ALBERT

Description: The origin of the large diversity of rock types erupted along the subduction-related Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) remains highly debated. In particular, several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the contemporary eruption of calc-alkaline and alkaline magmas along the belt. The Michoacán-Guanajuato Volcanic Field (MGVF) is an atypical, vast region of monogenetic activity located in the western-central part of the TMVB. Here we present new petrographic, geochemical, and isotopic (Sr–Nd–Pb–Os) data on recent volcanics in the Jorullo-Tacámbaro area that is the closest to the oceanic trench. TMVB-related volcanics in this area are Plio-Quaternary (

Description: High-strain rate deformation can cause in situ melting of rocks, resulting in the formation of dark, micro- to nanocrystalline pseudotachylite veins. On Earth, pseudotachylite veins form during meteorite impacts, large landslides, and earthquakes. Within the Vredefort impact structure, both impact-generated and (pre-impact) tectonically-generated pseudotachylite veins have been described, but are challenging to distinguish. Here, we demonstrate a genetic distinction between two pseudotachylite veins from Vredefort by studying their petrography, degree of recrystallization and deformation, cross-cutting relationships and the deformation microstructures in associated zircon. We conclude that Vein 1 is pre-impact and tectonically-generated, and Vein 2 is impact-generated. In agreement, zircon microstructures in Vein 1 contain planar deformation bands (PDBs), attributed to tectonic deformation, whereas zircon microstructures in Vein 2 reveal microtwin lamellae, indisputable evidence of shock metamorphism. Thus, deformation microstructures in zircon may provide a new criterion for distinguishing the genetic origin of pseudotachylite veins. Zircons that have been removed from their context (i.e., alluvial or detrital zircon, zircon from Lunar breccia) should be interpreted with caution in terms of their deformation history. For example, zircon with PDBs cannot reliably be used as a marker for shock deformation, because this feature has been shown to form in purely tectonic settings.

Description: There is still debate whether Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are caused by high mantle temperatures induced by thermal plumes or by other factors that enhance melt production from the mantle. A prerequisite for assessing the thermal plume model is a reliable estimate of liquidus temperatures of the magmas produced, preferably based on more than one method of geothermometry. The study reported here compares multiple geothermometers for the Etendeka LIP, which is among the largest Phanerozoic examples and one that shows several features suggestive of a plume origin (continental flood basalt province linked via an age-progressive volcanic ridge to an active hotspot). Magnesium (Mg)-rich magmas emplaced as dikes in NW Namibia are the most primitive rocks known from this province and are thus best suited to determine the composition and melting conditions of their mantle source. Earlier studies of the Etendeka Mg-rich dikes reported high liquidus temperatures based on olivine-melt Mg–Fe equilibria. We extend that work to a larger set of samples and compare the results of olivine-melt Mg–Fe thermometry with other methods based on spinel-melt and spinel–olivine equilibria (Al-in-olivine thermometry), as well as olivine-melt trace-element exchange (Sc/Y thermometry and V oxybarometry). All methods used the same starting assumptions of nominally anhydrous melts and a crystallization pressure of 0·5 GPa. Only mineral-melt or mineral-mineral pairs consistent with compositional equilibrium were used for calculating temperatures. The trace-element compositions of olivine are also used to discuss the relative proportion of peridotite and pyroxenite in the mantle source for these magmas. Twelve dike samples were studied, with whole-rock MgO concentrations ranging from 8·4 to 19·4 wt %. Diagnostic element ratios of transition metals in olivine (e.g., Mn/Fe, Mn/Zn, Zn/Fe) indicate a peridotite-dominated mantle source for the magmas, which is consistent with the other indicators based on whole-rock data e.g., 10 000×Zn/Fe, CaO–MgO trend, FeO/MnO and FC3MS (FeO/CaO–3×MgO/SiO2). The temperature variations show a positive correlation with the Fo-content of host olivines, and values from high-Fo olivine agree well with olivine and spinel liquidus temperatures calculated from thermodynamic models of bulk-rock composition. All methods and most samples yielded a temperature range between 1300 °C and 1400 °C. An exceptional few samples returned temperatures below 1300 °C, the minimum being 1193 °C, whereas several samples yielded temperatures above 1400 °C, the upper range being 1420–1440°C, which we consider to be a robust estimate of the maximum liquidus temperatures for the high-Mg magmas studied. The conversion to mantle potential temperatures is complicated by uncertain depth and degree of melting, but the functional relationship between Tp and primary melt MgO contents, using melt inclusions from olivine phenocrysts with of Fo 〉 90, indicate a Tp range from 1414 to 1525 °C ( 42 °C), which is 100–150°C higher than estimates of ambient upper mantle Tp in the South Atlantic today.

Description: Fluid flow is an important mechanism associated with heat and mass transport within the Earth’s crust. The study of veins, which represent channelling of fluids, can thus be key in understanding these fluid movements, unravelling fluid composition and origin, paleo stress regimes, and the history of the host-rock. New stable isotope data on carbonates and silicates have been combined with phase petrology, mass balance, and field observations to evaluate the formation mechanism of metasomatic reaction veins in dolomitic xenoliths in the Bergell tonalites (Val Sissone, Italy). Multiple generations of extensional veins can be followed from the contact zone between the dolomites and the intrusion to a few meters within either the tonalites (with the epidote–quartz veins), or within the dolomites, where they terminate. Each type of vein contains a central zone, which is formed by open fracture crystallization. This central fracture is framed by relatively symmetric replacement zones, where the original dolomite reacted to form either forsterite, diopside, tremolite or talc, all accompanied by calcite in either a succession of reaction zones or in simpler bi-mineral (silicate + calcite) veins. The δ18O and δ13C values across the veins allow temperatures to be estimated from different mineral pairs (silicate + calcite), and which confirm vein formation along a retrograde cooling path of the intrusion. At least four different fluid infiltration events are required, the first one around 555 °C to form the forsterite–calcite veins, followed by the epidote–quartz veins at temperatures around 430 °C, then the tremolite–calcite veins at around 390 °C, and finally the talc–calcite veins at around 140 °C. The shape of the δ18O and δ13C profiles, which are flat across the central part and the replacement zones of the veins (buffered by the intrusion), change substantially over short distances. Both of these isotope profiles overlap with the equally sharp mineralogical front between the veins and the unreacted dolomites. These profiles are interpreted to be the result of an isotopic exchange mechanism driven by dissolution and re-precipitation reactions. All veins are oriented perpendicular to the contact with the intrusive body, except for the late talc veins. Elevated fluid pressures, above the confining pressures caused by the regional and intrusion emplacement stress field, are suggested to be responsible for the initial fracturing of the carbonates and intrusive rocks. The contact zones between the tonalites and carbonates likely served as fluid conduits, where fluids accumulated and the pressure built up until hydrofracturing occurred. We propose that the veins formed through episodic pulses of highly reactive fluids that remained stationary during reaction, rather than a system where fluids flushed through the veins. Based on the XCO2-constrained mass balance, the formation of the veins would only require a relatively small amount of fluid, which could potentially originate from the intrusive rocks in vicinity of the xenoliths. Veining is not ubiquitous around the Bergell intrusion, suggesting that it only may have been a localized event and thus there is no need to involve a larger convective hydrothermal system for their formation.

Description: Metasomatism is the prime process to create compositional heterogeneity of the upper mantle. Mineralogical and mineral chemical changes of the mantle triggered by metasomatism can be used to deduce the nature of the metasomatic agent(s) and to constrain the timing of metasomatism. This information is vital for an understanding of the secular evolution of a given mantle segment and the magmatic processes occurring therein. For this study spinel-lherzolites and -websterites were collected from ∼16 Myr old alkali-basaltic lava flows that were extruded on the Bolaven Plateau in south–central Laos. These xenoliths are fragments of the shallow continental lithosphere of the SE Asian peninsula and originate from a mantle segment that acted as source for Cenozoic basaltic volcanism in the wake of the India–Asia collision. In both rock types modal metasomatism formed apatite ± whitlockite ± phlogopite ± calcic amphibole ± calcite ± orthopyroxene. The principal metasomatic phase is apatite, which appears in three varieties. Type-I apatite is ±inclusion-free and associated with phlogopite, calcic amphibole, calcite and lamellar orthopyroxene. It is high in Na and low in P and shows low analytical totals indicating a type-B carbonate–apatite component. Type-I apatite presumably precipitated from a P-alkali-rich mixed H2O–CO2 fluid with low large ion lithophile element (LILE)–light rare earth element (LREE) contents. Type-II apatite shows a spongy texture and has lower Na and higher P contents with higher analytical totals. Crosscutting discontinuous zones of type-II characteristics within type-I apatites indicate type-II formation through an exchange Na+ + CO32– = PO43– + Ca2+ by a later fluid with lower aCO2. REE-rich type-III apatite is the youngest type and formed by infiltration of basaltic melts as part of spongy rims around clinopyroxene. One lherzolite contains whitlockite in addition to apatite. Whitlockite formation is ascribed to a short-lived metasomatic event involving a fluid with extremely low aH2O. Disequilibrium between whitlockite and the bulk assemblage is indicated by hydrous silicates in the immediate vicinity of whitlockite and by substantial H2O contents of 250–370 µg g–1 in clinopyroxenes and 170–190 µg g–1 in orthopyroxenes. High-density (1·15–≥1·17 g m–3) CO2–fluid inclusions in the whitlockite-bearing sample provide evidence for the presence of low-aH2O fluids at mantle depths. The spinel-herzolites may also show cryptic metasomatism evidenced by P zoning in olivine, which is characterized by P-poor (

Description: Situated in the centre of the Paleoproterozoic Bushveld Large Igneous Province (LIP) of South Africa the Vergenoeg F–Fe–REE deposit is one of the largest, but at the same time most unusual, fluorite deposits on Earth. In situ major and trace element analyses of fayalite, magnetite, ilmenite, fluorapatite, fluorite and allanite from fayalite-rich rocks are combined with oxygen isotope data for fayalite, magnetite and ilmenite to unravel the complex evolution of the deposit. Textural and compositional characterization of the fayalite-rich rocks supports a magmatic formation as cumulates and an intense late hydrothermal overprint. Fayalite accumulated together with minor Ti-rich magnetite, ilmenite, fluorapatite and allanite from a highly evolved, H2O-poor felsic melt at low oxygen fugacity. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) patterns of fayalite and the recalculated parental melts, using fayalite–rhyolite partition coefficients, exhibit positive trends with strong enrichment of the heavy REE (HREE) relative to the light REE (LREE). Apart from the LREE depletion the patterns are similar to those of highly fractionated high-silica REE rhyolites that often occur in siliceous LIPs. We attribute the LREE depletion to crystallization of accessory allanite, the main host of the LREE in the cumulates. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of the parental melt prior to fayalite accumulation, recalculated using allanite–rhyolite partition coefficients, resemble the composition of the rhyolites of the Rooiberg Group and therefore document a petrogenetic link to the Bushveld LIP. High δ18O values of fayalite (up to ≈7·4 ‰) are consistent with its crystallization in a rhyolitic melt that has formed by extensive fractionation from basic melts of the Rustenburg Layer Suite, the mafic member of the Bushveld LIP. Primary fluorite crystallized together with rare quartz, and a second generation of fayalite, magnetite and ilmenite from rare intercumulus melt in interstices between cumulate fayalite. Textural and mineral compositional data, as well as the generally negative δ18O values of magnetite (–2·9 to 0 ‰), are in agreement with the main magnetite–fluorite ore formation in Vergenoeg being related to a hydrothermal overprint, which was responsible for further F and Fe enrichments of the rocks. Fluorine-rich fluids, released from the crystallizing granites of the felsic member of the Bushveld LIP (Lebowa Granite Suite), caused the extensive alteration of fayalite to bowlingite and its replacement by Ti-poor magnetite and quartz. The hydrothermal overprint was associated with the widespread formation of secondary fluorite and minor fluorapatite. Our new petrogenetic model for the Vergenoeg deposit, as constrained from the primary fayalite cumulates, implies that the formation of the Vergenoeg deposit was directly linked to the evolution of the Bushveld LIP.

Description: The Jurassic Chenaillet ophiolite in the Western Alps consists of a gabbro–mantle association exhumed to the seafloor through detachment faulting and partly covered by basaltic lavas. One of the Chenaillet gabbroic bodies includes mylonites that are transected by a network of felsic veins, thereby testifying to the interplay of ductile shearing and magma emplacement. The deformed gabbros preserve clinopyroxene porphyroclasts of primary magmatic origin, which are typically mantled by amphibole (titanian edenite) and minor secondary clinopyroxene. Titanian edenite and secondary clinopyroxene also occur as fine-grained syn-kinematic phases locally associated with fine-grained plagioclase. The felsic veins are made up of anorthite-poor plagioclase and minor titanian edenite. Geothermometric investigations document that the ductile gabbro deformation and the crystallization of the felsic veins occurred at 765 ± 50 °C and 800 ± 55 °C, respectively. With respect to undeformed counterparts, the deformed gabbros are variably enriched in SiO2 and variably depleted in Mg/(Mg + Fetot2+) and Ca/(Ca + Na). In addition, the deformed gabbros show relatively high concentrations of incompatible trace elements such as rare earth elements (REE), Y, Zr and Nb. The felsic veins are characterized by low Mg/(Mg + Fetot2+) and Ca/(Ca + Na), high SiO2 and high concentrations of incompatible trace elements. Relict clinopyroxene porphyroclasts from the deformed gabbros display a rather primitive, mid-ocean ridge-type geochemical signature, which contrasts with the trace element fingerprint of titanian edenite from both the deformed gabbros and the felsic veins. For instance, titanian edenite typically has relatively high REE abundances, with chondrite-normalized REE patterns characterized by a pronounced negative Eu anomaly. A similar trace element signature is shown by secondary clinopyroxene from the deformed gabbros. Amphibole from both the deformed gabbros and the felsic veins displays high F/Cl values. We show that the SiO2-rich hydrous melts feeding the felsic veins were involved in the high-temperature gabbro deformation and that melt–gabbro reactions led to major and trace element metasomatism of the deforming gabbros.

Description: A close relationship between Ni–Cu–(PGE) sulfide deposits and magmatic conduit systems has been widely accepted, but our present understanding still rests on empirical inductions that sulfide liquids are entrained during magma ascent and aggregated at hydrodynamic traps such as the opening of a conduit into a larger magma body. In this contribution, a preliminary quantitative model for the dynamics of mm-scale sulfide droplets in a vertical magmatic conduit is developed, examining such limiting parameters as the size, transport velocity and the magmas’ maximum carrying capacity for sulfide droplets. Addition of numerous dense sulfide droplets significantly reduces magma buoyancy and rapidly increases the bulk viscosity, and the resulting pressure gradient in the propagating conduit dyke restricts the maximum volume fraction of droplets that can be carried by ascending magma. For sulfide droplets alone, the maximum carrying capacity is low, but it will be improved dramatically by the addition of volatiles which reduces the density and viscosity of silicate melt. Potential volatile degassing during decompression further facilitates sulfide entrainment by reducing bulk magma density, and the formation of buoyant compound vapour-sulfide liquid bubble drops also greatly enhances the carrying capacity. The breakdown of compound drops by detachment of parts of the vapour bubble or sulfide droplet may occur at low pressure, which liberates sulfide liquids from rising compound drops, potentially to collect in traps in the conduit system. When sulfide-laden magma flows through a widening conduit, many droplets can be captured by the re-circulation flow just downstream of the expanding section, followed by sulfide liquid accumulation and enhanced chemical interaction via diffusive exchange with the recirculating magma, potentially resulting in an economic, high-tonnage ore body. We apply our models to the emplacement of sulfide-rich magmatic suspensions at Noril’sk and show that the disseminated mineralization in intrusions could have formed when magmas carrying re-suspended sulfide liquid entrained from pre-existing sulfide accumulations in the conduit system reached their limiting sulfide carrying capacity as dictated by buoyancy and were deflected into blind sills flanking the principal conduit for flood basalt volcanism.