Indian Mid-ocean Ridge Research Articles

Petrogenesis of Lava from Christmas Island, Northeast Indian Ocean: Implications for the Nature of Recycled Components in Non-Plume Intraplate Settings

Lava samples from the Christmas Island Seamount Province (CHRISP) record an extreme range in enriched mantle (EM) type Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotope signatures. Here we report osmium isotope data obtained on four samples from the youngest, Pliocene petit-spot phase (Upper Volcanic Series, UVS; ~4.4 Ma), and four samples from the earlier, Eocene (Lower Volcanic Series, LVS; ~40 Ma) shield building phase of Christmas Island. Osmium concentrations are low (5–82 ppt) with initial Os isotopic values (187Os/188Osi) ranging from (0.1230–0.1679). Along with additional new geochemical data (major and trace elements, Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes, olivine δ18O values), we demonstrate the following: (1) The UVS is consistent with melting of shallow Indian mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) mantle enriched with both lower continental crust (LCC) and subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) components; and (2) The LVS is consistent with recycling of SCLM components related to Gondwana break-up. The SCLM component has FOZO or HIMU like characteristics. One of the LVS samples has less radiogenic Os (γOs –3.4) and provides evidence for the presence of ancient SCLM in the source. The geochemistry of the Christmas Island lava series supports the idea that continental breakup causes shallow recycling of lithospheric and lower crustal components into the ambient MORB mantle.

Biodiversity and degradation potential of oil-degrading bacteria isolated from sediments of hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal areas of the Southwest Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge.

In this study, sediments from eight sites were collected from hydrothermal areas (e.g., the Tiancheng, Tianzuo, and Longqi hydrothermal areas) and non-hydrothermal area on the Southwest Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge. Using crude oil as the only carbon and energy source, 162 strains of culturable oil-degrading bacteria were isolated and obtained. The rate of oil degradation of the consortia was 39.48-46.00% in hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal areas. High-throughput sequencing found that the alpha diversity indices (e.g., Shannon and Simpson) of the communities in hydrothermal areas were higher than those in non-hydrothermal area. The species diversities of the oil-degrading bacteria were different among different hydrothermal areas. The composition of the oil-degrading bacterial species in the Tianzuo hydrothermal area tended to be more similar to that in the non-hydrothermal area. This similarity is attributed to the changes in the bacterial community that followed the cessation of hydrothermal vent eruptions at this site. The Alphaproteobacteria abundance of the oil-degrading bacteria was significantly different in oil-degrading bacteria between the hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal areas.

Winter dissolved and particulate zinc in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean: Distribution and relation to major nutrients (GEOTRACES GIpr07 transect)

First winter measurements of dissolved zinc (dZn) and particulate zinc (pZn) are presented from seven stations, between 41 and 58°S, occupied in July 2017 along the 30°E longitude in the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean. This unique spatial and seasonal dataset provided the opportunity to investigate Zn biogeochemical cycling in a region which is extremely data scarce and during a period when conditions are unfavourable for phytoplankton growth. Surface comparisons of our winter dZn and pZn to previous measurements during spring and summer revealed that Zn seasonality is most pronounced at the higher latitudes where higher dZn (and higher ratios of dZn to phosphate; dZn:PO4) and lower pZn in winter reflect decreased biological uptake and preferential dZn resupply (relative to PO4) to surface waters through deep winter mixing. The composition of pZn was majorly biogenic however localised lithogenic inputs were attributed to potential hydrothermal activity and transport of continental sediment via Agulhas waters. Calculated vertical attenuation factors (b values) for pZn (0.31) and phosphorus (P; 0.41) suggest that Zn has a longer remineralisation length scale than P, providing a mechanism as to why dZn appears to be remineralised deeper in the water column than PO4. Ratios of pZn to P (pZn:P) in surface waters increased with latitude from 1.12 to 8.28 mmol mol−1 due to increased dZn availability and the dominance of diatoms (with high cellular Zn quotas) in the high latitude Antarctic Zone (AAZ). Interestingly, the high surface pZn:P ratios in the AAZ did not change significantly with depth (in contrast to the northern stations where pZn:P increased with depth) suggesting the export of diatom cells below the winter mixed layer where remineralisation and rigorous mixing may resolve the linear dZn to silicic acid (dZn:Si(OH)4) correlation (dZn (nmol kg−1) = 0.064 Si(OH)4 (μmol kg−1) + 0.690; r2 = 0.93; n = 120) despite these elements being located in separate components of the diatom cell. Additionally, elevated concentrations of dZn and Si(OH)4 below 3000 m in the AAZ may reflect nutrient accumulation in bottom waters where northward flow is inhibited by the Indian mid-Ocean ridge.

A subduction influence on ocean ridge basalts outside the Pacific subduction shield

The plate tectonic cycle produces chemically distinct mid-ocean ridge basalts and arc volcanics, with the latter enriched in elements such as Ba, Rb, Th, Sr and Pb and depleted in Nb owing to the water-rich flux from the subducted slab. Basalts from back-arc basins, with intermediate compositions, show that such a slab flux can be transported behind the volcanic front of the arc and incorporated into mantle flow. Hence it is puzzling why melts of subduction-modified mantle have rarely been recognized in mid-ocean ridge basalts. Here we report the first mid-ocean ridge basalt samples with distinct arc signatures, akin to back-arc basin basalts, from the Arctic Gakkel Ridge. A new high precision dataset for 576 Gakkel samples suggests a pervasive subduction influence in this region. This influence can also be identified in Atlantic and Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts but is nearly absent in Pacific mid-ocean ridge basalts. Such a hemispheric-scale upper mantle heterogeneity reflects subduction modification of the asthenospheric mantle which is incorporated into mantle flow, and whose geographical distribution is controlled dominantly by a “subduction shield” that has surrounded the Pacific Ocean for 180 Myr. Simple modeling suggests that a slab flux equivalent to ~13% of the output at arcs is incorporated into the convecting upper mantle.

Zircon U-Pb geochronology and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope geochemistry for Permian–Early Triassic arc-related magmatism in Pohang, Jangsari, and Yeongdeok, southeastern Korean Peninsula

Granitoids in the southern Korean Peninsula range in age from Precambrian to Cenozoic, but were emplaced mostly during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The late Permian–Early Triassic granitoids are minor in volume and restricted to the northeastern part of the Cretaceous Gyeongsang Basin (Yeongdeok and Jangsari). Here we report on Permian granites from the Cenozoic Pohang Basin of southeastern Korea. The samples were obtained during the drilling of injection wells in the Pohang enhanced geothermal system (4219 m depth for the drill core; 3658–4174 m for the drill cuttings). We also analyzed outcrop samples from Yeongdeok and Jangsari. We present zircon U-Pb ages and Hf isotope, whole-rock geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data for these Phanerozoic granitoids. The zircons yielded early–late Permian ages (ca. 283–264 Ma) for the Pohang granites, late Permian ages (ca. 261–256 Ma) for the Jangsari granitoids, and late Permian–Early Triassic ages (ca. 253–249 Ma) for the Yeongdeok granitoids. The granitoids are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements and depleted in high-field-strength elements, indicating formation in an arc-related tectonic setting. The Permian Pohang and Jangsari granitoids have a non-adakitic arc-like geochemistry, whereas the Yeongdeok intrusions are adakite-like and show high Sr and low Y-Yb contents. The granitoids have low (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7038–0.7049) and positive εNd(t) values (+3.7 to +4.7 for the Pohang, +4.4 to +4.9 for the Jangsari, and + 2.4 to +4.1 for the Yeongdeok plutons), and are distinct from the basement of the Yeongnam Massif. The Pb isotope ratios of the studied samples plot in the field for Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts. Zircons from the plutons have positive εHf(t) values: +9.8 to +17.6 for the Pohang, +8.8 to +17.7 for the Jangsari, and + 8.5 to +18.3 for the Yeongdeok plutons. The Permian granitoids were likely the product of extensive fractional crystallization of H2O-rich parental magmas, which were possibly generated in a hydrated mantle wedge. The Yeongdeok adakite-like granitoids were derived from a normal H2O-rich arc magma by amphibole ± garnet fractionation. The juvenile Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotope compositions are comparable with those of coeval igneous rocks in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, rather than intrusive counterparts in the North and South China cratons. We propose two possibilities that Permian–Early Triassic arc-related magmatism in the southeastern Korean Peninsula might have been associated with (1) northward subduction of the Paleo-Asian oceanic plate; or (2) westward subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate at the eastern margin of the North China Craton.

Observation of the deep Indonesian throughflow using helium isotopes

Helium isotopes in the ocean are very useful tracers of hydrothermal input and deep-sea circulation. Unlike labile trace elements, noble gases are inert and do not react with other substances in the water column. Previous studies in the Indian Ocean showed that helium isotopes in the region were discharged mainly from the central Indian midocean ridge, convergent boundaries, and the Pacific Ocean via currents that flow through the Indonesian archipelago. These Indonesian waters then exit out as the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) into the Indian Ocean through shallow sills. The ITF plays a significant role in global climate, because it serves as the main pathway of thermocline waters between the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. We present new helium isotope data from International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2) at the east Indian Ocean in December 2018. Helium isotopes were measured using a Noble Gas Mass Spectrometer at the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo. We compare our data with those from previous expeditions and discuss the source and distribution of helium isotopes near Java. Waters with high excess 3He from the ITF were observed at 1000 m. Application of two-components mixing model enabled us to estimate ITF fraction in the observed area and to clarify the ITF flow in the deep layer. Moreover, flow rate of the deep ITF from Savu sill to Indian Ocean was estimated to be ~ 0.8–1.6 Sv. Based on stations near the Java coast, there could be a deep current or hydrothermal source at 3000 m that advects water enriched in 3He southwards along the Java Island.

Implications of Eocene-age Philippine Sea and forearc basalts for initiation and early history of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc

Whole-rock isotope ratio (Hf, Nd, Pb, Sr) and trace element data for basement rocks at ocean drilling Sites U1438, 1201 and 447 immediately west of the KPR (Kyushu-Palau Ridge) are compared to those of FAB (forearc basalts) previously interpreted to be the initial products of IBM subduction volcanism. West-of-KPR basement basalts (drill sites U1438, 1201, 447) and FAB occupy the same Hf-Nd and Pb-Pb isotopic space and share distinctive source characteristics with εHf mostly > 16.5 and up to εHf = 19.8, which is more radiogenic than most Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Lead isotopic ratios are depleted, with 206Pb/204Pb = 17.8–18.8 accompanying relatively high 208Pb/204Pb, indicating an Indian-MORB source unlike that of West Philippine Basin plume basalts. Some Sr isotopes show affects of seawater alteration, but samples with 87Sr/86Sr < 0.7034 and εNd > 8.0 appear to preserve magmatic compositions and also indicate a common source for west-of-KPR basement and FAB. Trace element ratios resistant to seawater alteration (La/Yb, Lu/Hf, Zr/Nb, Sm/Nd) in west-of-KPR basement are generally more depleted than normal MORB and so also appear similar to FAB. At Site U1438, only andesite sills intruding sedimentary rocks overlying the basement have subduction-influenced geochemical characteristics (εNd ∼ 6.6, εHf ∼ 13.8, La/Yb > 2.5, Nd/Hf ∼ 9). The key characteristic that unites drill site basement rocks west of KPR and FAB is the nature of their source, which is more depleted in lithophile trace elements than average MORB but with Hf, Nd, and Pb isotope ratios that are common in MORB. The lithophile element-depleted nature of FAB has been linked to initiation of IBM subduction in the Eocene, but Sm-Nd model ages and errorchron relationships in Site U1438 basement indicate that the depleted character of the rocks is a regional characteristic that was produced well prior to the time of subduction initiation and persists today in the source of modern IBM arc volcanic rocks with Sm/Nd > 0.34 and εNd ∼ 9.0.

Spatio-temporal Geochemical Evolution of the SE Australian Upper Mantle Deciphered from the Sr, Nd and Pb Isotope Compositions of Cenozoic Intraplate Volcanic Rocks

Intraplate basaltic volcanic rocks ranging in age from Late Cretaceous to Holocene are distributed across southeastern Australia in Victoria and eastern South Australia. They comprise four prov- inces differentiated on the basis of age and spatial distribution. The youngest of these (<4􏱭6 Ma) is the Newer Volcanic Province (NVP), which incorporates lava flows, scoria cones and maars, distrib- uted across western and central Victoria into South Australia. The oldest eruptive rocks belong to the 95–19 Ma Older Volcanic Province, which comprises basaltic lava flows and shallow intrusions distributed across eastern and central Victoria. When examined within the broader framework of geochemical data available for Cretaceous to Cenozoic intraplate volcanism in southeastern Australia, new major, minor and trace element and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope analyses of volcanic rocks from the NVP suggest that their parental magmas originated from a distinctively different mantle source compared with that of the Older Volcanics. We propose that the magmas repre- sented by the Older Volcanics originated from low degrees of partial melting of a mixed source of Indian mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-source mantle and calcio-carbonatite metasomatized sub- continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), followed by up to 20% fractional crystallization. The mag- mas of the youngest (<500 ka) suite of the NVP (the Newer Cones) were generated by up to 13% partial melting of a garnet-rich source, followed by similar degrees of fractional crystallization. We also suggest that the temporally intermediate Euroa Volcanics (􏰂7 Ma) reflect chemical evolution from the source of the Older Volcanics to that of the Newer Cones. Furthermore, energy- constrained recharge, assimilation and fractional crystallization (EC-RAxFC) modelling suggests that the Sr isotope signature of the 􏰂4􏱭6–1Ma Newer Plains component of the NVP can be ex- plained by up to 5% upper crustal assimilation. On the basis of these results and data from the lit- erature for mantle xenoliths, we propose a geodynamic model involving decompression melting of metasomatized veins at the base of the SCLM generating the Older Volcanics and modifying the ambient asthenosphere of Indian MORB isotope character. This was followed by thermal erosion and entrainment of the resulting depleted SCLM into the modified Indian MORB-source astheno- spheric mantle, generating the Newer Cones. Such a model is in agreement with recent geophys- ical observations in the area suggesting edge-driven convection with shear-driven upwelling as a potential geodynamic model resulting in temporal upwelling in the region.

Heterogeneous Pb isotope composition in the Archean lower crust of the North China Craton induced by Cenozoic basaltic magma underplating

Granulite xenoliths entrained in Cenozoic basaltic rocks in several regions of the North China Craton (NCC) provide important constraints to evaluate the evolution of lower crust. Here we employ the Pb isotopic composition of plagioclase in granulite xenoliths from Yangyuan obtained through fLA (femtosecond laser ablation)-MC-ICPMS analyses to probe the Phanerozoic lower crustal evolution in the NCC. The newly-discovered granulite xenoliths from Yangyuan can be classified into felsic granulites, garnet-bearing pyroxene granulites and garnet-free pyroxene granulites. Our results show a large variation in plagioclase Pb isotopes (206Pb/204Pb=15.3–18.8; 207Pb/204Pb=14.9–15.9; 208Pb/204Pb=35.0–39.9) among and within samples. Common Pb in plagioclase and the single stage Pb evolution model indicate that the mantle from which the lower crust of the NCC was extracted had a 238U/204Pb ratio of 9.3 at 2.65±0.14Ga (all uncertainties are 2σ). The isotopic heterogeneity reflects the diverse formation and evolution history of the xenoliths. The felsic granulites show the least radiogenic Pb isotopes (206Pb/204Pb=15.3–15.8; 207Pb/204Pb=14.9–15.2; 208Pb/204Pb=35.0–35.9; 238U/204Pb=11.5 and 232Th/238U=4) among the entire xenolith suite with their Pb isotopes lying close to those of the exposed Archean granulite terranes of the NCC, suggesting that the granulites might have inherited the Pb isotope composition of ancient lower crust. The plagioclase from garnet-bearing pyroxene granulites shows the most radiogenic Pb isotopes (206Pb/204Pb=16.5–18.8; 207Pb/204Pb=15.3–15.9; 208Pb/204Pb=36.5–39.9; 238U/204Pb=18.2; 232Th/238U=4.3) in comparison to those of their garnet-free counterparts (206Pb/204Pb=15.9–17.3; 207Pb/204Pb=15.1–15.5; 208Pb/204Pb=36.1–37.5). The Pb isotopes for the former fall within or even above the fields of the I-MORB (Indian Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt) and OIB (Ocean Island basalt) in 206Pb/204Pb vs. 207Pb/204Pb or 208Pb/204Pb, whereas the latter fall in the fields between the felsic and garnet-bearing pyroxene granulites. We consider that the linear correlation reflects the mixing of the ancient crust with radiogenic Pb in the melt rather than representing an isochron. The garnet-bearing pyroxene granulites might represent the lower crust which was likely modified by the underplating of basaltic magma during Cenozoic. Such extensive magma underplating might have significantly modified the Pb isotopic composition of the ancient lower crust. Individual plagioclase crystals from the garnet-bearing pyroxene granulites show variation in isotopic composition from less radiogenic Pb in the core to more radiogenic in the rim. Together with electron microprobe data, a decompressional melting of the lower crust is inferred in response to the lithosphere extension, with input of radiogenic Pb component.

Constraints on the DUPAL anomaly from helium isotope systematics in the Southwest Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts

Helium isotopes were measured on 53 glass samples from the South West Indian Ridge from 32 to 68°E. The 4He/3He ratio is heterogeneous along the SWIR, with values down to 74,000 and up to 114,000 (R/Ra between 9.8 and 6.3), more variable than for helium isotope systematics measured at other mid-oceanic ridge systems, far from hot spots. Helium–Pb, Hf, Nd and Sr systematics on the SWIR basalts suggest that the large-scale geodynamics of the Indian mantle is mainly controlled by mixing between asthenospheric material and the lower continental crust. The latter is currently interpreted as having been introduced into the mantle by delamination during the Gondwana breakup ~180Ma ago. Superimposed to this global-scale mixing, the asthenospheric mantle presents variable helium and Hf isotopic ratios and relatively constant Pb, Nd and Sr isotopic values. These results are interpreted in terms of a heterogeneous asthenospheric material source and the helium isotopic ratio represents a mixture between harzburgitic “pyroxenite-free” mantle and recycled materials such as oceanic lithosphere/crust. Using a model of helium diffusion similar to the one developed for recycled oceanic crust by Hart et al. (2008), we are able to constrain the size of the lower crust fragments present in the mantle. Results of this calculation indicate that the He and Pb isotopic compositions observed in SWIR basalts can be explained by mixing between depleted mantle and lower crust fragments up to ~5–10km. This result shows that significant lower crust and, probably also subcontinental lithosphere material, can be removed during delamination during continental breakup.

Polymagmatic Activity at the Monogenetic Mt Gambier Volcanic Complex in the Newer Volcanics Province, SE Australia: New Insights into the Occurrence of Intraplate Volcanic Activity in Australia

Monogenetic volcanism can produce eruptive suites showing considerable complexity in compositional features and pre-eruptive magma evolution. The ∼5 ka Mount Gambier Volcanic Complex (MGVC), a monogenetic volcanic centre in SE Australia’s Newer Volcanics Province (NVP), is a good example. It displays a complex stratigraphy of interbedded deposits related to different eruption styles from a multi-vent system. Formation of the MGVC proceeded through simultaneous eruption of two alkali basaltic magma batches: a more alkaline and light rare earth element enriched basanite batch (Mg# 58–62) in the west and a trachybasalt batch (Mg# 58–64) enriched in SiO2 and CaO in the east. Trace element modelling suggests an origin of both magma batches from a single parental melt formed by 4–5% partial melting of a metasomatized lherzolite source in the asthenospheric mantle (2·2 GPa; ∼80 km). At the base of the lithosphere, part of this parental melt interacted with a deep-seated pyroxenite contaminant to form the trachybasaltic suite. Further modification of either magma batch at crustal levels appears to have been negligible. Isotope and trace element signatures are consistent with the inferred asthenospheric magma source; Pb isotopes in particular suggest a source with mixed Indian mid-ocean ridge basalt–Enriched Mantle 2 affinities, the latter perhaps related to metasomatic overprinting. It is argued that Cenozoic NVP volcanism in SE Australia is not necessarily related to a mantle plume but can be explained by other models involving asthenospheric upwelling. Fast magma ascent rates in the lithosphere evidenced by the presence of mantle xenoliths may reflect reactivation of lithospheric structures that provide magma pathways to the surface.

Geochemistry of anorthositic xenolith and host tholeiite basalt from Jeju Island, South Korea

Volcanic rocks on Jeju Island consist mainly of intraplate alkaline lavas with subordinate intercalated tholeiite basaltic rocks. The alkaline suite can be divided into high-Al alkali (HAA) and low-Al alkali (LAA) sub-suites. We determined the 87Sr/86Sr ratios of anorthositic xenolith plagioclases and the Sr-Nd-Pb isotope compositions of the host tholeiite basalt (Taeheungri basalt). The anorthositic xenoliths are considered to represent buoyancy-induced floating cumulates from previous tholeiite magmatism on Jeju Island. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the xenolith plagioclases are highly elevated compared with those of the Jeju tholeiite lavas, including the host basalt. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the Jeju volcanic rocks increase from the LAA through the HAA to the tholeiite suite. The tholeiite suite generally exhibits less radiogenic 143Nd/144Nd ratios than the alkaline suite. In Pb-Pb space, the tholeiite suite has, in general, elevated 207Pb/204Pb ratios compared with those of the alkaline suite at a given 206Pb/204Pb ratio. In contrast to the 87Sr/86Sr ratios, the two alkaline sub-suites (HAA and LAA) display indistinguishable Nd and Pb isotope compositions. Notably, some of the tholeiite and HAA suites exhibit distinctive positive anomalies in Eu and Sr in the trace element distribution pattern and the 87Sr/86Sr ratios increase as a function of the degree of Sr or Eu enrichment. These observations, along with the relatively fractionated nature of the tholeiite and especially the HAA suites, indicate that the suites might be products of assimilation of plagioclase-rich cumulates, possibly at lower crustal depth, during parent magma evolution. Jeju volcanic rocks exhibit a mixing line between Indian mid-ocean ridge basalt-like depleted mantle and enriched mantle type 2 (EM2) components in Sr-Nd and Pb-Pb isotope correlation diagrams. The enriched component, the source of which may have been the asthenosphere, is supposed to have been higher in the Jeju tholeiite magmatism than in the alkaline magmatism.

Cenozoic Volcanism on the Hangai Dome, Central Mongolia: Geochemical Evidence for Changing Melt Sources and Implications for Mechanisms of Melting

Cenozoic volcanism within Mongolia forms part of a large central Asian province of intra-plate magmatism. Numerous small-volume volcanic cones and alkali basalt lava flows have been formed since c. 30 Ma; from c. 12 Ma activity has been focused on the uplifted Hangai dome. A mechanism for melting beneath the dome has, however, thus far remained enigmatic. Some of the oldest basalts on the Hangai dome erupted at its centre at ∼6 Ma and their geochemistry suggests a garnet lherzolite source region at 90–100 km depth. These lavas have Pb isotope compositions similar to those of depleted Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) ( 206 Pb/ 204 Pb = 17·822, 207 Pb/ 204 Pb = 15·482, 208 Pb/ 204 Pb = 37·767), which may be indicative of the involvement of ambient asthenospheric mantle in their petrogenesis. Younger basalts exhibit a gradual shift in isotopic composition towards a source that has less radiogenic Pb and more radiogenic Sr, evidenced by the eruption of lavas with 206 Pb/ 204 Pb = 16·991 and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr = 0·704704. The youngest lavas, dated as younger than ∼8 ka, have the highest K 2 O contents (up to 5·2 wt %) and are characterized by the most enriched trace-element signatures; they are interpreted to represent melting of a metasomatically altered sub-continental lithospheric mantle containing phlogopite. Concurrent with progressive melting of the lithosphere, melting appears to propagate outwards from the centre of the dome to its margins; by 0·7 Ma the marginal magmatism is interpreted to result from melting of a depleted MORB-source mantle component with a smaller contribution from the lithospheric mantle. The spatial and temporal variations in melting beneath the Hangai dome may be explained by either lithospheric delamination or the presence of a small-scale thermal anomaly in the upper mantle. Although it is not possible to distinguish between these models on the basis of geochemistry alone, the lack of a viable mechanism to generate small-scale upwelling lends support to a model involving delamination of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Hangai dome.

Magma Evolution in the Primitive, Intra-oceanic Tonga Arc: Petrogenesis of Basaltic Andesites at Tofua Volcano

Tofua volcano is situated midway along the Tonga oceanic arc and has undergone two phases of ignimbrite-forming activity. The eruptive products are almost entirely basaltic andesites (52·5–57 wt % SiO2) with the exception of a volumetrically minor pre-caldera dacite. The suite displays a strong tholeiitic trend with K2O <1 wt %. Phenocryst assemblages typically comprise plagioclase + clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene with microlites of Ti-magnetite. Olivine (Fo83–88) is rare and believed to be dominantly antecrystic. An increase in the extent and frequency of reverse zoning in phenocrysts, sieve-textured plagioclase and the occurrence of antecrystic phases in post-caldera lavas record a shift to dynamic conditions, allowing the interaction of magma batches that were previously distinct. Pyroxene thermobarometry suggests crystallization at 950–1200°C and 0·8–1·8 kbar. Volatile measurements of glassy melt inclusions indicate a maximum H2O content of 4·16 wt % H2O, and CO2–H2O saturation curves indicate that crystallization occurred at two levels, at depths of 4–5·5 km and 1·5–2·5 km. Major and trace element models suggest that the compositions of the majority of the samples represent a differentiation trend whereby the dacite was produced by 65% fractional crystallization of the most primitive basaltic andesite. Trace element models suggest that the sub-arc mantle source is the residuum of depleted Indian mid-ocean ridge basalt mantle (IDMM-1% melt), whereas radiogenic isotope data imply addition of 0·2% average Tongan sediment melt and a fluid component derived from the subducted altered Pacific oceanic crust. A horizontal array on the U–Th equiline diagram and Ra excesses of up to 500% suggest fluid addition to the mantle wedge within the last few thousand years. Time-integrated (226Ra/230Th) vs Sr/Th and Ba/Th fractionation models imply differentiation timescales of up to 4500 years for the dacitic magma compositions at Tofua.

Volatiles in pillows of the Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims

Temperature-resolved analyses of volatiles from Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims were carried out to investigate the total volatile contents of basaltic melts and the influence of magma contamination on the degassing behaviour of volcanic rocks. With respect to the sources of methane evolution from the MORB the investigations are taken into consideration, the hydrocarbon (HC) release especially from the melt. The current paper presents data for H 2O, CO 2, SO 2, He, H 2, HF, HCl, CO, N 2, O 2, and HC degassing profiles of samples from the MORB sampling cruise 02.10.1983–11.11.1983 with FS Sonne 28 during the GEMINO-1 project near the Carlsberg Ridge (CR) and the Mid-Indian-Ocean-Ridge (MIOR). It aims to estimate the magnitude and nature of source magma volatiles and contamination (crustal material, seawater, atmospheric gases). The degassing of H 2O, CO 2, HCs as well as sulphur and chlorine species, or O 2 from vitreous specimens shows characteristic differences associated with sample position with respect to the lava surface. From the water release by bubbling and diffusion above 700 °C it must be concluded that any assimilation of sea water in vitreous rim is very low. The water content in the vitreous rim is about 0.1–0.2 wt%. The low interaction of melt with sea water is supported by the missing of a significant release of chlorine species during the heat treatment of the sample up to 1450 °C. Mixed H 2O/CO 2 bubbles escape between 700 and 800 °C from the vitreous rim. The CO 2 release in the temperature range of 1060–1170 °C from the basalt and the vitreous rim is interpreted as an indication for the primary carbon-dioxide content in the melt. Above 1100 °C CO 2 and SO 2 are evolved by both diffusion and small bubbles. The quantities of CO 2 in the vitreous rim and the basalt are similar (between 0.05 and 0.15 wt%), whereas the quantities of SO 2 escaping both from the vitreous rim and the crystalline basalt are between 0.013 and 0.024 wt%. Simultaneous with the CO 2 release by bubbling, HC species, especially CH fragments, were observed. The fact that the temperature of release maxima are above 1050 °C in both the vitreous rim and in the basalt is an indication for a geogenetic origin of HCs, e.g. methane. A low temperature of release for methane, which is consistent with biogenetic HC, was observed from the gas-release profiles of the basalts only. The maxima of the low-temperature gas releases are between 80 and 200 °C with a high correlation between the fragments m/ z 13 and m/ z 15. This correlation is a significant indication for a methane release. The oxygen release profiles of vitreous and crystalline basalts give significant indications for oxygen fugacity below the (QMF) of basaltic magma. Secondary minerals, generated by alteration of basaltic rocks, can be characterized by gas release profiles (GRPs) due to their decomposition in the temperature range below 800 °C. Only in the basalt were there observed indications of alteration processes. Small traces of carbonates (<0.0001 wt%) were detected by the gas release during the decomposition. Processes of degassing at temperatures higher than 800 °C are correlated to volatiles in the melt and to fluid inclusions of the minerals. There are no obvious correlations in the degassing characteristics between H 2O, CO 2 and SO 2. The different maxima of the degassing velocity, especially of CO 2, and SO 2, are indications of the different bonding forces of the site occupancy of the volatiles in the melt and in the glass. A micelle model for bonding sites in the basaltic glass for dissolved volatiles is discussed.

Contrasting origins of the upper mantle revealed by hafnium and lead isotopes from the Southeast Indian Ridge

The origin of the isotopic signature of Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts has remained enigmatic, because the geochemical composition of these basalts is consistent either with pollution from recycled, ancient altered oceanic crust and sediments, or with ancient continental crust or lithosphere. The radiogenic isotopic signature may therefore be the result of contamination of the upper mantle by plumes containing recycled altered ancient oceanic crust and sediments, detachment and dispersal of continental material into the shallow mantle during rifting and breakup of Gondwana, or contamination of the upper mantle by ancient subduction processes. The identification of a process operating on a scale large enough to affect major portions of the Indian mid-ocean ridge basalt source region has been a long-standing problem. Here we present hafnium and lead isotope data from across the Indian-Pacific mantle boundary at the Australian-Antarctic discordance region of the Southeast Indian Ridge, which demonstrate that the Pacific and Indian upper mantle basalt source domains were each affected by different mechanisms. We infer that the Indian upper-mantle isotope signature in this region is affected mainly by lower continental crust entrained during Gondwana rifting, whereas the isotope signature of the Pacific upper mantle is influenced predominantly by ocean floor subduction-related processes.

Location of Pacific and Indian mid-ocean ridge–type mantle in two time slices: Evidence from Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopes for Cenozoic Australian basalts

Pb, Sr, and Nd isotope data for Cenozoic basalts in eastern Australia indicate that mantle isotope signatures of Pacific Ocean mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORB) type characterize the lava-field basalts (55–14 Ma) in southeastern Australia, whereas mantle isotope signatures of Indian Ocean MORB type characterize younger basalts (6–0 Ma) from northeastern Australia. This discovery further constrains the secular distribution of major asthenospheric mantle reservoirs represented by the Pacific and Indian Oceans MORB sources during and following the breakup of eastern Gondwana and tracks, for the first time, the locus of the boundary of the two reservoirs beneath the Australian continent. These new data fill the gap between previous Indian Ocean MORB–Pacific Ocean MORB boundary locations determined from backarc basin basalts in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and ocean-floor basalts in the Southern Ocean. We propose that the Indian Ocean MORB source is a long-term asthenospheric reservoir beneath most of eastern Gondwana and that the westward migration of the Pacific Ocean MORB source may have been associated with the opening of the Tasman Sea (ca. 85–60 Ma) along a broad front southeast of the Australian continent.

Quantitative PIXE analyses of ferromanganese oxide deposits from different locations of the Indian Ocean and a deposit from the Pacific Ocean

The present studies on ferromanganese nodules and encrustations from the Indian Ocean and a sediment from the Pacific ocean, were carried out to investigate the role of Mn and Fe in the uptaking of various trace elements from seawater. The Indian Ocean samples comprised eight iron rich ferromanganese nodules and four ferromanganese encrustations, out of which two are from Mid Indian Ocean Ridge (MIOR) and one each from Afanasiy Nikitin seamount and topographically elevated region. The Pacific Ocean sample was a metalliferrous sediment from Lau Basin. The Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) measurements were carried out on all the samples using 3 MeV proton beam from a 3 MV Pelletron accelerator for quantitative multielemental analysis. The spectral data were analysed using GUPIX software. Quantitative estimate of nearly 21 elements, e.g., K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ba, Tl, Pb, and Bi have been made. The classification of the deposits into hydrogenous and hydrothermal types was carried out on the basis of their Mn/Fe ratios and subsequently, the distribution of various minor and trace elements were studied. The growth rate of these deposits are estimated. The findings show that, the concentrations of various elements in hydrogenous deposits are higher compared to that in hydrothermal ones. The reason for this behaviour is attributed to suitable physico-chemical oceanic conditions prevailing at the depositional sites and the growth rate of these deposits. The variation in the concentrations of Co, Ni and Cu is shown to be dependent on ocean depth. It was found that the Co content is significantly high for the deposit from the Afanasiy Nikitin seamount. It has also been shown and discussed that the hydrothermal processes seem to be more controlling in the uptake of V and As than the hydrogenous processes.

Space-time seismicity and earthquake swarms: Certain observations along the slow-spreading mid-Indian Ocean ridges

The slow spreading mid-Indian Ocean ridge system containing the Carlsberg, Central and Southwest Indian ridges is seismically very active. In the present study, a detailed analysis has been carried out of the data of earthquake sources along different ridge segments in order to investigate the spatial and temporal clustering patterns and to evaluate crustal processes related to the swarm occurrences along these ridges. The spatial and temporal clustering pattern of the recent earthquakes (1980–1990) pertaining to nine major spreading segments and eight fracture zones suggests that the events cluster in greater proportion along the spreading segments than along the fracture zones.

Source characteristics of the basement rocks from the Sulu and Celebes Basins (Western Pacific): chemical and isotopic evidence

New Sr- Nd- and Pb-isotopic and trace element data are presented on basalts from the Sulu and Celebes Basins, and the submerged Cagayan Ridge Arc (Western Pacific), recently sampled during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 124. Drilling has shown that the Sulu Basin developed about 18 Ma ago as a backarc basin, associated with the now submerged Cagayan Ridge Arc, whereas the Celebes Basin was generated about 43 Ma ago, contemporaneous with a general plate reorganisation in the Western Pacific, subsequently developing as an open ocean receiving pelagic sediments until the middle Miocene. In both basins, a late middle Miocene collision phase and the onset of volcanic activity on adjacent arcs in the late Miocene are recorded. Covariations between 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd show that the seafloor basalts from both the Sulu and Celebes Basins are isotopically similar to depleted Indian mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), and distinct from East Pacific Rise MORB, defining a single negative correlation. The Cagayan Arc volcanics are different, in that they have distinctly lower ɛNd(T) for a given ɛSr(T), compared to Sulu and Celebes basalts. In the 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb versus 206Pb/204Pb diagrams, the Celebes, Sulu and Cagayan rocks all plot distinctly above the Northern Hemisphere Reference Line, with high Δ7/4 Pb (5.3–9.3) and D8/4 Pb (46.3–68.1) values. They define a single trend of radiogenic lead enrichment from Celebes through Sulu to Cagayan Ridge, within the Indian Ocean MORB data field. The data suggest that the overall chemical and isotopic features of the Sulu, Cagayan and Celebes rocks may be explained by partial melting of a depleted asthenospheric N-MORB-type (“normal”) mantle source with isotopic characteristics similar to those of the Indian Ocean MORB source. This asthenospheric source was slightly heterogeneous, giving rise to the Sr-Nd isotopic differences between the Celebes and Sulu basalts, and the Cagayan Ridge volcanics. In addition, a probably slab-derived component enriched in LILE and LREE is required to generate the elemental characteristics and low Nd(T) of the Cagayan Ridge island arc tholeiitic and calcalkaline lavas, and to contribute to a small extent in the backarc basalts of the Sulu Sea. The results of this study confirm and extend the widespread Indian Ocean MORB signature in the Western Pacific region. This signature could have been inherited by the Indian Ocean mantle itself during the rupture of Gondwanaland, when fragments of this mantle could have migrated towards the present position of the Celebes, Sulu and Cagayan sources.