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New petrological, geochemical, and P–T modelling results from igneous samples clarify how carbonatite‐lamprophyre magmatism, fluorite and rare earth element (REE) enrichment are petrogenetically related in southern Illinois. P–T modelling reveals that igneous rocks derive from a deep mantle carbonated source, that is consistent with trace element signatures for a fluorine‐rich transition zone origin. Major element systematics suggests liquid‐immiscibility with lamprophyric melts as the origin for Ca‐carbonatites. Heavy REE (HREE) enrichments in Hicks Dome breccias likely formed through preferential partitioning and transport of HREE by brine‐melts, exsolved from a deep carbonatite body. Brine‐melts redistributed HREEs throughout the system along brecciated pathways where they reprecipitated as HREE‐rich phosphate/fluorcarbonate minerals (e.g. xenotime, florencite, synchesite) in host bedrock. The diversity of igneous rocks in southern Illinois highlights the area as an excellent natural laboratory to study carbonated melt petrogenesis and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of the composition of planetary rocks and minerals is crucial for understanding their formation processes. In this study, we present the application of X‐ray nano‐computed tomography (nano‐XCT) for non‐destructive three‐dimensional (3‐D) phase analysis and estimation of phase abundances in rare Martian meteorite samples, specifically chassignite Northwest Africa (NWA) 2737. We determined the most suitable laser power for minimizing artifacts and maximizing phase contrast. By utilizing nano‐XCT, we successfully identified and segmented primary phases in the bulk meteorite sample. Additionally, we were able to locate and segment crystallized silicate melt inclusions within the meteorite. The phase abundances in bulk NWA 2737 and within melt inclusions calculated using nano‐XCT were in good agreement with previous studies that used thin section calculations, demonstrating the reliability of nano‐XCT as a non‐destructive alternative for estimating bulk phase abundances in rare samples. This study develops a benchmarking protocol and demonstrates the efficacy of nano‐XCT as a non‐destructive technique for generating an overview of phase distribution and assemblages of melt inclusions within rare samples. Future research can benefit from combining non‐destructive 3‐D phase assemblage estimations with non‐destructive 3‐D chemical analysis techniques to achieve a fully non‐destructive parental magma composition estimation of rare cumulate samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damage and destruction caused by the 2021 eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on La Palma was unprecedented relative to other historical eruptions of the last century (1909, 1949, 1971, 2011) in the Canary Islands. The devastation caused by the eruption was not a result of eruption magnitude, which was only marginally larger than other historical events, but instead an increasing vulnerability due to population growth and increasing rural land use on the slopes of the volcanically active Cumbre Vieja Ridge. Since future eruptions along the Cumbre Vieja are inevitable, it is imperative that actions are taken to ensure the safety of the island's growing population. While civil protection and emergency services managed to avert loss of life from direct volcanic impacts in 2021, loss of property for many people in the affected area remains a grave issue and requires targeted measures to safeguard against human suffering from similar future events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exhumed serpentinites are fragments of ancient oceanic lithosphere or mantle wedge that record deep fluid‐rock interactions and metasomatic processes. While common in suture zones after closure of ocean basins, in non‐collisional orogens their origin and tectonic significance are not fully understood. We study serpentinite samples from five river basins in a segment of the non‐collisional Andean orogen in Ecuador (Cordillera Real). All samples are fully serpentinized with antigorite as the main polymorph, while spinel is the only relic phase. Watershed delineation analysis and in‐situ B isotope data suggest four serpentinite sources, linked to mantle wedge (δ11B = ∼−10.6 to −0.03‰) and obducted ophiolite (δ11B = −2.51 to +5.73‰) bodies, likely associated with Triassic, Jurassic‐Early Cretaceous, and potentially Late Cretaceous‐Paleocene high‐pressure (HP)–low‐temperature metamorphic sequences. Whole‐rock trace element data and in‐situ B isotopes favor serpentinization by a crust‐derived metamorphic fluid. Thermodynamic modeling in two samples suggests serpentinization at ∼550–500°C and pressures from 2.5 to 2.2 GPa and 1.0–0.6 GPa for two localities. Both samples record a subsequent overprint at ∼1.5–0.5 GPa and 680–660°C. In the Andes, regional phases of slab rollback have been reported since the mid‐Paleozoic to Late Cretaceous. This tectonic scenario favors the extrusion of HP rocks into the forearc and the opening of back‐arc basins. Subsequent compressional phases trigger short‐lived subduction in the back‐arc that culminates with ophiolite obduction and associated metamorphic rock exhumation. Thus, we propose that serpentinites in non‐collisional orogens are sourced from extruded slivers of mantle wedge in the forearc or obducted ophiolite sequences associated with regional back‐arc basins. Plain Language Summary: Serpentinites are metamorphic rock products of fluid‐mediated alteration of the mantle. They occur in the ocean floor and the core of mountain belts resulting from continental collisions after the closure of ancient oceanic basins. However, their origin in non‐collisional mountain belts, such as the Andes, remains unclear. To address this conundrum, we studied serpentinite boulders from five river basins in the Ecuadorian northern Cordillera Real. We found that rocks are composed of the high‐temperature serpentine mineral, while spinel is the only original mineral preserved. River basin analysis and boron stable isotopes indicate four potential sources for the studied rocks, juxtaposed to rocks ranging in age from ∼240 to 55 million. Bulk‐rock chemistry and boron isotopes suggest that the serpentinization was triggered by crustal fluids at depths between 80 and 30 km in a subduction zone environment. Through time, the Andes have been characterized by extensional and compressional tectonic phases. These tectonic scenarios enhance the extraction of rocks at deep sections of the Earth along major faults. We propose that Andean serpentinites are fragments of the Earth's mantle sourced from ancient subduction zones and back‐arc basins. Key Points: Serpentinites associated with HP–LT rocks are common in the Andes, but their origin and tectonic significance are not fully understoodOur results in Cordillera Real serpentinites suggest four sources derived from the mantle wedge and obducted ophiolitesSerpentinites in non‐collisional orogens are exhumed during slab rollback and back‐arc basin closure phases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential ingredients of sustainable energy technologies, but separation of individual REE is one of the hardest problems in chemistry today. Biosorption, where molecules adsorb to the surface of biological materials, offers a sustainable alternative to environmentally harmful solvent extractions currently used for separation of rare earth elements (REE). The REE-biosorption capability of some microorganisms allows for REE separations that, under specialized conditions, are already competitive with solvent extractions, suggesting that genetic engineering could allow it to leapfrog existing technologies. To identify targets for genomic improvement we screened 3,373 mutants from the whole genome knockout collection of the known REE-biosorbing microorganism Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. We found 130 genes that increased biosorption of the middle REE europium, and 112 that reduced it. We verified biosorption changes from the screen for a mixed solution of three REE (La, Eu, Yb) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in solution conditions with a range of ionic strengths and REE concentrations. We identified 18 gene ontologies and 13 gene operons that make up key systems that affect biosorption. We found, among other things, that disruptions of a key regulatory component of the arc system (hptA), which regulates cellular response to anoxic environments and polysaccharide biosynthesis related genes (wbpQ, wbnJ, SO_3183) consistently increase biosorption across all our solution conditions. Our largest total biosorption change comes from our SO_4685, a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis gene, disruption of which results in an up to 79% increase in biosorption; and nusA, a transcriptional termination/anti-termination protein, disruption of which results in an up to 35% decrease in biosorption. Knockouts of glnA, pyrD, and SO_3183 produce small but significant increases (≈ 1%) in relative biosorption affinity for ytterbium over lanthanum in multiple solution conditions tested, while many other genes we explored have more complex binding affinity changes. Modeling suggests that while these changes to lanthanide biosorption selectivity are small, they could already reduce the length of repeated enrichment process by up to 27%. This broad exploratory study begins to elucidate how genetics affect REE-biosorption by S. oneidensis, suggests new areas of investigation for better mechanistic understanding of the membrane chemistry involved in REE binding, and offer potential targets for improving biosorption and separation of REE by genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of the olivine–spinel aluminum exchange thermometer to natural samples is limited by the restricted experimental data set on which it was calibrated. Here, we present a new data set of 46 high-temperature crystallization experiments and 21 reanalyzed published experiments, which we used to extend the calibration to higher and lower temperatures. The final calibration data set spans a range of conditions relevant to crustal and upper mantle processes: 1174–1606°C, 0.1–1350 MPa, QFM − 2.5 to QFM + 7.2 (oxygen fugacity, f O2, reported in log units relative to the quartz–fayalite–magnetite buffer, QFM), and 0–7.4 wt % H2Omelt. We propose three new models. The first is thermodynamically self-consistent, based on spinel Fe, Mg, Al, and Cr compositions and Al exchange between olivine and spinel. The second and third are empirical models that consider fewer elemental exchanges: the second uses only Al exchange and spinel compositions, whereas the third considers olivine–spinel Al and Cr exchange. All models include the modest effect of pressure on olivine-spinel equilibrium chemistry, whereas f O2 and water content have negligible effects. In general, as fewer elements are considered in the olivine–spinel exchange, the fit to experimental data worsens. Conversely, the associated decrease in model complexity improves their robustness against systematic errors when applied to natural crystal pairs: the thermodynamic model may underestimate crystallization temperatures in natural samples due to spinel subsolidus re-equilibration, whereas the empirical models (independent of Fe and Mg in spinel) are less sensitive to re-equilibration but yield temperatures with larger uncertainties. We applied a statistical test to select the most appropriate model for application to natural samples. When applied to lavas from mid-ocean ridges, Iceland, Skye, Emeishan, Etendeka, and Tortugal, our new temperature estimates are 30–100°C lower than previously proposed. The lower temperature estimates cause a lower mantle melting temperature and significant impacts on the mantle lithology constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential ingredients of sustainable energy technologies, but separation of individual REE is one of the hardest problems in chemistry today. Biosorption, where molecules adsorb to the surface of biological materials, offers a sustainable alternative to environmentally harmful solvent extractions currently used for separation of rare earth elements (REE). The REE-biosorption capability of some microorganisms allows for REE separations that, under specialized conditions, are already competitive with solvent extractions, suggesting that genetic engineering could allow it to leapfrog existing technologies. To identify targets for genomic improvement we screened 3,373 mutants from the whole genome knockout collection of the known REE-biosorbing microorganism Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. We found 130 genes that increased biosorption of the middle REE europium, and 112 that reduced it. We verified biosorption changes from the screen for a mixed solution of three REE (La, Eu, Yb) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in solution conditions with a range of ionic strengths and REE concentrations. We identified 18 gene ontologies and 13 gene operons that make up key systems that affect biosorption. We found, among other things, that disruptions of a key regulatory component of the arc system (hptA), which regulates cellular response to anoxic environments and polysaccharide biosynthesis related genes (wbpQ, wbnJ, SO_3183) consistently increase biosorption across all our solution conditions. Our largest total biosorption change comes from our SO_4685, a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis gene, disruption of which results in an up to 79% increase in biosorption; and nusA, a transcriptional termination/anti-termination protein, disruption of which results in an up to 35% decrease in biosorption. Knockouts of glnA, pyrD, and SO_3183 produce small but significant increases (≈ 1%) in relative biosorption affinity for ytterbium over lanthanum in multiple solution conditions tested, while many other genes we explored have more complex binding affinity changes. Modeling suggests that while these changes to lanthanide biosorption selectivity are small, they could already reduce the length of repeated enrichment process by up to 27%. This broad exploratory study begins to elucidate how genetics affect REE-biosorption by S. oneidensis, suggests new areas of investigation for better mechanistic understanding of the membrane chemistry involved in REE binding, and offer potential targets for improving biosorption and separation of REE by genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic ash emissions impact atmospheric processes, depositional ecosystems, human health, and global climate. These effects are sensitive to the size and composition of the ash; however, datasets describing the constituent phases over size ranges relevant for atmospheric transport and widely distributed impacts are practically nonexistent. Here, we present results of X-ray diffraction measurements on size-separated fractions of 40 ash samples from VEI 2–6 eruptions. We characterize changes in phase fractions with grainsize, tectonic setting, and whole-rock SiO2. For grainsizes < 45 μm, average fractions of crystalline silica and surface salts increased while glass and iron oxides decreased with respect to the bulk sample. Samples from arc and intraplate settings are distinguished by feldspar and clinopyroxene fractions (determined by different crystallization sequences) which, together with glass, comprise 80–100% of most samples. We provide a dataset to approximate glass-free proportions of major crystalline phases; however, glass fractions are highly variable. To tackle this, we describe regressions between glass and major crystal phase fractions that help constrain the major phase proportions in volcanic ash with limited a priori information. Using our dataset, we find that pore-free ash density is well-estimated as a function of the clinopyroxene + Fe-oxide fraction, with median values of 2.67 ± 0.01 and 2.85 ± 0.03 g/cm3 for intraplate and arc samples, respectively. Finally, we discuss effects including atmospheric transport and alteration on modal composition and contextualize our proximal airfall ash samples with volcanic ash cloud properties. Our study helps constrain the atmospheric and environmental budget of the phases in fine volcanic ash and their effect on ash density, integral to refine our understanding of the impact of explosive volcanism on the Earth system from single eruptions to global modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constraining the volatile content of magmas is critical to our understanding of eruptive processes and their deep Earth cycling essential to planetary habitability [R. Dasgupta, M. M. Hirschmann, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 298, 1 (2010)]. Yet, much of the work thus far on magmatic volatiles has been dedicated to understanding their cycling through subduction zones. Further, studies of intraplate mafic volcanism have disproportionately focused on Hawaii [P. E. Wieser et al., Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst. 22, e2020GC009364 (2021)], making assessments of the overall role of intraplate volcanoes in the global volatile cycles a challenge. Additionally, while mafic volcanoes are the most common landform on Earth and the Solar System [C. A. Wood, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 7, 387-413 (1980)], they tend to be overlooked in favor of silicic volcanoes when it comes to their potential for explosivity. Here, we report primitive (olivine-hosted, with host Magnesium number -- Mg# 78 to 88%) melt inclusion (MI) data from Fogo volcano, Cabo Verde, that suggest that oceanic intraplate silica-undersaturated explosive eruptions sample volatile-rich sources. Primitive MI (melt Mg# 70 to 71%) data suggest that these melts are oxidized (NiNiO to NiNiO+1) and very high in volatiles (up to 2 wt% CO2, 2.8 wt% H2O, 6,000 ppm S, 1,900 ppm F, and 1,100 ppm Cl) making Fogo a global endmember. Storage depths calculated from these high volatile contents also imply that magma storage at Fogo occurs at mantle depths (~20 to 30 km) and that these eruptions are fed from the mantle. Our results suggest that oceanic intraplate mafic eruptions are sustained from the mantle by high volatile concentrations inherited from their source and that deep CO2 exsolution (here up to ~800 MPa) drives their ascent and explosivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanism is one of the main mechanisms transferring mass and energy between the interior of the Earth and the Earth's surface. However, the global mass flux of lava, volcanic ash and explosive pyroclastic deposits is not well constrained. Here we review published estimates of the mass of the erupted products from 1980 to 2019 by a global compilation. We identified 1,064 magmatic eruptions that occurred between 1980 and 2019 from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program database. For each eruption, we reported both the total erupted mass and its partitioning into the different volcanic products. Using this data set, we quantified the temporal and spatial evolution of subaerial volcanism and its products from 1980 to 2019 at a global and regional scale. The mass of magma erupted in each analyzed decade ranged from 1.1–4.9 × 1013 kg. Lava is the main subaerial erupted product representing ∼57% of the total erupted mass of magma. The products related to the biggest eruptions (Magnitude ≥6), with long recurrence times, can temporarily make explosive products more abundant than lava (e.g., decade 1990–1999). Twenty‐three volcanoes produced ∼72% of the total mass, while two different sets of 15 volcanoes erupted >70% of the total mass of either effusive or explosive products. At a global scale, the 10 and 40‐year average eruptive rates calculated from 1980 to 2019 have the same magnitude as the long‐term average eruptive rates (from thousand to millions of years), because in both cases rates are scaled for times comparable to the recurrence time of the biggest eruptions occurred. Plain Language Summary: The impact of volcanism on the Earth system depends on how the magma is erupted at the surface. Lava effects are very strong locally, while ash emissions can impact larger areas. However, the total mass of magma erupted, as well as the mass of each volcanic product (effusive: lava; explosive: ash and pyroclastic flows) remain poorly constrained. Here we investigated the temporal and spatial evolution of global subaerial volcanism by quantifying the mass of each solid volcanic product erupted above the sea level from 1980 to 2019. Results show that at a global scale the subaerial volcanism produced 1.1–4.9 × 1013 kg of magma per decade from 1980 to 2019. Lava is the main subaerial product representing ∼57% of the total erupted mass of magma. Combined with already available datasets, our work furthers future investigations of the relationship between the erupted masses of magma and of volatiles, the variation of the eruptive rates after an earthquake, the impact of the erupted mass on the Geospheres at local and global scales. Finally, mass balancing between the erupted and intruded mass could provide information of whether a volcano or a magmatic province is accumulating magma, potentially increasing future eruptive hazards on a decadal timescale. Key Points: Global estimation of the mass and products erupted from 1980 to 2019Lava is the main subaerial product erupted from 1980 to 2019Twenty‐three volcanoes produced ∼72% of the total mass erupted from 1980 to 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent measurements of the reflection of the surface of a lava world provides an unprecedented opportunity to investigate different stages of rocky planet evolution. The spectral features of the surfaces of rocky exoplanets give insights into their evolution and inner workings. However, no data base exists yet that contains spectral reflectivity and emission of a wide range of potential volcanic exoplanet surface materials. Here, we first synthesized 16 possible exoplanet surfaces, spanning a wide range of chemical compositions based on potential mantle material of volcanic exoplanets guided by the metallicity of different host stars. Then, we measured their infrared reflection spectrum (2.5–28 μm), from which we obtained their emission spectra, and established the link between the composition and a strong spectral feature at 8 μm, the Christiansen feature (CF). Our analysis suggests a new multicomponent composition relationship with the CF as well as a correlation with the silica content of the exoplanet mantle. We also report the mineralogies of these materials, as possibilities for volcanic worlds. This data base is a tool to aid in the interpretation of future spectra of volcanic and lava worlds that will be collected by the James Webb Space Telescope and other missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost exactly half a century after the eruption of the Teneguía Volcano on La Palma (26 October to 28 November 1971), a new eruption occurred on the island and lasted for 85 days from 19 September until 13 December 2021. This new eruption opened a volcanic vent complex on the western flank of the Cumbre Vieja rift zone, the N‐S elongated polygenetic volcanic ridge that has developed on La Palma over the last c. 125 ka. The Cumbre Vieja ridge is the volcanically active region of the island and the most active one of the Canary Islands, hosting half of all the historically recorded eruptive events in the archipelago. The 2021 La Palma eruption has seen no direct loss of human life, thanks to efficient early detection and sensible management of the volcanic crisis by the authorities, but more than 2800 buildings and almost 1000 hectares of plantations and farmland were affected by lava flows and pyroclastic deposits. Satellite surveillance enabled accurate mapping of the progressive buildup of the extensive and complex basaltic lava field, which together with monitoring of gas emissions informed the timely evacuation of local populations from affected areas. Lava flows that reached the sea constructed an extensive system of lava deltas and platforms, similar to events during earlier historical eruptions such as in 1712, 1949 and 1971. Long‐term challenges in the aftermath of the eruption include protection of drainage systems from potential redistribution of tephra during high rainfall events, the use of the large surplus quantities of ash in reconstruction of buildings and in agriculture, and the crucial concerns of where and how rebuilding should and could occur in the aftermath of the eruption. Finally, there remain strong financial concerns over insurance for properties consumed or damaged by the eruption in the light of future volcanic hazards from the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater recharge in highly fractured volcanic aquifers in the humid tropics remains poorly understood. In this region, rapid demographic growth and unregulated land use change are resulting in extensive surface water pollution and a large dependency on groundwater extraction. Here we present a multi‐tracer approach including δ18Oδ2H, 3H/3He dating, and noble gases (NG) within the most prominent multi‐aquifer system of central Costa Rica, with the objective to assess dominant groundwater recharge mechanisms and age distributions. We sampled wells and large springs across an elevation gradient from 868 to 2421 m asl. Our results indicate relatively young apparent ages ranging from 0.0 ± 3.2 up to 43.5 ± 7.6 years within the unconfined aquifer system. Helium isotopes (R/Ra up to 5.4) indicate a dominant signal from the upper mantle and preclude 3H/3He dating in 50% of the samples. Potential recharge elevations (based on NG and δ18O) ranged from ~1350 to 2670 m asl. NG‐derived recharge temperatures ranged from 11.0°C to 19.4°C. Recharge estimates varied from 129 ± 78 to 1605 ± 196 mm/yr with a mean value of 642 ± 117 mm/yr, representing 20.1 ± 4.0% of the total mean annual rainfall as effective recharge. The shallow unconfined aquifer is characterized by young and rapidly infiltrating water, whereas the deeper aquifer units have relatively older water (>60 years). These results are intended to guide the delineation and mapping of critical recharge areas in mountain headwaters to enhance water security and sustainability in the most important headwater dependent systems of Costa Rica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater recharge in highly fractured volcanic aquifers in the humid tropics remains poorly understood. In this region, rapid demographic growth and unregulated land use change are resulting in extensive surface water pollution and a large dependency on groundwater extraction. Here we present a multi‐tracer approach including δ18Oδ2H, 3H/3He dating, and noble gases (NG) within the most prominent multi‐aquifer system of central Costa Rica, with the objective to assess dominant groundwater recharge mechanisms and age distributions. We sampled wells and large springs across an elevation gradient from 868 to 2421 m asl. Our results indicate relatively young apparent ages ranging from 0.0 ± 3.2 up to 43.5 ± 7.6 years within the unconfined aquifer system. Helium isotopes (R/Ra up to 5.4) indicate a dominant signal from the upper mantle and preclude 3H/3He dating in 50% of the samples. Potential recharge elevations (based on NG and δ18O) ranged from ~1350 to 2670 m asl. NG‐derived recharge temperatures ranged from 11.0°C to 19.4°C. Recharge estimates varied from 129 ± 78 to 1605 ± 196 mm/yr with a mean value of 642 ± 117 mm/yr, representing 20.1 ± 4.0% of the total mean annual rainfall as effective recharge. The shallow unconfined aquifer is characterized by young and rapidly infiltrating water, whereas the deeper aquifer units have relatively older water (>60 years). These results are intended to guide the delineation and mapping of critical recharge areas in mountain headwaters to enhance water security and sustainability in the most important headwater dependent systems of Costa Rica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that mantle plumes are the main conduits for upwelling geochemically enriched material from Earth's deep interior. The fashion and extent to which lateral flow processes at shallow depths may disperse enriched mantle material far (>1,000 km) from vertical plume conduits, however, remain poorly constrained. Here, we report He and C isotope data from 65 hydrothermal fluids from the southern Central America Margin (CAM) which reveal strikingly high 3He/4He (up to 8.9RA) in low-temperature (=50 °C) geothermal springs of central Panama that are not associated with active volcanism. Following radiogenic correction, these data imply a mantle source 3He/4He >10.3RA (and potentially up to 26RA, similar to Galapagos hotspot lavas) markedly greater than the upper mantle range (8 ± 1RA). Lava geochemistry (Pb isotopes, Nb/U, and Ce/Pb) and geophysical constraints show that high 3He/4He values in central Panama are likely derived from the infiltration of a Galapagos plume-like mantle through a slabwindowthat opened ~8 Mya. Two potential transport mechanisms can explain the connection between the Galapagos plume and the slab window: 1) sublithospheric transport of Galapagos plume material channeled by lithosphere thinning along the Panama Fracture Zone or 2) active upwelling of Galapagos plume material blown by a "mantle wind" toward the CAM. We present a model of global mantle flow that supports the second mechanism, whereby most of the eastward transport of Galapagos plume material occurs in the shallow asthenosphere. These findings underscore the potential for lateral mantle flow to transport mantle geochemical heterogeneities thousands of kilometers away from plume conduits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioleaching of rare earth elements (REEs), using microorganisms such as Gluconobacter oxydans, offers a sustainable alternative to environmentally harmful thermochemical extraction, but is currently not very efficient. Here, we generate a whole-genome knockout collection of single-gene transposon disruption mutants for G. oxydans B58, to identify genes affecting the efficacy of REE bioleaching. We find 304 genes whose disruption alters the production of acidic biolixiviant. Disruption of genes underlying synthesis of the cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and the PQQ-dependent membrane-bound glucose dehydrogenase nearly eliminates bioleaching. Disruption of phosphate-specific transport system genes enhances bioleaching by up to 18%. Our results provide a comprehensive roadmap for engineering the genome of G. oxydans to further increase its bioleaching efficiency. Bioleaching of rare earth elements using microorganisms offers an environmentally friendly alternative to thermochemical extraction. Here, Schmitz et al. generate a whole-genome knockout collection of mutants for one such microorganism, Gluconobacter oxydans, and identify genes affecting the production of acidic biolixiviant and thus bioleaching efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern margin of North America has been shaped by a series of tectonic events including the Paleozoic Appalachian Orogeny and the breakup of Pangea during the Mesozoic. For the past ∼200 Ma, eastern North America has been a passive continental margin; however, there is evidence in the Central Appalachian Mountains for post‐rifting modification of lithospheric structure. This evidence includes two co‐located pulses of magmatism that post‐date the rifting event (at 152 and 47 Ma) along with low seismic velocities, high seismic attenuation, and high electrical conductivity in the upper mantle. Here, we synthesize and evaluate constraints on the lithospheric evolution of the Central Appalachian Mountains. These include tomographic imaging of seismic velocities, seismic and electrical conductivity imaging along the Mid‐Atlantic Geophysical Integrative Collaboration array, gravity and heat flow measurements, geochemical and petrological examination of Jurassic and Eocene magmatic rocks, and estimates of erosion rates from geomorphological data. We discuss and evaluate a set of possible mechanisms for lithospheric loss and intraplate volcanism beneath the region. Taken together, recent observations provide compelling evidence for lithospheric loss beneath the Central Appalachians; while they cannot uniquely identify the processes associated with this loss, they narrow the range of plausible models, with important implications for our understanding of intraplate volcanism and the evolution of continental lithosphere. Our preferred models invoke a combination of (perhaps episodic) lithospheric loss via Rayleigh‐Taylor instabilities and subsequent small‐scale mantle flow in combination with shear‐driven upwelling that maintains the region of thin lithosphere and causes partial melting in the asthenosphere. Plain Language Summary: For the past 200 million years, the east coast of North America has been situated in the middle of a tectonic plate. Contrary to the expectations for this setting, a region of the Central Appalachian Mountains centered near the boundary between the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia exhibits atypical properties. The unusual observations include volcanic activity in the geologic past far away from a plate boundary, elevated rates of erosion associated with high topography in the Central Appalachians, and anomalous structure in the upper mantle that has been detected using geophysical methods. This article describes, synthesizes, and compares a suite of observations that show that this part of the Central Appalachians is unusual compared to other so‐called passive continental margins. We discuss a range of different models that might describe how the lithosphere, or the rigid part of the crust and upper mantle that defines the tectonic plate, has evolved through time beneath our study region. We show that the lithosphere today is thin, and that past episodes of lithospheric loss involving a portion of dense lithosphere "dripping" into the mantle under the force of gravity may provide a good explanation for the observations. Key Points: There is a present‐day geophysical anomaly in the upper mantle co‐located with unusually young volcanism in the Central AppalachiansWe synthesize constraints from geophysics, petrology/geochemistry, and geomorphology to constrain possible models for lithospheric lossWe favor one or more Rayleigh‐Taylor lithospheric instabilities, perhaps in combination with shear‐driven upwelling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basaltic lavas sample recycled crustal materials from their mantle source. Constraining the location and residence time of these recycled materials in the mantle is critical to understand global mantle dynamics. In this study, we present new whole-rock major and trace element abundances, Sr-Nd-Mo-Os isotopes, water contents and He isotopes of volcanic glasses, U-Pb ages of zircons, and compositions of melt inclusions, spinels and olivines from the South China Sea (SCS) seamounts lavas. These new data are compared with literature data from intraplate volcanism of similar age from Southeast (SE) Asia. The isotope data of late Cenozoic lavas from the SCS seamounts and SE Asia can be explained by mixing between enriched mantle 2 (EM2) and depleted mid-ocean ridge basalt mantle components. Our data are consistent with the EM2 signature of late Cenozoic lavas derived from recycled young oceanic crust and sediments. The compositions of olivine phenocrysts indicate an olivine-dominated (peridotitic) mantle source. There is currently no evidence for a high-³He/4He mantle plume component beneath the SCS. Our results combined with geophysical data and plate reconstructions suggest that the late Cenozoic magmatism is related to the upwelling of instabilities from the mantle transition zone (MTZ) triggered by a stagnant slab. The SCS seamount lavas sample an enriched MTZ containing young recycled materials, consistent with regional past subduction. Our study provides additional evidence that storage and recycling of crustal materials in or near the MTZ is an important mechanism to develop global mantle heterogeneities sampled by intraplate volcanoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Africa (NWA) 2737, one of the only three discovered Martian chassignites, provides critical constraints on the evolution of the Martian mantle and crust. Because of chassignites' cumulative nature, they contain abundant melt inclusions (MI). MI are small droplets of melts trapped by crystals during the cooling of magma. They are critical to the study of pre‐eruptive parental magma compositions, and thus, provide snapshots of the composition and evolution of Martian magmatic systems. Here, we present fractional crystallization models using parental magma composition calculated from NWA 2737 melt inclusions as starting compositions. We used the thermodynamic modeling software MELTS to model fractional crystallization of NWA 2737 parental magma compositions with a wide range of parameters (pressure, water content, oxygen fugacity). Our models show that the felsic compositions recently analyzed at the Martian surface in Gale crater, especially Sparkle and Angmaat, the two rocks thought to be analogous to the earliest continental crust on Earth, can be obtained by fractional crystallization of chassignite‐like parental melts. Our results suggest a link between the processes that resulted in chassignites and the rocks analyzed in situ at Gale crater. To assess the possible scenarios for Martian magma migration and storage processes, we compared chassignites to terrestrial analogs formed via various mechanisms and proposed two mechanisms that may explain the intrusive and effusive rocks found in situ at Gale crater: (1) emplacement and fractionation in a closed‐system crustal reservoir and (2) eruption of mafic to intermediate lavas of a relatively open system subject to constant replenishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central America has a rich mix of conditions that allow comparisons of different natural experiments in the generation of arc magmas within the relatively short length of the margin. The shape of the volcanic front and this margin's architecture derive from the assemblage of exotic continental and oceanic crustal slivers, and later modification by volcanism and tectonic activity. Active tectonics of the Cocos-Caribbean plate boundary are strongly influenced by oblique subduction, resulting in a narrow volcanic front segmented by right steps occurring at ∼150-km intervals. The largest volcanic centers are located where depths to the slab are ∼90–110 km. Volcanoes that develop above deeper sections of the subducting slab are less voluminous and better record source geochemical heterogeneity. Extreme variations in isotopic and trace element ratios are derived from different components of thesubducted oceanic lithosphere. However, the extent that volcanoes sample these signatures is also influenced by lithospheric structures that control the arc segmentation. The architecture of Central America derives from the assemblage of exotic continental and oceanic crustal slivers modified by arc magmatism and tectonic processes. Active tectonics in Central America are controlled by oblique subduction. The lithospheric architecture and tectonics define the segmentation of the volcanic front, and thus the depth to the slab below a volcanic center. The composition of the subducted material is the main control of the along arc geochemical variations observed in Central American volcanoes. Geochemical heterogeneity in each segment is highlighted by extreme compositions representing the smaller centers with variations up to 65% of the total observed range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processes that result in arc magmas are critical to understanding element recycling in subduction zones, yet little is known about how these systems evolve with time. Nicaragua provides an opportunity to reconstruct the history of a volcanic arc since the Cretaceous. Here we present the stratigraphy of the Cretaceous–Eocene volcanic units in Nicaragua and their relationship to the different tectonic units where the arc developed. We discovered an evolution from an arc‐dominated by calc‐alkaline compositions in the Cretaceous–Eocene, to transitional compositions in the Oligocene–Miocene, to finally tholeiitic magmas common in the modern volcanic front. Our petrographic studies confirm that in the Cretaceous–Eocene the olivine + clinopyroxene cotectic was followed by clinopyroxene + plagioclase ± amphibole. Given the abundance of amphibole and the lack of this mineral in the modern volcanic front, the Cretaceous–Eocene Arc melts were likely more water‐rich than modern Nicaragua, suppressing the crystallization of plagioclase after olivine. We also found temporal changes in element ratios that are sensitive to variations in sediment input. The Cretaceous–Eocene Arc is characterized by a lower Ba/Th compared to the Oligocene–Miocene and modern volcanic front samples, suggesting that the sediment input was lower in Ba, possibly analogous to old deep siliceous sediment subducting in the western Pacific. Both U/Th and U/La are higher in the modern volcanics, reflecting higher U/Th in the subducting sediments following the 'Carbonate Crash'. Finally, we found that the orientation of the arc axis also changed, from northeast‐southwest in the Cretaceous–Eocene to northwest‐southeast after the Oligocene. This change probably records variations in the location of the subduction zone as this region shaped into its current geographic configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Icelandic hotspot has erupted basaltic magma with the highest mantle‐derived 3He/4He over a period spanning much of the Cenozoic, from the early‐Cenozoic Baffin Island‐West Greenland flood basalt province (49.8 RA), to mid‐Miocene lavas in northwest Iceland (40.2 to 47.5 RA), to Pleistocene lavas in Iceland's neovolcanic zone (34.3 RA). The Baffin Island lavas transited through and potentially assimilated variable amounts of Precambrian continental basement. We use geochemical indicators sensitive to continental crust assimilation (Nb/Th, Ce/Pb, MgO) to identify the least crustally contaminated lavas. Four lavas, identified as "least crustally contaminated," have high MgO (>15 wt.%), and Nb/Th and Ce/Pb that fall within the mantle range (Nb/Th = 15.6 ± 2.6, Ce/Pb = 24.3 ± 4.3). These lavas have 87Sr/86Sr = 0.703008–0.703021, 143Nd/144Nd = 0.513094–0.513128, 176Hf/177Hf = 0.283265–0.283284, 206Pb/204Pb = 17.7560–17.9375, 3He/4He up to 39.9 RA, and mantle‐like δ18O of 5.03–5.21‰. The radiogenic isotopic compositions of the least crustally contaminated lavas are more geochemically depleted than Iceland high‐3He/4He lavas, a shift that cannot be explained by continental crust assimilation in the Baffin suite. Thus, we argue for the presence of two geochemically distinct high‐3He/4He components within the Iceland plume. Additionally, the least crustally contaminated primary melts from Baffin Island‐West Greenland have higher mantle potential temperatures (1510 to 1630 °C) than Siqueiros mid‐ocean ridge basalts (1300 to 1410 °C), which attests to a hot, buoyant plume origin for early Iceland plume lavas. These observations support the contention that the geochemically heterogeneous high‐3He/4He domain is dense, located in the deep mantle, and sampled by only the hottest plumes. Key Points: Baffin Island‐West Greenland high‐3He/4He lavas are more geochemically depleted than any other high‐3He/4He lavas globallyThe isotopic composition of the high‐3He/4He mantle source in the Iceland plume has evolved through timeBaffin Island and West Greenland primary melts record hotter temperatures than high‐MgO MORB, consistent with a deep, dense plume source [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Talamanca Cordillera in the Central America Arc (Costa Rica‐Panama) preserves the record of the geochemical evolution from an intraoceanic arc to a juvenile continental arc in an active subduction zone, making it a testbed to explore processes that resulted in juvenile continental crust formation and explore potential mechanisms of early continental crust generation. Here we present a comprehensive set of geochronological, geochemical, and petrological data from the Talamanca Cordillera that tracks the key turning point (12–8 Ma) from the evolution of an oceanic arc depleted in incompatible elements to a juvenile continent. Most plutonic rocks from this transition and postintrusive rocks share striking similarities with average upper continental crust and Archean tonalite, trondhjemite, and granodiorite. We complement these data with seismic studies across the arc. Seismic velocities within the Caribbean Plate (basement of the arc) show a relatively uniform lateral structure consistent with a thick mafic large igneous province. Comparisons of seismic velocity profiles in the middle and lower crust beneath the active arc and remnant Miocene arc suggest a transition toward more felsic compositions as the volcanic center migrated toward the location of the modern arc. Seismic velocities along the modern arc in Costa Rica compared with other active arcs and average continental crust suggest an intermediate composition beneath the active arc in Costa Rica closer to average crust. Our geochemical modeling and radiogenic isotopes systematics suggest that input components from melting of the subducting Galapagos hotspot tracks are required for this compositional change. Key Points: The Talamanca Cordillera preserves the record of the evolution from an intra‐oceanic arc to a juvenile continentalPlutonic rocks from this transition and post‐intrusive rocks share striking similarities with average upper continental crust and TTGSeismic velocity profiles suggest a transition towards more felsic compositions as the volcanic axis migrated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraplate magmatic provinces found away from plate boundaries provide direct sampling of the composition and heterogeneity of the Earth's mantle. The chemical heterogeneities that have been observed in the mantle are usually attributed to recycling during subduction1–3, which allows for the addition of volatiles and incompatible elements into the mantle. Although many intraplate volcanoes sample deep-mantle reservoirs—possibly at the core–mantle boundary4—not all intraplate volcanoes are deep-rooted5, and reservoirs in other, shallower boundary layers are likely to participate in magma generation. Here we present evidence that suggests Bermuda sampled a previously unknown mantle domain, characterized by silica-undersaturated melts that are substantially enriched in incompatible elements and volatiles, and a unique, extreme isotopic signature. To our knowledge, Bermuda records the most radiogenic 206Pb/204Pb isotopes that have been documented in an ocean basin (with 206Pb/204Pb ratios of 19.9–21.7) using high-precision methods. Together with low 207Pb/204Pb ratios (15.5–15.6) and relatively invariant Sr, Nd, and Hf isotopes, the data suggest that this source must be less than 650 million years old. We therefore interpret the Bermuda source as a previously unknown, transient mantle reservoir that resulted from the recycling and storage of incompatible elements and volatiles6–8 in the transition zone (between the upper and lower mantle), aided by the fractionation of lead in a mineral that is stable only in this boundary layer, such as K-hollandite9,10. We suggest that recent recycling into the transition zone, related to subduction events during the formation of Pangea, is the reason why this reservoir has only been found in the Atlantic Ocean. Our geodynamic models suggest that this boundary layer was sampled by disturbances related to mantle flow. Seismic studies and diamond inclusions6,7 have shown that recycled materials can be stored in the transition zone11. For the first time, to our knowledge, we show geochemical evidence that this storage is key to the generation of extreme isotopic domains that were previously thought to be related only to deep recycling. The formation of Bermuda sampled a previously unknown mantle reservoir that is characterized by silica-undersaturated melts enriched in volatiles and by a unique lead isotopic signature, which suggests that the source is young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mantle plume‐derived melts provide a unique glimpse into the chemical heterogeneity of the deep mantle. However, the exact processes involved in forming and sampling lower mantle heterogeneities remain unresolved and thus, require further investigation to understand the cumulative effects of planetary differentiation, crustal recycling, and mantle mixing that lead to their formation. The Galapagos Plume is exceptional in that its lavas sample four distinct isotopic mantle components. However, the origin of each of these end‐members remains debated. In this study, we investigate the spatial and temporal appearance and evolution of these four isotopic end‐members that comprise the present‐day Archipelago by examining ancient Galapagos lava flows preserved in the accreted terranes in Costa Rica and Panama. We discovered that the spatial relationship between each of the classically defined Galapagos Domains has remained relatively constant throughout the evolution of the plume. Our new results extend the time scale of distinct isotopic heterogeneity in the source of the plume to at least 70 Ma for the Southern Domain and 90 Ma for the Central, and Northern Domains, suggesting that geochemically heterogeneous plumes rising through the mantle preserve distinct isotopic heterogeneity on the time scale of tens of millions of years. Additionally, trace element systematics of olivine crystals from the Galapagos‐related Quepos and Azuero terranes (50–70 ma) suggest derivation from sources that included recycled components. Collectively, these results suggest that mantle plumes not only sample large‐scale heterogeneities within the deep mantle, but that these source heterogeneities can remain sampled throughout the lifetime of a plume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The recent discovery of some ancient evolved rocks in Gale crater by the Curiosity rover has prompted the hypothesis that continental crust formed in early Martian history. Here we present petrological modeling that attempts to explain this lithological diversity by magma fractionation. Using the thermodynamical software MELTS, we model fractional crystallization of different Martian starting compositions that might generate felsic igneous compositions like those analyzed at Gale crater using different variables, such as pressure, oxygen fugacities, and water content. We show that similar chemical and mineralogical compositions observed in Gale crater felsic rocks can readily be obtained through different degrees of fractional crystallization of basaltic compositions measured on the Martian surface. The results suggest that Gale crater rocks may not represent true liquids as they possibly accumulated and/or fractionated feldspars as well as other phases. In terms of major element compositions and mineralogy, we found that the Gale crater felsic compositions are more similar to fractionated magmas produced in Earth's intraplate volcanoes than to terrestrial felsic continental crust as represented by tonalite‐trondhjemite‐granodiorite suites. We conclude that the felsic rocks in Gale crater do not represent continental crust, as it is defined on Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide here an open version of Igpet software, called t-Igpet to emphasize its application for teaching and research in forward modeling of igneous geochemistry. There are three programs, a norm utility, a petrologic mixing program using least squares and Igpet, a graphics program that includes many forms of numerical modeling. Igpet is a multifaceted tool that provides the following basic capabilities: igneous rock identification using the IUGS (International Union of Geological Sciences) classification and several supplementary diagrams; tectonic discrimination diagrams; pseudo-quaternary projections; least squares fitting of lines, polynomials and hyperbolae; magma mixing using two endmembers, histograms, x-y plots, ternary plots and spider-diagrams. The advanced capabilities of Igpet are multi-element mixing and magma evolution modeling. Mixing models are particularly useful for understanding the isotopic variations in rock suites that evolved by mixing different sources. The important melting models include, batch melting, fractional melting and aggregated fractional melting. Crystallization models include equilibrium and fractional crystallization and AFC (assimilation and fractional crystallization). Theses, reports and proposals concerning igneous petrology are improved by numerical modeling. For reviewed publications some elements of modeling are practically a requirement. Our intention in providing this software is to facilitate improved communication and lower entry barriers to research, especially for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin oceanic crust is formed by decompression melting of the upper mantle at mid-ocean ridges, but the origin of the thick and buoyant continental crust is enigmatic. Juvenile continental crust may form from magmas erupted above intra-oceanic subduction zones, where oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath other oceanic lithosphere. However, it is unclear why the subduction of dominantly basaltic oceanic crust would result in the formation of andesitic continental crust at the surface. Here we use geochemical and geophysical data to reconstruct the evolution of the Central American land bridge, which formed above an intra-oceanic subduction system over the past 70 Myr. We find that the geochemical signature of erupted lavas evolved from basaltic to andesitic about 10 Myr ago-coincident with the onset of subduction of more oceanic crust that originally formed above the Galápagos mantle plume. We also find that seismic P-waves travel through the crust at velocities intermediate between those typically observed for oceanic and continental crust. We develop a continentality index to quantitatively correlate geochemical composition with the average P-wave velocity of arc crust globally. We conclude that although the formation and evolution of continents may involve many processes, melting enriched oceanic crust within a subduction zone-a process probably more common in the Archaean-can produce juvenile continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melt inclusions (MI) are considered the best tool available for determining the pre-eruptive volatile contents of magmas. H2O and CO2 concentrations of the glass phase in MI are commonly used both as a barometer and to track magma degassing behavior during ascent due to the strong pressure dependence of H2O and CO2 solubilities in silicate melts. The often unstated and sometimes overlooked requirement for this method to be valid is that the glass phase in the MI must represent the composition of the melt that was trapped at depth in the volcanic plumbing system. However, melt inclusions commonly contain a vapor bubble that formed after trapping owing to differential shrinkage of the melt compared to the host crystal, and/or crystallization at the inclusion-host interface. Such bubbles may contain a substantial portion of volatiles, such as CO2, that were originally dissolved in the melt. In this study, we determined the contribution of CO2 in the vapor bubble to the overall CO2 content of MI based on quantitative Raman analysis of the vapor bubbles in MI from the 1959 Kilauea Iki (Hawaii), 1960 Kapoho (Hawaii), 1974 Fuego volcano (Guatemala), and 1977 Seguam Island (Alaska) eruptions. We found that the bubbles typically contain 40 to 90% of the total CO2 in the MI. Reconstructing the original CO2 content by adding the CO2 in the bubble back into the melt results in an increase in CO2 concentration by as much as an order of magnitude (thousands of parts per million). Reconstructed CO2 concentrations correspond to trapping pressures that are significantly greater than one would predict based on analysis of the volatiles in the glass alone. Trapping depths can be as much as 10 km deeper than estimates that ignore the CO2 in the bubble. In addition to CO2 in the vapor bubbles, many MI showed the presence of a carbonate mineral phase. Failure to recognize the carbonate during petrographic examination or analysis of the glass and to include its contained CO2 when reconstructing the CO2 content of the originally trapped melt will introduce additional errors into the calculated volatile budget. Our results emphasize that accurate determination of the pre-eruptive volatile content of melts based on analysis of melt inclusions must consider the volatiles contained in the bubble (and carbonates, if present). This can be accomplished either by analysis of the bubble and the glass followed by mass-balance reconstruction of the original volatile content of the melt, or by re-homogenization of the MI prior to conducting microanalysis of the quenched, glassy MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rutgers University Central American geochemical dataset focuses on the active volcanoes related to the Cocos-Caribbean convergent plate boundary that extends from Guatemala to Costa Rica in Central America. The RU prefix signifies that the data and samples are primarily from the long-term Central American research project started at Dartmouth College in 1970 and continued at Rutgers University from 1974 to the present. The database is decidedly uneven because of the impressive improvement of analytical techniques over the span of data collection. Further complications arose because most of the sampling and analysis were part of the educational process for many different undergraduate and graduate students using different types of instruments. This note presents, as a reasonably coherent whole, geochemical data and metadata for about 1400 samples collected by at least 40 students and colleagues. Many unpublished Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic ratios are included here but most of the new data are metadata that provide greatly improved descriptions of the tectonic settings, locations, and status of the samples as well as estimates of data quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Triassic Dehnow pluton of NE Iran is a garnet-bearing I-type calc-alkaline metaluminous diorite-tonalite-granodiorite intrusion. The parental magma formed as the result of partial melting of intermediate to felsic rocks in the lower crust. Petrological and geochemical evidence, which indicates a magmatic origin for the garnet, includes: large size (~10–20 mm) of crystals, absence of reaction rims, a distinct composition from garnet in adjacent metapelitic rocks, and similarity in the composition of mineral inclusions (biotite, hornblende) in the garnet and in the matrix. Absence of garnet-bearing enclaves in the pluton and lack of sillimanite (fibrolite) and cordierite inclusions in magmatic garnet suggests that the garnet was not produced by assimilation of meta-sedimentary country rocks. Also, the δ18O values of garnet in the pluton (8.3–8.7‰) are significantly lower than δ18O values of garnet in the metapelitic rocks (12.5–13.1‰). Amphibole-plagioclase and garnet-biotite thermometers indicate crystallization temperatures of 708°C and 790°C, respectively. A temperature of 692°C obtained by quartz-garnet oxygen isotope thermometry points to a closure temperature for oxygen diffusion in garnet. The composition of epidote (Xep) and garnet (Xadr) indicates ~800°C for the crystallization temperature of these minerals. Elevated andradite content in the rims of garnet suggests that oxygen fugacity increased during crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rutgers University Central American geochemical dataset focuses on the active volcanoes related to the Cocos-Caribbean convergent plate boundary that extends from Guatemala to Costa Rica in Central America. The RU prefix signifies that the data and samples are primarily from the long-term Central American research project started at Dartmouth College in 1970 and continued at Rutgers University from 1974 to the present. The database is decidedly uneven because of the impressive improvement of analytical techniques over the span of data collection. Further complications arose because most of the sampling and analysis were part of the educational process for many different undergraduate and graduate students using different types of instruments. This note presents, as a reasonably coherent whole, geochemical data and metadata for about 1400 samples collected by at least 40 students and colleagues. Many unpublished Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic ratios are included here but most of the new data are metadata that provide greatly improved descriptions of the tectonic settings, locations, and status of the samples as well as estimates of data quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geological mapping and geochronological studies have shown much lower eruption rates for ocean island basalts (OIBs) in comparison with those of lavas from large igneous provinces (LIPs) such as oceanic plateaux and continental flood provinces. However, a quantitative petrological comparison has never been made between mantle source temperature and the extent of melting for OIB and LIP sources. Here we show that the MgO and FeO contents of Galapagos-related lavas and their primary magmas have decreased since the Cretaceous period. From petrological modelling, we infer that these changes reflect a cooling of the Galapagos mantle plume from a potential temperature of 1,560–1,620 °C in the Cretaceous to 1,500 °C at present. Iceland also exhibits secular cooling, in agreement with previous studies. Our work provides quantitative petrological evidence that, in general, mantle plumes for LIPs with Palaeocene–Permian ages were hotter and melted more extensively than plumes of more modern ocean islands. We interpret this to reflect episodic flow from lower-mantle domains that are lithologically and geochemically heterogeneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An Amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]