Mantle Plume Component Research Articles

Petrogenesis of flood basalts and shield basanite from Mertolemariam- Abamineos area, northwestern Ethiopian plateau: Assessments for mantle source variations

Petrographic and geochemical data (major and trace elements) are presented for Oligocene flood basalts and Miocene shield lavas from the Mertolemariam-Abamineos area, northwestern Ethiopian Plateau to examine the petrogenesis of the erupted magmas and the nature of mantle source compositions. The Mertolemariam flood basalts have mainly aphyric and plagioclase phyric textures. The Abamineos shield lavas have sparsely clinopyroxene phyric to highly plagioclase-clinopyroxene phyric textures. Geochemical classification shows that the Mertolemariam Oligocene flood basalts are sub-alkaline in composition, whereas the Abamineos Miocene shield lavas are highly alkaline in composition. The Abamineos shield has a unique composition (i.e., basanites) compared with all other shield basalts (transitional to alkaline) in the northwestern Ethiopian Plateau. Major and trace element compositions display two distinct trends between Mertolemariam flood basalts and Abamineos shield basanites. Fractional crystallization, partial melting, and crustal contamination of a homogeneous mantle source cannot explain the compositional variations between the Mertolemariam flood basalts and the Abamineos shield basanites. The trace element composition suggests that the Mertolemariam Oligocene flood basalts were more likely generated from the mixing of OIB (mantle plume) and E-MORB (enriched asthenosphere) mantle components. The Abamineos Miocene shield basanites were derived from the mantle plume (OIB) component. LREE/MREE and LREE/HREE indicate that both groups possibly originated from a mantle source within the stability field of spinel and garnet. In comparison, the Mertolemariam flood basalts were formed by a higher degree of partial melting from relatively shallow depths than the Abamineos shield basanites. We propose a scenario that explains the magmatic genesis in the northwestern Ethiopian Plateau: volcanism initiated by the initial arrival of the mantle plume (OIB-like) beneath the lithosphere, which comes across a geochemically fertile and enriched MORB (E-MORB) mantle component in the upper asthenosphere. The hot mantle plume triggered melting of the fertile and enriched MORB, and then melting occurred in the plume (OIB-like) at depth in the stability field of spinel and garnet. Melts from the mantle plume (OIB-like) and E-MORB components mixed to produce sub-alkaline flood basalts during the Oligocene in the northwestern Ethiopian Plateau Subsequently, melts from the advanced upwelling mantle plume (OIB-like) produced Miocene shield lavas in the northwestern Ethiopian Plateau.

Ancient mantle plume components constrained by tungsten isotope variability in arc lavas

Ancient mantle plume components constrained by tungsten isotope variability in arc lavas

Co-Occurrence of HIMU and EM1 Components in a Single Magellan Seamount: Implications for the Formation of West Pacific Seamount Province

ABSTRACT Our general understanding of mantle composition and dynamics mainly comes from the composition of lavas from oceanic intraplate volcanoes. They are generally accepted to originate from deep, relatively stationary mantle plumes. Many groups of seamounts comprising the West Pacific Seamount Province (WPSP), however, do not form long-lived, narrow and continuous chains of volcanoes with clear age progression; thus, their origin does not seem to fit this general model. Here we show a wide compositional spectrum of lavas from the Pako guyot within the Magellan seamount trail (MST), an age-progressive but short-lived volcanic chain in the WPSP. For the first time, both extreme high μ = 238U/204Pb mantle (HIMU)- and enriched mantle 1 (EM1)-like mantle plume components occur in a single seamount in the Pacific Ocean. Based on alteration resistant trace element and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions, the Pako lavas fall into three distinct groups. Group 1 has a distinctive HIMU composition with high (206Pb/204Pb)i ratios (20.41–20.94) similar to the Arago (also known as ‘Young Rurutu’ or ‘Atiu’) hotspot composition, suggesting derivation from a HIMU mantle source. Groups 2 and 3 EM1-like lavas comprise the dominant rock type and display the largest Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic variations that can be best explained by mixing between melts of focal zone (FOZO) and EM1-like mantle components. Additionally, olivine phenocrysts from Group 3 EM1-like lavas have high Ni contents, Fe/Mn and Mn/Zn ratios and low Zn/Fe*10 000 ratios, which can be explained through fractional crystallization of high-pressure partial melts from fertile peridotite. The EM1-like Groups 2 and 3 lavas are compositionally similar to the Rarotonga hotspot composition, suggesting that the MST is possibly an old trace of the Rarotonga hotspot, which is most likely a long-lived hotspot generated above a deep mantle plume. Combined with existing geochemical and tectonic data, we propose that the Magellan seamounts were likely derived from partial melting of a heterogeneous mantle plume containing HIMU, FOZO and EM1-like components. Alternatively, they could have been derived from the Arago and Rarotonga mantle plumes, each having its distinct compositional signature. The occurrence of HIMU- and EM1-like mantle plume components in a single volcano suggests that the superposition of compositionally different hotspot volcanic trails in the South Pacific could have played an important role in the generation of the WPSP.

Chemical variability in volcanic gas plumes and fumaroles along the East African Rift System: New insights from the Western Branch

The origin of magmatic fluids along the East African Rift System (EARS) is a long-lived field of debate in the scientific community. Here, we investigate the chemical composition of the volcanic gas plume and fumaroles at Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira (Democratic Republic of Congo), the only two currently erupting volcanoes set on the Western Branch of the rift. Our results are in line with earlier conceptual models proposing that volcanic gas emissions along the EARS mainly reflect variable contributions of either a Sub-Continental Lithospheric Mantle (SCLM) component or a Depleted Morb Mantle (DMM) component, and deeper fluid. At Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira, our study discards a major contribution of a high 3He/4He mantle plume component in the genesis of volcanic fluids beneath the area. High CO2/3He in fumaroles of both volcanoes is thought to reflect carbonate metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle source. As inferred by previous results obtained on the lava chemistry, this carbonate metasomatism would be more pronounced beneath Nyiragongo. This supports the idea of the presence of distinct metasomes within the lithospheric mantle beneath the Western Branch of the rift.

Early Cretaceous Greater Kerguelen Large Igneous Province and its plumbing systems: A contemplation on concurrent magmatic records of the eastern Indian Shield and adjoining regions

A detailed contemplation is attempted to comprehend the likely connection of a large number of Early Cretaceous mafic, felsic, alkaline (kimberlite, lamproites, ultramafic lamprophyre, etc.), and carbonatite magmatic records of the eastern and north‐eastern region of the Indian Shield and adjoining regions. All these Early Cretaceous magmatic records occupied a large area, covering adjoining regions of south‐eastern Tibet, eastern and north‐eastern India, western Australia, Eastern Indian Ocean, southern Kerguelen Plateau, and north‐eastern Antarctica, are supposed to be part of the Greater Kerguelen Large Igneous Province (LIP) and likely to be related to the break‐up of East Gondwana. Available age results, chiefly ranging from ca. 145 to 100 Ma, support a genetic connection with the Kerguelen mantle plume. However, there are other lines of evidences, particularly radiogenic isotope data that preclude direct involvement of any mantle plume component; likely to be derived from decompression melting related to passive rifting. Two major magmatic phases, ca. 145–130 Ma and ca. 124–100 Ma, have been distinctly identified, which could be related to distinct rifting events. Break‐up of East Gondwana had happened at ca. 137 Ma with separation of Western Australia from Greater India. Later, ca. 124–122 Ma, separation of Antarctica from Eastern India occurred. The later magmatic phases (after ca. 120 Ma) are likely to have an indirect connection with the Greater Kerguelen LIP probably with the mantle plume providing extra heat for melting.

The Origin of Late Cenozoic Magmatism in the South China Sea and Southeast Asia

AbstractBasaltic lavas sample recycled crustal materials from their mantle source. Constraining the location and residence time of these recycled materials in the mantle is critical to understand global mantle dynamics. In this study, we present new whole‐rock major and trace element abundances, Sr‐Nd‐Mo‐Os isotopes, water contents and He isotopes of volcanic glasses, U‐Pb ages of zircons, and compositions of melt inclusions, spinels and olivines from the South China Sea (SCS) seamounts lavas. These new data are compared with literature data from intraplate volcanism of similar age from Southeast (SE) Asia. The isotope data of late Cenozoic lavas from the SCS seamounts and SE Asia can be explained by mixing between enriched mantle 2 (EM2) and depleted mid‐ocean ridge basalt mantle components. Our data are consistent with the EM2 signature of late Cenozoic lavas derived from recycled young oceanic crust and sediments. The compositions of olivine phenocrysts indicate an olivine‐dominated (peridotitic) mantle source. There is currently no evidence for a high‐3He/4He mantle plume component beneath the SCS. Our results combined with geophysical data and plate reconstructions suggest that the late Cenozoic magmatism is related to the upwelling of instabilities from the mantle transition zone (MTZ) triggered by a stagnant slab. The SCS seamount lavas sample an enriched MTZ containing young recycled materials, consistent with regional past subduction. Our study provides additional evidence that storage and recycling of crustal materials in or near the MTZ is an important mechanism to develop global mantle heterogeneities sampled by intraplate volcanoes.

Hot Times in Tectonophysics: Mantle Plume Dynamics and Magmatic Perturbances

Earth’s dynamic lithospheric (plate) motions often are not obvious when considered in relation to the temporal stability of the crust. Seismic radiology experiments confirm that the extreme pressures and temperatures in the mantle, and to a lesser extent the asthenosphere, result in a heterogeneously viscous rheology. Occasionally, magmatic fluid makes its way through the lithospheric plate to the surface, appearing typically as a volcano, fissure eruption, or lava flow. When occurring away from the edges of plate boundaries, these long-lasting suppliers of lava, present over millions of years, are called mantle plumes, or ‘hotspots.’ Conventional definitions of mantle plumes note that they are stationary with respect to each other and the motion of the plates, passively tracing historical plate motion in volcanic formations such as the Hawaiian-Emperor island arc – the Plate Model. In this model, mantle plumes primarily occur as a consequence of lithospheric extension.Recent empirical studies, however, have demonstrated that hotspots are not as geographically consistent as previously thought. They may move in relation to each other, as well as contribute actively toward lithospheric plate motions – the Plume Model. There is a lively, ongoing debate between the Plate and Plume hypotheses, essentially seeking to determine if mantle flow is merely a passive reaction to lithospheric plate motion (Plate Model), or whether plume activity in part drives this motion (Plume Model). More likely, it is a combination of passive and active mantle plume components that better describe the comprehensive behavior of these important and distinctive landscape forming features.

Variable Crustal Production Originating From Mantle Source Heterogeneity Beneath the South East Indian Ridge and Amsterdam‐St. Paul Plateau

AbstractThe Amsterdam‐St. Paul (ASP) Plateau formed by interaction between the South East Indian Ridge (SEIR) and the ASP mantle plume during the last 10 Myr. The combined bathymetry and gravity‐derived crustal thickness anomalies along the present and paleoaxes of the SEIR atop the plateau indicate: (1) a thicker crust and shallower water depth along the southern part of segment I2 during much of the last 10 Myr; (2) an earlier decrease (~1.4 Ma) in crustal thickness along the southern part of I2 compared to the northern part (~0.9 Ma) during the most recent period of reduced magmatism; (3) a topographic transition at ~0.7 Ma and during the last 0.1 Myr; and (4) an approximately uniform crustal thickness (8 km) along the entire I2 segment today. These observations require spatial and temporal variations in magma production during construction of the ASP Plateau over the last 3 Myr. We propose that during periods of weaker plume magma flux, spatial variations in upper mantle temperature and composition are small, and lead to small variations in crustal thickness along‐axis. In contrast, during periods of stronger plume magma flux, spatial contrasts in upper mantle temperature and composition (fertility) are large, leading to significant variations in crustal thickness. Along‐axis variations of 3He/4He, Δ8/4Pb, K/Ti, and Na8 in “zero‐age” basalts indicate that there is a gradient in the underlying mantle material, from a “common” mantle plume component (Δ8/4Pb~60) stronger in the north to a DUPAL component (Δ8/4Pb~110) dominating in the south.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry of Late Devonian–Carboniferous granitoids in NW Iran: implications for the opening of Paleo-Tethys

ABSTRACT We present zircon U-Pb crystallization ages combined with bulk rock major and trace element geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb and zircon in-situ Hf isotopic compositions of the Amand and Moro granitoid intrusions in northwest Iran. The Amand and Moro plutons include granite and syeno-diorite with LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon ages of 367 ± 6.8 Ma and 351 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively, representative of Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous magmatic activity in NW Iran. Geochemical characteristics such as typical enrichments in alkalis, Nb, Zr, Ga and Y, depletion in P and Sr and fractionated REE patterns with high Ga/Al ratios and Eu negative anomalies are consistent with A-type magmatic signatures. The granitoids are classified as A2-type and within-plate granitoids. The bulk rock geochemistry (enrichments in Th, Nb and, high Th/Yb, Zr/Y ratios) along with low variation of 143Nd/144Nd(i) and 87Sr/86Sr(i) ratios and positive zircon εHf(t) support the role of a mantle plume component for the evolution of the Amand and Moro A-type granitoids in an extensional tectonic environment. In fitting with wider regional knowledge, this magmatism occurred during Paleo-Tethys opening in northern Gondwana.

Diabase Sills in the Outer Zone of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province, Southwest China: Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications

Compositionally and texturally zoned diabase dykes and sills occur in the outer zone of the Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) in the southern Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Based on the detailed petrology, whole rock geochemistry, zircon U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes and clinopyroxene mineral compositions studies, we investigate a representative diabase sill in the Luodian region with a view to understanding its petrogenesis and tectonic implications. Formed as composite zoned sub-volcanic intrusion, the diabase sill is characterized by gabbros and diabases in the inner zone and amygdaloidal diabases sporadically in the chilled zone within the upper sill margin. The diabasic and gabbroic rocks are composed of quartz-free and quartz-bearing groups. The quartz-free group rocks have low SiO2 (45.7 wt.%-49.5 wt.%), moderate MgO (5.66 wt.%-7.88 wt.%), high TiO2 (2.54 wt.%-3.65 wt.%), and Ti/Y values (536-747), corresponding to high-Ti type rocks. The quartz-bearing group rocks have higher SiO2 (49.8 wt.%-51.7 wt.%) and lower MgO (4.23 wt.%-4.74 wt.%), higher TiO2 (3.16 wt.%-3.63 wt.%), but lower Ti/Y values (399-419) than the quartz-free group ones, and thus belong to the low-Ti type. Both groups of rocks are enriched in LREE and LILE with negative Nb-Ta anomalies, and show broad tholeiitic affinity. The precursor magma of the high-Ti rocks might have originated from a source composed of mantle plume and subcontinental lithosphere mantle components, with minor crustal contamination during ascending. The magma of the low-Ti rocks was produced by mingling of the high-Ti diabasic rocks with minor injected intermediate-acidic magma plugs or blebs, suggesting magma mingling as one of the effective ways to change the high-Ti to low-Ti rocks of the ELIP. The diabasic sill underwent a rapid cooling event probably in response to a rapid tectonic uplift event, which probably occurred in the waning stage of ELIP during transition between the Middle and Late Permian after the domal uplift induced by the mantle-plume or in the Late Jurassic.

Geochemical and geochronological evidence for a Middle Permian oceanic plateau fragment in the Paleo-Tethyan suture zone of NE Iran

The mafic–ultramafic Fariman complex in northeastern Iran has been interpreted as a Paleo-Tethyan ophiolitic fragment with subduction- and plume-related characteristics as well as a basin deposit on an active continental margin. Contributing to this issue, we present geochemical, geochronological, and mineralogical data for transitional and tholeiitic basalts. Thermodynamic modeling suggests picritic parental magmas with 16–21 wt% MgO formed at plume-like mantle potential temperatures of ca. 1460–1600 °C. Rare pyroxene spinifex textures and skeletal to feather-like clinopyroxene attest to crystallization from undercooled magma and high cooling rates. Chromium numbers and TiO2 concentrations in spinel are similar to those in intraplate basalts. 40Ar–39Ar dating of magmatic hornblende yielded a plateau age of 276 ± 4 Ma (2σ). Transitional basalt with OIB-like trace element characteristics is the predominant rock-type; less frequent are tholeiitic basalts with mildly LREE depleted patterns and picrites with intermediate trace element characteristics. All samples show MORB-OIB like Pb/Ce, Th/La, and Th/Nb ratios which preclude subduction-modified mantle sources and felsic crustal material. Tholeiitic basalts and related olivine cumulate rocks show MORB-like initial eNd values of + 9.4 to + 6.2 which define a mixing line with the data for the transitional basalts (eNd ca. + 2.6). Initial 187Os/188Os ratios of 0.124–0.293 support mixed sources with a high proportion of recycled mafic crust in the transitional basalts. High concentrations of highly siderophile elements are in agreement with the high mantle potential temperatures and inferred high-melting degrees. It is argued that the Fariman complex originated by melting of a mantle plume component as represented by the OIB-like transitional basalt and entrained asthenosphere predominant in the MORB-like tholeiites. Two lines of evidence such as association of the Fariman complex with pelagic to neritic sedimentary rocks and the tectonic position at the boundary of two continental blocks defined by ophiolites and accretionary complexes of different ages suggest formation in an oceanic domain. Thus, we interpret it as a fragment of an oceanic plateau, which escaped subduction and was accreted as exotic block in the Paleo-Tethyan suture zone.

The origin of Permian Pobei ultramafic complex in the northeastern Tarim craton, western China: Evidences from chemical and C-He-Ne-Ar isotopic compositions of volatiles

The large Pobei Permian layered mafic–ultramafic complex in the northeastern margin of Tarim craton, western China is related temporally and spatially to adjacent Tarim Large Igneous Province (LIP), and hosts Ni–Cu sulfide mineralization. The chemical composition, carbon and noble gas isotopic compositions of volatiles in olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase minerals of the Pobei complex have been measured to reveal the composition and origin of magmatic volatiles, mantle information and dynamic settings. The magmatic volatiles in the Pobei complex are composed of dominant H2O (av. 3284.3mm3·STP/g, STP=standard temperature and pressure), H2 (449.1) and CO2 (449.4), indicated a H2O-rich reduced magmatic condition. The δ13C values of CH4, C2H6, C3H8 and C4H10 show normal or (partial) reversal distribution pattern with carbon number. The δ13C values of CO2 and CH4 range among mantle, crust (methane oxidation) and thermogenic origins. The 3He/4He (1.13 to 6.15Ra) and 40Ar/36Ar (326.4 to 1004.3) ratios are plotted on a trend of the mantle plume to atmosphere. The high 20Ne/22Ne and low 21Ne/22Ne ratios fall along the mass fractionation line. The volatile compositions indicated that the Pobei mafic-ultramafic complex could be originated from the staged partial melting of heterogeneous H2O-rich mantle sources triggered by a mantle plume, the air and crust components from subducted altered oceanic crust have been added into the Pobei magma.

Decoupling of Mg–C and Sr–Nd–O isotopes traces the role of recycled carbon in magnesiocarbonatites from the Tarim Large Igneous Province

The Tarim Large Igneous Province in NW China hosts numerous magmatic carbonatite dikes along its northern margin. The carbonatites are composed mainly of dolomite (90vol.%) and minor calcite (5vol.%), with apatite, barite, celestine, aegirine, monazite and bastnaesite as accessory minerals. The rocks correspond to magnesiocarbonatites with a compositional range of 13.73–19.59wt.% MgO, and 20.03–30.11wt.% CaO, along with 1.65–3.31wt.% total Fe2O3, 0.02–2.39wt.% SiO2 and other minor elements, such as P2O5, Na2O and K2O. These magnesiocarbonatites are characterized by extreme enrichment in incompatible elements with high total rare earth element (REE) contents of 372–36965ppm. The strontium [(87Sr/86Sr)i=0.70378–0.70386], neodymium [εNd(t)=+2.51–+3.59] and oxygen (δ18OV-SMOW=5.9‰–8.0‰) isotope values of these rocks are consistent with a mantle origin, whereas the magnesium (δ26Mg=−1.09‰ to −0.85‰) and carbon (δ13CV-PDB=−4.1‰ to −5.9‰) isotopes are decoupled from mantle values and reflect signature of recycled sedimentary carbonates. Global plate tectonic models predict that sedimentary carbonates in convergent margins are subducted to deep domains in the mantle, with phase transitions from calcite/dolomite to magnesite, and eventually to periclase/perovskite. The involvement of a mantle plume enhances the normal mantle geotherms and promotes decomposition reactions of magnesite. The decoupling of Mg–C and Sr–Nd–O isotopes in the mangesiocarbonatites provides insights on the origin of carbonatites, and also illustrates a case of interaction between mantle plume and subduction-related components.

Interactions of the Greater Ontong Java mantle plume component with the Osbourn Trough.

The Ontong Java-Manihiki-Hikurangi plateau (OJMHP) is considered to have originated from a starting mantle plume, and have been rifted apart by two spreading ridges. However, the ages of these spreading ridges and their possible interactions with the presumed mantle plume are unclear. The Manihiki-Hikurangi plateau has been rifted apart by the Osbourn Trough which formed the southwestern Pacific crust to the east of the Tonga-Kermadec trench. Here we report Pb-Hf-Os isotopes of the basaltic crust (Site U1365 of IODP Expedition 329) formed by the Osbourn Trough. Linear regression of Re-Os isotopes results in an age of 103.7 ± 2.3 Ma for Site U1365 basalts, indicating that the Manihiki-Hikurangi plateau was rifted apart by the Osbourn Trough with a spreading rate of ~190 mm/yr. The superfast spreading rate supports the Osbourn as an abandoned segment of the early Pacific spreading ridge, which initially overlapped with the giant starting plume. Moreover, the Pb-Hf isotopes of some of Site U1365 basalts show distinct differences from those of the Pacific mid-ocean ridge basalts, while they are similar to the basalts of the Ontong Java and Manihiki plateaus. We suggest that the OJMHP mantle plume components has been involved by the Osbourn spreading center.

The evolution of the subduction zone magmatism on the Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic active margins of the Paleoasian Ocean

The geodynamic reconstruction using new data on the composition, age, and paleomagnetism of Neoproterozoic and Vendian–Early Paleozoic island arc complexes has provided new insights into the evolution of the subduction zone magmatism over extensive areas of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, including eastern Altai–Sayan, Transbaikalia, and Northern Mongolia. Comparison of the igneous complexes of modern and ancient ensimatic and ensialic island arcs in the subduction zone forms a basis for possible geodynamic scenarios of the subduction zone magmatism in Neoproterozoic and Vendian–Early Paleozoic island arcs in the zone of interaction between the Siberian paleocontinent and the Paleoasian Ocean, which take into account the composition of crustal and mantle (including mantle plume) components.

Mantle source characterization of Sylhet Traps, northeastern India: A petrological and geochemical study

In this study, mineralogical, geochemical, and isotopic data are presented for the Sylhet Trap at the southern flank of the eastern Shillong Plateau, northeastern India, to determine the magma genesis in relation to the Kerguelen plume mantle source. Sylhet Trap rocks are porphyritic tholeiite and have diverse chemical compositions from picro-basalt, basalt, andesite to dacite, but mostly are within the subalkaline field. Major and trace element data were used to identify two distinct magma fractionation trends, a low and medium K series, characterized by relatively flat MORB-like (analogous to Rajmahal Traps (II)) and enriched OIB chondrite-normalized Rare Earth Element (REE) patterns. Initial 87Sr/86Sr, 143Nd/144Nd, and 206Pb/204Pb isotope compositions were widely varied, ranging from 0.70435–0.71357, 0.51196–0.51266, and 17.92–19.72, respectively, when compared with basalts from the West Bengal, the Rajmahal Traps and the Kerguelen plume. Correlations among isotopic and trace element ratios of the Sylhet Traps provide evidence for the involvement of (1) HIMU-like mantle component, (2) the Kerguelen plume-like component, and (3) EMII-like crustal component. Magma from the Sylhet Traps was originated from a melting that derived directly from the heterogeneous Kerguelen mantle plume (components 1 and 2), which strongly suggests the presence of the Kerguelen plume-head in the Bengal basin.

Evolution stages and petrology of the Kekuknai volcanic massif as reflecting the magmatism in Backarc zone of Kuril-Kamchatka island arc system. Part 1. Geological position and geochemistry of volcanic rocks

The evolution of the Quaternary Kekuknai volcanic massif (the western flank of the Sredinnyi Range in Kamchatka) has been subdivided into five stages: (1) the pre-caldera trachybasaltbasaltic andesite, (2) the extrusive trachyandesite-trachydacite, (3) the early trachybasalt, (4) the middle hawaiitemugearite (with occasional occurrences of basaltic andesites), and (5) the late trachybasalt-hawaiitemugearite (with occasional andesites) of areal volcanism. On the basis of petrologic data we identified the island arc and the intraplate geochemical types of rocks in the massif. The leading part in petrogenesis was played by dynamics of the fluid phase with a subordinated role of fractional crystallization and hybridism. Successive saturation of rocks with the fluid phase in the course of melt evolution stopped at the time of caldera generation when most fluid mobile elements and silica had been extracted. The geological and petrologic data attest to the formation of the massif in the environment of a backarc volcanic basin during the beginning of rifting with active participation of mantle plume components.

Rethinking geochemical feature of the Afar and Kenya mantle plumes and geodynamic implications

We discuss the spatial and temporal variation in the geochemistry of mantle sources which were sampled by the Eocene to Quaternary mafic magmas in the vicinity of the Afar and Kenya plume upwelling zones, East Africa. Despite the contributions of lithospheric and crustal sources, carefully screened Eocene to Quaternary mafic lavas display wide range of Sr‐Nd‐Pb isotopic and incompatible trace elemental compositions that can be attributed to significant intraplume heterogeneity. The geochemical variations reflect the involvement of at least four mantle plume components as sources for the northeastern Africa magmatism: (1) isotopically depleted but trace element‐enriched component; (2) component characterized by radiogenic Pb isotope signatures (HIMU?); (3) enriched mantle‐like component; and (4) high‐3He/4He‐type (as HT2‐type basalts) plume component. The first component disappears in the Miocene‐Quaternary magmatism, and the second component is hardly recognized after the eruption of Miocene basalt in southern Ethiopia. Plume‐unrelated depleted asthenosphere starts to involve at a nascent stage of seafloor spreading centers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The other two‐plume components have persisted from the late Eocene to present, but their proportions have changed through time and space. We propose a model of multiple impingements of plumelets within the broad upwelling zone connected to the African Superplume in the lower mantle beneath southern Africa. The plumelet contains a matrix of high‐3He/4He‐type component with blobs, streaks, or ribbons of other components.

Multiple mantle plume components involved in the petrogenesis of subduction‐related lavas from the northern termination of the Tonga Arc and northern Lau Basin: Evidence from the geochemistry of arc and backarc submarine volcanics

We report new geochemical data for boninites and backarc basin‐type basalts recovered from the northern termination of the Tonga trench and Lau Basin. Boninitic pillow lavas, ranging from high‐Mg compositions to andesites and dacites, have been erupted within large submarine volcanic edifices (calderas and volcanoes) associated with active rifting of both the northern end of the Tofua volcanic arc and in a backarc position relative to the arc volcanoes on the northern Tonga Ridge. The mantle sources in the area are a complex mixture of (1) the “normal” Tongan mantle wedge source that has “Pacific”‐type isotopic signature with (2) the plume‐related components (EMI, EMII, and HIMU) and (3) an “Indian”‐type source upwelling beneath the backarc spreading. Some of these sources, such as the “normal” mantle wedge and variably depleted residual plume mantle, are fluxed by subduction components from the slab, which produces boninites, tholeiites, and mixtures thereof. Other mantle sources, such as “Indian”‐type backarc mantle and also some of the plume mantle, produce melts due to adiabatic decompression. These melts are variably mixed with each other and with the slab‐fluid fluxed subduction‐related melts to form the observed spectrum of magma compositions.

Trace element constraints on mantle sources during mid-Proterozoic magmatism: evidence for a link between the Gardar (South Greenland) and Abitibi (Canadian Shield) mafic rocks

Trace and major element compositions of mid-Proterozoic (1.20–1.16 Ga) basaltic lava flows and dikes from the Gardar Province (South Greenland) provide evidence for two geochemically distinct magma sources. Based on distinct features of incompatible trace element ratios, such as Th/Ta, Th/Tb, or Th/Hf, they differ by the composition of their mantle source and by their partial melting trends. One mantle source is compositionally transitional between mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-type and ocean-island basalt (OIB)-type sources with relatively low Ta/Hf ratios (~0.2), moderate enrichment in light rare-earth elements (LREE), and slightly positive initial εNdvalues (+2). It can be attributed to either a lithospheric mantle source or a depleted astenospheric mantle plume component that has been enriched shortly prior to eruption. The other mantle source is characterized by high Ta/Hf ratios (~0.6), a more pronounced LREE enrichment, and initial εNdvalues around 0. Elevated CeN/YbN(7.0–9.8) and TbN/YbNratios (1.6–1.8) of the rocks derived from this source indicate the presence of garnet during melting, suggesting melt generation at depths > 70 km. This mantle source has the geochemical characteristics of an OIB-type source and is interpreted as originating from a mantle plume. Samples from the slightly younger (1.14 Ga) Abitibi dike swarm (Superior Province, Canada), spatially connected to the Gardar Province, show very similar trace element characteristics and the same two distinct magma sources can be identified. The geochemical similarities between the magma sources in South Greenland and Canada support the idea of a genetic link between the two magmatic provinces. This link strengthens the idea that the system was a long-lived major intracontinental rift zone.