Abstract
Recent pantelleritic lavas comprise the whole of the isolated and outlying volcano of Mayor Island. Mineralogically, they are characterised by phenocrystic anorthoclase-sodic27 sanidine, quartz, sodic ferrohedenbergite, and cossyrite. Nine new chemical analyses of the lavas are presented (including one residual glass), confirming their strongly sodic and peralkaline nature. One analysis is also given of trachybasalt, which occurs as common inclusions in the mantling pumice deposits. These inclusions are characterised by abundant feldspar phenocrysts. Detailed trace element data is presented for five of the lava samples, representing the mam volcanic phases and the trachybasalt inclusions. The following conclusions are presented:
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a)
The lavas exhibit a marked enrichment (relative to “average” granitic compositions) of the alkalis; rare earths; highly charged cations (e.g. Nb, Zr, Hf, Mo, U, Th); Ga, Be, and Cl. In contrast, they show a spectacular depletion of Sr, Ba, and Mg, and a less intense depletion of Ca, Sc, V, and Cr.
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b)
The pantelleritic rare earth patterns show a similar degree of fractionation to the sedimentary pattern, and are dominated by a very strong Eu depletion. This suggests feldspar subtraction. The trachybasalt pattern shows a similar degree of fractionation, but exhibits enrichment of Eu.
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c)
The trachybasalt inclusions are characterised by a trace element assemblage comparable to alkali basalts, except for higher Ba and exceedingly high K/Rb and K/Cs ratios. The chemical and mineralogical data suggest that they represent partial feldspar accumulate rocks.
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d)
There is a progressive enrichment of nearly all trace and minor elements in the youngest lavas. This includes those elements that show an overall depletion in the lavas. The younger lavas are also enriched in Na and Fe, but further depleted in Al.
The data is interpreted to indicate that the pantellerites were derived by crystal differentiation from a postulated mildly alkali olivine basalt parent — feldspar fractionation is considered to have been extremely important in this process. It is shown that the element enrichment occurring in the younger lavas may not be wholely explained by crystallisation differentiation alone — it is possible that some additional process is required. It is also shown that the observed enrichment of sodium in the youngest lavas can only occur during crystal fractionation if quartz, as well as anorthoclase, separate from the magma. This is due to the higher alkali abundances of the anorthoclase phenocrysts, relative to the pantellerite compositions. There is limited evidence that post-eruptive devitrification of some of the lavas has resulted in some modification of the lava chemistry, notably sodium loss.
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Ewart, A., Taylor, S.R. & Capp, A.C. Geochemistry of the pantellerites of Mayor Island, New Zealand. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 17, 116–140 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373205
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373205