ALBERT

Description: The Kerguelen Plateau and Broken Ridge in the southern Indian Ocean together represent one of the most voluminous large igneous provinces (LIPs) ever emplaced on Earth. A scientific objective of Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 183 was to constrain the post-melting magma evolution of Kerguelen Plateau magmas. In an effort to better understand this evolution, isotopic and trace element analysis of individual plagioclase crystals hosted within two Kerguelen Plateau basalts recovered from Elan Bank were undertaken. Previous whole-rock studies established that the two host basalts investigated in this study are samples of crustally contaminated (lower group) and relatively uncontaminated (upper group) basalt. Plagioclase phenocrysts from the uncontaminated basalt are dominantly normal zoned and exhibit a 87Sr/86SrI range of 0.704845-0.704985, which overlaps uncontaminated group whole-rock values previously reported. Plagioclase crystals from the contaminated basalt are dominantly reverse zoned and exhibit a 87Sr/86SrI range of 0.705510-0.705735, which all lie within contaminated group whole-rock values previously reported. There are no systematic within crystal core to rim variations in 87Sr/86SrI from either group, with the exception that contaminated group crystal rims have overall less radiogenic 87Sr/86SrI than other zones. These observations indicate that crustal assimilation occurred before the formation of Unit 10 plagioclase phenocrysts, which is supported by parent magma trace element abundance data inverted using carefully calculated partition coefficients. Trace element diffusion modeling indicates that the upper group basalt (Unit 4) experienced a more vigorous eruptive flux than the lower group basalt (Unit 10). We suggest that plagioclase phenocrysts in both the upper and lower group basalts originated from the shallowest section of what was likely a complex magma chamber system. We contend that the magmatic system contained regions of extensive plagioclase-dominated crystal mush. Crustal assimilation was not a significant ongoing process in this portion of the Elan Bank magmatic system. Both basalts exhibit compelling evidence for remobilization and partial resorption of crystalline debris (e.g., reverse zoned crystals, glomerocrysts). We suggest Unit 4 and 10 magmas ascended different sections of the Elan Bank magma system, where the Unit 10 magmas ascended a section of the magma system that penetrated a stranded fragment of continental crust.

Description: New major and trace element analyses of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 170 and 205 mafic igneous samples are presented along with Sr and Nd isotopic results. Samples were cored from a sill unit (Subunit 4A) and a lower igneous unit (Subunit 4B) whose lower boundary was not drilled. The samples are dominantly microcrystalline to medium-grained glomerocrystic plagioclase-clinopyroxene gabbro in a nearly holocrystalline groundmass. Samples are dominantly low-K subalkaline tholeiites with trace element systematics that correlate with unit stratigraphy. Using isotopic data, trace element ratios little affected by fractionation, and abundance data from the least fractionated samples, it is possible to model their mantle sources and subsequent igneous processing. Melting models suggest that small differences in degrees of partial melting can generate the two geochemical groups identified within the igneous complex. Crystal fractionation and accumulation have further modified the melt compositions, particularly within the lower stratigraphic unit. Mixing models indicate that these units are derived from a mantle source that is 50%-70% enriched compared to depleted mid-ocean-ridge source mantle. In the context of the complex regional tectonic and volcanic history of the Cocos plate, this igneous complex likely represents melts of depleted upper mantle that were previously enriched during transit near the Galápagos hotspot. A postenrichment change in the local-regional tectonic stress regime may have triggered decompression melting and emplacement of the igneous complex far from any active spreading center or plume. Preexisting plate fractures, ridge jumps, and abandoned spreading centers may have facilitated distal reach of plume-overprinted material.

Description: Bulk geochemical analyses were carried out on 27 sediment samples located just above the igneous section of the incoming plate along the Costa Rican convergent margin. This pilot study was intended to determine whether hydrothermal activity within the sediment section could be detected within the bulk sediment. The metaliferous index (100 x Al/[Al + Fe + Mn]) values on bulk sediment (24.3 〈 x 〈 43.3) are all much lower than the value for deep pelagic sediment (50.8) but higher than the value for the hydrothermal sulfide from the East Pacific Rise (1). The high Zn, Cu, and Co concentrations associated with high Ba content for a constant detrital input (molar Ti/Al = 0.121 ± 0.026) indicate that the transition metal enrichment is not related to volcanic ash but rather to Fe-Mn oxides, sulfides, and barite. These observations testify to a record of hydrothermal activity within the 70 m of sediment overlying the basement.