MORB Source Research Articles

Water in Garnet Pyroxenite from the Sulu Orogen: Implications for Crust‐Mantle Interaction in Continental Subduction Zone

AbstractMineral water contents, together with the elements and isotopes of minerals and whole‐rock, were determined for garnet pyroxenites enclosed by ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic gneiss at Hujialin in the Sulu orogen. The results suggest that the garnet pyroxenites were generated in the Triassic by metasomatic reaction of the mantle wedge peridotite with hydrous felsic melts derived from partial melting of the deeply subducted continental crust. Measured water contents vary from 523 to 1213 ppm for clinopyroxene, and 55 to 1476 ppm for garnet. These mineral water contents are not only correlated with mineral major and trace element abundances but also relatively homogenous within single mineral grains. Such features preclude significant disturbance of the mineral water contents during pyroxenite exhumation from the mantle depth to the surface and thus indicate preservation of the primary water contents for the UHP metasomatites. The garnet pyroxenites are estimated to have bulk water contents of 424–660 ppm, which are higher than those for the MORB source, similar to or higher than those for the OIB sources and close to the lower limit for the arc magma source. The relationships between contents of mineral water and some elements suggest that the high water contents of garnet pyroxenites are primarily determined by the abundance of water‐rich clinopyroxene. Calculated whole‐rock H2O/Ce ratios are 63–145, higher than those for Hawaiian garnet pyroxenites and SWIR abyssal pyroxenites. These observations suggest that metasomatic pyroxene‐rich lithologies have the capacity to contribute high H2O concentrations and variable H2O/Ce ratios to the mantle. This lends support to the interpretation that the source of some intraplate basalts may be a heterogeneous mixture of peridotite and pyroxenite. On the other hand, the high water contents of garnet pyroxenites suggest that the ultramafic metasomatites are an important water reservoir in the mantle wedge.

Low water content in the mantle source of the Hainan plume as a factor inhibiting the formation of a large igneous province

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are generally considered to be related to mantle plumes and to have a great importance to the supercontinent break-up events, climate change and biological evolution over Earth's history. The high melt production rates of LIPs can be achieved under rigorous melting conditions: an abnormally high temperature, substantial decompression, addition of fusible components, or remarkable enrichment in water. Although it has been repeatedly noticed that water enrichment has occurred in many Phanerozoic LIPs, the significance of water enrichment in the mantle source for the generation of LIPs has not been explicitly highlighted. The southeastern Asian basalt province (SABP), which is thought to have formed by the Hainan mantle plume from a pyroxenite-bearing source, was emplaced over a small area of about 0.037 Mkm2 over a long period of time from 28.5 Ma to Holocene, thus differing from a typical LIP (>0.1 Mkm3 in volume emplaced in one or multiple pulses of less than 5 Ma). In this work, we measured H2O contents of high-Mg# clinopyroxene phenocrysts (12–179 ppm H2O) from Cenozoic basalts in the northern Hainan Island, which is part of the SABP. These data were utilized to estimate the water content of the mantle source of these basalts, yielding values in the range of 84–360 ppm H2O, which are significantly lower than those obtained for many Phanerozoic LIPs (thousands of ppm). After calculating the mantle potential temperature for the Hainan basalts about 170°C higher than that for the MORB source mantle, we consider that the paucity of source water likely depressed the melt productivity and the velocity of plume upwelling, and induced the Hainan plume to stall at depths of 350–500 km, inhibiting the formation of a LIP by the Hainan plume, despite the occurrence of other favorable conditions. Hence, our results from the SABP provide evidence for the significance of water enrichment in the mantle source in the formation of LIPs. The low water content in the Hainan plume can be attributed to the incorporation of subducted slabs that had experienced significant dehydration.

The Bangxi-Chenxing tectonic zone in Hainan Island (South China) as the eastern extension of the Song Ma-Ailaoshan zone: Evidence of late Paleozoic and Triassic igneous rocks

Mafic-intermediate igneous rocks in the Bangxi-Chenxing tectonic zone of Hainan Island, South China, can be used to constrain the Paleotethyan tectonic evolution in Southeast Asia. This paper presents petrologic, geochronological, elemental and Sr–Nd–Hf–O isotopic data for Carboniferous basalts, Permian andesites and Triassic gabbro-dolerites in this zone. Zircon grains from these rocks have U-Pb ages of ∼330 Ma, ∼257 Ma and ∼240 Ma, respectively. The ∼330 Ma basalts contain 1400 Ma captured zircon grains, and display MORB-like geochemical characteristics with positive εNd (t) values of +5.86–+9.85, reflective of a MORB source with the input of a slab-derived component in a continental back-arc basin setting. The ∼257 Ma andesites contain older captured zircon grains, and have arc-like geochemical signature with weakly positive εNd (t) values of +0.26–+0.38, zircon εHf (t) values of −0.5–+1.4 and δ18O values of 6.35–7.16‰, which were derived from a metasomatized mantle wedge modified by the sediment-derived component in a continental arc setting. The ∼240 Ma gabbro-dolerites exhibit enrichment in LILEs, depletion in HFSEs, negative εNd (t)-εHf (t) values (−8.45 to −1.05 and −5.9 to −2.7, respectively) and crustal-like δ18O values (7.26–8.70‰), indicative of a post-collisional environment in response to the asthenosphere upwelling shortly after the closure of the Bangxi-Chenxing back-arc basin. The Carboniferous-Triassic mafic-intermediate igneous rocks thus record the Carboniferous-Permian arc-basin system and its Triassic closure. The Bangxi–Chenxing tectonic zone separated South Hainan from North Hainan and westerly extended to the Song Ma–Ailaoshan suture zone.

Composition and evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath the interior of the South China Block: insights from trace elements and water contents of peridotite xenoliths

Major and trace elements and water contents were analyzed in 16 peridotite xenoliths embedded by the Cenozoic basalts in Pingnan (southeastern Guangxi Province), to constrain the chemical composition and evolution of the lithospheric mantle located in the central part of the South China Block (SCB). The peridotites are mainly moderately refractory harzburgites and lherzolites (Mg#-Ol = 90.3–91.7) and minor fertile lherzolites (Mg#-Ol = 88.9–89.9). Clinopyroxenes in the peridotites show LREE-depleted pattern, and commonly exhibit negative anomalies in Nb and Ti, suggesting the peridotites probably represent residues after 1–10% of partial melting without significant mantle metasomatism. Water contents range from 146 to 237 ppm wt. H2O in clinopyroxene, and from 65 to 112 ppm wt. H2O, in orthopyroxene but are below detection limit (2 ppm wt. H2O) in olivine. Calculated bulk water contents, based on the mineral modes and partition coefficient, range from 14 to 83 ppm wt. H2O (average 59 ppm wt. H2O). There is a correlation between melting indices (such as Mg#-Ol, Ybn in clinopyroxene) and water contents in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, but no correlation is observed between the whole-rock water contents and the redox state (Fe3+/∑Fe ratios in spinel), suggesting that water contents in the peridotites are mainly controlled by the degree of partial melting rather than by oxygen fugacity. The lithospheric mantle beneath the interior of the SCB may not be compositionally stratified; fertile and moderately refractory mantle coexist at the similar depths. Geochemical data and water contents of the studied peridotites are similar to the proposed MORB source and indicate that the ancient refractory lithospheric mantle was irregularly eroded or reacted by the upwelling asthenosphere, and eventually replaced by juvenile fertile accreted mantle through the cooling of the asthenosphere.

Clinopyroxene and bulk rock Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope compositions of Raivavae ocean island basalts: Does clinopyroxene record early stage magma chamber processes?

Abstract We investigated the Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope compositions of clinopyroxene separates and strongly leached bulk rock powders from the basalt lavas on Raivavae Island in the South Pacific. These data allowed us to explore the magma chamber processes of the two basalt groups: the high-μ-type (μ = 238 U/204Pb, HIMU) Rairua basalts erupted at ~ 9 Ma, and the depleted mantle (DM)-type Anatonu basalts erupted at ~ 6 Ma. We assessed different analytical techniques for clinopyroxene sample treatment, including leaching, sample digestion, chemical separation, and determination of parent/daughter ratios for use in age corrections. The age-corrected initial Sr–Nd–Hf isotope compositions of clinopyroxene samples solely overlap on the bulk rock compositions of each basalt type. The initial Pb isotope compositions show significant differences between the clinopyroxenes and bulk rock samples in both the Rairua and Anatonu basalts. The clinopyroxenes have less radiogenic Pb than their hosts, reflecting the magma chamber processes. The overall variations in the bulk rock Pb isotopes are explained by mixing of melts from the HIMU- and DM-type sources in the plume. In detail, early stage Rairua magma was more influenced by DM melts from which Rairua clinopyroxene was crystallized. Subsequent supply of dominant HIMU melts drove the bulk rock magma chemistry more HIMU-like. The Anatonu DM magma was largely from depleted mantle that differs from the Pacific MORB source. Subordinate contribution of a Pacific alkali-basalt-like component is suggested from the clinopyroxene chemistry of Anatonu perhaps from impregnated pyroxenite in the lithospheric mantle.

New high pressure experiments on sulfide saturation of high-FeO∗ basalts with variable TiO2 contents – Implications for the sulfur inventory of the lunar interior

In order to constrain sulfur concentration in intermediate to high-Ti mare basalts at sulfide saturation (SCSS), we experimentally equilibrated FeS melt and basaltic melt using a piston cylinder at 1.0–2.5 GPa and 1400–1600 °C, with two silicate compositions similar to high-Ti (Apollo 11: A11, ∼11.1 wt.% TiO2, 19.1 wt.% FeO∗, and 39.6 wt.% SiO2) and intermediate-Ti (Luna 16, ∼5 wt.% TiO2, 18.7 wt.% FeO∗, and 43.8 wt.% SiO2) mare basalts. Our experimental results show that SCSS increases with increasing temperature, and decreases with increasing pressure, which are similar to the results from previous experimental studies. SCSS in the A11 melt is systematically higher than that in the Luna 16 melt, which is likely due to higher FeO∗, and lower SiO2 and Al2O3 concentration in the former. Compared to the previously constructed SCSS models, including those designed for high-FeO∗ basalts, the SCSS values determined in this study are generally lower than the predicted values, with overprediction increasing with increasing melt TiO2 content. We attribute this to the lower SiO2 and Al2O3 concentration of the lunar magmas, which is beyond the calibration range of previous SCSS models, and also more abundant FeTiO3 complexes in our experimental melts that have higher TiO2 contents than previous models’ calibration range. The formation of FeTiO3 complexes lowers the activity of FeO∗, aFeO∗silicate melt, and therefore causes SCSS to decrease. To accommodate the unique lunar compositions, we have fitted a new SCSS model for basaltic melts of >5 wt.% FeO∗ and variable TiO2 contents. Using previous chalcophile element partitioning experiments that contained more complex Fe-Ni-S sulfide melts, we also derived an empirical correction that allows SCSS calculation for basalts where the equilibrium sulfides contain variable Ni contents of 10–50 wt.%. At the pressures and temperatures of multiple saturation points, SCSS of lunar magmas with compositions from picritic glasses, mare basalts, to young lunar meteorites vary from 2600 to 4800 ppm for basalt equilibration with a pure FeS melt and from 1400 to 2600 ppm for basalt equilibration with a Fe-rich sulfide melt containing 30 wt.% Ni. The measured S contents in these proposed near-primary lunar magmas are lower than the predicted SCSS at the conditions of their last equilibration with the lunar mantle, indicating no sulfide retention in the lunar mantle source during partial melting. Sulfide exhaustion during partial melting in the lunar mantle also supports the notion that the bulk silicate moon is depleted in highly siderophile elements. Based on the measured S contents and the estimated degree of melting, the estimated S contents for the mantle source of A15 green glass and A15 mare basalts is 10–23 ppm; for A17 orange glass is 25–62 ppm, for A12 mare basalts is 27–92 ppm, and for A11 basalt is 35–120 ppm. Consideration of SCSS decrease due to the presence of Ni in the sulfide melt does not change these mantle S abundance estimates for <30 wt.% Ni in the sulfide. The inferred S contents suggest that the lunar mantle is heterogeneous in terms of S. Although variable among different groups, the inferred S abundance of up to 120 ppm in the lunar mantle falls near the lower end of the S content of the depleted terrestrial mantle such as the MORB source.

Water in garnet pyroxenite from the Sulu orogen: Implications for crust-mantle interaction in continental subduction zone

Mineral water contents, together with the major and trace element compositions of minerals and whole-rock, were determined for garnet pyroxenites enclosed by ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic gneiss at Hujialin in the Sulu orogen. The garnet pyroxenites have low SiO2 contents of 40.25 to 46.68wt% and MgO contents of 10.99 to 14.79wt%. They are characterized by enrichment in LREE and LILE (Ba, Sr, Pb) but depletion in HFSE (Nb, Zr) and HREE. They were generated in the Triassic by metasomatic reaction of the mantle wedge peridotite with hydrous felsic melts derived from partial melting of the deeply subducted continental crust. Measured water contents vary from 523 to 1213ppm for clinopyroxene, and 55 to 1476ppm for garnet. These mineral water contents are not only correlated with mineral major and trace element abundances but also relatively homogenous within single mineral grains. Such features preclude significant disturbance of the mineral water contents during pyroxenite exhumation from the mantle depth to the surface and thus indicate preservation of the primary water contents for the UHP metasomatites. The garnet pyroxenites are estimated to have bulk water contents of 424–660ppm, which are higher than those for the MORB source, similar to or higher than those for the OIB sources and close to the lower limit for the arc magma source. The relationships between contents of mineral water and some elements suggest that the high water contents of garnet pyroxenites are primarily determined by the abundance of water-rich clinopyroxene. Garnet also has the high water contents, suggesting its importance in hosting water at mantle depths. Calculated whole-rock H2O/Ce ratios are 63–145, higher than those for Hawaiian garnet pyroxenites and SWIR abyssal pyroxenites. These observations suggest that metasomatic pyroxene-rich lithologies have the capacity to contribute high H2O concentrations and variable H2O/Ce ratios to the mantle. This lends support to the interpretation that the source of some intraplate basalts may be a heterogeneous mixture of peridotite and pyroxenite. On the other hand, the high water contents of garnet pyroxenites suggest that the presence of ultramafic metasomatites in the mantle wedge would enhance its water storage and thus reduce the water transport into deeper mantle by subduction.

Geochemistry of MORB and OIB in the Yuejinshan Complex, NE China: Implications for petrogenesis and tectonic setting

The Yuejinshan Complex, a remnant of the late Paleozoic western Paleo-Pacific Ocean, is located between the Jiamusi Massif and the Nadanhada Terrane in NE China. The complex consists of strongly deformed metaclastic rocks, marbles and metabasaltic lavas. The basalts have undergone hydrothermal alteration, greenschist facies regional metamorphism, and surface oxidation. These rocks can be divided into two broad rock groups based on whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic characteristics: (1) mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB-type) tholeiites that range in composition from light rare earth element (LREE)-depleted varieties (N-MORB; (La/Sm)N<1), showing highly positive εNd(t) ratios (+10.2 to +10.5), to LREE-enriched tholeiites (E-MORB; (La/Sm)N>1); and (2) ocean island basalt (OIB-type) alkaline lavas, characterized by less positive εNd(t) ratios (+6.20 to +8.61), with significant enrichments in LILE, HFSE, LREE, and MREE, and slight depletions in HREE, relative to average N-MORB. Trace element and isotope systematics indicate that the tholeiitic basaltic rocks were derived from partial melting of a depleted MORB source in the spinel facies mantle, whereas the source of the E-MORB was a depleted MORB mantle (DMM) source significantly enriched by OIB-type components. In contrast, the alkaline basalts were generated from an enriched OIB-type mantle source in the garnet facies and continued melting to spinel facies mantle depths. Therefore, the mafic volcanic rocks of the Yuejinshan Complex, located above the oceanic plate of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean, were most likely derived from chemically heterogeneous mantle sources during back-arc basin spreading and plume-related volcanism. The westwards subduction of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean lithosphere during the late Carboniferous to middle Permian resulted in the back-arc lavas, seamounts, and other oceanic fragments accreting onto the eastern Jiamusi Massif, forming the Yuejinshan Complex.

Compositions and processes of lithospheric mantle beneath the west Cathaysia block, southeast China

Knowledge about the nature and history of the lithospheric mantle beneath the west Cathaysia block (South China) is still sparse. The major- and trace-element compositions and H2O contents of minerals from peridotite xenoliths entrained in the Cenozoic lamprophyres of the Anyuan area (SE China), were conducted to investigate the nature and evolution of the lithospheric mantle, as well as the factors controlling the distribution of water. The xenoliths including spinel harzburgites and lherzolites are moderately refractory (Mg# Olivine=90.2–91.2) with minor fertile lherzolites (Mg# Olivine=89.1–89.9). Clinopyroxenes in lherzolites show variable REE patterns from LREE-depleted to LREE-enriched patterns, and commonly exhibit negative anomalies of U, Pb and Ti. The mantle represented by the xenoliths mostly experienced 1–10% partial melting and obvious subsequent silicate metasomatism.H2O contents of clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and olivine in the peridotites are 320–404ppm, 138–200ppm, and 11–33ppm, respectively. The whole-rock H2O contents range from 63 to 120 ppm, similar to that estimated for the MORB source. The negative correlations of H2O contents with Mg# in olivine and lack of correlation correlations with (La/Yb)N in clinopyroxene suggest that the H2O contents are mainly controlled by the partial melting process rather than mantle metasomatism.The fertile and moderately refractory peridotite xenoliths have similar equilibrium temperatures, implying that the lithospheric mantle is not compositionally stratified. Integrated with published data, we suggest that the widespread fertile and moderately refractory lithospheric mantle beneath the studied area (west Cathaysia), even the whole South China, might be eroded or melt-rock reacted by upwelling asthenospheric materials. Finally, the cooling of the upwelled asthenospheric materials resulted in the formation of the accreted lithospheric mantle mixed with pre-existing moderately refractory volumes.

Fluorine and chlorine in mantle minerals and the halogen budget of the Earth’s mantle

The fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl) contents of arc magmas have been used to track the composition of subducted components, and the F and Cl contents of MORB have been used to estimate the halogen content of depleted MORB mantle (DMM). Yet, the F and Cl budget of the Earth’s upper mantle and their distribution in peridotite minerals remain to be constrained. Here, we developed a method to measure low concentrations of halogens (≥0.4 µg/g F and ≥0.3 µg/g Cl) in minerals by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. We present a comprehensive study of F and Cl in co-existing natural olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and amphibole in seventeen samples from different tectonic settings. We support the hypothesis that F in olivine is controlled by melt polymerization, and that F in pyroxene is controlled by their Na and Al contents, with some effect of melt polymerization. We infer that Cl compatibility ranks as follows: amphibole > clinopyroxene > olivine ~ orthopyroxene, while F compatibility ranks as follows: amphibole > clinopyroxene > orthopyroxene ≥ olivine, depending on the tectonic context. In addition, we show that F, Cl, Be and B are correlated in pyroxenes and amphibole. F and Cl variations suggest that interaction with slab melts and fluids can significantly alter the halogen content of mantle minerals. In particular, F in oceanic peridotites is mostly hosted in pyroxenes, and proportionally increases in olivine in subduction-related peridotites. The mantle wedge is likely enriched in F compared to un-metasomatized mantle, while Cl is always low (<1 µg/g) in all tectonic settings studied here. The bulk anhydrous peridotite mantle contains 1.4–31 µg/g F and 0.14–0.38 µg/g Cl. The bulk F content of oceanic-like peridotites (2.1–9.4 µg/g) is lower than DMM estimates, consistent with F-rich eclogite in the source of MORB. Furthermore, the bulk Cl budget of all anhydrous peridotites studied here is lower than previous DMM estimates. Our results indicate that nearly all MORB may be somewhat contaminated by seawater-rich material and that the Cl content of DMM could be overestimated. With this study, we demonstrate that the halogen contents of natural peridotite minerals are a unique tool to understand the cycling of halogens, from ridge settings to subduction zones.

Water content in the Martian mantle: A Nakhla perspective

Water contents of the Martian mantle have previously been investigated using Martian meteorites, with several comprehensive studies estimating the water content in the parental melts and mantle source regions of the shergottites and Chassigny. However, no detailed studies have been performed on the Nakhla meteorite. One possible way to determine the water content of a crystallizing melt is to use the water content in nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs) such as clinopyroxene and olivine. During or after eruption on the surface of a planetary body and during residence in a degassing magma, these minerals may dehydrate. By reversing this process experimentally, original (pre-dehydration) water concentrations can be quantified. In this study, hydrothermal rehydration experiments were performed at 2kbar and 700°C on potentially dehydrated Nakhla clinopyroxene crystals. Rehydrated clinopyroxene crystals exhibit water contents of 130±26 (2σ) ppm and are thus similar to values observed in similar phenocrysts from terrestrial basalts. Utilizing clinopyroxene/melt partition coefficients, both the water content of the Nakhla parent melt and mantle source region were estimated. Despite previous assumptions of a relatively dry melt, the basaltic magma crystallizing Nakhla may have had up to 1.42±0.28 (2σ) wt.% H2O. Based on an assumed low degree of partial melting, this estimate can be used to calculate a minimum estimate of the water content for Nakhla’s mantle source region of 72±16ppm. Combining this value with values determined for other SNC mantle sources, by alternative methods, gives an average mantle value of 102±9 (2σ) ppm H2O for the Martian upper mantle throughout geologic time. This value is lower than the bulk water content of Earth’s upper mantle (∼250ppm H2O) but similar to Earth’s MORB source (54–330ppm, average ∼130ppm H2O).

Magnesium isotope constraints on subduction contribution to Mesozoic and Cenozoic East Asian continental basalts

To better understand the influence of subduction on geochemical heterogeneity of the mantle, Mg isotope ratios were measured in a suite of continental basalts from East Asia. In contrast to global oceanic basalts (δ26Mg=−0.25±0.07‰), these continental basalts display considerable Mg isotope variation that can be roughly related to the time and place of eruption. The Cenozoic basalts have slightly lower δ26Mg values (n=32; −0.46±0.05 to −0.25±0.06‰; average −0.38‰) than the Mesozoic basalts (n=12; −0.41±0.08 to −0.23±0.05‰; average −0.30‰) and display a decreasing δ26Mg trend with increasing distance from the present subduction trench, particularly for the basalts from South China Craton. Such variations may be related to westward subduction of Pacific oceanic plate beneath East Asia. Some outliers of Mg isotopic data in the North China Craton probably involve additional contributions from earlier subduction and collision from the south (Tethyan ocean and Yangtze Craton) and north (Paleo-Asian ocean). The correlations between δ26Mg and element indices (e.g., TiO2, Li/Y) of contributions of slab melt indicate input of a component from the slab that is progressively dehydrating in the source region. Highly variable Sr, Nd and Pb isotope ratios for a given δ26Mg value suggest continuous interaction rather than a simple binary mixing of the mantle with subduction components. Intra-continental magmatism in East Asian is thus derived from a mantle wedge affected by the ongoing subduction of the Pacific Plate. Mixing with the uniform Mg isotopic compositions of MORB and OIB sources, global mantle convection likely erases the enriched components, whereas mantle wedges might be able to retain some Mg isotope heterogeneity.

Initial H2O content and conditions of parent magma origin for Gorely volcano (Southern Kamchatka) estimated by trace element thermobarometry

The formation conditions of the parental magmas of Gorely volcano, which is located behind a volcanic front in Southern Kamchatka, have been evaluated using the modern methods of micro-element thermobarometry. These magmas contained 1.7 ± 0.8 (2σ) wt % of H2O, the majority (82%) of which has been lost from inclusions. They crystallized at 1121 ± 17°C and an oxygen fugacity of ΔQFM 1.2 ± 0.2, and could have been produced by about 11% melting of an enriched MORB source (E–DMM) at a temperature of about 1270°C, and a pressure of about 1.5 GPa. A distinctive feature of Gorely volcano, compared with frontal volcanoes of Kamchatka, is the unusually high temperature (925 ± 20°C) of formation of the subduction component corresponding to the region of existence of water-bearing melts.

The 1998–2001 submarine lava balloon eruption at the Serreta ridge (Azores archipelago): Constraints from volcanic facies architecture, isotope geochemistry and magnetic data

The most recent submarine eruption observed offshore the Azores archipelago occurred between 1998 and 2001 along the submarine Serreta ridge (SSR), ~4–5 nautical miles WNW of Terceira Island. This submarine eruption delivered abundant basaltic lava balloons floating at the sea surface and significantly changed the bathymetry around the eruption area. Our work combines bathymetry, volcanic facies cartography, petrography, rock magnetism and geochemistry in order to (1) track the possible vent source at seabed, (2) better constrain the Azores magma source(s) sampled through the Serreta submarine volcanic event, and (3) interpret the data within the small-scale mantle source heterogeneity framework that has been demonstrated for the Azores archipelago. Lava balloons sampled at sea surface display a radiogenic signature, which is also correlated with relatively primitive (low) 4He/3He isotopic ratios. Conversely, SSR lavas are characterized by significantly lower radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios than the lava balloons and the onshore lavas from the Terceira Island. SSR lavas are primitive, but incompatible trace-enriched. Apparent decoupling between the enriched incompatible trace element abundances and depleted radiogenic isotope ratios is best explained by binary mixing of a depleted MORB source and a HIMU­type component into magma batches that evolved by similar shallower processes in their travel to the surface.The collected data suggest that the freshest samples collected in the SSR may correspond to volcanic products of an unnoticed and more recent eruption than the 1998–2001 episode.

Europium and strontium anomalies in the MORB source mantle

Lower crustal recycling depletes the continental crust of Eu and Sr and returns Eu and Sr enriched materials into the mantle (e.g., Tang et al., 2015, Geology). To test the hypothesis that the MORB source mantle balances the Eu and Sr deficits in the continental crust, we carried out high precision Eu/Eu∗ and Sr/Sr∗ measurement for 72 MORB glasses with MgO >8.5% from the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic mid-ocean ridges. MORB glasses with MgO⩾9wt.% have a mean Eu/Eu∗ of 1.025±0.025 (2 σm, n=46) and Sr/Sr∗ of 1.242±0.093 (2 σm, n=41) and these ratios are positively correlated. These samples show both positive and negative Eu and Sr anomalies, with no correlations between Eu/Eu∗ vs. MgO or Sr/Sr∗ vs. MgO, suggesting that the anomalies are not produced by plagioclase fractionation at MgO >9wt.% and, thus, other processes must be responsible for generating the anomalies. We term these MORB samples primitive MORBs, as they record the melt Eu/Eu∗ and Sr/Sr∗ before plagioclase fractionation. Consequently, the mean oceanic crust, including cumulates, has a bulk Eu/Eu∗ of ∼1 and 20% Sr excess.Considering that divalent Sr and Eu(II) diffuse faster than trivalent Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd, we evaluated this kinetic effect on Sm–Eu–Gd and Pr–Sr–Nd fractionations during spinel peridotite partial melting in the MORB source mantle. Our modeling shows that the correlated Eu and Sr anomalies seen in primitive MORBs may result from disequilibrium mantle melting. Melt fractions produced during early- and late-stage melting may carry positive and negative Eu and Sr anomalies, respectively, that overlap with the ranges documented in primitive MORBs. Because the net effect of disequilibrium melting is to produce partial melts with bulk positive Eu and Sr anomalies, the MORB source mantle must have Eu/Eu∗<1.025±0.025 (2 σm) and Sr/Sr∗<1.242±0.093 (2 σm). Although we cannot rule out the possibility that recycled lower continental crustal materials, which have positive Eu and Sr anomalies, are partially mixed into the upper mantle (i.e., MORB source region), a significant amount of this crustal component must have been sequestered into the deep mantle, as supported by the negative 206Pb/204Pb–Eu/Eu∗ and 206Pb/204Pb–Sr/Sr∗ correlations in ocean island basalts.

Petrogenesis and Ni–Cu sulphide potential of mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Mesoproterozoic Fraser Zone within the Albany–Fraser Orogen, Western Australia

The Albany Fraser Orogen is located along the southern and southeastern margins of the Archean Yilgarn Craton. The orogen formed during reworking of the Yilgarn Craton, along with variable additions of juvenile mantle material, from at least 1810Ma to 1140Ma. The Fraser Zone is a 425km long and 50km wide geophysically distinct belt near the northwestern edge of the orogen, hosting abundant sills of predominantly metagabbroic non-cumulate rocks, but including larger cumulate bodies, all emplaced at c. 1300Ma. The gabbroic rocks are interpreted to have crystallised from a basaltic magma that had ∼8.8% MgO, 185ppm Ni, 51ppm Cu, and extremely low contents of platinum-group elements (PGE, <1ppb). Levels of high field-strength elements (HFSE) in the least enriched rocks indicate that the magma was derived from a mantle source more depleted than a MORB source. Isotope and trace element systematics suggest that the magma was contaminated (εNd 0 to −2 throughout, La/Nb around 3) with small (<10%) amounts of crust before and during ascent and emplacement. Larger bodies of cumulate rocks show evidence for additional contamination, at the emplacement level, with country-rock metasedimentary rocks or their anatectic melts. The area has been the focus of considerable exploration for Ni–Cu sulphides following the discovery of the Nova deposit in 2012 in an intrusion consisting of olivine gabbronoritic, noritic and peridotitic cumulates, interlayered with metasedimentary rocks belonging to the Snowys Dam Formation of the Arid Basin. Disseminated sulphides from a drillcore intersecting the structurally upper portion of the intrusion, above the main ore zone, have tenors of ∼3–6.3% Ni, 1.8–6% Cu and mostly <500ppb PGE, suggesting derivation from magma with the same composition as the regional Fraser Zone metagabbroic sills, at R factors of ∼1500. However, the Nova rocks tend to have higher εSr (38–52) and more variable δ34S (−2 to +4) than the regional metagabbros (εSr 17–32, δ34S around 0), consistent with the geochemical evidence for enhanced crustal assimilation of the metasedimentary country-rock in a relatively large magma staging chamber from which pulses of sulphide bearing, crystal-charged magmas were emplaced at slightly different crustal levels. Preliminary investigations suggest that the critical factors determining whether or not Fraser Zone mafic magmas are mineralised probably relate to local geodynamic conditions that allow large magma chambers to endure long enough to sequester country-rock sulphur.

Peridotites and basaltic rocks within an ophiolitic mélange from the SW igneous province of Puerto Rico: relation to the evolution of the Caribbean Plate

AbstractThe geology of Puerto Rico is divided into three regions: the north, central and SW igneous provinces. Characterized by its Jurassic ophiolitic mélange basement, lithology of the SW Igneous Province (SIP) is not related to either of the other two provinces. The ophiolitic mélange is exposed in three peridotite belts: Monte del Estado, Rio Guanajibo and Sierra Bermeja. We present geochemical data to identify the tectonic setting of the SIP peridotite formation and its relation to the evolution of the Caribbean Plate. Comparisons of spinel Cr no. (13–21), Mg no. (63.3–69.6) and TiO2suggest an abyssal peridotite origin; however, only Sierra Bermeja presents high TiO2characteristics of a mid-ocean-ridge-basalt- (MORB-) like melt reaction. Temperatures determined with two-pyroxene geothermometers indicated a cold thermal regime ofc. 800–1050°C, with characteristics of large-offset transform fault abyssal peridotites. The geochemistry and Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopic compositions of basalts within the mélange were also analysed. Las Palmas amphibolites exhibited normal-MORB-like rare earth element (REE) and trace-element patterns, whereas metabasalts and Lower Cajul basalts exhibited island-arc tholeiitic-like patterns. Highly radiogenic Sr isotopes (0.70339–0.70562) of the basalts suggest seawater alteration; however, Pb–Pb and Nd–Hf isotope correlations represent the primary compositions of a Pacific/Atlantic MORB source for the amphibolites, metabasalts and Lower Cajul basalts. We propose that the SIP ophiolitic mélange was formed along a large-offset transform fault, which initiated subduction and preserved both proto-Pacific and proto-Caribbean lithospheric mantle. Younger Upper Cajul basalts exhibited enriched-MORB-like geochemical and isotopic signatures, which can be attributed to a tectonized Caribbean ocean plateau.

Melt extraction and mantle source at a Southwest Indian Ridge Dragon Bone amagmatic segment on the Marion Rise

This paper works on the trace and major element compositions of spatially associated basalts and peridotites from the Dragon Bone amagmatic ridge segment at the eastern flank of the Marion Platform on the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. The rare earth element compositions of basalts do not match the pre-alteration Dragon Bone peridotite compositions, but can be modeled by about 5 to 10% non-modal batch equilibrium melting from a DMM source. The Dragon Bone peridotites are clinopyroxene-poor harzburgite with average spinel Cr#~27.7. The spinel Cr# indicates a moderate degree of melting. However, CaO and Al2O3 of the peridotites are lower than other abyssal peridotites at the same Mg# and extent of melting. This requires a pyroxene-poor initial mantle source composition compared to either hypothetical primitive upper mantle or depleted MORB mantle sources. We suggest a hydrous melting of the initial Dragon Bone mantle source, as wet melting depletes pyroxene faster than dry. According to the rare earth element patterns, the Dragon Bone peridotites are divided into two groups. Heavy REE in Group 1 are extremely fractionated from middle REE, which can be modeled by ~7% fractional melting in the garnet stability field and another ~12.5 to 13.5% in the spinel stability field from depleted and primitive upper mantle sources, respectively. Heavy REE in Group 2 are slightly fractionated from middle REE, which can be modeled by ~15 to 20% fractional melting in the spinel stability field from a depleted mantle source. Both groups show similar melting degree to other abyssal peridotites. If all the melt extraction occurred at the middle oceanic ridge where the peridotites were dredged, a normal ~6km thick oceanic crust is expected at the Dragon Bone segment. However, the Dragon Bone peridotites are exposed in an amagmatic ridge segment where only scattered pillow basalts lie on a partially serpentinized mantle pavement. Thus their depletion requires an earlier melting occurred at other place. Considering the hydrous melting of the initial Dragon Bone mantle source, we suggest the earlier melting event occurred in an arc terrain, prior to or during the closure of the Mozambique Ocean in the Neproterozoic, and the subsequent assembly of Gondwana. Then, the Al2O3 depleted and thus buoyant peridotites became the MORB source for Southwest Indian Ridge and formed the Marion Rise during the Gondwana breakup.

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Tertiary Volcanic Rocks of the Eastern Roodbar, Alborz Mountain, North of Iran

In the Alborz Mountains of the eastern Roodbar (north of Iran), Tertiary volcanic rocks have a variety of composition between olivine basalt, basaltic andesite, pyroxene andesite and andesite. The presence of different xenoliths and xenocrysts is among the evidence of crustal contamination of these rocks. The positive correlations of CaO/Al2O3 vs to MgO and Al2O3 vs. SiO2 are of signs of the olivine and clinopyroxene fractionation in the variation trend of the area rocks. Positive correlations K2O/P2O5 vs with SiO2 and La/Sm vs. K2O/P2O5 demonstrate contamination of magma with the continental crust. The incompatible trace element patterns and their comparison with crustal contents indicate contamination of the rocks of the area with the lower and upper continental crust. Linear trends in the variation diagram of Nb/Y vs. Zr/Y, introduce two different source regions: a MORB source and the other continental crust for the rocks which are the genesis. The variations of Y/Nb vs. Zr/Nb and Rb/Y vs. Nb/Y reveal a crustal contamination of the magma originated from the MORB source. Geochemical studies represent that the area’s rocks were derived from the 15% melting of a mantle source of MORB type with spinel facies within a continental environment, which was contaminated by varying degrees of continental crustal rocks.

Carbon-saturated monosulfide melting in the shallow mantle: solubility and effect on solidus

We present high-pressure experiments from 0.8 to 7.95 GPa to determine the effect of carbon on the solidus of mantle monosulfide. The graphite-saturated solidus of monosulfide (Fe0.69Ni0.23Cu0.01S1.00) is described by a Simon and Glatzel (Z Anorg Allg Chem 178:309–316, 1929) equation T (°C) = 969.0[P (GPa)/5.92 + 1]0.39 (1 ≤ P ≤ 8) and is ~80 ± 25 °C below the melting temperature found for carbon-free conditions. A series of comparison experiments using different capsule configurations and preparations document that the observed solidus-lowering is owing to graphite saturation and not an artifact of different capsules or hydrogen contamination. Concentrations of carbon in quenched graphite-saturated monosulfide melt measured by electron microprobe are 0.1–0.3 wt% in monosulfide melt and below the detection limit (<0.2 wt%) in crystalline monosulfide solid solution. Although there is only a small amount of carbon dissolved in monosulfide melts, the substantial effect on monosulfide solidus temperature means that the carbon-saturated monosulfide (Fe0.69Ni0.23Cu0.01S1.00) solidus intersects continental mantle geotherms inferred from diamond inclusion geobarometry at 6–7 GPa (~200 km), whereas carbon-free monosulfide (Fe0.69Ni0.23Cu0.01S1.00) solidus does not. The composition investigated (Fe0.69Ni0.23Cu0.01S1.00) has a comparatively low metal/sulfur (M/S) ratio and low Ni/(Fe + Ni), but sulfides with higher (M/S) and with greater Ni/(Fe + Ni) should melt at lower temperatures and these should have a broader melt stability field in the diamond formation environment and in the continental lithosphere. Low carbon solubility in monosulfide melt excludes the possibility that diamonds are crystallized from sulfide melt. Although monosulfide melt can store no more than 2 ppm C in a bulk mantle with 225 ppm S, melts with higher M/S could be a primary host of carbon in the deeper part of the upper mantle. For example, the storage capacity of C in sulfide melts in the deep upper mantle (~400 km) for a depleted mantle domain (MORB source, 120 ± 30 ppm S) is estimated to be \(57 \pm_{30}^{63}\) ppm, and so all the C could be in a sulfide melt. In an enriched (OIB source, 225 ± 25 ppm S) mantle domain, the C stored in sulfide melt in the deep upper mantle is estimated to be \(86 \pm_{44}^{92}\) ppm, which would amount to about half the available carbon.