Moderate Degrees Of Partial Melting Research Articles

Parental magma and mantle source compositions of chromitites in the Mesoarchean Nuggihalli greenstone belt, India: Evidence for Archaean subduction zone magmatism

We present comprehensive petrological and geochemical analyses of chromitites from the 3.3-3.1 Ga Nuggihalli greenstone belt in Western Dharwar Craton, India. Our findings provide insights into the primary magma and mantle source compositions associated with these Archean oceanic lithosphere chromitites. Major and trace element data from chromites and clinopyroxenes in the chromitites, combined with thermobarometry and hygrometry calculations, and numerical modeling, indicate that the Nuggihalli chromites are characterized by high-Cr chromites (Cr# = 68.1-78.6) with low TiO 2 (0.19-0.29 wt. %), Al 2 O 3 (9.10-13.13 wt. %) and Ga (4.24-10.37 ppm). These chemical signatures are comparable to those of chromites from high-Cr podiform chromitites and boninites. Clinopyroxenes are mainly augites with high Mg# (93-95). Equilibrated melts with the clinopyroxenes from the Nuggihalli chromitites have high Mg# values (79-86), similar to ancient komatiitic or picritic magmas (Mg# = 75-90). Thermobarometry and hygrometry calculations indicate that the clinopyroxenes likely formed at temperatures of 1194-1221℃ and pressures of 0.7-5.8 kbar with high water contents (∼2.4-2.6 wt. %), exceeding water contents of mid-ocean basalts (MORB) and oceanic island basalts (OIB). Numerical modeling of rare earth elements indicates moderate degrees of partial melting (1% to ∼10%) of a hydrated spinel lherzolite mantle source (water content: ∼478-5408 ppm). The parental magmas of the 3.3-3.1 Ga Nuggihalli chromitites are characterized by enrichment of water contents (∼2.4-2.6 wt. %) and depletion of high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g., Nb and Hf), which are similar to boninites and arc magmas. Furthermore, the rock associations, including ultramafic rocks with chromitites, high-Mg basalts, and sheets of gabbro-anorthosites in the Nuggihalli greenstone belt, are similar to the rock assemblages of ophiolites, which could represent a relic of a Mesoarchaean oceanic lithosphere formed in a forearc setting.

The water-poor and reduced mantle beneath the Neo-Tethys Ocean: Tectonic setting of the western Yarlung-Tsangpo ophiolites

Water contents and deformation behaviors of minerals in mantle peridotites are diagnostic features to distinguish the physical conditions between mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones, which could serve as effective indicators for discriminating the tectonic setting of ophiolites. In this study, we report a systematic dataset of petrology, geochemistry, water contents and deformation behaviors for the mantle peridotites from the Cuobuzha ophiolite in the western Yarlung-Tsangpo suture zone (YTSZ), southern Tibet, to provide new insights into the long-standing debate for the tectonic setting of ophiolites therein. Geochemical data revealed that the Cuobuzha mantle peridotites experienced low to moderate degrees of partial melting (∼10–15%), although some harzburgites have been intensively modified by late-stage melt-rock interactions. The Cuobuzha peridotites, on the other hand, are characterized by low orthopyroxene water contents (46–95 wt ppm in average), clear olivine crystallographic preferred orientations of A- and E-types, and low oxygen fugacity (logfO2, QFM −2.55 to −0.81, where QFM means quartz-magnetite-fayalite buffer), thus indicative of the occurrence of high-temperature, water-depleted, and reduced mantle in this ophiolite. The features above of the Cuobuzha mantle peridotites are quite similar to those of abyssal peridotites at modern mid-ocean ridges and systematically different from the relatively refractory, water-rich, and oxidized characteristics typical of forearc peridotites in suprasubduction zones. Based on the data from this study and a compiled dataset for other ophiolites from the western YTSZ, we revealed that mantle peridotites with a water-poor and reduced nature are common in these ophiolites, thus providing strong evidence supporting for their origination from a mid-ocean ridge of a mature ocean basin. From the perspective of mantle peridotites, the ophiolites in the western YTSZ now geographically distributed in two branches (i.e., the northern and southern sub-belts) might have formed in a single ocean basin of the Neo-Tethys and were dismembered by late-stage tectonic events to their current locations.

Na-bearing bridgmanite: Synthesis, phase relations and application to the origin of alkaline melts in the uppermost lower mantle

Experimental studies of melting relations in the MgSiO3–Na2CO3 (±Al2O3, Fe2O3) multicomponent alkaline carbonate–silicate system were carried out at 23–24 GPa and 1100–1700 °C to shed light on the conditions and mechanisms of formation of Na-bearing bridgmanite. At 1100–1300 °C, an assemblage of low-Na bridgmanite (<0.6 wt% Na2O), ringwoodite, periclase (ferropericlase), alkaline carbonate with composition close to Na2Mg(CO3)2, and sodic carbonate–silicate melts is formed. With increase in temperature up to 1700 °C, carbonate disappears and the content of Na2O increases in all mantle phases (up to 1.6, 4.4, and 2.7 wt% in bridgmanite, ringwoodite, and ferropericlase, respectively), which indicates that Na-bearing bridgmanite may crystallize at moderate degrees of partial melting. The clear positive correlation between the contents of Na and Al, and negative correlation between Na and Fe in bridgmanite, as well as the preferable structural incorporation of Al and Na with temperature, provide evidence for the predominant crystallization of Na-rich bridgmanite via the vacancy mechanism Si4+B + Mg2+A + O2−O = Al3+B + Na+A + VO from Al-bearing alkaline carbonate–silicate melts, with composition similar to those detected as inclusions in lower-mantle diamonds.

Oceanic lithosphere heterogeneity in the eastern Paleo-Tethys revealed by PGE and Re–Os isotopes of mantle peridotites in the Jinshajiang ophiolite

Platinum group elements (PGE) and Re–Os isotopes of mantle peridotites in the Jinshajiang ophiolite (SW China) were investigated in this study, in order to constrain the evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the Jinshajiang-Ailaoshan Ocean, which was a branch of the eastern Paleo-Tethys. The Jinshajiang peridotites have whole-rock compositions (e.g., MgO = 32.7–38.1 wt.%; Al2O3 = 0.67–1.30 wt.%) and spinels with moderate Cr# values (0.4–0.6) similar to those of abyssal peridotites, which indicate moderate degrees of partial melting (15%–20%). These peridotites exhibit U-shaped chondrite-normalized REE patterns that could be caused by hydrothermal alteration or melt-rock interaction after mantle melting. In addition, Pd concentrations and (Pd/Ir)N ratios of the Jinshajiang peridotites increases with decreasing Al2O3 concentrations. These negative correlations cannot be explained by simple partial melting but record a melt-rock reaction event after mantle melting. This study therefore demonstrates the efficiency of PGE in detecting the melt-rock reaction process relative to whole-rock major and trace elements. The suprachondritic 187Os/188Os ratios (0.1272–0.1374) further indicate that the later percolating melt derived from a mantle domain with distinct 187Os-enriched isotopic compositions. In comparison with peridotites in the Ailaoshan ophiolite belt, which were not significantly affected by melt percolation, this study further highlights that the lithospheric mantle compositions beneath different segments of the same ocean basin are highly variable and might be controlled by distinct mantle processes in response to different rifting mechanisms.

Nature and evolution of the Precambrian lithosphere beneath the Arabian Shield of Saudi Arabia deduced from a suite of xenoliths from the Harrat Hutaymah Cenozoic volcanic field

Harrat Hutaymah is a Cenozoic small-volume volcanic field in the northeastern margin of the Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia. Mantle and lower-crustal xenoliths have been collected from the various tuff ring and maar deposits. Based on whole-rock and mineral chemistry, there are two categories of xenoliths: (1) the fertile lherzolite and moderately depleted harzburgite, (2) spinel-rich clinopyroxenite cumulates, lower crustal hornblendite, and mid-crustal gabbro-diorite. The mantle peridotite have high whole-rock Mg# values (≥ 0.90), and high Fo and NiO contents for olivines (91 and 0.37 wt% on average), high average Mg# values for clinopyroxene (0.93) and orthopyroxene (0.92), and low to intermediate Cr# values for spinels (0.1–0.4). The mantle peridotite xenoliths show homogeneous unfractionated chondrite-normalized REE patterns, with slight enrichment in LREE. The compositional characteristics of the peridotite indicate that they came from a residual fertile mantle which experienced low to moderate degrees of partial melting. The estimated average equilibration temperature of the peridotites is 897 °C, corresponding to an average pressure of 11 kbar, which is equivalent to an average depth of 37 km beneath the relatively thin continental crust (~ 30 km) of the Arabian Shield. Clinopyroxenite xenoliths have low average whole-rock Mg# values (0.81), low average Fo for olivine (81), low average Mg# values for clinopyroxene (0.85) and orthopyroxene (0.84), and very low average Cr# values for spinels (0.001). The whole-rock trace element characteristics and mineral compositions of the clinopyroxenite xenoliths indicate that they were cumulates and formed from the early stage of picritic melt within an arc setting. The estimated P-T conditions of the clinopyroxenite cumulate gave an average depth of 48 km, which is relatively deeper below the mantle-crust boundary. The successive decrease of average bulk-rock Mg# values for the xenoliths from spinel-rich clinopyroxenite (0.81) to hornblendite (0.73) and gabbro-diorite (0.44), the enrichment of LILE the depletion of HFSE with characteristic negative Nb anomalies, the high La/Nb ratios, and the enrichment of LREE in the hornblendite and gabbro-diorite xenoliths suggests that these rocks formed from a highly fractionated hydrous calc-alkaline parental melt in a subduction setting. The estimated P-T conditions gave an average pressure of 6 kbar and depth of 20 km for the hornblendite xenoliths and an average pressure of 4 kbar and depth of 14 km for the gabbro-diorite suite. Thus, hornblendite xenoliths could be formed earlier and deeper than the gabbro-diorite xenoliths. The proposed crystallization process could produce the layered cumulates with decreasing amphibole and increasing plagioclase upward to the shallower depth. Geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of Harrat Hutaymah lithospheric xenoliths provide a profile to interpret the lithosphere structure of the eastern margin of the Arabian Shield.

Platinum group element geochemistry and whole‐rock systematics of the Vempalle sills, Cuddapah Basin, India: Implications on sulphur saturation history, mantle processes, and tectonic setting

The intracratonic Cuddapah Basin of southern peninsular India has multiple phases of magmatism exposed as mafic intrusives and extrusives in the Vempalle and Tadpatri formations. We report platinum group element geochemistry along with whole‐rock systematics of the mafic sills from the Vempalle Formation to understand their sulphur saturation history, source characteristics, and tectonic setting. These sills are medium‐ to fine‐grained dolerites with plagioclase and pyroxenes as essential minerals exhibiting sub‐ophitic to intergranular texture. Geochemically, they are characterized by moderate MgO (6.3–8.5 wt.%), Ni (55–105 ppm), Cr (20–130 ppm), and ∑PGE (22–61 ppb) contents and exhibit transitional to calc‐alkaline in nature. Primitive mantle‐ and chondrite‐normalized trace and rare earth element patterns display relative enrichment of LILE–LREE over HFSE, suggesting plume‐related intraplate magmatism with contributions from subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), lithosphere–asthenosphere interaction, crustal contamination, and fractional crystallization. Their REE relationship indicates the generation of parent magma from a heterogeneous source marked by 10–25% polybaric partial melting within spinel and garnet lherzolite domain. Platinum group elements (PGE) geochemistry reveals their sulphur‐undersaturated nature, and sulphide fractionation played a key role in the distribution of PGEs, which is evidenced by their enriched character, moderate degrees of partial melting, and crustal contamination. Further, the negative platinum anomalies in these sills indicate its removal during fractional crystallization, and the enrichment of Pd over Pt endorses the decoupling nature of these elements prior to their emplacement. Diagnostic trace element signatures and their relationship corroborate a riftogenic intraplate tectonic regime for the emplacement of the Vempalle sills through an ocean–continent transition zone.

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.

Petrogenetic evolution of metabasalts and metakomatiites of the lower Onverwacht Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt (South Africa)

A well-preserved sequence, by Archean standards, of mantle-derived metabasalts and metakomatiites forms large parts of the lower Onverwacht Group of the Barberton Greenstone Belt (South Africa). To elucidate the origin of mafic and ultramafic rocks from this 3.55 to 3.45 Ga sequence, we present a comprehensive geochemical dataset including major and trace elements as well as LuHf and SmNd isotope compositions for a variety of metavolcanic rocks. These include metabasalts of the amphibolite-facies Sandspruit and Theespruit Formations as well as metabasalts and metakomatiites of the lower greenschist-facies Komati Formation.Based on their incompatible trace element patterns, the basalts of the Sandspruit and Theespruit Formations can be subdivided into a light rare earth element (LREE) depleted group, a LREE-undepleted group, and a LREE-enriched group. Positive εHf(t) and εNd(t) values of ca. +3 to +4 and 0 to +2, respectively, together with depletions in Th and LaCN/YbCN indicate derivation of the LREE-depleted basalts from a depleted mantle source. However, chondritic εHf(t) and εNd(t) values combined with positive Th and LaCN/YbCN of the LREE-enriched samples indicate a contribution from older granitoid crust in the petrogenesis of these samples.Trace element patterns of komatiites and basalts of the Komati Formation are generally flat relative to primitive mantle with slight depletions in heavy rare earth elements and Th and overall positive εHf(t) of +2.5 ± 3.5 (2 s.d.) and εNd(t) of +0.5 ± 2.2 (2 s.d.). The coherence in trace element characteristics suggests a common magmatic origin for basalts and komatiites. This study reveals that the two lavas were derived from the same mantle plume, i.e. komatiites were formed by high degrees of melting of a depleted mantle source containing residual garnet and the basalts were formed by moderate degrees of partial melting in shallower regions of the mantle.Based on the current dataset, combined with published data, we propose a geodynamic model for the oldest units of the Barberton Greenstone Belt that describes the development from a submerged continental setting (for the Sandspruit and Theespruit Formations) to a submarine plateau setting (for the Komati Formation) as a consequence of continental rifting.

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.

Highly siderophile elements mobility in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath southern Patagonia

Peridotite xenoliths collected from alkali basalts in the Argentinian Patagonia reveal the existence of an ancient depleted Paleoproterozoic mantle that records a subsequent multistage metasomatic history. Metasomatism is associated with carbonatite-like melts that evolved, after variable melt/rock ratio interaction, towards CO2-rich and Na-bearing Mg-rich (mafic) silicate, and volatile-rich alkali silicate melts. High degrees of partial melting produced strongly depleted mantle domains devoid of base-metal sulphides (BMS). Moderate degrees of partial melting and later unrelated metasomatism produced a range of slightly depleted, slightly enriched, and strongly enriched mantle domains that preserve different types of BMS. Thus, six different BMS populations were identified including typical residual Type 1A BMS enriched in Os, Ir, and Ru relative to Pt, Pd, and Au located within primary olivine and clinopyroxene, and metasomatic Type 2A BMS that are relatively enriched in Pt, Pd, Au occurring as interstitial grains. Reworking of these two types of BMS by later metasomatism resulted in the formation of a new generation of BMS (Type 1B and Type 2B) that are intimately associated with carbonate/apatite blebs and/or empty vesicles, as well as with cryptically metasomatised or metasomatic clinopyroxene. These newly formed BMS were re-enriched in Os, Pd, Au, Re and in semi-metal elements (As, Se, Sb, Bi, Te) compared to their Type 1A and Type 2A precursors. A third generation of BMS corresponds to Ni-Cu immiscible sulphide mattes entrained within Na-bearing silica under-saturated alkali melt. They occur systematically related to intergranular glass veins and exhibit distinctively near flat CI-chondrite normalised highly siderophile element patterns with either positive Pd (Type 3A) or negative Pt (Type 3B) anomalies. Our findings indicate that Os, Pd, Re and Au can be selectively transported by volatile-rich alkali silicate melts in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Moreover, the transport of sulphide mattes entrained in silicate melts is also an effective mechanism to produce HSE endowment in the SCLM and play an important role as precursors of fertile, metal-rich magmas that form ore deposits in the overlying crust.

Diamonds and other unusual minerals from peridotites of the Myitkyina ophiolite, Myanmar

Peridotites from the Myitkyina ophiolite are mainly composed of lherzolite and harzburgite. The lherzolites have relatively fertile compositions, with 39.40–43.40 wt% MgO, 1.90–3.17 wt% Al2O3 and 1.75–2.84 wt% CaO. They contain spinel and olivine with lower Cr# (12.6–18.2) and Fo values (88.7–91.6) than those of the harzburgites (24.5–59.7 and 89.6–91.6 respectively). The harzburgites have more refractory compositions, containing 42.40–46.23 wt% MgO, 0.50–1.64 wt% Al2O3 and 0.40–1.92 wt% CaO. PGE contents of the peridotites show an affinity to the residual mantle. Evaluation of petrological and geochemical characteristics of these peridotites suggests that the lherzolites and harzburgites represent residual mantle after low to moderate degrees of partial melting, respectively, in the spinel stability field. The U-shaped, primitive mantle-normalized REE patterns and strong positive Ta and Pb anomalies of the harzburgites suggest melt/fluid refertilization in either a MOR or SSZ setting after their formation at a MOR. Mineral separation of the peridotites has yield a range of exotic minerals, including diamond, moissanite, native Si, rutile and zircon, a collection similar to that reported for ophiolites of Tibet and the Polar Urals. The discovery of these exotic minerals in the Myitkyina ophiolite supports the view that they occur widely in the upper oceanic mantle.

U-Pb ages and geochemistry of zircon from Proterozoic plutons of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, Colorado, U.S.A.: Implications for crustal growth of the central Colorado province

A broad study of zircons from plutonic rocks of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges of west-central Colorado (U.S.A.) was undertaken to significantly refine the magmatic chronology and chemistry of this under-studied region of the Colorado province. This region was chosen because it lies just to the north of the suspected arc-related Gunnison-Salida volcano-plutonic terrane, which has been the subject of many recent investigations—and whose origin is still debated. Our new results provide important insights into the processes active during Proterozoic crustal evolution in this region, and they have important ramifications for broader-scope crustal evolution models for southwestern North America. Twenty-four new U-Pb ages and sequentially acquired rare-earth element (REE), U, Th, and Hf contents of zircon have been determined using the sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe-reverse geometry (SHRIMP-RG). These zircon geochemistry data, in conjunction with whole-rock major- and trace-element data, provide important insights into zircon crystallization and melt fractionation, and they help to further constrain the tectonic environment of magma generation. Our detailed zircon and whole-rock data support the following three interpretations: (1) The Roosevelt Granite in the southern Sawatch Range was the oldest rock dated at 1,766 ± 7 Ma, and it intruded various metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. Geochemistry of both whole-rock and zircon supports the contention that this granite was produced in a magmatic arc environment and, therefore, is likely an extension of the older Dubois Greenstone Belt of the Gunnison Igneous Complex (GIC) and the Needle Mountains (1,770–1,755 Ma). Rocks of the younger Cochetopa succession of the GIC, the Salida Greenstone Belt, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (1,740–1,725 Ma) were not found in the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges. This observation strongly suggests that the northern edge of the Gunnison-Salida arc terrane underlies the southern portion of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges. (2) Calc-alkalic to alkali-calcic magmas intruded this region approximately 55 m.y. after the Roosevelt Granite with emplacement of pre-deformational plutons at ca. 1,710 Ma (e.g., Henry Mountain Granite and diorite of Denny Creek), and this continued for at least 30 m.y., ending with emplacement of post-deformational plutons at ca. 1,680 Ma (e.g., Kroenke Granodiorite, granite of Fairview Peak, and syenite of Mount Yale). The timing of deformation can be constrained to sometime after intrusion of the diorite of Denny Creek and likely before the emplacement of the undeformed granite of Fairview Peak. Geochemistry of both whole-rock and zircon indicates that the older group of ca. 1,710-Ma plutons formed at shallower depths, and then they intruded the younger group of more deeply generated, commonly peraluminous and sodic plutons. Although absent in the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, Mazatzal-age (ca. 1,680–1,620 Ma) plutonic rocks are present regionally. Inherited zircon components of Mazatzal-age were found as cores in some 1.4-Ga Sawatch and Mosquito Range zircons, indicating the likelihood of a relatively local source. These combined data suggest the possibility that all were produced within a continental-margin magmatic arc created as a result of southward-migrating (slab rollback?), north-dipping subduction to the south of the region. (3) Widespread Mesoproterozoic plutonism—with emplacement at various depths and exhibiting bimodal geochemistry—is recognized in 16 different samples. An older group of predominantly peraluminous, yet magnesian granitoids (e.g., granodiorite of Sayers, granite of Taylor River, and the St. Kevin Granite) were emplaced between ca. 1,450 and 1,425 Ma. These geochemical parameters suggest moderate degrees of partial melting in a low-pressure environment. Three younger metaluminous, but ferroan plutons (diorite of Grottos, diorite of Mount Elbert, and granodiorite of Mount Harvard), probably represent a final magmatic pulse at ca. 1,416 Ma. A comprehensive treatment of zircon REE and whole-rock trace-element behavior from Proterozoic rocks is scarce. Discriminant U/Yb versus Y diagrams using zircon data show that the Sawatch and Mosquito plutons are of continental origin, not oceanic. Additional bivariate diagrams incorporating cation ratio combinations of Gd, Ce, Yb, U, Th, Hf, and Eu offer refined insight into differences in fractionation trends and depth of magma generation for the various plutons. These interpretations, on the basis of zircon trace-element data, are mirrored in the whole-rock geochemistry data.

Distinct sources for syntectonic Variscan granitoids: Insights from the Aguiar da Beira region, Central Portugal

The Variscan syntectonic granitoid plutons from the Aguiar da Beira region (central Portugal) were emplaced into metasediments of Late Proterozoic–Early Cambrian age during the last Variscan ductile tectonic event (D3), which is related to dextral and sinistral shearing.The older intrusion, with a U–Pb ID–TIMS zircon age of 321.8±2.0Ma, consists of porphyritic biotite granodiorite–granite with transitional I–S type geochemical signature, relatively low 87Sr/86Sr322 ratios (0.7070–0.7074), εNd322 values of −3.9 to −4.6 and whole-rock and zircon δ18O values of 10.6‰ and 8.0‰, respectively. By contrast, the younger intrusion is an S-type muscovite–biotite leucogranite, emplaced at 317.0±1.1Ma, showing more radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr317=0.7104–0.7146, lower εNd317 values of −7.7 to −8.7 and higher δ18O-wr=11.3‰ and δ18O-zr=9.5‰. The combined isotopic and geochemical evidence supports a lower crustal origin for the biotite granodiorite–granite, involving the anatexis of lower crustal metaigneous protoliths, and possible hybridization with mantle-derived magmas. A shallower origin, at mid crustal levels, from pure crustal derivation, through moderate degrees of partial melting of Proterozoic–Cambrian metasediments is proposed instead for the muscovite–biotite leucogranite.

Pliocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks of NW Armenia: Magmatism and lithospheric dynamics within an active orogenic plateau

The Pliocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks of Armenia are a key component of the Arabia–Eurasia collision, representing intense magmatism within the Turkish–Iranian plateau, tens of millions of years after the onset of continental collision. Here we present whole rock elemental and NdSr isotope data from mafic, intermediate, and felsic lava flows and cinder cones in Shirak and Lori provinces, NW Armenia. Magmatism appears to be controlled locally by extension related to major strike-slip faults within the plateau. Major and trace element results show that the three series—valley-filling medium-K alkali basalt flows, ridge-forming andesite to rhyolite flows, and andesitic cinder cones—form a compositional continuum linked by a crystallisation sequence dominated by two pyroxenes, plagioclase and amphibole. There is petrographic and major and trace element evidence for magma mixing processes and potentially crustal contamination by Mesozoic–early Cenozoic arc-related rocks, which has not significantly affected the isotopic signature. Modelling of the basaltic rocks indicates that they formed by moderate degrees of partial melting (~3–4%) of an incompatible element enriched, subduction-modified, lithospheric mantle source. Samples have a distinctive high Zr/Hf ratio and high Zr concentrations, which are an intrinsic part of the source or the melting process, and are much more commonly found in ocean island basalts. Regional models for magmatism often argue for whole-scale delamination of the mantle lithosphere beneath Eastern Anatolia and the Lesser Caucasus, but this scenario is hard to reconcile with limited crustal signatures and the apparent lack of asthenospheric components within many studied centres.

Rhodium, gold and other highly siderophile elements in orogenic peridotites and peridotite xenoliths

The concentrations of Rh, Au and other highly siderophile elements (HSE: Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Rh, Pd and Au), and 187Os/ 188Os isotope ratios have been determined for samples from peridotite massifs and xenoliths in order to further constrain HSE abundances in the Earth's mantle and to place constraints on the distributions processes accounting for observed HSE variations between fertile and depleted mantle lithologies. Concentrations of Re, Os, Ir, Ru, Pt and Pd were determined by isotope dilution ICP-MS and N-TIMS. The monoisotopic elements Rh and Au were quantified by standardization relative to the concentrations of Ru and Ir, respectively, and were determined from the same digestion aliquot as other HSE. The measurement precision of the concentration data under intermediate precision conditions, as inferred from repeated analyses of 2 g test portions of powdered samples, is estimated to be better than 10% for Rh and better than 15% for Au (1 s). Fertile lherzolites display non-systematic variation of Rh concentrations and constant Rh/Ir of 0.34 ± 0.03 (1 s, n = 57), indicating a Rh abundance for the primitive mantle of 1.2 ± 0.2 ng/g. The data also suggest that Rh behaves as a compatible element during low to moderate degrees of partial melting in the mantle or melt–mantle interaction, but may be depleted at higher degrees of melting. In contrast, Au concentrations and Au/Ir correlate with peridotite fertility, indicating incompatible behaviour of Au during magmatic processes in the mantle. Fertile lherzolites display Au/Ir ranging from 0.20 to 0.65, whereas residual harzburgites have Au/Ir < 0.20. Concentrations of Au and Re are correlated with each other and suggest similar compatibility of both elements. The primitive mantle abundance of Au calculated from correlations displayed by Au/Ir with Al 2O 3 and Au with Re is 1.7 ± 0.5 ng/g (1 s). The depletion of Pt, Pd, Re and Au relative to Os, Ir, Ru and Rh displayed by residual harzburgites, suggests HSE fractionation during partial melting. However, the HSE abundance variations of fertile and depleted peridotites cannot be explained by a simple fractionation process. Correlations displayed by Pd/Ir, Re/Ir and Au/Ir with Al 2O 3 may reflect refertilization of previously melt depleted mantle rocks due to reactive infiltration of silicate melts. Relative concentrations of Rh and Au inferred for the primitive mantle model composition are similar to values of ordinary and enstatite chondrites, but distinct from carbonaceous chondrites. The HSE pattern of the primitive mantle is inconsistent with compositions of known chondrite groups. The primitive mantle composition may be explained by late accretion of a mixture of chondritic with slightly suprachondritic materials, or alternatively, by meteoritic materials mixed into mantle with a HSE signature inherited from core formation.

A model for rutile saturation in silicate melts with applications to eclogite partial melting in subduction zones and mantle plumes

This experimental study examines the solubility of rutile in silicate melts and presents a model for rutile saturation as a function of temperature, pressure and melt composition. Rutile saturation experiments were carried out in the system SiO 2–TiO 2–Al 2O 3–MgO–CaO–Na 2O–K 2O at 1 bar to 35 kbar and 1150 to 1450 °C on model rhyodacite (∼ 69 wt.% SiO 2) and haplobasalt (∼ 54 wt.% SiO 2) base melt compositions. At rutile saturation, the concentration of TiO 2 in the model rhyodacite base melt increases at 1 bar from 3.27 ± 0.03 wt.% at 1150 °C to 13.88 ± 0.04 wt.% at 1450 °C. At 1350 °C it decreases from 8.89 ± 0.08 wt.% at 1 bar to 2.06 ± 0.13 wt.% at 35 kbar. Rutile solubility is significantly higher in the haplobasalt base melt at a given pressure and temperature. The concentration of TiO 2 in rutile-saturated haplobasalt increases at 1 bar from 20.9 ± 0.3 wt.% at 1300 °C to 39.0 ± 0.3 wt.% at 1450 °C. At 1350 °C it decreases from 25.8 ± 0.3 wt.% at 1 bar to 15.67 ± 0.16 wt.% at 15 kbar. Results from these experiments were combined with data from the literature to formulate a model for rutile saturation in silicate melts. Application of this model to partial melting of MORB-type eclogite indicates that beneath volcanic arcs low-degree, hydrous partial melts of rutile-bearing subducted oceanic crust contain only ∼ 600 ppm TiO 2. Therefore, rutile will remain as a residual phase in the eclogite and the amount of TiO 2 that will be transferred to the mantle wedge will be small because so little TiO 2 is dissolved in the melt. Partial melting of recycled oceanic crust in an upwelling mantle plume can exhaust rutile from the residual solid at moderate degrees of partial melting (∼ 22%). The retention of rutile in subducted oceanic lithosphere during dehydration and/or partial melting, combined with exhaustion of rutile during partial melting of eclogite in mantle plumes suggests that HFSE enrichments in recycled crust that were established during subduction may be detectible in OIB.

SHRIMP Zircon Age and Geochemical Constraints on the Origin of Lower Jurassic Volcanic Rocks from the Yeba Formation, Southern Gangdese, South Tibet

We present SHRIMP zircon dating, bulk-rock geochemical, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic results for Yeba volcanic rocks and a mafic dike from Southern Gangdese (SG), southern Tibet, in order to constrain their tectonic setting and origin. Yeba volcanic rocks span a continuous compositional range from basalt to dacite, although andesites are minor, and mafic and felsic rocks are volumetrically predominant. New SHRIMP zircon dating for a dacite coupled with previous SHRIMP zircon dating for a mafic dike and fossil constraints for the sedimentary sequence indicate that Yeba volcanic rocks were emplaced in the Early Jurassic (174-190 Ma). Yeba tholeiitic mafic rocks possess compositional diversity and are divided into three groups based on concentrations of MgO, Al2O3, and La. Mafic samples are all characterized by marked negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies and positive εNd(T) values (+ 2.4 to + 4.5). Yeba calc-alkaline felsic rocks are characterized by coherent, concave-upward MREE patterns and negative anomalies in Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, with positive εNd(T) values (+ 0.3 to + 2.6). Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes overlap among the different groups of Yeba mafic rocks; Pb isotopic compositions in both mafic and felsic rocks are nearly identical. These features are consistent with a subduction-related origin, most likely in an arc built on thin, immature continental crust. Yeba volcanic rocks are interpreted as having been created by northward subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust in Early Jurassic time. Geochemical signatures and quantitative modeling indicate that fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation played insignificant roles in the generation of Yeba mafic magmas, and that their geochemical diversity was probably produced by variable degrees of partial melting from a common but heterogeneous mantle source, which had been metasomatized by variable contributions of sediments/fluids released from the subducted Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust. Yeba felsic rocks were probably generated by moderate degrees of partial melting of juvenile basaltic lower crust, which consists of dominant underplated magmas (similar to Yeba mafic rocks in composition) and variable contributions from ancient lower crust beneath the Gangdese Back-Arc fault uplift belt (GBAFUB).

Platinum-group elemental geochemistry of mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Xigaze ophiolite, southern Tibet

The Xigaze ophiolite in the central part of the Yarlung–Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet, has a well-preserved sequence of sheeted dykes, basalts, cumulates and mantle peridotites at Jiding and Luqu. Both the basalts and diabases at Jiding have similar compositions with SiO 2 ranging from 45.9 to 53.5 wt%, MgO from 3.1 to 6.8 wt% and TiO 2 from 0.87 to 1.21 wt%. Their Mg #s [100Mg/(Mg + Fe)] range from 40 to 60, indicating crystallization from relatively evolved magmas. They have LREE-depleted, chondrite-normalized REE diagrams, suggesting a depleted mantle source. These basaltic rocks have slightly negative Nb- and Ti-anomalies, suggesting that the Xigaze ophiolite represents a fragment of mature MORB lithosphere modified in a suprasubduction zone environment. The mantle peridotites at Luqu are high depleted with low CaO (0.3–1.2 wt%) and Al 2O 3 (0.04–0.42 wt%). They display V-shaped, chondrite-normalized REE patterns with (La/Gd) N ratios ranging from 3.17 to 64.6 and (Gd/Yb) N from 0.02 to 0.20, features reflecting secondary metasomatism by melts derived from the underlying subducted slab. Thus, the geochemistry of both the basaltic rocks and mantle peridotites suggests that the Xigaze ophiolite formed in a suprasubduction zone. Both the diabases and basalts have Pd/Ir ratios ranging from 7 to 77, similar to MORB. However, they have very low PGE abundances, closely approximating the predicted concentration in a silicate melt that has fully equilibrated with a fractionated immiscible sulfide melt, indicating that the rocks originated from magmas that were S-saturated before eruption. Moderate degrees of partial melting and early precipitation of PGE alloys explain their high Pd/Ir ratios and negative Pt-anomalies. The mantle peridotites contain variable amounts of Pd (5.99–13.5 ppb) and Pt (7.92–20.5 ppb), and have a relatively narrow range of Ir (3.47–5.01 ppb). In the mantle-normalized Ni, PGE, Au and Cu diagram, they are relatively rich in Pd and depleted in Cu. There is a positive correlation between CaO and Pd. The Pd enrichment is possibly due to secondary enrichment by metasomatism. Al 2O 3 and Hf do not correlate with Ir, but show positive variations with Pt, Pd and Au, indicating that some noble metals can be enriched by metasomatic fluids or melts carrying a little Al and Hf. We propose a model in which the low PGE contents and high Pd/Ir ratios of the basaltic rocks reflect precipitation of sulfides and moderate degrees of partial melting. The high Pd mantle peridotites of Xigaze ophiolites were formed by secondary metasomatism by a boninitic melt above a subduction zone.

Arc to rift transitional volcanism in the Santa Rosalía Region, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Middle to late Miocene volcanic rocks in the Santa Rosalía basin region, Baja California Sur, record the transition from arc- to rift-related volcanism associated with the initial opening of the Gulf of California. New K–Ar age dates have led to the identification of three distinct sequences: (1) 24 to 13 Ma arc lavas of the Andesite of Sierra Santa Lucia (ASL) suite; (2) 13 to 10 Ma Santa Rosalía dacite (SRD), representing the final products of subduction-related volcanism; and (3) a diverse rift-related volcanic assemblage that erupted between 11 and 7.7 Ma, which consists of: (1) 11 to 9 Ma Boléo basalts (BTB) to basalt andesites (BBA); (2) the El Morro tuff (EMT), a 10.5- to 7.9-Ma lapilli tuff to ignimbritic unit; and (3) 11 to 10 Ma clinopyroxene-dominant and 9 to 7.7 Ma hornblende-dominant high-K andesites of the Cerro San Lucas (CSL) suite. The BTB-BBA suite is equivalent to regional early rift tholeiitic basalts, while the CSL suite is representative of the regional high-Mg andesite (bajaite) lavas. K–Ar geochronology of EMT tuff has constrained the timing of initial basin sedimentation to after 8 Ma. All lava suites are calc–alkaline with arc-like signatures and are characterized by LILE and LREE enrichment and N-MORB-like patterns of HFSE and HREE. Such signatures are consistent with melts being derived from a mantle that was metasomatized by slab-derived aqueous fluids and silicic melts. Nb–Ta–Ti depletions that characterize the ASL and CSL suites are evidence of aqueous fluid metasomatism, since fluids were depleted in these elements due to residual rutile in the dehydrating slab. Evidence supporting the partial melting of an adakite-altered mantle comes from the relative depletion in HREE of CSL lavas and adakite-like characteristics of both SRD and CSL lavas. ASL lavas are generated from the partial melting of the sub-arc wedge after extensive slab-derived aqueous fluid metasomatism, followed by extensive calc–alkaline crystal fractionation (±amphibole accumulation) and variable degrees of crustal assimilation. SRD are interpreted to be slab melts that hybridized a significant mantle component. BTB, BBA and CSL rift lavas are the products of moderate degrees of partial melting of an adakite and aqueous fluid metasomatized mantle, with the principal control on melt chemistry being the extent of adakite contamination and degree of partial melting. Clinopyroxene-bearing CSL lavas appear to have undergone varying degrees of mixing with co-eruptive SRD melts.

MANTLE MELTING PROCESSES DISCERNED FROM A GEOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE TINAQUILLO PERIDOTITE MASSIF, VENEZUELA

The Tinaquillo orogenic spinel peridotite massif in north central Venezuela is a sub-horizontal, 3-km thick sheet overlying and in thrust contact with phyllites of the Cordillera de la Costa belt in the north and underlying and in extensional fault contact with the gabbroic to felsic Tinaco complex to the south (Ostos, 1990). While early workers interpreted the complex as a magmatic or crystal-mush intrusion (e.g., MacKenzie, 1960), Seyler and Mattson (1989, 1993) and Seyler et al. (1998) interpreted it as a fragment of the upper mantle possibly having ascended in the form of a diapir, but having been mylonitized during transit through the lower crust. The ultramafic rocks comprise ca. 75% harzburgite locally grading into lherzolite, 20% dunite, and 5% serpentinite. Pyroxenite and hornblendite veins intruding the complex are volumetrically small, but quite conspicuous where present. Minerals in the peridotite have a bimodal grain-size distribution owing to survival of remnant porphyroclasts of olivine, orthopyroxene, and minor clinopyroxene, and the late development of a mylonitic fabric with considerable grain-size reduction probably related to emplacement. The massif is thought to be a fragment of lithospheric mantle emplaced into the Caribbean belt during the late Cretaceous, but not exhumed until the late Eocene to middle Miocene by northwestward-directed thrusting along the Manrique Fault (Pindell et al., 1988; Pindell and Barrett, 1990). Seven peridoitites and three amphibole-rich veins have been investigated for major and trace element concentrations, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions. The peridotites have geochemical characteristics of residues after moderate degrees of partial melting (estimated to be 8 to 16%) assuming a homogeneous primitive mantle source. In addition, they have strong light rare earth element (REE)- depleted to spoon-shaped REE patterns, but flat heavy REE (La/Yb at 0.04-0.55 times primitive mantle). The (La/Yb)N ratios increase with the refractoriness of the peridotites, reflecting secondary metasomatism, which is a common feature of the sub-continental lithospheric mantle xenoliths world-wide. A primitive mantle-normalized element distribution diagram for the peridotites reveals an overall depletion in the highly incompatible elements relative to less incompatible ones, but moderate enrichments in the strongly incompatible elements (Ba, Th, U), without depletion in Nb and Ta relative to La. The peridotites have isotopic compositions of 87Sr/86Sr = 0.70277-0.71044, 143Nd/144Nd = 0.513095-0.514000, 206Pb/204Pb = 19.00-19.15, 208Pb/204Pb = 38.18-38.75, and 176Hf/177Hf = 0.282692-0.284703. The Nd, Pb and Hf isotopic signatures show ranges that overlap with present-day mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) but also extending to more depleted compositions. The unusually radiogenic Sr for some samples appears to be the result of pervasive infiltration by seawater at some stage in the massif’s history. The Sr, Nd, Pb and Hf isotopic signatures of the veins (87Sr/86Sr = 0.70231-0.70256, 143Nd/144Nd = 0.513052-0.513289, 206Pb/204Pb = 18.30-18.52, 208Pb/204Pb = 37.66-37.87, 176Hf/177Hf = 0.282988-0.283303) are similar to the Pacific and Atlantic MORB; lack of the highly radiogenic Sr component in the veins indicates its addition to the peridotites prior to vein emplacement. The Lu-Hf data yield an errorchron suggesting a Phanerozoic age for stabilization of this piece of the lithosphere. We attribute the origin of the amphibole-rich veins in the peridotites to melting during subduction of the proto-Caribbean Plate in a back-arc tectonic setting, fairly recently in the massif’s history, possibly during the late Jurassic.