Melt-rock Interaction Research Articles

Magmatic Processes Associated with Oceanic Crustal Accretion at Slow-spreading Ridges: Evidence from Plagioclase in Mid-ocean Ridge Basalts from the South China Sea

AbstractMagmatic processes associated with oceanic crustal accretion at slow-spreading mid-oceanic ridges are less well understood compared with those at fast-spreading ridges. Zoned plagioclase in the basalts might record these magmatic processes as a result of the very slow intra-crystal diffusion of CaAl–NaSi. Plagioclase phenocrysts in plagioclase-phyric basalt from Hole U1433B of International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 349 in the South China Sea show complex zoning patterns (e.g. normal, reverse, oscillatory and patchy). These samples provide a rare opportunity to determine the magma dynamics associated with oceanic crustal accretion at slow-spreading ridges through time. Igneous lithological units in Hole U1433B consist of a series of massive lava flows at the bottom and a thick succession of small pillow lava flows at the top. Most of the plagioclase phenocrysts in the massive lava show core–rim zonation with high-An cores (An ∼85%; in mole fraction; Pl-A) in equilibrium with melts that are more primitive than their host. Some high-An cores of Pl-A phenocrysts contain melt inclusions and are depleted in La, Ce, Y and Ti, but enriched in Sr and Eu; this is interpreted as resulting from dissolution–crystallization processes during reaction of hot melt with pre-existing plagioclase cumulates. In the pillow lavas, most of the plagioclase phenocrysts show normal core–mantle–rim zonation (Pl-B) with An contents decreasing gradually from the core to the mantle to the rim, suggesting extensive magma mixing and differentiation. Reversely zoned plagioclases (Pl-C) are sparsely present throughout the basalts, but mostly occur in the lower part of the drill hole. The cores of euhedral Pl-C phenocrysts are compositionally comparable with the mantles of Pl-B phenocrysts, suggesting that the evolved magma was recharged by a relatively primitive magma. Melt inclusion-bearing Pl-A phenocrysts occur mainly in the massive lava, but rarely in the pillow lava, whereas Pl-B phenocrysts are present dominantly in the pillow lava, which reflects reducing melt–rock interaction and enhanced magma mixing, recharging and differentiation from the bottom to the top of the hole. In addition, the extensive magma mixing and differentiation recorded by Pl-B phenocrysts in the pillow lava require the existence of a melt lens beneath the mid-ocean ridge. Consistently, the plagioclase phenocrysts in the pillow lava mostly lack melt inclusions, corresponding to very weak melt–rock reactions, which indicates that the magma was transported through plagioclase cumulates by channel flow and requires a higher magma supply to the magma conduit. Therefore, the textural and compositional variations of plagioclase phenocrysts in the samples reflect the changes in magma dynamics of the mid-ocean ridge basalt through time with respect to oceanic crustal accretion at slow-spreading ridges. Overall, the oceanic crustal accretion process is sensitive to the magma supply. In the period between two episodes of extension, owing to a low melt supply the primitive melt percolates through and interacts with the mush zone by porous flow, which produces melt inclusion-bearing high-An plagioclase through dissolution–crystallization processes. At the initial stage of a new episode of extension, the melt infiltrates the mush zone and entrains crystal cargoes including melt inclusion-bearing high-An plagioclase. During the major stage of extension, owing to a relatively high melt supply the melt penetrates the mush zone by channel flow and can pool as melt lenses somewhere beneath the dikes; this forms intermediate plagioclases and the reverse zoning of plagioclases by magma mixing, recharging and differentiation in the melt lens. Such magmatic processes might occur repeatedly during the episodic extension that accompanies oceanic crustal accretion at slow-spreading ridges, which enhances the lateral structural heterogeneity of the oceanic crust.

Melt-modified lithosphere beneath Ross Island and its role in the tectono-magmatic evolution of the West Antarctic Rift System

Mantle lithosphere influences rift system tectonic evolution, yet the age and composition of rifted lithosphere is typically difficult to constrain due to limited sampling. In the West Antarctic Rift System (WARS), Cenozoic to recent alkaline volcanic rocks yield a variety of peridotite and pyroxenite xenoliths that allow sampling of lithosphere. We report osmium and helium isotope data, elemental abundances, and petrology, for a suite of xenoliths and lavas from the Hut Point Peninsula of Ross Island. Recently (<1.3 Ma) erupted basanites yield fresh dunite and harzburgite (olivine forsterite [Fo] 90.1–88.2), lherzolite (Fo90.6–87.4), and pyroxenite xenoliths (Fo89.3–87.3). The basanite lavas contain abundant large olivine xenocrysts (Fo89.7–88.0), with more ferroan matrix olivine grains (Fo83.7–81.2) and have HIMU-like incompatible trace-element signatures. The 3He/4He ratios (6.8 ± 0.3RA; 2SD) defined by co-existing He-rich xenoliths indicate a mantle source distinct from high-3He/4He plume mantle. Pyroxenite and lherzolite xenoliths have similar relative abundances of incompatible trace elements to host lavas, whereas dunite xenoliths have refractory compositions. Melt-rock reaction occurring in the xenoliths is demonstrated by replacement by amphibole or clinopyroxene to form pyroxenite and lherzolite lithologies, or as amphibole-impregnated dunites. The 187Re187Os systematics of the lavas, pyroxenites and lherzolites define an apparent isochron, with an initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.1286 ± 0.0001. The initial 187Os/188Os ratio is within uncertainty of dunite and harzburgite xenolith Os isotope compositions (0.1279–0.1303). Pervasive evidence for melt-rock interaction indicates that the straight-line relationship in 187Re/188Os-187Os/188Os space is a mixing line between high Re/Os lavas with radiogenic 187Os/188Os, and dunite and harzburgite. Petrological and geochemical evidence indicates that dunite and harzburgite xenoliths represent young lithosphere, with rhenium depletion ages up to ~250 Ma. The timing of formation and composition of the Hut Point Peninsula xenoliths are consistent with both destruction and creation of mantle lithosphere during or after subduction along the Gondwana margin, prior to WARS formation. Modification of mantle lithosphere by subduction is also consistent with generation of HIMU-like metasomatized mantle reservoirs that fed Cenozoic to recent alkali volcanism of Mount Erebus and the WARS. The presence of young lithosphere within the WARS has collateral implications for rift dynamics and melting processes, especially beneath Mount Erebus, contrasting with older lithospheric mantle beneath the Trans-Antarctic Mountains and Marie Byrd Land.

Multi-stage Reactive Formation of Troctolites in Slow-spreading Oceanic Lithosphere (Erro–Tobbio, Italy): a Combined Field and Petrochemical Study

Abstract Many recent studies have investigated the replacive formation of troctolites from mantle protoliths and the compositional evolution of the percolating melt during melt–rock interaction processes. However, strong structural and geochemical constraints for a replacive origin have not yet been established. The Erro–Tobbio impregnated mantle peridotites are primarily associated with a hectometre-size troctolitic body and crosscutting gabbroic dykes, providing a good field control on melt–rock interaction processes and subsequent magmatic intrusions. The troctolitic body exhibits high inner complexity, with a host troctolite (Troctolite A) crosscut by a second generation of troctolitic metre-size pseudo-tabular bodies (Troctolite B). The host Troctolite A is characterized by two different textural types of olivine, corroded deformed millimetre- to centimetre-size olivine and fine-grained rounded undeformed olivine, both embedded in interstitial to poikilitic plagioclase and clinopyroxene. Troctolite A shows melt–rock reaction microstructures indicative of replacive formation after percolation and impregnation of mantle dunites by a reactive melt. The evolution of the texture and crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of olivine are correlated and depend on the melt/rock ratio involved in the impregnation process. A low melt/rock ratio allows the preservation of the protolith structure, whereas a high melt/rock ratio leads to the disaggregation of the pre-existing matrix. The mineral compositions in Troctolite A define reactive trends, indicative of the buffering of the melt composition by assimilation of olivine during impregnation. The magmatic Troctolite B bodies are intruded within the pre-existing Troctolite A and are characterized by extreme textural variations of olivine, from decimetre-size dendritic to fine-grained euhedral crystals embedded in poikilitic plagioclase. This textural variability is the result of olivine assimilation during melt–rock reaction and the correlated increase in the degree of undercooling of the percolating melt. In the late gabbroic intrusions, mineral compositions are consistent with the fractional crystallization of melts modified after the reactive crystallization of Troctolites A and B. The Erro–Tobbio troctolitic body has a multi-stage origin, marked by the transition from reactive to fractional crystallization and diffuse to focused melt percolation and intrusion, related to progressive exhumation. During the formation of the troctolitic body, the melt composition was modified and controlled by assimilation and concomitant crystallization reactions occurring at low melt supply. Similar processes have been described in ultraslow-spreading oceanic settings characterized by scarce magmatic activity.

Reconsideration of Neo-Tethys evolution constrained from the nature of the Dazhuqu ophiolitic mantle, southern Tibet

The nature (i.e., sub-oceanic, sub-arc or sub-continental) of ophiolitic mantle peridotites from the eastern Neo-Tethyan domain in southern Tibet has been hotly debated. This uncertainty limits our understanding of the history and evolution of the eastern Neo-Tethys Ocean. Here we present petrological, geochemical and Re–Os isotopic data for the mantle peridotites from the Dazhuqu ophiolite in the central segment of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet. Samples collected include both spinel lherzolites and spinel harzburgites. The lherzolites have spinel Cr# [Cr/(Cr + Al), ~ 0.3–0.4] comparable to those of typical abyssal peridotites. In contrast, the harzburgites have spinel Cr# (~ 0.3–0.7) overlapping with the ranges of both abyssal and fore-arc peridotites; two samples have spinel Cr# higher than 0.6, which is probably ascribed to intense melt–rock interactions. Clinopyroxene trace element modeling indicates that the Dazhuqu mantle peridotites have experienced 0–6% garnet-facies melting followed by 10–18% melting in the spinel stability field. This is similar to the degree of garnet-facies melting inferred for many abyssal peridotites and implies deep initial melting (> 85 km), which distinguishes the Dazhuqu mantle peridotites from fore-arc peridotites (commonly < 80 km in origin). The Dazhuqu peridotites have unradiogenic 187Os/188Os of 0.11836–0.12922, which are commonly lower than the recommended value of primitive upper mantle (PUM). All but one samples yield relatively younger Re depletion ages (TRD = 0.06–0.81 Ga) with respect to the only one sample having an older TRD age of 1.66 Ga. Re–Os isotopes and highly siderophile element (HSE) compositions of the Dazhuqu peridotites are similar to those of abyssal peridotites and the Oman southern massifs but are distinct from non-cratonic sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) xenoliths and sub-arc mantle. We emphasize the similarity between the Dazhuqu and Oman ophiolites, both representing Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere and implying ridge–trench collision.

Mineralogical Evidence for Partial Melting and Melt-Rock Interaction Processes in the Mantle Peridotites of Edessa Ophiolite (North Greece)

The Edessa ophiolite complex of northern Greece consists of remnants of oceanic lithosphere emplaced during the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous onto the Palaeozoic-Mesozoic continental margin of Eurasia. This study presents new data on mineral compositions of mantle peridotites from this ophiolite, especially serpentinised harzburgite and minor lherzolite. Lherzolite formed by low to moderate degrees of partial melting and subsequent melt-rock reaction in an oceanic spreading setting. On the other hand, refractory harzburgite formed by high degrees of partial melting in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) setting. These SSZ mantle peridotites contain Cr-rich spinel residual after partial melting of more fertile (abyssal) lherzolite with Al-rich spinel. Chromite with Cr# &gt; 60 in harzburgite resulted from chemical modification of residual Cr-spinel and, along with the presence of euhedral chromite, is indicative of late melt-peridotite interaction in the mantle wedge. Mineral compositions suggest that the Edessa oceanic mantle evolved from a typical mid-ocean ridge (MOR) oceanic basin to the mantle wedge of a SSZ. This scenario explains the higher degrees of partial melting recorded in harzburgite, as well as the overprint of primary mineralogical characteristics in the Edessa peridotites.

Melt migration and melt-rock reaction in the Alpine-Apennine peridotites: Insights on mantle dynamics in extending lithosphere

The compositional variability of the lithospheric mantle at extensional settings is largely caused by the reactive percolation of uprising melts in the thermal boundary layer and in lithospheric environments. The Alpine-Apennine (A-A) ophiolites are predominantly constituted by mantle peridotites and are widely thought to represent analogs of the oceanic lithosphere formed at ocean/continent transition and slow- to ultraslow-spreading settings. Structural and geochemical studies on the A-A mantle peridotites have revealed that they preserve significant compositional and isotopic heterogeneity at variable scale, reflecting a long-lived multi-stage melt migration, intrusion and melt-rock interaction history, occurred at different lithospheric depths during progressive uplift. The A-A mantle peridotites thus constitute a unique window on mantle dynamics and lithosphere-asthenosphere interactions in very slow spreading environments. In this work, we review field, microstructural and chemical-isotopic evidence on the major stages of melt percolation and melt-rock interaction recorded by the A-A peridotites and discuss their consequences in creating chemical-isotopic heterogeneities at variable scales and enhancing weakening and deformation of the extending mantle. Focus will be on three most important stages: (i) old (pre-Jurassic) pyroxenite emplacement, and the significant isotopic modification induced in the host mantle by pyroxenite-derived melts, (ii) melt-peridotite interactions during Jurassic mantle exhumation, i.e. the open-system reactive porous flow at spinel facies depths causing bulk depletion (origin of reactive harzburgites and dunites), and the shallower melt impregnation which originated plagioclase-rich peridotites and an overall mantle refertilization. We infer that migrating melts largely originated as shallow, variably depleted, melt fractions, and acquired Si-rich composition by reactive dissolution of mantle pyroxenes during upward migration. Such melt-rock reaction processes share significant similarities with those documented in modern oceanic peridotites from slow- to ultraslow-spreading environments and track the progressive exhumation of large mantle sectors at shallow depths in oceanic settings where a thicker thermal boundary layer exists, as a consequence of slow-spreading rate.

Melt-rock interaction and fractional crystallization in the Moho transition Zone: Evidence from the cretaceous Naga Hills Ophiolite, North-East India

The Moho Transition Zone (MTZ) within the suboceanic lithosphere records an episode of multiple magmatic exchanges between the underlying mantle and the overlying oceanic crust. This study investigated a fossilized MTZ from the Naga Hills Ophiolite (NHO) by characterizing its lithology and describing the petrogenesis of various rock types. Like the other well-studied MTZs around the world, the NHO MTZ has an association of dunite, wehrlite, clinopyroxenite and gabbroic rocks. The dunite formed by crystal fractionation from an olivine-normative basaltic melt that successively crystallized olivine-gabbro, gabbro and oxide-gabbro. Our study of the wehrlite provides evidence of melt-mantle interactions that lead to the formation of replacive dunite, later impregnated with clinopyroxene saturated melt. The melt percolated through the replacive dunite and re-equilibrated with the olivine to some extent. The clinopyroxenite formed simultaneously with the wehrlite as a crystal mush in pockets from clinopyroxene saturated melt. In summary, the major and trace element mineral chemistry of the NHO MTZ rocks documents their evolution through melt-rock interaction and fractional crystallization. Clinopyroxene played an important role in the evolution of NHO MTZ, particularly the formation of wehrlite and clinopyroxenite. There is no direct evidence for the involvement of water in the formation of the MTZ rocks. However, the presence of primary hydrous phases in the evolved rock types and the signatures of early crystallization of clinopyroxene prior to plagioclase in the initial cumulates, discernible from a positive Sr anomaly, suggest the hydrous nature of the parent melt. Therefore, the NHO possibly represents a fragment of oceanic lithosphere that had its origin above a subduction zone and was later incorporated within a mountain belt during terminal closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean.

Origin and evolution of Suru Valley ophiolite peridotite slice along Indus suture zone, Ladakh Himalaya, India: Implications on melt-rock interaction in a subduction-zone environment

In this paper, we present whole-rock and mineral geochemistry of serpentinized peridotites from the Suru Valley ophiolite slice Ladakh Himalaya, in an attempt to put constraints on their petrogenesis and tectonic evolution in the context of Mesozoic Neo-Tethys Ocean. On the basis of petrographic study, Suru Valley serpentinized peridotites can be identified as serpentinized harzburgites. Relative to primitive mantle these rocks have depleted major and rare earth element (REE) geochemical characteristics comparable to ocean floor mantle rocks reflecting their mantle residual nature. However, higher abundance of highly incompatible large ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Ba, Th, U, Pb and Sr), reflect metasomatism in a subduction zone environment. The presence of silicate assemblage includes Mg-rich olivine (Fo90-92) and orthopyroxene (En91-93 Fs6.4-8.7) of supra-subduction zone affinity. Evaluation of mineral and whole-rock geochemistry suggests that the Suru Valley ophiolitic peridotites represent residues left after moderate degrees of partial melting thereby underwent metasomatism in a supra-subduction zone environment related to north dipping intra-oceanic island arc during Cretaceous in the context of Mesozoic Neo-Tethys ocean.

Oceanic accretionary belt in the West Qinling Orogen: Links between the Qinling and Qilian orogens, China

We present an integrated study of ophiolite complexes and island arc rocks from the Tianshui-Wushan Accretionary Belt, West Qinling Orogen. The West Qinling Orogen is important because it links the Qinling orogen to the east and the Qilian and Kunlun orogens to the west. The link between these orogens is commonly assumed, but has little study in detail. Zircon U-Pb analyses from ophiolitic rocks indicate the oceanic lithosphere formed in the Cambrian (530–500 Ma). Pillow lavas in the ophiolite complex show geochemical signatures of enriched MORB, suggesting they represent remnants of an oceanic plateau or seamounts. The island arc rocks include a volcanic complex with basalt-andesite and boninite of Late Ordovician age (460–440 Ma), and a serpentinized peridotite massif. The serpentinized peridotite most likely represent a highly refractory mantle residue with subsequent melt-rock interaction at ~450 Ma, suggesting that it formed in a forearc setting. The co-occurrence of ophiolite complexes and island arc rocks indicates that Tianshui-Wushan Accretionary Belt is an oceanic suture zone caused by oceanic subduction in the Early Paleozoic. The island arc rocks most likely represent the early product of an Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM)-type intra-oceanic arc, developed in response to a collision between an oceanic plateau and a continental margin. Our study permits a tectonic correlation between the Tianshui-Wushan Accretionary Belt in the West Qinling Orogen and the South Qilian Accretionary Belt in the Qilian Orogen, thereby establishing the continuity between the Early Paleozoic orogenic belts along the southern margin of the North China Craton.

Cryptic metasomatism revealed by Li isotopes of mantle xenoliths beneath the Thrace Basin, NW Turkey

To identify metasomatic overprints in the mantle xenoliths from the Tethys orogenic belt in NW Turkey, we report here in situ Li concentrations and isotopic compositions of olivine, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene along with major element compositions of minerals, and whole-rock trace element compositions of the mantle xenoliths composed of refractory harzburgites with subordinate lherzolites and one olivine-websterite. Their non-depleted whole-rock light rare earth element (LREE) patterns, enrichment in large ion lithophile elements and depletion of high field strength elements, imply subduction-related metasomatism, while the Y-depletion may indicate the derivation of the metasomatic melts/fluids from a garnet-bearing source. Minerals from all the xenoliths display homogeneous major element compositions, however they show large intra- and inter-mineral Li elemental and isotopic variations. The Li contents of olivines range from 1.45 to 2.81 ppm with large variations in δ7Li values (+1.2 to +17.5‰). The orthopyroxenes have variable Li contents (0.07–16.6 ppm) and δ7Li values (−71.6 to +10.8‰), with higher Li contents and lower δ7Li values in their cores. The clinopyroxenes show variable Li contents (2.16–22.0 ppm) and δ7Li values (−54.6 to +1.9‰), with commonly higher Li contents and lower δ7Li values in their cores. The Li-isotopic zonation observed in most pyroxene grains is most likely a recent overprint of subduction-related fluids. By contrast, olivines with fairly homogeneous low Li contents compared to pyroxenes appear to be less affected by the metasomatic melts/fluids. The correlation between δ7Li values and the forsterite contents of olivines, along with the preferential uptake of Li in pyroxenes, and the presence of light Li isotopic compositions in the cores of pyroxenes, indicate the influence of silicate melt-rock interaction. We interpret these results as evidence for a metasomatic overprint predating the zonation in the Tethys orogenic belt of NW Turkey. Thus, both the recent fluid metasomatism and earlier silicate melt metasomatism are strongly related with the successive subduction of the Tethyan oceanic plate.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of peridotites and chromitites in the Aladag Ophiolite (southern Turkey): melt evolution of the Cretaceous Neotethyan mantle

The Aladag Ophiolite (also known as the Pozanti-Karsanti Ophiolite) is one of the largest Neotethyan ophiolites in Turkey and represents Cretaceous oceanic lithosphere derived from the Inner Tauride seaway of Neotethys. Its peridotites consist of spinel harzburgites, dunites and chromitites. The harzburgites display a depleted mineral and whole-rock geochemistry, indicating high degrees of partial melting. They contain Pd- and Pt-rich interstitial sulphides, which crystallized from S-saturated melts during melt–rock interactions. Their spoon-shaped rare earth element patterns indicate metasomatism by fluids, derived from a subducting slab, which were enriched in light rare earth elements. The chromitites in both the mantle and mantle–crust transition zone rock units show similar geochemical compositions, typical of high-Cr chromitites. They also show similar chondrite-normalized platinum group element patterns characterized by Os, Ir, Ru and Rh enrichments relative to Pt and Pd. The parental melts of the Aladag Ophiolite chromitites were S-undersaturated and boninitic in composition. The presence of microdiamond, moissanite, zircon and needle-shaped clinopyroxene exsolutions in chromite (chr) grains suggests that their formation might have originally involved high-temperature and high-pressure conditions within the mantle transition zone before their participation in further melting and the formation of oceanic crust at shallow depths in a forearc tectonic setting during the initiation of intra-oceanic subduction within the Inner Tauride seaway. Supplementary material: Sampling and analytical methods, representative microprobe analyses and whole-rock major and trace element compositions are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4153631 Thematic collection: This article is part of the ‘Tethyan ophiolites and Tethyan seaways collection’ available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/tethyan-ophiolites-and-tethyan-seaways

S, O, and Re-Os Isotope Studies of the Tamarack Igneous Complex: Melt-Rock Interaction During the Early Stage of Midcontinent Rift Development

S, O, and Re-Os Isotope Studies of the Tamarack Igneous Complex: Melt-Rock Interaction During the Early Stage of Midcontinent Rift Development

Petrology, geochemistry and a probable late Cambrian age for harzburgites of the Coolac Serpentinite, New South Wales, Australia

ABSTRACTThe Coolac Serpentinite, in the Tumut region of southeastern NSW, is one of many Alpine-type, linear ultramafic bodies exposed in the Lachlan Orogen of New South Wales. Despite the significance of such oceanic lithosphere throughout the orogen to tectonic models, few studies on the genesis of these bodies in the Lachlan Orogen have been documented. A significant proportion of the Coolac ultramafic rocks are only partially serpentinised, making them good candidates for detailed petrological and geochemical studies. The Coolac peridotites include harzburgites with mineral compositions and bulk-rock REE concentrations similar to abyssal peridotites. Assuming depleted mantle compositions, HREE concentrations are limited (0.2–0.3 × primitive mantle) implying melt extraction of 15–20%. Conversely, some Cr-spinel data within the harzburgites (Cr# = 0.22–0.27) indicate partial melting of only 9–11%. Adsorbed mantle pyroxenes, excess olivine and LREE enrichment suggest melt–rock interactions led to the refertilisation of the harzburgites. Isotope characteristics of a ca 501 Ma allochthonous tonalite block derived from melting of altered oceanic crust and a ca 439 Ma oceanic granite intrusion indicate an identical source that separated from the fertile mantle at 660 Ma. This places chronological constraints on the harzburgites, which are the result of two-stage melting involving a lherzolite protolith formed during the break-up of Rodinia followed by harzburgite formation during a further melt extraction event within an extensional phase of the Delamerian Orogeny. The harzburgites were enriched via melt–rock interactions soon after formation as well as during phases of the Benambran Orogeny beginning at ca 439 Ma and ending around ca 427 Ma with the emplacement of the North Mooney Complex, a layered ultramafic–gabbro association that has characteristics of Alaskan-style intrusions similar to the Fifield complexes of the central Lachlan Orogen.

Petrology and geochemistry of the high-Cr podiform chromitites of the Köycegiz ophiolite, southwest Turkey: implications for the multi-stage evolution of the oceanic upper mantle

Ophiolites exposed across the western Tauride belt in Turkey represent tectonically emplaced fragments of oceanic lithosphere obducted onto the continental margin following the closure of the Neotethys Ocean during the Late Cretaceous. The ultramafic massif of Koycegiz, which is located in the ophiolitic belt of southwestern Turkey, is a major source of metallurgical chromitite ore. The massif comprises a base of tectonized harzburgite with minor dunite overlain by a magmatic sequence of wehrlite, pyroxenite, troctolite and gabbro. Only sparse refractory chromitites occur within the harzburgites; in contrast, the upper and middle sections of the peridotite sequence contain abundant metallurgical chromitites. The peridotites record abundant evidence of mantle metasomatism on various scales, as the Fo values of olivine in harzburgite are 90.1–95.4, whereas those in dunite are 90.1–91.8. The compositions of the melts passing through the peridotites changed gradually from arc tholeiite to boninite due to melt-rock reactions, thus producing more Cr-rich chromitites in the upper part of the body. Most of the chromitites have high Cr numbers (77–78), although systematic changes in the compositions of the olivine and chromian spinel occur from the harzburgites to the dunite envelopes to the chromitites, reflecting melt-rock reactions. The calculated ∆logfO2 (FMQ) values range from − 2.77 to + 1.03 in the chromitites, − 2.73 to -0.01 in the harzburgites, and − 1.65 to + 0.45 in the dunites. All of the available evidence suggests that the Koycegiz ophiolite formed in a supra-subduction zone (SSZ) mantle wedge. These models indicate that the harzburgites represent the products of first-stage melting and low degrees of melt–rock interaction that occurred in a mid-ocean ridge (MOR) environment. In contrast, the chromitites and dunites represent the products of second-stage melting and related refertilization, which occurred in an SSZ environment.

Length-scales of chemical and isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle section of the Shetland Ophiolite Complex, Scotland

Kilometre to sub-metre scale heterogeneities have been inferred in the oceanic mantle based on sampling of both ophiolites and abyssal peridotites. The ∼492 Ma Shetland Ophiolite Complex (SOC) contains a well-preserved mantle section that is dominated by harzburgite (∼70 vol.%) previously reported to have variable major and trace element compositions, yet dominantly chondritic initial 187Os/188Os compositions. To assess the preservation of compositional heterogeneities at sub-metre length-scales in the oceanic mantle, a ∼45 m2 area of the SOC mantle section was mapped and sampled in detail. Harzburgites, dunites and a pyroxenite from this area were analysed for lithophile and highly-siderophile element (HSE) abundances, as well as for 187Os/188Os ratios. Lithophile element data for most rocks are characteristic of supra-subduction zone (SSZ) metasomatic processes. Two dunites have moderately fractionated HSE patterns and suprachondritic γOs(492 Ma) values (+5.1 and +7.5) that are also typical of ophiolitic dunites generated by SSZ melt–rock interactions. By contrast, six harzburgites and four dunites have approximately chondritic-relative abundances of Os, Ir and Ru, and γOs(492 Ma) values ranging only from −0.6 to +2.7; characteristics that imply no significant influence during SSZ processes. Two harzburgites are also characterised by significantly less radiogenic γOs(492 Ma) values (−3.5 and −4), and yield Mesoproterozoic time of Re depletion (TRD) model ages. The range of Os isotope compositions in the studied area is comparable to the range reported for a suite of samples representative of the entire SOC mantle section, and approaches the total isotopic variation of the oceanic mantle, as observed in abyssal peridotites. Mechanisms by which this heterogeneity can be formed and preserved involve inefficient and temporally distinct melt extraction events and strong localised channelling of these melts.

From mantle peridotites to hybrid troctolites: Textural and chemical evolution during melt-rock interaction history (Mt. Maggiore, Corsica, France)

Recent studies investigate the replacive formation of hybrid troctolites from mantle peridotites after multiple stages of melt-rock reaction. However, these studies are not conducted in a field-controlled geological setting displaying the clear evolution from the protolith to the end-product of the reactions. The Mt. Maggiore peridotitic body exposes a clear evolution from spinel lherzolite to plagioclase-bearing lithotypes (plagioclase peridotites, olivine-rich troctolites and troctolites) during two continuous episodes of melt-rock interaction. In the spinel facies, the reactive percolation of a LREE-depleted melt leads to the dissolution of mantle pyroxenes and the growth of olivine crystals, forming replacive spinel dunites. The progressive evolution from spinel lherzolite to harzburgite to replacive dunite is accompanied by a change of olivine Crystallographic Preferred Orientation (CPO), from axial-[100] in the lherzolite to axial-[010] olivine CPO in the dunites, indicative of deformation in presence of melt. The initial percolating melt composition is consistent with single melt increments after 6% partial melting of a depleted mantle source. Reactive melt percolation leads to a progressive enrichment in the melt M-HREE absolute concentrations, while preserving its LREE depletion, consistent with the enriched analyzed HREE composition of olivine in the spinel dunite.In the shallower plagioclase facies, the melts modified by reactive melt percolation impregnate the spinel-facies lithotypes, leading to the dissolution of olivine and crystallization of plagioclase and orthopyroxene in the peridotites. This impregnation stage is also observed in the spinel dunites, forming hybrid olivine-rich troctolites and troctolites. The dissolution-precipitation reactions forming hybrid troctolites cause a progressive textural evolution of the olivine matrix, with the disruption of deformed coarse grains into undeformed small rounded grains. This textural evolution is not accompanied by clear changes in the olivine CPO, indicating low instantaneous melt/rock ratios during the impregnation process. Olivine, plagioclase and clinopyroxene REE compositions analyzed in troctolite fit a process of impregnation with a progressive closure of the porosity (at decreasing melt mass), leading to the crystallization of trapped melt and REE enrichments during the last crystallization increments.

Chemical Signatures of Melt–Rock Interaction in the Root of a Magmatic Arc

Identification of melt–rock interaction during melt flux through crustal rocks is limited to field relationships and microstructural evidence, with little consideration given to characterising the geochemical signatures of this process. We examine the mineral and whole-rock geochemistry of four distinct styles of melt–rock interaction during melt flux through the Pembroke Granulite, a gabbroic gneiss from the Fiordland magmatic arc root, New Zealand. Spatial distribution, time-integrated flux of melt and stress field vary between each melt flux style. Whole-rock metasomatism is not detected in three of the four melt flux styles. The mineral assemblage and major element mineral composition in modified rocks are dictated by inferred P–T conditions, as in sub-solidus metamorphic systems, and time-integrated volumes of melt flux. Heterogeneous mineral major and trace element compositions are linked to low time-integrated volumes of melt flux, which inhibits widespread modification and equilibration. Amphibole and clinozoisite in modified rocks have igneous-like REE patterns, formed by growth and/or recrystallisation in the presence of melt and large equilibration volumes provided by the grain boundary network of melt. Heterogeneities in mineral REE compositions are linked to localisation of melt flux by deformation and resulting smaller equilibration volumes and/or variation in the composition of the fluxing melt. When combined with microstructural evidence for the former presence of melt, the presence of igneous-like mineral REE chemical signatures in a metamorphic rock are proposed as powerful indicators of melt–rock interaction during melt flux.

Melt transport and mantle assimilation at Atlantis Massif (IODP Site U1309): Constraints from geochemical modeling

Olivine-rich troctolites (>70% olivine) reveal that extensive melt impregnation of pre-existing olivine-rich lithologies participate to the building of slow spread oceanic crust. To constrain their origin and their impact on the structure and geochemistry of oceanic crust, we realized a multi-scale petro-structural, geochemical, and numerical modeling study of olivine-rich troctolites drilled at IODP Hole U1309D (Atlantis Massif, Mid-Atlantic Ridge 30°N). Discrete intervals of olivine-rich troctolites display sharp to diffuse contacts with neighboring troctolites or gabbros. Their texture is characterized by plastically deformed (high temperature imprint), corroded coarse-grained to undeformed fine-grained olivine embayed in poikilitic clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Olivine crystallographic preferred orientations show weak [001] clusters. Olivine has variable major and minor element compositions, but similar fractionated REE (DyN/YbN = 0.04–0.11). We distinguished three types of olivine-rich troctolites based on microstructure, texture and mineral composition. Olivine-rich troctolites 1 and 2 display sharp contacts with adjacent lithologies. Type 1 has modal olivine <75%, occurring mainly as single rounded grains with primitive compositions (Mg# = 85–86), and associated with high Mg# clinopyroxene. Type 2 has higher olivine modes (>75%), dominantly forming aggregates, showing more evolved compositions (Mg# = 83–84) and associated with slightly lower Mg# clinopyroxene. These variations of olivine modes and compositions are in contrast to common trends of magmatic crystallization that predicts decreasing modal olivine with melt differentiation towards evolved compositions. Type 3 has diffuse contacts with gabbroic veins and modal olivine overlapping those of types 1 and 2. Chemical traverses along principal crystallographic axes of olivine are flat, suggesting local equilibrium between olivine and neighboring phases. Mineral modes and compositions, together with textures and microstructures, suggest that olivine-rich troctolites formed after melt-rock interactions in a reactive porous flow process. Their compositions are best modeled by percolation of primitive MORBs into Hole U1309D impregnated and compositionally heterogeneous harzburgites, triggering orthopyroxene dissolution, followed by olivine assimilation and concomitant crystallization of clinopyroxene and plagioclase. Modeling shows that Ni variations in olivine at constant Mg# are mantle inherited. Compositions of olivine-rich troctolite 1 are fitted assuming higher olivine assimilation (Ma = 0.06–0.13) in contrast to olivine-rich troctolites 2 and 3 (Ma = 0.01–0.02). Olivine-rich troctolite 3 was ‘buffered’ by crystallizing reacted melts, progressively more evolved as temperature decreased during a late stage process. We interpret olivine-rich troctolites from the Atlantis Massif as marking local assimilation of harzburgitic mantle into the gabbroic sequence during a period of enhanced magmatism at depth. Our study shows that the distribution and variable compositions of olivine-rich troctolites result from the incipient stages of this process when local spatial variations in mantle rock permeability, probably related to pyroxene distribution, controlled in turn melt transport and mantle-melt interactions.

Geochemical cycling during subduction initiation: Evidence from serpentinized mantle wedge peridotite in the south Andaman ophiolite suite

The ophiolite suite from south Andaman Islands forms part of the Tethyan Ophiolite Belt and preserves the remnants of an ideal ophiolite sequence comprising a basal serpentinized and tectonised mantle peridotite followed by ultramafic and mafic cumulate units, basaltic dykes and spilitic pillow basalts interlayered with arkosic wacke. Here, we present new major, trace, rare earth (REE) and platinum group (PGE) element data for serpentinized and metasomatized peridotites (dunites) exposed in south Andaman representing the tectonized mantle section of the ophiolite suite. Geochemical features of the studied rocks, marked by Al2O3/TiO2 > 23, LILE-LREE enrichment, HFSE depletion, and U-shaped chondrite-normalized REE patterns with (La/Sm)N > 1 and (Gd/Yb)N < 1, suggest contributions from boninitic mantle melts. These observations substantiate a subduction initiation process ensued by rapid slab roll-back with extension and seafloor spreading in an intraoceanic fore-arc regime. The boninitic composition of the serpentinized peridotites corroborate fluid and melt interaction with mantle manifested in terms of (i) hydration, metasomatism and serpentinization of depleted, MORB-type, sub-arc wedge mantle residual after repeated melt extraction; and (ii) refertilization of refractory mantle peridotite by boninitic melts derived at the initial stage of intraoceanic subduction. Serpentinized and metasomatized mantle dunites in this study record both MOR and intraoceanic arc signatures collectively suggesting suprasubduction zone affinity. The elevated abundances of Pd (4.4–12.2 ppb) with high ΣPPGE/ΣIPGE (2–3) and Pd/Ir (2–5.5) ratios are in accordance with extensive melt-rock interaction through percolation of boninitic melts enriched in fluid-fluxed LILE-LREE into the depleted mantle after multiple episodes of melt extraction. The high Pd contents with relatively lower Ir concentrations of the samples are analogous to characteristic PGE signatures of boninitic magmas and might have resulted by the infiltration of boninitic melts into the depleted and residual mantle wedge peridotite during fore-arc extension at the initial stage of intraoceanic subduction. The PGE patterns with high Os + Ir (2–8.6 ppb) and Ru (2.8–8.4 ppb) also suggest mantle rejuvenation by infiltration of melts derived by high degree of mantle melting. The trace, REE and PGE data presented in our study collectively reflect heterogeneous mantle compositions and provide insights into ocean-crust-mantle interaction and associated geochemical cycling within a suprasubduction zone regime.

Heterogeneous hydrogen distribution in orthopyroxene from veined mantle peridotite (San Carlos, Arizona): Impact of melt-rock interactions

Experimental studies have shown that hydrogen embedded as a trace element in mantle mineral structures affects the physical properties of mantle minerals and rocks. Nevertheless, hydrogen concentrations in mantle minerals are much lower than predicted by hydrogen solubilities obtained experimentally at high pressure and temperature. Here, we report textural analyses and major and trace element concentrations (including hydrogen) in upper mantle minerals from a spinel-bearing composite xenolith (dunite and pyroxenite) transported by silica-undersaturated mafic alkaline lavas from the San Carlos volcanic field (Arizona, USA). Our results suggest that the composite xenolith results from the percolation-reaction of a basaltic liquid within dunite channels, and is equilibrated with respect to trace elements. Equilibrium temperatures range between 1011 and 1023 °C. Hydrogen concentrations (expressed in ppm H2O by weight) obtained from unpolarized and polarized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are low, with average values <2 ppm H2O, 24 ppm H2O, and 53 ppm H2O for olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene, respectively; hydrogen concentrations in olivine are below the detection limit. These low hydrogen concentrations are consistent with depletion by high melt-rock ratio interactions. Clinopyroxene hydrogen concentrations are homogeneous, whereas polarized infrared profile measurements across single-crystals of orthopyroxene reveal hydrogen-depleted rims, which are interpreted as the result of dehydration by ionic diffusion, possibly triggered by melt-rock interactions. We conclude that pyroxenes, like olivine, are unreliable hydrogen proxies, and that the remaining hydrogen concentrations observed in peridotites might only represent the ‘tip of the iceberg’ of the water stored in the Earth's upper mantle.