Mid-ocean Ridge Basalt Research Articles

Compositional signatures of ophiolitic rocks from the Dongco massif: Novel insights into the evolution of the central Tibetan Meso-Tethyan oceanic plateau

The role of the Meso-Tethyan oceanic plateau in the growth of the Tibetan Plateau is debated. In this paper, we report coexistence of large-scale mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like and enormous ocean island basalt (OIB)-type mafic rocks from the Dongco ophiolitic rocks of the Bangong–Nujiang Suture Zone. The MORB-like rocks host tholeiitic geochemical characterizes, and have supra-subduction zone affinity such as enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depletions in high field strength elements, high εNd(t) values (+6.5 to +9.5) and low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7033–0.7050). The OIB-type rocks have an alkaline affinity and are characterized by enrichments in LILEs and light rare earth elements, strongly negative Sr anomalies, variable εNd(t) values of −3.7 to +7.3, and low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranging from 0.7034 to 0.7050. Metamorphic zircons from amphibolites in the sole of the ophiolitic rocks yielded UPb ages of 104–100 Ma. Detrital zircons from the upper Cretaceous sandstone of the Abushan Formation (K2ab) yielded young UPb ages of 100–86 Ma. Considering the regional geology, we suggest that the Dongco MORB-like rocks were derived from a depleted mantle source and formed from an intra-oceanic subduction-related setting, representing remnants of normal oceanic crust, whereas the OIB-type rocks were derived from an enriched mantle source representing remnants of a Meso-Tethyan oceanic plateau. Our preferred hypothesis is that the Meso-Tethyan oceanic plateau experienced a phase of accretion at 104–100 Ma, which probably increased local subduction erosion of the upper plate and providing provenance for the deposition of the K2ab sandstone. The maximum depositional ages of K2ab sandstone constraint the minimum ages for closure of the Bangong–Nujiang Tethys Ocean most likely at 100–86 Ma.

Partitioning Behaviors of Cobalt and Manganese along Diverse Melting Paths of Peridotitic and MORB-Like Pyroxenitic Mantle

Abstract The Co, Mn, Fe, and Ni contents of olivine phenocrysts and host basalts are sensitive to source mantle lithology, which suggests they may be used to constrain the processes of mantle melting and identify basalts formed from non-peridotitic (i.e. pyroxenitic) mantle sources. Here, we use a new comprehensive, forward model involving multiple parameters to simulate partitioning of Co and Mn during partial melting of the mantle in different tectonic settings: (1) polybaric continuous melting of peridotite mantle in mid-ocean ridges can generate melts that show decreasing Co and Mn with increasing degrees of melting so that the mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) contain ~39–84 μg/g Co and ~900–1600 μg/g Mn; (2) flux-melting of the mantle wedge in subduction zones tends to produce a melt that has Co increasing from ~24 to 55 μg/g and Mn from ~500 to 1110 μg/g with increasing temperature; (3) melts produced by isobaric melting of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle are also sensitive to increasing temperature and have ~35–160 μg/g Co and ~800–2600 μg/g Mn; (4) decompression melting of peridotite related to the mantle plume generates melts containing ~45–140 μg/g Co and ~1000–2000 μg/g Mn, and the abundances of these metals decrease with increasing degrees of melting; and (5) partitioning behaviors of Co, Mn, and Ni during decompression melting of MORB-like pyroxenite contrast with those during decompression melting of peridotite due to the different mineralogy and compositions in mantle lithologies, and the MORB-like pyroxenite-derived melt is metal-poor with ~25–60 μg/g Co, ~290–1600 μg/g Mn, and ~160–340 μg/g Ni. Although high-Ni, low-Mn forsteritic olivine phenocrysts and high melt Fe/Mn ratio have been proposed as diagnostic indicators of pyroxenitic components in the mantle, our models show that these features can be also generated by melting of peridotite at greater depth (i.e. a high pressure and temperature). To quantify the effect of high-pressure melting of peridotite on these diagnostic indicators, we modeled the correlations of melt Fe/Mn and olivine Co, Mn, and Ni contents with melting depth along the decompression melting path of a thermal plume. When Fe/Mn ratios of basalts and/or compositions of olivine phenocrysts deviate significantly from our modeled correlation lines, high-pressure melting of peridotite cannot explain these data, and the existence of pyroxenitic component in the mantle source is likely required. The pyroxenite-derived melt is modeled to be Ni-poor, but mixing with a peridotite-derived melt can strongly increase the partition coefficient of Ni between olivine and mixed melt, resulting in the generation of high-Ni olivine phenocrysts in plume-associated magmatic suites.

The Role of External Sulfur in Triggering Sulfide Immiscibility at Depth: Evidence from the Huangshan-Jingerquan Ni-Cu Metallogenic Belt, NW China

Abstract The Huangshan-Jingerquan belt in Northwest China is one of the most important orogen-hosted magmatic Ni-Cu sulfide metallogenic belts worldwide. The Huangshandong, Huangshan, and Tulaergen deposits are the three largest Ni-Cu deposits along the belt. The orebodies are situated inside mafic-ultramafic complexes. Sulfur isotope data and trace element composition of the sulfide ores and country rocks are used to evaluate the importance of crustal S addition for sulfide mineralization and speculate as to the source of the sulfur that triggered sulfide segregation. The S/Se ratios of >95% of the sulfide ores range from 2,398 to 85,222—higher than that of the mantle (2,850–4,350) but lower than the country rocks (S/Se = 3,889–160,769). The sulfide ores from the Huangshandong, Huangshan, and Tulaergen deposits have restricted δ34S values ranging from –0.86 to 1.33, 0.26 to 0.75, and –0.2 to 1.4‰, respectively. However, the country rocks of these mafic-ultramafic complexes have highly heterogeneous δ34S, ranging from –22.3 to 18.8, –22.3 to 2.12, and –1.4 to 5.3‰, respectively. Arsenic/bismuth and Sb/Bi ratios of the sulfide ores range from 0.22 to 7.59 and 0.02 to 2.88, respectively, which are lower than those of the country rocks (3.17–243 and 2.8–33) and mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) (5.09–127 and 0.51–9.25). The values of δ34S and S/Se as well as ratios of As/Bi and Sb/Bi of the sulfide ores indicate that the sulfide segregation and consequently the formation of the deposits were closely associated with the addition of crustal sulfur, whereas the sulfides in the country rocks have not been incorporated into the mineralization. Thus, it is proposed that assimilation of external crustal sulfur at depth might play a critical role in triggering sulfide immiscibility and the formation of the magmatic Ni-Cu deposits in the Huangshan-Jingerquan belt.

The partitioning of Cu and Ag between minerals and silicate melts during partial melting of planetary silicate mantles

Geochemical and cosmochemical reservoirs show Cu/Ag variations from 500 to 40,000. To understand magmatic Cu–Ag fractionation and origins of such large Cu/Ag variations, we have measured the partition coefficients of Cu and Ag between minerals and silicate melts (DCu,AgMin/SM) relevant for partial melting of the silicate mantles of Earth, Mars, and the Moon. The experiments were conducted at 1–3 GPa, 1300–1600 °C, and oxygen fugacity ∼2–5 log units below the FMQ buffer. The results show that DCuMin/SM are 0.034–0.109 for olivine, 0.011–0.044 for orthopyroxene, and 0.046–0.092 for clinopyroxene; DAgMin/SM are 0.003–0.012 for orthopyroxene and 0.037–0.093 for clinopyroxene. These DCu,AgMin/SM values increase mainly with increasing pressure and are oxygen fugacity-independent. DAgMin/SM are 0.0005–0.0017 for olivine, which do not show measurable dependence on P–T, oxygen fugacity, or silicate composition. One pair of DCu,AgMin/SM values are 0.0037 and 0.0004 for garnet, respectively; 0.15 and 0.005 for spinel, respectively. These results indicate that Ag is more incompatible than Cu in all mantle minerals. Our DCu,AgMin/SM combined with previous sulfide–silicate melt partition coefficients of Cu and Ag imply that although sulfides host large fractions of planetary mantle Cu and Ag, silicate minerals can be also important Cu and Ag reservoirs, particularly when sulfides occur as monosulfide solid solutions. The application of our DCu,AgMin/SM to various melting models demonstrates that Cu–Ag fractionation occurs during partial melting of the silicate mantles of Earth, Mars, and the Moon; however, the modeled Cu/Ag ratios in basalts agree with their mantle source Cu/Ag ratios within 50% relative. Therefore, the superchondritic but similar Cu/Ag ratios of ∼3000–4000 in mid-ocean ridge basalts, arc basalts, mantle plume-related oceanic island basalts and plateau basalts, and the bulk silicate Earth (BSE) reflect homogeneous distribution of Cu/Ag in Earth’s mantle and limited Cu–Ag fractionation during slab dehydration/melting in subduction zones. However, components with chondritic Cu/Ag ratios (∼600–2300) may exist in the mantle sources of Hawaii oceanic island lavas. The Cu/Ag ratios (∼500–1100) in the Martian basalts and bulk silicate Mars (BSMars) are chondritic, but the Cu/Ag ratio (∼15,000–40,000) in the bulk silicate Moon (BSMoon) is strongly superchondritic. Such largely different Cu/Ag ratios in different planetary reservoirs cannot be explained by magmatic Cu–Ag fractionation, solar nebular process, or core-formation process. We propose that different degrees of planetary melting and evaporation provide a solution because Ag is more volatile than Cu during silicate melt evaporation. The chondritic Cu/Ag ratios in the BSMars could be explained by limited evaporation of planetesimals that delivered Mars’ moderately volatile elements, and the superchondritic Cu/Ag ratios in the BSE may be due to Earth’s accretion of planetesimals with partial evaporative loss of Cu and Ag. However, high degrees of evaporative Cu and Ag loss during the Moon-formation are required to explain the strongly superchondritic Cu/Ag ratios in the BSMoon. Accordingly, Cu/Ag ratios in the bulk silicate planets may provide new insights into the nature of their building blocks.

Early palaeozoic arc-continent collision in East Kunlun, northern Tibet: evidence from the minerology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the Adatan garnet amphibolites

ABSTRACT The evolution of the Tethys is one of the key issues in revealing the global ocean-continent transition tectonic process. The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (E-KOB) in the northern Tibetan Plateau witnessed the subduction-accretion process of the Proto- and Palaeo-Tethyan Oceans formed a trench-arc-back arc basin system. Thus, this back arc basin is a window for exploring the tectonic evolution of the Tethys. In this study, the Adatan garnet amphibolites and the host paragneiss were investigated and used to constrain the evolution of the back arc basin. The mineralogical observations and microstructure of the garnet amphibolite suggest the successive formation of three mineral assemblages: a Hb + Pl + Ilm inclusion assemblage within garnet cores, a Grt + Pl + Hb + Bit + Phe matrix assemblage, and a retrograde assemblage of white-eye coronas around the garnet. The thermobarometric calculations suggest a clockwise P-T path with peak metamorphic conditions of 10.1–12.6 kbar and 715–830°C and a subsequent near-isothermal decompression process. The geochemistry indicates that the protolith of the garnet amphibolites was formed in a subduction-related tectonic setting with enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) geochemical characteristics. U-Pb zircon dating reveals that the crystallization age of the garnet amphibolite’s protolith is ca. 457–452 Ma. Based on field occurrences, the protolith of the amphibolite was probably mafic dikes that intruded into the paragneiss due to subduction of the back-arc basin. Both the garnet amphibolite and gneissic rocks experienced contemporaneous metamorphism at ca. 420–410 Ma, suggesting that a crustal thickening event occurred due to closure of the back-arc basin and arc-continent collision. Based on the above evidence and the results of previous studies, it can be concluded that the Qimantagh back arc basin involved opening, subduction, and closure tectonic processes at ca. 486 Ma, ca. 460 Ma and ca. 420–410 Ma, respectively.

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.

A Reference Section Through Fast‐Spread Lower Oceanic Crust, Wadi Gideah, Samail Ophiolite (Sultanate of Oman): Trace Element Systematics and REE Crystallization Temperatures—Implications for Hybrid Crustal Accretion

AbstractOceanic gabbros are the most abundant rocks close to Earth's surface. Here we present new data from a consistent profile through the paleocrust of the Samail Ophiolite (Oman), which is thought to provide the best analog for modern fast‐spreading oceanic crust. Incompatible trace elements of co‐existing plagioclase and clinopyroxene fractionate from the mineral core to rim and up section from layered to foliated to varitextured gabbros. Layered gabbro parental melts correspond to mid‐ocean‐ridge basalts (MORB), and plagioclase Ca# shows a pronounced inverse zonation. Likely, they crystallized in situ from hydrous melts, compositionally buffered by replenishment at equilibrium to MORB and near steady‐state boundary conditions. Further upsection, the compositional variability increases. Foliated gabbro rim and core compositions indicate increased fractionation and disequilibrium to MORB, triggered by open‐system fractional crystallization within a heterogeneous magma plumbing structure, characterized by magma mixing, varying ambient water activities, and boundary conditions. Varitextured gabbros are chemically diverse with parental melts partially more primitive than MORB, suggesting that primitive melts directly reach the axial melt lens (AML). REE‐in‐plagioclase‐clinopyroxene thermometry compared to and supported by anorthite‐in‐plagioclase thermometry reveals a relationship of [°C] = 6.1 ± 0.2 × An + 706 ± 19. Crystallization temperatures of the layered gabbros cover a narrow range of 1216 ± 14°C. Considerable temperature variability of 1077–1231°C is observed further upsection, featuring a thermal minimum within the foliated gabbros. This minimum is assumed to represent a zone where the fractionated descending crystal mushes originating from the AML meet with evolved liquids expelled from deeper crustal levels. Our findings suggest hybrid accretion of fast‐spread crust.

The origin of nitrogen in Earth's mantle: Constraints from basalts 15N/14N and N2/3He ratios

Plate tectonics is thought to be a major driver of volatile redistribution on Earth. The budget of nitrogen in Earth's mantle has been suggested to be almost entirely surface-derived. Recycling would contribute nitrogen with relatively heavy 15N/14N isotope ratios to Earth's mantle. This could explain why the Earth's mantle 15N/14N isotope ratio is substantially higher than both solar gases and chondritic parent bodies akin to enstatite chondrites. Here, published nitrogen isotope data of mid-ocean ridge and ocean island basalts are compiled and used to evaluate the nitrogen subduction hypothesis. Nitrogen isotope ratios are used in conjunction with published N2/3He and K2O/TiO2 ratios on the same basalts. Assuming that 3He is not recycled, N2/3He ratios are argued to trace nitrogen addition to mantle sources via subduction. Various mantle source enrichments for basalts are tracked with K2O/TiO2 ratios: elevated K2O/TiO2 ratios are assumed to primarily reflect the contributions of recycled components in the basalts mantle sources. The main result of our data compilation is that for most basalts, δ15N and N2/3He remain constant across a vast range of K2O/TiO2 ratios. Mid-ocean ridge basalts have δ15N signatures that are lower than air by ~4‰ and an average N2/3He ratio of 3.7 (±1.2) x106 (95% confidence, n = 30). Published δ15N and N2/3He are invariant across K2O/TiO2 ratios that vary over a factor of ~20. Using estimates of slab K2O/TiO2 and [TiO2], the observed invariant δ15N and N2/3He may be fit with slabs containing ~0.1 ppm N. A mass balance shows that adding ~10% recycled slabs to the convective mantle only raises the N2/3He by <5%. Lavas from Iceland, Galapagos and Hawaii have high 3He/4He and 15N/14N ratios relative to the convective mantle. Only seven samples show nitrogen isotopic signatures that are unaffected by air contamination, although those samples are poorly characterized for N2/3He. The seven basalts show δ15N between −2 and 0‰ that do not vary systematically with K2O/TiO2 ratios that vary over a factor of ~5. The N2/3He ratios of these seven basalts is unknown, but the high 3He/4He mantle may be estimated by combining published N2/36Ar to 3He/36Ar ratios. This yields a N2/3He of 2.3 (±1.2) x 106 (1σ uncertainty). This is indistinguishable from the MORB estimate of 3.7 (±1.2) x 106. Invariant δ15N across variable degrees of mantle enrichments and MORB-like N2/3He for the high 3He/4He mantle are not consistent with nitrogen addition to plume sources with elevated 3He/4He ratios. A δ15N between −2 and 0‰ for plume sources, only marginally higher than MORB, could be a primordial feature of undegassed mantle reservoirs. Nonetheless, nitrogen subduction may have contributed to a specific array of mantle sources, as revealed by the few published data on basalts with low 3He/4He ratios. Lavas from the Society plume with low 3He/4He ratios show an enriched mantle source, and they have elevated δ15N ≥ +0.5‰ and N2/3He > 107. For those, the addition of slabs with concentrations of ~0.1 ppm N to a mantle source can account for the integrated dataset. To summarize, the published data suggest that nitrogen subduction may explain a sub-set of published N isotope data on basalts, but that N recycling has an overall more limited impact on mantle nitrogen than previously thought.

Binary mixing of lithospheric mantle and asthenosphere beneath Tengchong volcano, SE Tibet: evidence from noble gas isotopic signatures

ABSTRACT The Miocene–Quaternary Tengchong volcanic field in SE Tibet was generated after the main stage of continental collision between India and Eurasia. Consensus on the origin of Tengchong volcanism has not yet been achieved. In this study, we analysed the He-Ar isotopic compositions of olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts, whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions. The 3He/4He ratios range from 4.1 to 8.2 Ra (Ra = 1.4 × 10−6), overlapping the values of mid-ocean ridge basalt (7.0–9.0 Ra) and subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM, 5.2–7.0 Ra). The low 3He/4He (< 7.0 Ra) basalts have high 87Sr/86Sr (average of 0.707928) and La/Yb (average of 22.0) ratios and low Nb/La (average of 0.36) ratios, whereas the high 3He/4He (> 7.0 Ra) basalts exhibit relatively low 87Sr/86Sr (average of 0.706708) and La/Yb (average of 17.0) ratios and relatively high Nb/La (average of 0.52) ratios. These observations indicate that the primitive magmas originated from a mixture of metasomatized SCLM and enriched asthenospheric mantle. The SCLM was likely metasomatized by the subducted Neo-Tethyan oceanic plate, while the asthenospheric mantle was enriched by the subducting Indian oceanic plate. The increasing trend of 3He/4He ratios and decreasing trend of 87Sr/86Sr ratios over time suggest that the contribution of the metasomatized SCLM decreased after the late Pleistocene relative to that of the enriched asthenosphere, reflecting progressive lithospheric extension and thinning. Our results reveal that magmatic He isotopes can be used to constrain deep dynamic processes.

Mantle Hg isotopic heterogeneity and evidence of oceanic Hg recycling into the mantle

The geochemical cycle of mercury in Earth’s surface environment (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere) has been extensively studied; however, the deep geological cycling of this element is less well known. Here we document distinct mass-independent mercury isotope fractionation (expressed as Δ199Hg) in island arc basalts and mid-ocean ridge basalts. Both rock groups show positive Δ199Hg values up to 0.34‰ and 0.22‰, respectively, which deviate from recent estimates of the primitive mantle (Δ199Hg: 0.00 ± 0.10‰, 2 SD)1. The positive Δ199Hg values indicate recycling of marine Hg into the asthenospheric mantle. Such a crustal Hg isotope signature was not observed in our samples of ocean island basalts and continental flood basalts, but has recently been identified in canonical end-member samples of the deep mantle1, therefore demonstrating that recycling of mercury can affect both the upper and lower mantle. Our study reveals large-scale translithospheric Hg recycling via plate tectonics.

The newly discovered ca. 1.35 Ga metamafic rocks in the Oulongbuluke Block, NW China, and its record for transition from the Columbia to Rodinia supercontinent

Abstract The Oulongbuluke Block is an integral part of the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents, but the lack of rock records from the transitional period between the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents during the mid–late Mesoproterozoic has impeded our understanding of the tectonic relationship of the Oulongbuluke Block, which lies between the Columbia and Rodinia supercontinents. In this contribution, we present a systematic petrographic, geochemical, and zircon U-Pb-Hf investigation of newly discovered metamafic rocks in the Oulongbuluke Block. The results show that the metamafic rocks have a protolith age of ca. 1.35 Ga and an arcrelated metamorphic age of ca. 1.11–1.09 Ga. The metamafic rock samples are geochemically characterized by relatively high FeOT/MgO and FeOT and low SiO2, MgO, and K2O + Na2O, which shows tholeiitic affinity. These metamafic rocks exhibit slight light rare earth element (LREE) depletion and flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) content with no obvious Eu anomalies and slightly negative Nb, Sr, and Zr anomalies. These conditions are similar to those of enriched midoceanic-ridge basalt (E-MORB) and normal mid-oceanic-ridge basalt (N-MORB). The metamorphic rocks studied also have positive zircon εHf(t) values (2.96–7.04). Hence, the protoliths of the metamafic rocks may have been produced by variable degrees of melting of spinel-phase lherzolite mantle in a mid-oceanic ridge setting that was probably induced by a mantle plume. The presence of metamafic rocks indicates that the Oulongbuluke Block experienced the final breakup of the Columbia supercontinent at ca. 1.35 Ga, and the ca. 1.11–1.09 Ga arc-related metamorphism coincided with the convergence of the Rodinia supercontinent. The tectonic setting of the Oulongbuluke Block changed from a mid-oceanic ridge setting to an arc setting during the mid–late Mesoproterozoic, which was likely a response to the transition from the Columbia supercontinent to Rodinia supercontinent.

What drives Fe depletion in calc-alkaline magma differentiation: Insights from Fe isotopes

Abstract The continental crust is strongly depleted in iron relative to mid-oceanic ridge basalt, broadly identical to the calc-alkaline magmas, suggesting that calc-alkaline differentiation is key to continent formation. However, it remains contentious as to what drives Fe depletion during magmatic differentiation in the crust. The two competing hypotheses for calc-alkaline differentiation—magnetite versus garnet (± amphibole) fractionation—predict contrasting Fe isotopic fractionation pathways in evolved melts because magnetite preferentially depletes ferric, isotopically heavy Fe whereas garnet (± amphibole) does the opposite. We report whole-rock Fe isotope data for two suites of igneous rocks from the central Andes, which represent magmas traversing normal and thickened arc crust, respectively. The magmas traversing thickened crust show a strong Fe depletion trend and consistently high δ56Fe values (0.14‰ ± 0.02‰, 1 standard deviation [SD]), while those traversing normal crust are less depleted in Fe and show variable δ56Fe values (0.10‰ ± 0.05‰, 1SD). The two Andean suites are both isotopically heavier than Mariana arc (Pacific Ocean) magmas that differentiate along tholeiitic (Fe-enriching) paths. These results confirm that garnet (± amphibole) fractionation/retention is the primary driver of Fe depletion in calc-alkaline magmas, and highlight a role for crustal thickening in generating calc-alkaline magmas.

Crustal Contamination and Hybridization of an Embryonic Oceanic Crust during the Red Sea Rifting (Tihama Asir Igneous Complex, Saudi Arabia)

AbstractThe Red Sea rift system represents a key case study of the transition from a continental to an oceanic rift. The Red Sea rifting initiated in Late Oligocene to Early Miocene (24–23 Ma) and was accompanied by extensive magmatism throughout the rifted basin, from Afar and Yemen to northern Egypt. Here, we present a petrological and geochemical study of two gabbro bodies and associated basalts from the Tihama Asir igneous complex, which formed at 24–20 Ma within the rifted Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS). The Tihama Asir is therefore an ideal location to study the initial phase of syn-rift magmatism and its influence on the geodynamic evolution of the Red Sea rift system. The most primitive olivine gabbros present modal, bulk and mineral compositions consistent with formation from Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt (MORB)-type parental melts, whereas the evolved olivine-free gabbros and oxide-bearing gabbros show saturation of phlogopite and a crystal line of descent diverging from fractional crystallization trends. In detail, whole-rock and mineral compositions in the most evolved lithologies show high Light over Middle Rare Earth Elements (LREE/MREE) ratios (LaN/SmN = 0.89–1.31) and selective enrichments in Sr, K and highly incompatible elements (Rb, Ba, U, Th). We relate these geochemical characteristics to a process of progressive assimilation of host continental crust during the emplacement of the gabbroic plutons. Interestingly, high LREE/MREE ratios (LaN/SmN = 1.45–4.58) and high Rb, Ba, Th and U contents also characterize the basaltic dike swarms associated to the gabbros. Incompatible trace element compositions of these basalts approach those of the melts that formed the most hybridized gabbros. Therefore, we propose that the dike swarms represent melts partially contaminated by assimilation of continental crust material, extracted from the underlying gabbroic crystal mush. Our results suggest that early syn-rift magmatism led to the partial replacement of the thinned continental crust by MORB-type gabbroic bodies, in turn suggesting that oceanic magmatism started prior to continental break-up. Extensive syn-rift magmatism is consistent with the interpretation of the southern Red Sea rift system as a volcanic rifted margin. One possible implication of this study is that extensive but diffuse syn-rift magmatism possibly hampered continental break-up, leading to a protracted rifting stage.

The Louisiade ophiolite: A missing link in the western Pacific

AbstractRecent dredging of a 100 km long ridge along the northernmost part of the Louisiade Plateau (LP) recovered serpentinized peridotites, MORB (mid‐ocean‐ridge basalt) and volcaniclastic breccia–conglomerates. Clinopyroxene, Cr‐spinel and bulk rocks show that the serpentinites are harzburgites to dunites, whereas hornblende phenocrysts from volcaniclastic rocks reflect hydrous, andesitic volcanism. The association of MORB, depleted mantle rocks and fingerprints of hydrous arc magmatism is typical of supra‐subduction zone ocean lithosphere formed above a nascent subduction zone. Seismic and high‐resolution bathymetry data reveal structures consistent with an extensive east–west elongated ophiolite estimated to have obducted onto the LP between 53 and 80 Ma. This represents a major eastwards continuation of the Papuan Ultramafic Belt and forms a crucial link with ophiolites farther south in New Caledonia, providing support for major subduction initiation events in marginal basins along the northern and eastern margins of Australia and Zealandia in the Palaeocene–Eocene.

Platinum-group elements in Late Quaternary high-Mg basalts of eastern Kamchatka: Evidence for minor cryptic sulfide fractionation in primitive arc magmas

The geochemical variations of magmas across and along supra-subduction zones (SSZ) have been commonly attributed to profound changes in the phase and chemical compositions of the mantle source and subduction-derived melt and fluid fluxes, as well as the physical parameters (e.g. depth, temperature, oxygen fugacity etc) of slab dehydration, mineral breakdown and melting. Here we test the variability of the Late Quaternary primitive magmas in the southern and northern parts of the meridionally oriented Eastern Volcanic Belt (EVB) of Kamchatka, with a slab depth varying from 60 to 160 km. Eight high-Mg (Mg# > 60 mol%) basalts were characterized for major, trace and platinum-group element (PGE) abundances, as well as the compositions of olivine phenocrysts and olivine-hosted spinel inclusions. The basalts in our study are geochemically typical of SSZ magmas and contain similar liquidus assemblages of forsteritic olivine (Mg# 78–92 mol%), low-Ti Cr-spinel and clinopyroxene. Although the absolute abundances of major and trace elements, and their ratios, in the basalts fluctuate to some extent, the observed variability cannot be correlated with any of considered parameters in the geometry of the Kamchatka SSZ and conditions of melting. This unexpected result led to the evaluation of the platinum-group element (PGE) systematics against the lithophile and chalcophile trace element geochemistry and the compositions of phenocrysts. Total whole-rock PGE content varies from 2.3 to 11.7 ppb, whereas the normalized PGE concentration patterns are typical for supra-subduction zones magmas and broadly similar in all studied samples. They are enriched in Rh, Pd and Pt relative to mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and have nearly identical concentrations of Ir-group PGE. The only parameter that correlates well with PGE contents is the average Mg# of olivine phenocrysts from 84 to 90.3 mol%. This is interpreted to result from minor cryptic fractionation of sulfide melt, together with primitive olivine, in low-to-mid crustal conditions. Negative Ru anomalies on chondrite-normalized diagrams correspond to the Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios in spinel (a proxy for magma redox conditions), which reflects a replacement of monosulfide solid solution by laurite in the mantle wedge during oxidation.

Barium isotope fractionation during dehydration melting of the subducting oceanic crust: Geochemical evidence from OIB-like continental basalts

Continental basalts commonly show ocean island basalts (OIB)-like geochemical compositions, and their origin is geochemically linked to metasomatism of the big mantle wedge by the deeply subducting oceanic slab at postarc depths of >200 km. This linkage is tested by a combined study of Ba isotopes with major-trace elements and Sr–Nd isotopes in Cenozoic continental basalts from eastern China. These basalts show OIB-like trace element distribution patterns and depleted to weakly enriched Sr–Nd isotope compositions, suggesting incorporation of the dehydrated slab component into their mantle sources. Their δ138Ba values vary from −0.05‰ to +0.06‰, which are lower than the depleted mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) mantle but similar to island arc basalts, OIB and OIB-like continental flood basalts. The variation of δ138Ba values cannot be ascribed to fractional crystallization and crustal contamination of mantle-derived magmas, but it results from mixing of the depleted mantle with the recycled crustal material of low δ138Ba values. In other words, the geochemical deviations from the depleted MORB mantle are attributable to the source mixing at mantle depths rather than the crustal contamination at crustal depths. Although the δ138Ba values of the dehydrated oceanic crust would be lower than the initially subducting crust based on the lower coordination number of Ba in liquid phases relative to solid phases in the crust, the low δ138Ba recycled crustal material including igneous oceanic crust (IOC) and seafloor sediment is still required to produce the low δ138Ba values for the studied basalts. The similarity in δ138Ba to island arc basalts not only indicates the similarly low δ138Ba values for the recycled crustal components in these basalts, but also suggests the limited Ba isotope fractionation during dehydration melting of the subducting oceanic crust at postarc depths.

Distribution of Te, As, Bi, Sb, and Se in Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalt and Komatiites and in Picrites and Basalts from Large Igneous Provinces: Implications for the Formation of Magmatic Ni-Cu-Platinum Group Element Deposits

Abstract In magmatic nickel-copper-platinum-group element (PGE) deposits, the PGEs are found both in solid solution in base metal sulfides and as platinum group minerals (PGMs). Apart from S, the most common elements that the PGEs combine with to form PGMs are Te, As, Bi, Sb, and Sn (TABS). Whether the TABS play a role in collecting the PGEs or simply partition into the sulfide liquid along with the PGEs and later combine with PGEs when the sulfide phase becomes saturated with PGMs is not currently clear. This is in part because the concentrations of TABS in the magmas (picrites and basalts from large igneous province and komatiites) that form these types of deposits are not well established, and hence it is not evident whether the magmas contain sufficient TABS to control PGEs. In order to establish the concentrations of Te, As, Bi, Sb, and Se (TABS+) in these rock types and to document the processes affecting these concentrations, we have determined TABS+ concentrations in komatiites, in mid-ocean ridge basalt, and in picrites and basalts from large igneous provinces. Using TABS+ mantle-normalized diagrams, the affects of different mantle sources, crystal fractionation, crustal assimilation, degassing, and alteration are considered. We estimate the concentrations of TABS+ in komatiites to be approximately twice primitive mantle values. In picrites the concentrations vary: approximately 10 times primitive mantle values for As and Sb and decreasing through Bi to Te from 7 to 2 times primitive mantle. Assimilation of S-bearing sedimentary rocks is thought to be important in triggering sulfide saturation leading to the formation of Ni-Cu-PGE deposits. Assimilation of such sediments would enrich the magma in Th over Nb and in As, Sb, and Bi. Evidence of assimilation in the form of TABS and Th enrichment is clear in the PGE reef deposits of the Bushveld and Stillwater Complexes, but the deposits do not contain sufficient TABS to control the PGEs. This is also true in the Norilsk-Talnakh Ni-Cu-PGE deposits. However, at Norilsk degassing of the magma has resulted in the loss of TABS, which results in negative As, Bi, Se, and Te anomalies on primitive mantle-normalized plots.

Geochemical constraints on mantle source nature and recycling of subducted sediments in the Sulu Sea

The Sulu Sea is a marginal spreading basin in the triple junction of Euro-Asia/Indian/Pacific plates. The genesis of seafloor basalts is crucial for understanding the nature and evolution history of the underlying mantle in this region. Nevertheless, the mantle source of the Sulu Sea remains unclear due to limited geochemical data. In this study, we report a complete set of whole-rock major and trace elements and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopes for the volcanic rocks at Ocean Drilling Program Site U768 in the Southeast Sulu Sea. These volcanic rock samples are characterized by transitional trace element compositions between mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and island arc basalts (IABs). A subduction modified depleted mantle source is indicated by their higher Th/Yb ratios than the MORB-OIB array and trace element patterns. We propose that the pelagic sediments contributed to the mantle source of the Southeast Sulu Sea based on the plots of 206Pb/204Pb vs. Ce/Pb and Th/Nb. Based on the decoupled Hf–Nd isotopes and the variation of Pb isotopes for Site U768 volcanic rocks, we suggest that subducted pelagic sediments contributed to the origin of the Indian-type mantle of the Southeast Sulu Sea.

Paleo- to Mesoarchean crustal growth in the Karwar block, southern India: Constraints on TTG genesis and Archean tectonics

In this study we present field relations, petrology, whole-rock major, trace and rare earth element geochemistry, zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock Sr and Nd isotopes, and <i>in situ</i> zircon Hf and O isotopes from the Karwar block, western peninsular India. The rocks consist predominantly of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG), granite and amphibolite. The felsic rocks are grouped into three: 1. TTG-I characterised by low K₂O, high Na₂O and Al₂O₃, low Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, slightly enriched HREEs, negative Sr, Eu and Ti anomalies, a 3.2 Ga crystallisation age, and 3.60 Ga and 3.47 Ga inherited zircons; 2. TTG-II with lower SiO₂, higher Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, stronger REE fractionation with no HREE enrichment, negative Nb and Ta anomalies, a 3.2 Ga crystallisation age, but no inheritance; 3. Granites with high SiO₂ and K₂O, low Na₂O and Al₂O₃, very low Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, weak REE fractionation with enriched REEs, negative Sr, Eu and Ti anomalies and a 2.94 Ga crystallisation age. The TTG-I formed from a mantle source, but with a significant component of older crustal material, whereas the TTG-II originated mostly from a mantle-derived juvenile magma. The granite evolved from an enriched source containing a relatively large amount of older crustal material. The precursors of TTG-I and -II are similar to mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), whereas the granites are similar to volcanic arc/within-plate sources and the amphibolites are remnants of gabbros/basalts. An initial 3.6 Ga crust likely formed by the underplating of an accreted oceanic plateau-like or island arc-like crust. TTG-I was produced by subduction and slab melting at a moderate depth, induced melting of mafic lower crust and older upper crust at 3.2 Ga. TTG-II formed at 3.2 Ga by subduction and with a higher degree of slab melting at a greater depth than TTG-1, together with more effective mixing with mantle peridotite, followed by intrusion and induced melting of mafic lower crust. Basaltic magmatism at 3.0 Ga and subsequent metamorphism to amphibolite resulted in extensive and thicker crust. Assimilation and melting of TTG crust at a shallow depth during the emplacement of a mantle-derived magma produced the 2.94 Ga granites. The presence of inherited zircons, combined with whole-rock major and trace elements, Nd isotopes and <i>in situ</i> zircon Hf and O isotopes, indicates that older crustal material was incorporated into the source magma of TTG-I and that the Karwar block originally contained 3.60 to 3.47 Ga crust that was subsequently reworked during the Paleo- and Mesoarchean.

Nitrogenous Altered Volcanic Glasses as Targets for Mars Sample Return: Examples From Antarctica and Iceland

AbstractMars exploration is focused on seeking evidence of habitable environments and microbial life. Terrestrial glassy basalts may be the closest Mars‐surface weathering analog and observations increasingly indicate their potential to preserve biogeochemical records. The textures, major and trace element geochemistry, and N concentrations and isotopic compositions of subaerial, subglacial and continental lacustrine hyaloclastites from Antarctica, Iceland, and Oregon, respectively, were studied using micro‐imaging and chemical methods, including gas‐source mass spectrometry. Alteration by meteoric‐sourced waters occurred in circum‐neutral, increasingly alkaline low‐temperature conditions of ∼60°C–100°C (Iceland) and ∼60°C–170°C (Antarctica). Incompatible large ion lithophile element (LILE) enrichments compared to mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) are consistent with more advanced alteration in Antarctic breccias consisting of heulandite‐clinoptilolite, calcite, erionite, quartz, and fluorapophyllite. Granular and tubular alteration textures and radial apatite represent possible microbial traces. Most samples contain more N than fresh MORB or ocean island basalt reflecting enrichment beyond concentrations attributable to igneous processes. Antarctic samples contain 52–1,143 ppm N and have δ15Νair values of −20.8‰ to −7.1‰. Iceland‐Oregon basalts contain 1.6–172 ppm N with δ15Ν of −6.7‰ to +7.3‰. Correlations between alteration extents, N concentrations, and concentrations of K2O, other LILEs, and Li and B, reflect the siting of secondary N likely as NH4+ replacing K+ and potentially as N2 in phyllosilicates and zeolites. Although much of the N enrichment and isotope fractionation presented here is not definitively biogenic, given several unknown factors, we suggest that a combination of textures, major and trace element alteration and N and other isotope geochemical compositions could constitute a compelling biosignature in samples from Mars' surface/near‐surface.