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The Palaeogene layered ultrabasic intrusion of the Isle of Rum forms the hearth of the Rum Igneous Centre in NW-Scotland. The regional Long Loch Fault, which is widely held to represent the feeder system to the layered magma reservoir, dissects the intrusion and is marked by extensive ultrabasic breccias of various types. Here we explore the connection between the layered ultrabasic cumulate rocks and breccias of central Rum that characterize the fault zone (the ‘Central Series’) and evaluate their relationship with the Long Loch Fault system. We show that fault splays in the Central Series define a transtensional graben above the Long Loch Fault into which portions of the layered units subsided and collapsed to form the extensive breccias of central Rum. The destabilization of the cumulate pile was aided by intrusion of Ca-rich ultrabasic magmas along the faults, fractures and existing bedding planes, creating a widespread network of veins and dykelets that provided a further means of disintegration and block detachment. Enrichment in LREE and compositional zoning in intra cumulate interstices suggest that the collapsed cumulates were infiltrated by relatively evolved plagioclase-rich melt, which led to extensive re-crystallization of interstices. Clinopyroxene compositions in Ca-rich gabbro and feldspathic peridotite veins suggest that the intruding magma was also relatively water-rich, and that pyroxene crystallized dominantly below the current level of exposure. We propose that the Long Loch Fault opened and closed repeatedly to furnish the Rum volcano with a pulsing magma conduit. When the conduit was shut, pressure built up in the underlying plumbing system, but was released during renewed fault movements to permit dense and often crystal-rich ultrabasic magmas to ascend rapidly from depth. These spread laterally on arrival in the shallow Rum magma reservoir, supplying repetitive recharges of crystal-rich magma to assemble the rhythmic layering of the Rum laye

Magma-carbonate interaction is increasingly seen as a viable and extremely important cause of magma contamination, and the generation of a crustally sourced CO2 phase (Goff et al., 2001; Freda et al., 2010). Even though the process is well recognized at certain volcanoes e.g. Popocatépetl, (Mexico); Merapi, (Indonesia); and Colli Albani, (Italy) (Goff et al., 2001; Deegan et al., 2010; Freda et al., 2010), neither the kinetics of carbonate assimilation nor its consequences for controlling the explosivity of eruptions have been constrained. Here we show the results of magma-carbonate interaction experiments conducted at 1200 °C and 0.5 GPa for varying durations (0 s, 60 s, 90 s and 300 s) for the Mt. Merapi (Indonesia) and Mt. Vesuvius (Italy) volcanic systems. We performed experiments using glassy starting materials specific to each volcano (shoshonite for Mt. Vesuvius, basaltic-andesite for Mt. Merapi) with different degrees of hydration (anhydrous vs hydration with ~ 2 wt % water) and using carbonate fragments of local origin; see Deegan et al., (2010) and Jolis et al., (2011). Experimental products include a gas phase (CO2-rich) and two melt phases, one pristine (Ca-normal) and one contaminated (Ca-rich) separated by a 'contamination front' which propagates outwards from the carbonate clast. Vesicles appear to nucleate in the contaminated glass and then migrate into the pristine one. Both contamination front propagation and bubble migration away from the carbonate are slower in anhydrous basaltic-andesite (Merapi anhydrous series) than in hydrated basaltic-andesite and shoshonite (Merapi and Vesuvius hydrated series), suggesting that assimilation speed is strongly controlled by the degree of hydration and the SiO2 content, both of which influence melt viscosity and hence diffusivity. As the carbonate dissolution proceeds in our experiments, initially dissolved and eventually exsolved CO2 builds up in the contaminated Ca-rich melt phase. Once melt volatile oversat

Arc magmas typically display chemical and petrographic characteristics indicative of crustal input. Crustal contamination can take place either in the mantle source region or as magma traverses the crust (e.g. [1]). While source contamination is generally considered the dominant process (e.g. [2, 3, 4]), crustal contamination in high level magma chambers has also been recognised at volcanic arcs (e.g. [5, 6]). In light of this, we aim to test the extent of upper crustal versus source contamination along the Java segment of the Sunda arc, which, because of its variable upper crustal structure, is ideal for the task. We present a detailed geochemical study of 7 volcanoes along a traverse from Anak-Krakatau in the Sunda strait through Java (Gede, Slamet, Merapi, Kelut, Kawah-Ijen) and Bali (Batur). Using rock and mineral elemental geochemistry and radiogenic (Sr, Nd and Pb) and, stable (O) isotopes, we show a correspondence between changes in composition of the upper crust and the apparent degree of upper crustal contamination. There is an increase in 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O, and a decrease in 143Nd/144Nd from Krakatau towards Merapi, indicating substantial input from the thick quasi-continental basement beneath East and Central Java. Volcanoes to the east of Merapi, and the Progo-Muria fault zone, where the upper crust is thinner and increasingly oceanic in nature have lower 87Sr/86Sr and δ18O, and higher 143Nd/144Nd indicating a stronger influence of the mantle source [7]. Our new data represent a systematic and high-resolution arc-wide sampling effort that allows us to distinguish the effects of the upper crust on the compositional spectrum of individual volcanic systems along the Sunda arc. [1] Davidson, J.P, Hora, J.M, Garrison, J.M & Dungan, M.A (2005), J. Geotherm. Res., 140, 157-170. [2] Hilton, D.R., Fischer, T.P. & Marty, B. (2002), Rev. Mineral. Geochem., 47, 319-370. [3] Gertisser, R. & Keller, J. (2003). J. Petrol., 44, 457-489 [4] Debaille, V.

We report on a geological expedition to NE Iceland in August 2011. A comprehensive sample suite of intrusive and extrusive rocks, ranging from basaltic to silicic compositions, was collected from the Neogene silicic central volcanic complexes in the region between Borgarfjörður eystri and Loðmundarfjörður. The area contains the second-most voluminous occurrence of silicic rocks in Iceland, including caldera structures, inclined sheet swarms, extensive ignimbrite sheets, sub-volcanic rhyolites and silicic lava flows. Yet it is one of Iceland's geologically least known areas (c.f. Gústafsson, 1992; Martin & Sigmarsson, 2010; Burchardt et al., 2011). The voluminous occurrence of evolved rocks in Iceland (10-12 %) is very unusual for an ocean island or a mid-oceanic ridge, with a typical signal of magmatic bimodality, often called "Bunsen-Daly" compositional gap (e.g. Bunsen, 1851; Daly, 1925; Barth et al., 1939). The Bunsen-Daly Gap is a long-standing fundamental issue in petrology and difficult to reconcile with continuous fractional crystallization as a dominant process in magmatic differentiation (Bowen, 1928), implying that hydrothermal alteration and crustal melting may play a significant role. Our aim is to contribute to a solution of this issue by unravelling the occurrence of voluminous evolved rhyolites in NE Iceland. We will use a combined petrological, textural, experimental and in-situ isotope approach. We plan to perform major, trace element and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb-He-O isotope geochemistry, as well as U/Pb and Ar/Ar geochronology on rocks and mineral separates. In addition, high pressure-temperature partial melting experiments aim to reproduce and further constrain natural processes. Using the combined data set we intend to produce a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of rhyolite petrogenesis, and of the temporal, structural and geochemical evolution of the silicic volcanism in NE Iceland. The chosen field area serves as a good analogue for active centra

Neogene silicic volcanic complexes in the greater Borgarfjörður eystri area, NE-Iceland, are the focus of a petrological and geochemical investigation. The region contains the second-most voluminous occurrence of silicic rocks in Iceland, including caldera structures, inclined sheet swarms, extensive ignimbrite sheets, sub-volcanic rhyolites and silicic lava flows. Despite the relevance of these rocks to understand the generation of evolved magmas in Iceland, the area is geologically poorly studied [c.f. 1, 2, 3]. The voluminous occurrence of evolved rocks in Iceland (10-12 %) is very unusual for an ocean island or a mid-oceanic ridge, with a typical signal of magmatic bimodality, often called “Bunsen-Daly” compositional gap [e.g. 4, 5, 6]. The Bunsen-Daly Gap is a long-standing and fundamental issue in petrology and difficult to reconcile with continuous fractional crystallization as a dominant process in magmatic differentiation [7]. This implies that partial melting of hydrothermally altered crust may play a significant role. Our aim is to contribute to a solution to this issue by unravelling the origin, timing and evolution of voluminous evolved rhyolites in NE-Iceland. We use a combined petrological, textural, experimental and in-situ isotope approach on a comprehensive sample suite of intrusive and extrusive rocks, ranging from basaltic to silicic compositions. We are performing major, trace element and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb-He-O isotope geochemistry, as well as U-Pb geochronology and Ar/Ar geochronology on rocks and mineral separates. Zircon oxygen isotope analysis will be performed in conjuction with zircon U-Pb geochronology for further assessment of the role of processes such as partial melting of hydrated country rock and/or fractional crystallization in generating Icelandic rhyolites. In addition, high pressure-temperature partial melting experiments aim to reproduce and further constrain natural processes. Using the combined data set we intend to produce a compre

V.R. Troll har adress Trinity College, Dublin på artikeln

V.R. Troll har adress Trinity College, Dublin på artikeln

The REE-Ti silicate chevkinite has been recognised previously in Miocene ignimbrites from Gran Canaria, and in correlative offshore syn-ignimbrite turbidites. We have estimated the partition coefficients of REE, Y, Zr and Nb for chevkinite and co-existing peralkaline rhyolitic (comendite) glass using synchrotron-XRF-probe analyses (SYXRF) in order to evaluate the role of this mineral in the REE budget of felsic peralkaline magmas. The Zr/Nb ratio of the chevkinite is 1.55–1.7, strongly contrasting with Zr/Nb of 6.5 in the associated glass. Zr shows a three-fold enrichment in chevkinite relative to the residual melt, whereas Nb is enriched by a factor >10. The enrichment of Ce and La in chevkinite is even more significant, namely 19 wt(%) Ce and 12 wt(%) La, compared to 236 ppm Ce and 119 ppm La in the glass. Chevkinite/glass ratios are 988±30 for La, 806±30 for Ce, 626±30 for Pr, 615±40 for Nd, 392±50 for Sm, 225±30 for Eu, 142±25 for Gd, 72±20 for Dy. For trace elements, we derived KdTE of 74±25 for Y, >8 for Hf, >50 for Th, 15±5 for Nb and 3.55±0.4 for Zr. Mineral/glass ratios for co-existing titanite are 28±10 for La, 86±20 for Ce, 98±30 for Pr, 134±35 for Nd, 240±50 for Sm, 50±20 for Eu, 96±25 for Gd, 82±25 for Dy, 99±30 for Y, 45±10 for Nb and 3±0.5 for Zr. Based on these data, the removal of only 0.05 wt% of chevkinite from a magma with initially 300 ppm Ce would deplete the melt by 93 ppm to yield 207 ppm Ce in the residual liquid. Chevkinite thus appears, when present, to be the controlling mineral within the LREE budget of evolved peralkaline magmas.