper amphibolite facies. The greenschist facies retrograde metamorphism and subsequent surface weathering of amphibolites is also evident. The chemical composition of rocks indicates that protoliths of most amphibolites were tholeiitic basalts, initially formed in island arcs and the adjoining back-arc basins. During the intraoceanic subduction in Jurassic Neotethys Ocean basalts/basaltic tuffs of island arc tholeiite affinity and back-arc basin basalts, positioned on the top of the down-going oceanic slab, were welded to the base of the hot over-riding mantle wedge, metamorphosed to amphibolite rocks and obducted together with ophiolites on the Adria continental margine. The new described amphibolite type having peridotite protolith characteristics originated as the consequence of the hydration of the bottom part of the overlying mantle wedge.

Tectono-magmatic evolution of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere in supra subduction zone fore arc regime: Geochemical fingerprints from crust-mantle sections of Naga Hills Ophiolite

The Naga Hills Ophiolite (NHO) belt in the Indo-Myanmar range (IMR) represents a segment of Tethyan oceanic crust and upper mantle that was involved in an eastward convergence and collision of the Indian Plate with the Burmese Plate during the Late Cretaceous-Eocene. Here, we present a detailed petrological and geochemical account for the mantle and crustal sections of NHO, northeastern India to address (i) the mantle processes and tectonic regimes involved in their genesis and (ii) their coherence in terms of the thermo-tectonic evolution of Tethyan oceanic crust and upper mantle. The NHO suite comprises well preserved crustal and mantle sections discretely exposed at Moki, Ziphu, Molen, Washelo and Lacham areas. The ultramafic-mafic lithologies of NHO are mineralogically composed of variable proportions of olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase. The primary igneous textures for the mantle peridotites have been overprinted by extensive serpentinisation whereas the crustal section rocks reflect crystal cumulation in a magma chamber. Chondrite normalised REE profiles for the cumulate peridotite-olivine gabbro-gabbro assemblage constituting the crustal section of NHO show flat to depleted LREE patterns consistent with their generation from depleted MORB-type precursor melt in an extensional tectonic setting, while the mantle peridotites depict U-shaped REE patterns marked by relative enrichment of LREE and HREE over MREE. These features collectively imply a dual role of depleted MORB-type and enriched arc-type mantle components for their genesis with imprints of melt-rock and fluid-rock interactions. Tectonically, studied lithologies from NHO correspond to a boninitic to slab-proximal Island Arc Tholeiite affinity thereby conforming to an intraoceanic supra subduction zone (SSZ) fore-arc regime coherent with the subduction initiation process. The geochemical attributes for the crustal and mantle sections of NHO as mirrored by Zr/Hf, Zr/Sm, Nb/Ta, Zr/Nb, Nb/U, Ba/Nb, Ba/Th, Ba/La and Nd/Hf ratios propound a two-stage petrogenetic process: (i) a depleted fore arc basalt (FAB) type tholeiitic melt parental to the crustal lithologies was extracted from the upwelling asthenospheric mantle at SSZ fore-arc extensional regime thereby rendering a refractory residual upper mantle; (ii) the crust and upper mantle of the SSZ fore arc were progressively refertilised by boninitic melts generated in response to subduction initiation and slab-dehydration. The vestiges of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere preserved in NHO represent an accreted intra-oceanic fore arc crust and upper mantle section which records a transitional geodynamic evolution in a SSZ regime marked by subduction initiation, fore arc extension and arc-continent accretion.

Petrology and geochemistry of mafic and ultramafic cumulate rocks from the eastern part of the Sabzevar ophiolite (NE Iran): Implications for their petrogenesis and tectonic setting

The Late Cretaceous Sabzevar ophiolite represents one of the largest and most complete fragments of Tethyan oceanic lithosphere in the NE Iran. It is mainly composed of serpentinized mantle peridotites slices; nonetheless, minor tectonic slices of all crustal sequence constituents are observed in this ophiolite. The crustal sequence contains a well-developed ultramafic and mafic cumulates section, comprising plagioclase-bearing wehrlite, olivine clinopyroxenite, olivine gabbronorite, gabbronorite, amphibole gabbronorite and quartz gabbronorite with adcumulate, mesocumulate, heteradcumulate and orthocumulate textures. The crystallization order for these rocks is olivine ​± ​chromian spinel → clinopyroxene → plagioclase → orthopyroxene → amphibole. The presence of primary magmatic amphiboles in the cumulate rocks shows that the parent magma evolved under hydrous conditions. Geochemically, the studied rock units are characterized by low TiO2 (0.18–0.57 ​wt.%), P2O5 (<0.05 ​wt.%), K2O (0.01–0.51 ​wt.%) and total alkali contents (0.12–3.04 ​wt.%). They indicate fractionated trends in the chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) plots and multi-element diagrams (spider diagrams). The general trend of the spider diagrams exhibit slight enrichment in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) relative to high field strength elements (HFSEs) and positive anomalies in Sr, Pb and Eu and negative anomalies in Zr and Nb relative to the adjacent elements. The REE plots of these rocks display increasing trend from La to Sm, positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu∗ ​= ​1.06–1.54) and an almost flat pattern from medium REE (MREE) to heavy REE (HREE) region [(Gd/Yb)N ​= ​1–1.17]. Moreover, clinopyroxenes from the cumulate rocks have low REE contents and show marked depletion in light REE (LREE) compared to MREE and HREE [(La/Sm)N ​= ​0.10–0.27 and (La/Yb)N ​= ​0.08–0.22]. The composition of calculated melts in equilibrium with the clinopyroxenes from less evolved cumulate samples are closely similar to island arc tholeiitic (IAT) magmas. Modal mineralogy, geochemical features and REE modeling indicate that Sabzevar cumulate rocks were formed by crystal accumulation from a hydrous depleted basaltic melt with IAT affinity. This melt has been produced by moderate to high degree (~15%) of partial melting a depleted mantle source, which partially underwent metasomatic enrichment from subducted slab components in an intra-oceanic arc setting.

Cretaceous tectonic evolution of the Neo-Tethys in Central Iran: Evidence from petrology and age of the Nain-Ashin ophiolitic basalts

The Nain and Ashin ophiolites consist of Mesozoic mélange units that were emplaced in the Late Cretaceous onto the continental basement of the Central-East Iran microcontinent (CEIM). They largely consist of serpentinized peridotites slices; nonetheless, minor tectonic slices of sheeted dykes and pillow lavas - locally stratigraphically associated with radiolarian cherts - can be found in these ophiolitic mélanges. Based on their whole rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry, these rocks can be divided into two geochemical groups. The sheeted dykes and most of the pillow lavas show island arc tholeiitic (IAT) affinity, whereas a few pillow lavas from the Nain ophiolites show calc-alkaline (CA) affinity. Petrogenetic modeling based on trace elements composition indicates that both IAT and CA rocks derived from partial melting of depleted mantle sources that underwent enrichment in subduction-derived components prior to melting. Petrogenetic modeling shows that these components were represented by pure aqueous fluids, or sediment melts, or a combination of both, suggesting that the studied rocks were formed in an arc-forearc tectonic setting. Our new biostratigraphic data indicate this arc-forearc setting was active in the Early Cretaceous. Previous tectonic interpretations suggested that the Nain ophiolites formed, in a Late Cretaceous backarc basin located in the south of the CEIM (the so-called Nain-Baft basin). However, recent studies showed that the CEIM underwent a counter-clockwise rotation in the Cenozoic, which displaced the Nain and Ashin ophiolites in their present day position from an original northeastward location. This evidence combined with our new data and a comparison of the chemical features of volcanic rocks from different ophiolites around the CEIM allow us to suggest that the Nain-Ashin volcanic rocks and dykes were formed in a volcanic arc that developed on the northern margin of the CEIM during the Early Cretaceous in association with the subduction, below the CEIM, of a Neo-Tethys oceanic branch that was existing between the CEIM and the southern margin of Eurasia. As a major conclusion of this paper, a new geodynamic model for the Cretaceous evolution of the CEIM and surrounding Neo-Tethyan oceanic basins is proposed.

Petrology and geochemistry of sheeted dykes and pillow lavas from the Sabzevar Ophiolitic Mélange (Northeast Iran): new Constraints for the Late Cretaceous evolution of the Neo-Tethys Oceanic Basin between the Central Iranian Microcontinent and Eurasia

TheSabzevarophiolite-bearingmelangemainlyincludestectonic slicesofophiolitesregardedas remnants of the Late Cretaceous oceanic basin located between the northern margin of the Central Iran Microcontinent and the southern margin of the Turan (Eurasia) plate, as well as remnants of its northern continental margin. We present here new mineral chemistry and whole rock chemical data on the sheeted dyke complex and pillow lavas series from this ophiolite. The sheeted dykes consist of basalts and basaltic andesites showing island arc tholeiitic (IAT) affinity (Group 1). They display low TiO 2 (0.37-0.81 wt%) contents and N-MORB normalized incompatible element patterns featuring Th enrichment and Ta and Nb depletion. The pillow lavas show different chemical features compared to the sheeted dykes and can be subdivided in two distinct geochemical groups. The first Group of pillow lavas (Group 2) mainly consists of andesites showing a clear calc-alkaline (CA) affinity with low TiO 2 (0.71-0.81 wt%) contents. Their N-MORB normalized incompatible element patterns display marked enrichments in Th, U, La, and Ce, and depletion in Ta, Nb, and Ti. The second Group of pillow lavas (Group 3) is mainly represented by alkaline basalts with high TiO 2 (1.54-3.45 wt%) contents. N-MORB normalized incompatible element patterns show significant Th, Ta, and Nb enrichments. Trace element modeling shows that CA primary melts were generated by 20% partial melting of a depleted lherzolite mantle source that had been enriched by continental crust chemical components. IAT basalts were generated from various degrees of partial melting of either depleted lherzolitic or harzburgitic mantle sources bearing no or negligible influence from continental crust components. Alkaline basalts were generated by polybaric partial melting of an enriched within-plate oceanic mantle source. A new tectono-magmatic model that can explain the different rock association cropping out in the Sabzevar ophiolite is proposed. This model implies the existence, on the southern margin of the Turan plate during the Late Cretaceous, of a continental arc-forearc system where CA and IAT rocks were erupted, respectively. Alkaline basalts were erupted in a subduction-unrelated oceanic basin and then tectonically accreted to the forearc as a consequence of the collision between the seamount and the arc-forearc system.

Petrogenesis of the Rambler Rhyolite Formation: Controls on the Ming VMS Deposit and geodynamic implications for The Taconic Seaway, Newfoundland Appalachians, Canada

The Ming Cu-Zn-Ag-Au volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted by the Upper Cambrian-Lower Ordovician Rambler Rhyolite formation, which consists of a folded northeast plunging felsic dome complex, developed in the uppermost segment of the obducted supra-subduction Baie Verte oceanic tract, in the north central Newfoundland Appalachians. The deposit is overlain by interstratified mafic volcanic flows and volcaniclastic rocks of the Snooks Arm Group. The upper 1 km of the Rambler Rhyolite formation consists of a coherent felsic lithofacies at its base, overlain by a quartz-bearing volcaniclastic-dominated lithofacies (units 1.2 and 1.3). Geochemically, these rocks are light rare earth element (LREE)- and large ion lithophile element (LILE)-enriched ([La/Yb]pn = 4–20; Th = 2.58–4.05 ppm), and high field strength element (HFSE)-depleted (Y = 5.64–6.59 ppm) rhyodacite with calk-alkalic affinities (Th/Yb > 2; Zr/Y > 7). The last pulse of felsic volcanism (unit 1.3) is intimately associated with the massive sulfide lenses and has FI- and FII-type rhyolite signatures (high La/Yb ratios), commonly attributed to deep (≥ 30 km) crustal melting. The eNd(t) values of the rhyolites range from −2.5 to −1.3, indicating the rocks were influenced by crustal material. A 10 percent batch partial melt of a garnet-amphibole metamorphosed normal mid-oceanic ridge basalt (N-MORB) and island arc tholeiite (IAT) crustal material can generate a melt similar to the felsic rocks hosting the Ming deposit; however, the IAT reproduces much better the absolute abundances of LILE (Th, Sr), HFSE (Nb, Zr, Y), and middle rare earth elements (MREE) of the felsic rocks. It is interpreted that the felsic melt came from melting of a subducted slab with IAT affinity, thus explaining the depth of melt generation and FI-FII signatures of the felsic rocks. Moreover, the slab-derived siliceous melt may also have contributed magmatophile elements (for example, Ag, Au, Se, Te, Sn, Sb, Hg) into the hydrothermal system once it had reached near-surface depths, and may explain the epithermal suite element-enrichment in the Ming deposit. This study shows that strongly fractionated felsic volcanic rocks associated with boninites, such as those associated with the Ming VMS deposit, can be important hosts for precious metal-enriched VMS and may be as prospective as tholeiitic felsic volcanic sequences (for example, FIII-FIV-type rhyolite – low La/Yb ratios). The base of the Snooks Arm Group is comprised of spatially restricted sulfide-bearing mafic breccia, overlain by a regionally extensive sedimentary sequence (eNd(t) = +3.1 to +5.5), which is in turn overlain by interstratified high-Mg basalt (eNd(t) = +1.6), Th-enriched back-arc basin basalt (BABB), enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalt (E-MORB; eNd(t) = +6.6), and LREE-enriched/low-Ti tholeiitic tuffs (eNd(t) = −0.5). Four generations of mafic to intermediate dikes and sills cross-cut the Rambler Rhyolite formation and share similar geochemical characteristics to the extrusive rocks of the Snooks Arm Group, suggesting comagmatic relationships. The combination of variations in Nb/Yb, Th /Yb, and eNd(t) values within and between units suggest melts derived from depleted to enriched mantle material with melts synchronously generated by both slab-metasomatized mantle wedge and upwelling back-arc asthenosphere.

Petrology and geochemistry of diabasic dikes and andesitic-basaltic lavas in Noorabad-Harsin ophiolite, SE of Kermanshah, Iran

The Noorabad-Harsin ophiolite is a part of the eastern Mediterranean-Zagros-Oman Tethyan ophiolites. This area is located in the south-southwest of the main Zagros thrust zone. This ophiolite consists of peridotites, serpentinites and pegmatite gabbros as mantle sequence whereas crustal sequence is composed of locally layered gabbros, isotropic gabbros, sheeted dike complex, basaltic to andesitic lavas and sedimentary rocks (radiolarites and Late Cretaceous pelagic limestones). The diabase dikes are enriched in LREE relative to HREE (La(n)/Yb(n)=1.7–3.3). Also, the andesites are enriched in LREE relative to HREE (La(n)/Yb(n)=3.1–5.37) and the pillow lavas are enriched in LILE (Th(n)/La(n)=2.1) while show a depletion in HFSE (Nb(n)/La(n)=0.07–0.2). The basaltic-andesitic lavas exhibiting mainly calc-alkaline, with minor island-arc tholeiitic affinities, are characterized by enrichment in LILE and LREE and depletion in HFSE. These geochemical characteristics compared with other Tethyan ophiolites along the Bitlis-Zagros suture zone reveal a suprasubduction zone environment for the genesis of the Noorabad-Harsin ophiolites.

Experimental Studies to Constrain Parental Magma of Malangtoli Volcanics from Singhbhum Craton of the Eastern Indian Shield

Abstract: Malangtoli volcanics of the Singhbhum craton of the eastern Indian shield is one of the important Proterozoic lava suites. Experimental studies on 1 atmosphere pressure constrain the parental magma type and temperature range of crystallization of the parent magma (deduced to be in the range of 15000C to 12000C). The experimental studies show that at 15000C, plagioclase is the first phase to crystallize, followed by few opaques which join along with plagioclase at 14500C. At subsequent lower temperature (14000C-13000C), plagioclase and opaque continue to crystallize. At 12500C plagioclase and opaque still persist while pyroxene appears first and liquid (glass) still remains. Appearance of opaque minerals (magnetite and illmenite) at both ~14000C and ~13000C indicate oscillation of oxygen fugacity in the parent magma, petrographically documented by coarser phenocrysts as well as finer or peripheral tiny grains. Use of tectonic discrimination diagrams (based on discrimination factors F1-F2 and FeOt/MgO vs. TiO2) shows an island arc tholeiitic affinity for Malangtoli volcanic, suggests that the role of proto-plate convergence in Singhbhum architecture played an important role to build up Malangtoli volcanics during Proterozoic.

Geochemistry of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks and biostratigraphy on radiolarian cherts from the Almopias ophiolites and Paikon Unit (Western Vardar, Greece)

The Almopias and Paikon “sub-zones” in northern Greece represent the easternmost part of the Vardar Domain. Volcanic sequences in the Paikon sub- zone largely consist of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks with very minor normal-type (N-) mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and boninites. These data confirm that the Paikon volcanics have originated in a volcanic arc setting developed during the Middle to Late Jurassic times on the westernmost continental margin of the European plate. The Almopias “sub-zone” consists of several ophiolite-bearing tectonic units showing a complex combination of different metamorphic, litho-stratigraphical, and age characteristics. The Liki, Nea Zoi, and Vrissi units (central Almopias) are ophiolitic melanges, the Mavrolakkos and Krania units (eastern Almopias) consist of volcanic sequences, and the Ano Garefi unit (eastern Almopias) includes serpentinized peridotites and overlying basaltic lavas. The Liki unit underwent metamorphism and deformation under amphibolite-facies condition and includes rocks showing N-MORB and low-K island arc tholeiitic affinities. The Nea Zoi unit incorporates N-MORBs of unknown age and Late Triassic calc-alkaline rocks. The Vrissi unit includes an incomplete volcanic sequence consisting of MORB-type volcanics linked with and crosscut by Middle-Late Jurassic arc-type volcanic rocks and dykes. The Mavrolakkos unit consists of sheeted dykes, lavas, and individual dykes with N-MORB affinity, which are crosscut by dykes showing volcanic arc affinity. The Krania unit consists of Middle-Late Jurassic N-MORB series tectonically associated with calc-alkaline volcanics and dykes. Basalts of the Ano Garefi unit have alkaline affinity, whereas dikes cutting the peridotites show enriched-type MORB chemistry. Our data show the occurrence in the Almopias units of Middle-Late Jurassic N-MORB lavas associated with overlying coeval volcanic arc-type lavas and/or intruded by volcanic arc-type dykes. A major point arising from this paper is that some of the Almopias ophiolitic units do not correlate with the other ophiolitic units in the Dinaride-Hellenide belt and some could correlate with the northernmost extension of the Vardar zone in the South Apuseni - Transyl- vanian ophiolitic belt in Romania.

Hyperextension of continental to oceanic-like lithosphere: The record of late gabbros in the shallow subcontinental lithospheric mantle of the westernmost Mediterranean

We report gabbroic dikes in the plagioclase tectonite domains of the Ojén and Ronda massifs (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain), which record crystallization at low-pressure syn-, or slightly postkinematic to the late ductile history of the Betic Peridotite in the westernmost Mediterranean. We present mineral major and trace element compositional data of discordant gabbroic dikes in the Ojén massif and gabbroic patches in the Ronda massif, complemented by the whole rock and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) data of the Ojén occurrence. In the Ojén massif, gabbro occurs as 1–3 centimeter wide discordant dikes that crosscut the plagioclase tectonite foliation at high angle. These dikes are composed of cm-scale igneous plagioclase and clinopyroxene crystals that show shape preferred orientations subparallel to the lineation of the host peridotite and oblique to the trend of the dike. Intrusion of Ojén gabbro dikes is coherent with the stress field that formed the high temperature, ductile plagioclase tectonite foliation and then attests for a mantle igneous event prior to the intracrustal emplacement of the massif. In the Ronda massif, gabbroic rocks crystallized in subcentimeter wide anastomozing veins, or as interstitial patches in the host dunite. They are mostly composed of plagioclase and clinopyroxene. Plagioclase composition is bytownitic in the Ojén, and andesinic in the Ronda massif. Clinopyroxene in both places shows identical, light Rare-Earth Element (LREE) depleted trace element patterns. The calculated trace element composition of melts in exchange equilibrium with the studied igneous clinopyroxenes reflects LREE-enriched character coupled with negative Eu anomaly, and indicates that gabbro-forming melts in Ronda and Ojén share a common melt source with an island arc tholeiitic affinity. Geothermobarometric data and liquidus mineralogy indicate that gabbro crystallization occurred at shallow depths (0.2–0.5GPa) in a 7–16km thick lithospheric section. These data suggest that gabbro-forming melts in the Betic Peridotite record a mantle igneous event at very shallow depths and provide evidence for the hyperextension of the continental lithosphere compatible with extreme backarc basin extension induced by the slab rollback of the Cenozoic subduction system in the westernmost Mediterranean.

Genesis and geodynamic significance of chromitites from the Orhaneli and Harmancık ophiolites (Bursa, NW Turkey) as evidenced by mineralogical and compositional data

Chromitites from Orhaneli and Harmancık ophiolites (Bursa, NW Turkey) are mainly associated with dunites. They occur as banded and lenticular bodies showing massive and disseminated textures and are composed of magnesiochromite grains characterized by the following composition: Cr2O3=58.30–61.19wt.%, Al2O3=8.32–10.03wt.% and TiO2=0.14–0.21wt.%. The Cr# [Cr/(Cr+Al)] values of magnesiochromite from both ophiolites range between 0.80 and 0.83 and their Mg# [Mg/(Mg+Fe2+)] values vary from 0.52 to 0.69. However, one chromitite sample (BO13B) from the Orhaneli ophiolite contains magnesiochromite with relatively low Cr2O3 (48.38wt.%), high Al2O3 (15.16wt.%) and TiO2 (0.30wt.%) contents, and average Cr# and Mg# values of 0.68 and 0.56, respectively. Although the total content of platinum-group elements (PGE) in most chromitite samples varies between 83 and 169ppb, two samples from the Orhaneli ophiolite show enrichments in total PGE (up to 500ppb). Several platinum-group mineral (PGM) grains occur as minute inclusions in magnesiochromite grains (1–15μm across). Laurite is dominant PGM phase, followed by erlichmanite, unidentified Ru–Ni–Fe sulfide, irarsite, hollingworthite, native osmium and iridium. Millerite and pentlandite represent the most abundant primary base-metal mineral inclusions in magnesiochromite, whereas bornite, awaruite, heazlewoodite, violarite and orcelite are mostly observed in the secondary silicate groundmass. Olivine, clinopyroxene and amphibole are also identified as silicate inclusions in the magnesiochromite. The composition of the magnesiochromite and the parental melts in equilibrium indicate that these magnesiochromite grains were most likely crystallized from boninitic melts in an arc setting. However, BO13B chromitite sample from the Orhaneli chromitites may have crystallized from arc-related melt of probably an island arc tholeiite affinity.

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.

MESOZOIC BACK-ARC EXTENSION IN THE ACTIVE MARGIN OF THE IRANIAN CONTINENTAL BLOCK: CONSTRAINTS FROM AGE AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE MAFIC LAVAS

The Nain-Baft ophiolitic suture, along the active margin of the Central Iranian continental block (the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone) features back-arc extension during the Late Mesozoic. This ophiolitic belt is characterized by occurrence of mafic lavas including pillow lavas, diabasic dikes and layers, massive basaltic lavas and basaltic-andesitic rock fragments in the volcanic breccias. These mafic lavas display both calc-alkaline and island-arc tholeiitic affinities with enrichment in LILE and depletion in HFSE. Conventional K-Ar measurements on amphibole indicate the Middle Cretaceous for the creation and evolution of the Nain-Baft back-arc basins. As a result of oblique subduction of the Tethyan Ocean, a narrow transtensional back-arc basin could start to open along large transcurrent faults in the active margin of the Iranian continental block.

Petrogenesis and tectonomagmatic significance of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks in the Albanide–Hellenide ophiolitic mélanges

Abstract Ophiolitic mélanges associated with ophiolitic sequences are wide spread in the Mirdita–Subpelagonian zone (Albanide–Hellenide Orogenic Belt) and consist of tectonosedimentary ‘block‐in‐matrix‐type’ mélanges. Volcanic and subvolcanic basaltic rocks included in the main mélange units are studied in this paper with the aim of assessing their chemistry and petrogenesis, as well as their original tectonic setting of formation. Basaltic rocks incorporated in these mélanges include (i) Triassic transitional to alkaline within‐plate basalts (WPB); (ii) Triassic normal (N‐MORB) and enriched (E‐MORB) mid‐oceanic ridge basalts; (iii) Jurassic N‐MORB; (iv) Jurassic basalts with geochemical characteristics intermediate between MORB and island arc tholeiites (MORB/IAT); and (v) Jurassic boninitic rocks. These rocks record different igneous activities, which are related to the geodynamic and mantle evolution through time in the Mirdita–Subpelagonian sector of the Tethys. Mélange units formed mainly through sedimentary processes are characterized by the prevalence of materials derived from the supra‐subduction zone (SSZ) environments, whereas in mélange units where tectonic processes prevail, oceanic materials predominate. In contrast, no compositional distinction between structurally similar mélange units is observed, suggesting that they may be regarded as a unique mélange belt extending from the Hellenides to the Albanides, whose formation was largely dominated by the mechanisms of incorporation of the different materials. Most of the basaltic rocks surfacing in the MOR and SSZ Albanide–Hellenide ophiolites are incorporated in mélanges. However, basalts with island arc tholeiitic affinity, although they are volumetrically the most abundant ophiolitic rock types, have not been found in mélanges so far. This implies that the rocks forming the main part of the intraoceanic arc do not seem to have contributed to the mélange formation, whereas rocks presumably formed in the forearc region are largely represented in sedimentary‐dominated mélanges. In addition, Triassic E‐MORB, N‐MORB and WPB included in many mélanges are not presently found in the ophiolitic sequences. Nonetheless, they testify to the existence throughout the Albanide–Hellenide Belt of an oceanic basin since the Middle Triassic.

Magma generation and crustal accretion as evidenced by supra‐subduction ophiolites of the Albanide–Hellenide Subpelagonian zone

Abstract Ophiolites of the Mirdita–Subpelagonian zone form a nearly continuous belt in the Albanide–Hellenide orogen, including mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) associations in the western Mirdita sector and supra‐subduction zone (SSZ) complexes, with prevalent island arc tholeiitic (IAT) and minor boninitic affinities in the eastern part of the belt (i.e. eastern Mirdita, Pindos, Vourinos). In addition, basalts with geochemical features intermediate between MORB and IAT (MORB/IAT) are found in the central Mirdita and in the Aspropotamos sequence (Pindos). These basalts alternate with pure MORB and are cut by boninitic dykes. The distinctive compositional characteristics of the mafic magmas parental to the different ophiolitic suites can be accounted for by partial melting of mantle sources progressively depleted by melt extractions. Partial melting processes (10–20%) of lherzolitic sources generated pure MORB, leaving clinopyroxene‐poor lherzolite as a residuum. Approximately 10% water‐assisted partial melting of this latter source, in an SSZ setting, may in turn generate basalts with MORB/IAT intermediate characteristics, whereas IAT basalts and boninites may have been derived from 10–20% and 30% partial melting, respectively, of the same source variably enriched by subduction‐derived fluids. In addition, boninites may also have been derived by comparatively lower degrees of hydrated partial melting of more refractory harzburgitic sources. A generalized petrologic model based on mass balance calculations between bulk rock and mineral compositions, indicate that most of the intrusives (from ultramafic cumulates to gabbronorites and plagiogranites), as well as sheeted dykes and volcanics (from basalts to rhyodacites) forming the bulk crustal section of the SSZ ophiolites, may be accounted for by shallow fractional crystallization from low‐Ti picritic parental magmas very similar in composition to IAT picrites from Pacific intraoceanic arcs. The most appropriate tectono‐magmatic model for the generation of the SSZ Tethyan ophiolites implies low velocity plate‐convergence of the intraoceanic subduction and generation of a nascent arc with IAT affinity and progressive slab roll‐back, mantle diapirism and extension from the arc axis to the forearc region, with generation of MORB/IAT intermediate basalts and boninitic magmas.

PETROGENESIS AND TECTONO-MAGMATIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ALBANIDE - HELLENIDE SUBPELAGONIAN OPHIOLITES

The Mirdita-Subpelagonian ophiolites of the Albanide-Hellenide orogen are parts of a continuous belt extending from the former Yugoslavia to Greece, and share common geological, litho-stratigraphical, geochemical, and metallogenic features. In the Albanian sector, two distinct ophiolitic belts can be clearly identified: the Western Belt, mainly composed of mid-ocean ridge (MORB) ophiolites, and the Eastern Belt characterized by supra-subduction zone (SSZ) ophiolites with prevalent island arc tholeiitic (IAT) and minor boninitic affinity. In the easternmost border of the Western Belt (Central Mirdita), a transitional zone with MORB/IAT intermediate basalts and boninitic dykes also occur. In the Greek sector, a definite distinction into two ophiolitic belts cannot be made, and MORB-type ophiolites (western type) are subordinate, being represented only by the intrusive and lower volcanic sequences of the Pindos Massif. By contrast, SSZ- ophiolites (eastern type) are predominant and well-represented by the IAT and boninitic sequences of the Vourinos Massif, as well as by MORB/IAT intermediate basaltic-andesitic suites and boninites of the upper part of the Pindos volcanic sequence. Petrological and geochemical modelling suggest that the different Albanide -Hellenide ophiolitic sequences originated from distinctly different parental magmas by partial melting of mantle sources progressively depleted by previous melt extractions. MORB may have derived from 10 - 20% partial melting of an undepleted lherzolitic source, while MORB/IAT intermediate basalts may have generated by ca. 10% of H2O-assisted partial melting of a cpx-poor lherzolite that had previously experienced MORB extraction. IAT magmas and boninites may, in turn, have derived from 10 – 20 % and ca. 30% partial melting of the same source, variably enriched by subduction-derived fluids and related incompatible elements. The favoured tectono-magmatic model for the genesis of the Albanide-Hellenide ophiolites implies a low plate-convergence velocity with: 1) intra-oceanic subduction within a pristine MORB lithosphere, resulting in SSZ magmatism with IAT affinity, and generation of a nascent arc by nearly open-system supply of undifferentiated basalts (sheeted dyke complexes); 2) progressive slab sinking and retreat coupled with mantle diapirism and extension from the arc axis to the forearc region, with generation of boninites and/or very low-Ti tholeiites from depleted sub-arc sources, leaving highly depleted harzburgitic residua; 3) contemporaneous generation at the spreading axis of IAT/MORB intermediate basalts resulting from the interference of MORB-source diapirs with suprasubduction mantle sources; 4) convergence processes leading to obduction of large and relatively intact lithospheric sections of SSZ ophiolites onto the Pelagonian continental margin, often with the interposition of metamorphic soles. The latter have prevalent MORB affinity and represent relics of the pristine MORB lithosphere overthrust by the still hot ophiolitic slab.

The southern margin of the Caribbean Plate in Venezuela: tectono-magmatic setting of the ophiolitic units and kinematic evolution

The southern Caribbean Plate margin in Venezuela consists of a W–E elongated deformed belt, composed of several tectonic units dismembered along the northern part of the South America continental Plate since the Late Cretaceous. The present review, based on petrology and tectono-magmatic significance of each unit, makes it possible to define the main geotectonic elements and to reconstruct the paleogeographic domains from Late Jurassic to Tertiary: (a) Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB) proto-Caribbean oceanic basin (Loma de Hierro Unit); (b) oceanic plateau (Dutch and Venezuelan Islands basement); (c) rifted continental margin (Cordillera de La Costa and Caucagua–El Tinaco Units) with Within Plate Tholeiitic (WPTh) magmatism; (d) an intra-oceanic subduction zone represented by Island Arc Tholeiitic (IAT) magmatism (Villa de Cura and Dos Hermanas Units) of Early Cretaceous age; (e) an Early Cretaceous ocean–continent subduction trench filled by melange (Franja Costera); (f) a new intra-oceanic subduction zone, represented by the tonalitic arc magmatism of Late Cretaceous age (Dutch and Venezuelan Islands). Regional tectonic constraints and coherent kinematic reconstruction suggest an original “near-Mid America” location of the Jurassic–Cretaceous “proto-Caribbean” oceanic realm. From Early to Late Cretaceous one sub-continental subduction with melanges (Franja Costera Unit) and two main stages of intra-oceanic arc magmatism are recorded in the so-called “eo-Caribbean” phases. The first consists of generally metamorphosed and deformed volcano-plutonic sequences with IAT affinity (Villa de Cura and Dos Hermanas Units), probably in relation to a southeastward-dipping subduction. The second is mainly represented by generally unmetamorphosed tonalitic intrusives cutting the oceanic plateau in the Dutch and Venezuelan Islands, and related to the new intra-oceanic subduction with reverse lithospheric sinking. The latter probably marked the onset of the Aves/Lesser Antilles arc system in the Late Cretaceous.

Geology of the Chalt–Babusar transect, Kohistan terrane,N. Pakistan: implications for the constitution and thickening of island-arc crust

The Kohistan island arc terrane is sandwiched between the collided Indian and Karakoram plates in the Himalaya of North Pakistan. Structures related to collision, during which the arc was thrust onto the leading edge of continental India along the Main Mantle Thrust, have resulted in exposure of an almost complete section of arc crust. Mapping along a transect across the east end of the arc terrane provides new data concerning the magmatic emplacement of several of the principal units. The base of the arc here is occupied by a major stratiform ultramafic–gabbroic complex, the Sapat complex. This was intruded into the base of a thick pile of meta-volcanic rocks which make up the Kamila amphibolite belt, and which comprise a varied sequence of basalts some with MORB-type tholeiitic affinities and some with island-arc tholeiitic affinities as well as calc-alkaline andesites. Ultramafic and gabbronorite rocks of the Chilas complex are intrusive into the top of the Kamila amphibolite belt. The upper part of the crust comprises meta-sediments and meta-volcanic rocks of the Jaglot and Yasin-Chalt Groups. These were formed in one or more arc-related basins, and host much of the Kohistan batholith. A three-stage history of crustal thickening can be documented for the Kohistan arc. From its initiation at ca. 125–120 Ma until ca. 90 Ma, the arc grew downward through magmatic emplacement, into its base, of stratiform ultramafic–gabbroic plutonic complexes, and upward through extrusion of volcanic sequences. In Stage 2, the focus of crustal growth shifted upwards from the base of the arc with emplacement of the Chilas complex along the interface between the Kamila amphibolite belt and the overlying volcano-sedimentary cover. This stage of crustal thickening was accompanied by shortening associated with the 90–80 Ma Kohistan–Karakoram collision. Finally, in Stage 3 (80–45 Ma), the Kohistan batholith was emplaced into deformed cover rocks of the uppermost part of the arc crust.

Geochemistry and significance of metavolcanic rocks from the Bou Azzer-El Graara ophiolite (Morocco)

The Bou Azzer-El Graara ophiolite has been interpreted as oceanic or backarc crust overlain by a calc-alkalic arc sequence or as a composite forearc and accretionary melange. Seventy-nine new major and trace element whole-rock analyses of the metavolcanic rocks from throughout the complex support the latter interpretation. The results of this study indicate that the Bou Azzer metavolcanics comprise three petrographically and geochemically distinct groups. 1. (A) A siliceous metavolcanic series, ranging from basaltic andesites to rhyolites with calc-alkalic characteristics, is the principal component of the northern section of the complex. It includes distinct quartz-bearing, rhyolite flows. Isolated massive pyroclastic layers are typically associated with this series. These rocks are interpreted as forearc basin volcanics and pyroclastics produced during late Proterozoic, north-dipping subduction. 2. (B) Low-Ti metabasalts which display island arc tholeiitic affinities occur as isolated flows or blocks in most of the ophiolite. These rocks may represent fragments of the forearc basement below the siliceous series. 3. (C) High-Ti metabasalts which range from enriched tholeiitic (Zr/Y<4) to mildly alkalic (Zr/Y>4) compositions are the principal volcanic block in the southern, melange-like terrane of the complex. These have high Ba and Sr contents (100–200 ppm average Ba, 260 ppm average Sr). They are identical to basaltic compositions from Tachdamt and Bleida on the southern margins of the ophiolite, which have previously been interpreted as a rifted continental margin sequence. These rocks could represent seamount volcanic products which have been thrust into an accretionary prism along the north-dipping subduction zone or rift margin basalts, which have been assembled in a tectonic melange as a consequence of a forearc-continent collision. Both the low-Ti and high-Ti metabasalt groups include samples previously identified as ocean-ridge or back-arc volcanics. However, there is no compelling evidence for the occurrence of these lava compositions in this region. The distribution of rock types within the ophiolite is most consistent with a previously proposed model which views the complex as three allochthonous terranes which were juxtaposed during collision to form the Bou Azzer-El Graara complex.

Ophiolites in Northeast and East Africa: implications for Proterozoic crustal growth

The presence of ophiolite complexes in NE and E Africa has been documented using Landsat, field and geochemical studies. The present work identifies five major ophiolitic sutures in NE Africa, while plate reconstruction of Africa and Madagascar suggests a possible sixth ophiolite belt to the east. The ophiolites are considered to be remnants of supra-subduction zones and back-arc basins. The ophiolites are dismembered, and their mode of occurrence varies widely resulting in different structural relationships. In Western Ethiopia, the Yubdo complex is formed of harzburgite which grades into a cumulate sequence of ultramafic and gabbroic rocks and metabasalts. In Kenya, the Baragoi complex is formed of tectonized harzburgite with dunite and chromite pods, a cumulate sequence of ultramafic and gabbroic units and a dyke unit. Trace element data from the Baragoi complex show a transitional mid-ocean ridge basaltic to island arc tholeiitic affinity, and the presence of boninites suggests a supra-subduction setting, while data from the Adola-Moyale belt (S. Ethiopia-NE Kenya) indicate an island-arc and MORB geochemistry, which developed in a back-arc tectonic setting. In Sudan, the Ingessana complex which has an island arc tholeiitic tectonic affinity indicates development in a supra-subduction setting, while the trace element suggest that the Sol Hamed complex developed in a back-arc basin. These ophiolite belts represent sutures marking the position of island arcs extending to those in Saudi Arabia on a pre-Red Sea drift reconstruction and further south to Mozambique. The terrane delimited by a proposed Ingessana-Port Sudan suture and by the Adola-Moyale ophiolite belts as defined in this study encompasses an area in which the crust was derived from oceanic and island arc material. Relative age reconstruction across the Arabian-Nubian Shield in East Africa broadly indicates eastward younging of the ophiolite belts. Regional geological, tectonic and geochemical studies suggest rifting at c. 1200 Ma and subsequent convergence led to the development of intra-oceanic arcs and associated marginal basins in the north and narrow basins within the sialic basement gneisses further south in Kenya and Tanzania. This was followed by continent-continent collision which led to accretion of island arcs by gentle collision from the northeast in Saudi Arabia and severe crustal shortening in S Sudan, Kenya and SE Ethiopia as compared to Saudi Arabia, NE Sudan and N and W Ethiopia owing to oblique collision from the southeast.