scholarly journals Igneous Rock Associations 26. Lamproites, Exotic Potassic Alkaline Rocks: A Review of their Nomenclature, Characterization and Origins

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-142
Author(s):  
Roger H. Mitchell

Lamproite is a rare ultrapotassic alkaline rock of petrological importance as it is considered to be derived from metasomatized lithospheric mantle, and of economic significance, being the host of major diamond deposits. A review of the nomenclature of lamproite results in the recommendation that members of the lamproite petrological clan be named using mineralogical-genetic classifications to distinguish them from other genetically unrelated potassic alkaline rocks, kimberlite, and diverse lamprophyres. The names “Group 2 kimberlite” and “orangeite” must be abandoned as these rock types are varieties of bona fide lamproite restricted to the Kaapvaal Craton. Lamproites exhibit extreme diversity in their mineralogy which ranges from olivine phlogopite lamproite, through phlogopite leucite lamproite and potassic titanian richterite-diopside lamproite, to leucite sanidine lamproite. Diamondiferous olivine lamproites are hybrid rocks extensively contaminated by mantle-derived xenocrystic olivine. Currently, lamproites are divided into cratonic (e.g. Leucite Hills, USA; Baifen, China) and orogenic (Mediterranean) varieties (e.g. Murcia-Almeria, Spain; Afyon, Turkey; Xungba, Tibet). Each cratonic and orogenic lamproite province differs significantly in tectonic setting and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic compositions. Isotopic compositions indicate derivation from enriched mantle sources, having long-term low Sm/Nd and high Rb/Sr ratios, relative to bulk earth and depleted asthenospheric mantle. All lamproites are considered, on the basis of their geochemistry, to be derived from ancient mineralogically complex K–Ti–Ba–REE-rich veins, or metasomes, in the lithospheric mantle with, or without, subsequent contributions from recent asthenospheric or subducted components at the time of genesis. Lamproite primary magmas are considered to be relatively silica-rich (~50–60 wt.% SiO2), MgO-poor (3–12 wt.%), and ultrapotassic (~8–12 wt.% K2O) as exemplified by hyalo-phlogopite lamproites from the Leucite Hills (Wyoming) or Smoky Butte (Montana). Brief descriptions are given of the most important phreatomagmatic diamondiferous lamproite vents. The tectonic processes which lead to partial melting of metasomes, and/or initiation of magmatism, are described for examples of cratonic and orogenic lamproites. As each lamproite province differs with respect to its mineralogy, geochemical evolution, and tectonic setting there is no simple or common petrogenetic model for their genesis. Each province must be considered as the unique expression of the times and vagaries of ancient mantle metasomatism, coupled with diverse and complex partial melting processes, together with mixing of younger asthenospheric and lithospheric material, and, in the case of many orogenic lamproites, with Paleogene to Recent subducted material.

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 41-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnete Steenfelt ◽  
Julie A. Hollis ◽  
Karsten Secher

Ultrabasic alkaline magmatic rocks are products of melts generated deep within or at the base of the lithospheric mantle. The magmas may reach the surface to form lavas and pyroclastic deposits; alternatively they crystallise at depth to form dykes or central complexes. The rocks are chemically distinct and may contain high concentrations of economically interesting minerals and chemical elements, such as diamonds, niobium, tantalum, rare earth elements, phosphorus, iron, uranium, thorium, and zirconium. Ultrabasic alkaline rocks are known from several provinces in Greenland, but extrusive facies have only been preserved at a few places; e.g. at Qassiarsuk in South Greenland where pyroclastic rocks occur, and in the Maniitsoq region, where a small volcanic breccia (‘Fossilik’) contains fragments of Palaeozoic limestone. Ultramafic lamprophyre and kimberlite are mainly emplaced as dykes, whereas carbonatite forms large intrusive bodies as well as dykes. The ultrabasic alkaline magmas that have been emplaced at certain times during the geological evolution of Greenland can be related to major episodes of continental break-up (Larsen & Rex 1992). The oldest are Archaean and the youngest dated so far are Palaeogene. Figure 1 shows the distribution of known ultrabasic alkaline rocks in West Greenland. The large and well-exposed bodies of alkaline rocks and carbonatites in the Gardar Province were discovered already in the early 1800s (Ussing 1912), while less conspicuous bodies were discovered much later during geological mapping and mineral exploration. Many alkaline rock bodies, particularly dykes, are difficult to identify in the field because they weather more extensively than the country rock gneisses and form vegetated depressions in the landscape. However, their distinct chemistry and mineralogy render alkaline rocks identifiable in geochemical and geophysical survey data. Thus, the Sarfartôq carbonatite complex was discovered during regional airborne gamma-spectrometric surveying owing to its elevated uranium and thorium contents (Secher 1986). The use of kimberlite indicator minerals has led to the discovery of alkaline rocks such as kimberlites and ultramafic lamprophyres that carry fragments of deep lithospheric mantle. Such rocks may also contain diamonds. Kimberlite indicator minerals are high-pressure varieties of minerals, such as garnet, clinopyroxene, chromite and ilmenite that were formed in the lithospheric mantle. Exploration companies have processed thousands of till samples from southern West Greenland for kimberlite indicator minerals and found many new dykes.


Author(s):  
Yue Qi ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Gang-jian Wei ◽  
Xiu-Zheng Zhang ◽  
Wei Dan ◽  
...  

Diverse rock types and contrasting geochemical compositions of post-collisional mafic rocks across the Tibetan Plateau indicate that the underlying enriched lithospheric mantle is heterogeneous; however, how these enriched mantle sources were formed is still debated. The accreted terranes within the Tibetan Plateau experienced multiple stages of evolution. To track the geochemical characteristics of their associated lithospheric mantle through time, we can use mantle-derived magmas to constrain the mechanism of mantle enrichment. We report zircon U-Pb ages, major and trace element contents, and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions for Early Cretaceous and late Eocene mafic rocks in the southern Qiangtang terrane. The Early Cretaceous Baishagang basalts (107.3 Ma) are characterized by low K2O/Na2O (<1.0) ratios, arc-like trace element patterns, and uniform Sr-Nd isotopic compositions [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7067−0.7073, εNd(t) = −0.4 to −0.2]. We suggest that the Baishagang basalts were derived from partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized by subducted Bangong−Nujiang oceanic material. We establish the geochemistry of the pre-collisional enriched lithospheric mantle under the southern Qiangtang terrane by combining our data with those from other Early Cretaceous mafic rocks in the region. The late Eocene (ca. 35 Ma) post-collisional rocks in the southern Qiangtang terrane have low K2O/Na2O (<1.0) ratios, and their major element, trace element, and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.7042−0.7072, εNd(t) = −4.5 to +1.5] are similar to those of the Early Cretaceous mafic rocks. Based on the distribution, melting depths, and whole-rock geochemical compositions of the Early Cretaceous and late Eocene mafic rocks, we argue that the primitive late Eocene post-collisional rocks were derived from pre-collisional enriched lithospheric mantle, and the evolved samples were produced by assimilation and fractional crystallization of primary basaltic magma. Asthenosphere upwelling in response to the removal of lithospheric mantle induced the partial melting of enriched lithospheric mantle at ca. 35 Ma.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angus Fitzpayne ◽  
Andrea Giuliani ◽  
Janet Hergt ◽  
Jon Woodhead ◽  
Roland Maas

<p>As clinopyroxene is the main host of most lithophile elements in the lithospheric mantle, the trace element and radiogenic isotope systematics of this mineral have frequently been used to characterise mantle metasomatic processes. To further our understanding of mantle metasomatism, both solution-mode Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb and in situ trace element and Sr isotopic data have been acquired for clinopyroxene grains from a suite of peridotite (lherzolites and wehrlites), MARID (Mica-Amphibole-Rutile-Ilmenite-Diopside), and PIC (Phlogopite-Ilmenite-Clinopyroxene) rocks from the Kimberley kimberlites (South Africa). The studied mantle samples can be divided into two groups on the basis of their clinopyroxene trace element compositions, and this subdivision is reinforced by their isotopic ratios. Type 1 clinopyroxene, which comprises PIC, wehrlite, and some sheared lherzolite samples, is characterised by low Sr (~100–200 ppm) and LREE concentrations, moderate HFSE contents (e.g., ~40–75 ppm Zr; La/Zr < 0.04), and restricted isotopic compositions (e.g., <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr<sub>i</sub> = 0.70369–0.70383; εNd<sub>i</sub> = +3.1 to +3.6) resembling those of their host kimberlite magmas. Available trace element partition coefficients can be used to show that Type 1 clinopyroxenes are close to equilibrium with kimberlite melt compositions, supporting a genetic link between kimberlites and these metasomatised lithologies. Thermobarometric estimates for Type 1 samples indicate equilibration depths of 135–155 km within the lithosphere, thus showing that kimberlite melt metasomatism is prevalent in the deeper part of the lithosphere beneath Kimberley. In contrast, Type 2 clinopyroxenes occur in MARID rocks and coarse granular lherzolites, which derive from shallower depths (<130 km), and have higher Sr (~350–1000 ppm) and LREE contents, corresponding to higher La/Zr of >~0.05. The isotopic compositions of Type 2 clinopyroxenes are more variable and extend from compositions resembling the “enriched mantle” towards those of Type 1 rocks (e.g., εNd<sub>i</sub> = -12.7 to -4.4). To constrain the source of these variations, in situ Sr isotope analyses of clinopyroxene were undertaken, including zoned grains in Type 2 samples. MARID and lherzolite clinopyroxene cores display generally radiogenic but variable <sup>87</sup>Sr/<sup>86</sup>Sr<sub>i</sub> values (0.70526–0.71177), which might be explained by the interaction between peridotite and melts from different enriched sources with the lithospheric mantle. In contrast, the rims of these Type 2 clinopyroxenes trend towards compositions similar to those of the host kimberlite and Type 1 clinopyroxene from PIC and wehrlites. These results are interpreted to represent clinopyroxene overgrowth during late-stage (shortly before/during entrainment) metasomatism by kimberlite magmas. Our study shows that an early, pervasive, alkaline metasomatic event caused MARID and lherzolite genesis in the lithospheric mantle beneath the Kimberley area, which was followed by kimberlite metasomatism during Cretaceous magmatism. This latter event is the time at which discrete PIC, wehrlite, and sheared lherzolite lithologies were formed, and MARID and granular lherzolites were partly modified.</p>


1998 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Pe-Piper ◽  
David JW Piper

Magmatism associated with the extensional Magdalen basin includes voluminous tholeiitic gabbro and basalt and local granite and rhyolite. Pb- and (or) Nd-isotope determinations have been made on 70 igneous rocks from throughout the basin, and a further 15 samples of Avalonian basement from the southern margin of the basin, to characterize the contribution of lower crustal blocks and mantle sources to the magmatism and to constrain tectonic models for the basin. Five phases of magmatic evolution are distinguished in the Magdalen basin. (1) Middle to Late Devonian partial melting of lithospheric mantle, producing principally tholeiites and minor alkalic basalt. Tholeiites have Pb isotopic compositions similar to that of younger Triassic tholeiites generated from the same mantle, but experienced less crustal contamination. Regional variations in trace element composition of the mantle can be recognized. (2) The mafic magma triggered anhydrous base-of-crust melting, principally along the transpressive Cobequid and Rockland Brook faults, producing A-type granites in which radiogenic Pb increases northeastward. (3) In the latest Devonian, a large base-of-crust fractionating magma chamber evolved. It contained immiscible mafic and minor felsic magma, with uniform Nd isotopes, and high Ti in the mafic magma. (4) Although late Tournaisian dykes are not strongly fractionated, their evolution involved more crustal assimilation than earlier mafic rocks. (5) Local Viséan-Westphalian alkalic magmas, which ascended along crustal-scale faults, have Pb and Nd isotopic compositions resembling mantle plumes or their mixtures with lithospheric mantle sources. Only these youngest rocks show any isotopic evidence for input from an asthenospheric plume source, suggesting that regional extension was responsible for most of the magmatism.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1216-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis D. Ashwal ◽  
Madelein Patzelt ◽  
Mark D. Schmitz ◽  
Kevin Burke

Alkaline rocks and carbonatites, including nepheline syenites, are well established as mantle-derived magmatic products, but the nature and location of their mantle sources is debated. Some workers have used isotopic compositions to infer mixed mantle plume type sources such as EM1, HIMU, and FOZO, implying derivation from the subcontinental asthenosphere. Other models favour an entirely lithospheric source, whereby the magmas, originally formed during intracontinental rifting, became deformed and subducted into the mantle lithosphere during later continental collisions, and constituted part of a source component for later rift-related alkaline and carbonatite magmatism. We tested this model using Sr, Nd, and Hf isotopic compositions of deformed and undeformed nepheline syenites and carbonatites from three occurrences in southern Africa, representing emplacement over a ∼1 Ga time span. These include Bull’s Run, South Africa (1134 Ma); Tambani, Malawi (726 Ma); and the Chilwa Alkaline Province, Malawi (130 Ma). Mixing modelling indicates that the isotopic compositions of the early Cretaceous Chilwa samples can be accounted for if their source consisted of a blend of ∼99% depleted subcontinental mantle lithosphere and ∼0.5%–1% of a subducted component similar to the Neoproterozoic Bull’s Run nepheline syenites. We do not consider the Bull’s Run material specifically as the component involved in the Chilwa source, but our model illustrates an example of how recycled, older, alkaline magmatic rocks can contribute to the mantle sources of younger alkaline rock and carbonatite magmatism. This model accounts for the observation of recurrent alkaline rock and carbonatite magmatism over hundreds of millions of years in spatially restricted areas like southern Africa. Carbonatite and related alkaline magmatic rocks, therefore, need not owe their origin to deep, sublithospheric melting processes.


Author(s):  
Ze-Zhou Wang ◽  
Sheng-Ao Liu

Abstract Intraplate basaltic volcanism commonly exhibits wide compositional ranges from silica-undersaturated alkaline basalts to silica-saturated tholeiitic basalts. Possible mechanisms for the compositional transition involve variable degrees of partial melting of a same source, decompression melting at different mantle depths (so-called “lid effect”), and melt-peridotite interaction. To discriminate between these mechanisms, here we investigated major-trace elemental and Sr-Nd-Mg-Zn isotopic compositions of a suite of intraplate alkaline and tholeiitic basalts from the Datong volcanic field in eastern China. Specifically, we employed Mg and Zn isotope systematics to assess whether the silica-undersaturated melts originated from a carbonated mantle source. The alkaline basalts have young HIMU-like Sr and Nd isotopic compositions, lower δ26Mg (-0.42‰ to -0.38‰) and higher δ66Zn (0.40‰ to 0.46‰) values relative to the mantle. These characteristics were attributable to an asthenospheric mantle source hybridized by carbonated melts derived from the stagnant Pacific slab in the mantle transition zone. From alkaline to tholeiitic basalts, δ26Mg gradually increases from -0.42‰ to -0.28‰ and δ66Zn decreases from 0.46‰ to 0.28‰ with decreasing alkalinity and incompatible trace element abundances (e.g. Rb, Nb, Th and Zr). The Mg and Zn isotopic variations are significantly beyond the magnitude (<0.1‰) induced by different degrees of fractional crystallization and partial melting of a same mantle source, excluding different degree of partial melting and the “lid effect” as possible mechanisms accounting for the compositional variations in the Datong basalts. There are strong, near-linear correlations of δ26Mg and δ66Zn with 87Sr/86Sr (R2=0.75 − 0.81) and 143Nd/144Nd (R2=0.83 − 0.90), suggesting an additional source for the Datong basalts. This source is characterized by pristine mantle-like δ26Mg and δ66Zn values as well as EM1-like Sr-Nd isotopic ratios, pointing towards a metasomatized subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). Isotope mixing models show that mingling between alkaline basaltic melts and partial melts from the SCLM imparts all the above correlations, which means that the SCLM must have been partially melted during melt-SCLM reaction. Our results underline that interaction between carbonated silica-undersaturated basaltic melts and the SCLM acts as one of major processes leading to the compositional diversity in intracontinental basaltic volcanism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-400
Author(s):  
A. A. Nosova ◽  
A. A. Voznyak ◽  
S. V. Bogdanova ◽  
K. A. Savko ◽  
N. M. Lebedeva ◽  
...  

The paper reports new geochronological, petrological, and isotope-geochemical data on the syenites and alkali syenites of the Artyushki massif, and the monzonites of the Gusikha massif. These massifs are located along the southwestern and northeastern margins of the Pachelma aulacogen, in the southeastern part of the East European Platform (EEP). They have Early Cambrian ages of 524 ± 3 (Artyushki) and 514 ± 2 Ma (Gusikha) obtained by the U-Pb zircon method and similar ages of amphibole and K-feldspar by the 40Ar/39Ar method. This time period has previously been regarded as amagmatic in the EEP evolution. The Artyushki massif is made up of Amp-Cpx syenite porphyries and Grt-Cpx alkali syenite porphyries and their fenitized varieties. As compared to the Amp-Cpx varieties the Grt-Cpx rocks are more peralkaline (A/NK > 0.9) and have higher LREE and HFSE, and fractionated HREE patterns. The metasomatized (fenitized) varieties are more potassic and bear geochemical evidence of fluid reworking (high Y/Ho ratios, significant Zn variations, and etc.). Bulk samples have weakly radiogenic Sr isotopic compositions: (87Sr/86Sr)520 are within 0.703066–0.703615. The values of εNd(520) vary from –0.69 to +1.64. The Grt-Cpx syenite porphyries have the positive εNd(520), while the Amp-Cpx and fenitized syenite porphyries feature negative εNd. The Gusikha massif consists of biotite-amphibole and biotite monzonites. Similar to the Artyushki syenites in SiO2 contents, the Gusikha monzonites have higher Mg# (0.22–0.54 and 0.34–0.71 for the Artyushki and Gusikha massifs, respectively). They are also characterized by a negative Nb-Ta anomaly (Nb/Nb* = 0.5), high Ва/Sr ratio, and highly radiogenic (87Sr/86Sr)520 = 0.705204 and 0.705320. Their Nd-isotopic compositions correspond to εNd(520) = –6.7 and –7.0. Two melts contributed to the formation of the Artyushki massif. One was a strongly contaminated melt (Amp-Cpx syenite porphyries, the other was weakly contaminated (Grt-Cpx syenite porphyries). The main contribution was phonolitic melt derived from the melting of a moderately metasomatized (carbonate- and amphibole-bearing) shallow lithospheric mantle. The earliest and deepest melt portions were carbonate-silicate in composition. The geochemical, as well as the Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of the Gusikha monzonites indicate a predominant crustal contribution and pervasive reworking of the lithospheric mantle beneath southeastern Volgo-Uralia of the EEP in the Mesoproterozoic. Both massifs feature the geochemistry of within-plate and supra-subduction derivatives, which suggests a postorogenic tectonic setting of the magmatism. The presence of the Early Cambrian postorogenic magmatism within the East European Platform/Baltica is direct evidence for the involvement of Baltica in the collisional and/or accretionary events during the terminal Neoproterozoic – the beginning of the Paleozoic. This suggests reworking of the lithospheric mantle of Baltica during its collision with Timanian and East Avalonian/Cadomian terranes, including Scythia.


Author(s):  
Dmitry L. Konopelko ◽  

The early Permian intrusions of the Alai Segment of the South Tien Shan comprise four geochemically contrasting intrusive series, including (1) I-type and (2) shoshonitic granitoids, (3) peraluminous granitoids including S-type leucogranites and (4) alkaline rocks and carbonatites, closely associated in space and time. New geochronological data indicate that diverse magmatic series of the Alai segment formed virtually coevally in a post-collisional setting. Five U-Pb zircon rock ages in the range 287 – 281 Ma, in combination with published ages, define the main post-collisional magmatic pulse at 290 - 280, which is similar to ages of post-collisional intrusions elsewhere in the South Tien Shan. The Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic compositions of the studied intrusions are consistent with the reworking of crustal material with 1.6 – 1.1 Ga average crustal residence times indicating the formation of the Alai segment of the South Tien Shan on a continental basement with Mesoproterozoic or older crust. It is suggested that position of the Alai microcontinent between two major sutures enabled delamination of its lithospheric mantle, which triggered the diverse post-collisional magmatism as a result of interaction of ascending asthenospheric material with lithospheric mantle and various crustal protoliths.


1988 ◽  
Vol 52 (368) ◽  
pp. 577-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Leat ◽  
R. N. Thompson ◽  
M. A. Morrison ◽  
G. L. Hendry ◽  
A. P. Dickin

AbstractThe rock association of minette with silicic lavas and intrusions (granites, syenites, dacites) is a common geologic feature in both collisional and extensional tectonic settings. Considerable doubt exists as to whether a genetic link exists between these mafic and silicic rocks. We describe a Miocene sill from NW Colorado which is a clear example of a mixed magma consisting of originally-liquid inclusions of minette in a silicic trachydacite host. Chemical and Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic data are consistent with derivation of the silicic host magma of the sill dominantly by fractional crystallization of the minette magma. Correlations between the elemental compositions of the rock types and their Sr and Nd isotopic ratios imply minor assimilation of continental crust with relatively low values of both 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd, concomitantly with fractional crystallization. The parental minette magma was probably derived by partial melting of subcontinental lithospheric mantle. While the sill was emplaced in a rift-like tectonic setting, the chemical and isotopic composition of the lithosphere-derived minette magmas (and hence the silicic fractionates) was largely independent of this setting, but dependent upon the composition and age of the lithospheric mantle and crust.


2019 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 158-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolu Niu ◽  
Yildirim Dilek ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
Guangying Feng ◽  
Jingsui Yang

AbstractWe report new U–Pb zircon age data, zircon in situ oxygen isotope, mineral chemistry, whole-rock geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions from the Early Devonian ultrapotassic Gucheng pluton in the North China Craton, and discuss its petrogenesis. The Gucheng pluton is exposed in the northern part of the North China Craton and forms a composite intrusion, consisting of K-feldspar-bearing clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxene-bearing syenite and alkali-feldspar syenite. Mineral phases in these lithologies include clinopyroxene (Wo43–48En19–35Fs18–38), sanidine (An0Ab3–11Or89–97), and subordinate titanite, andradite and Na-feldspar. These rocks show homogeneous Sr but variable Nd isotopic compositions, and have relatively high zircon in situ oxygen isotopes (δ18O = 5.2–6.7). The Gucheng plutonic rocks formed through fractional crystallization and accumulation from ultrapotassic magmas, which were originated from partial melting of metasomatic vein systems in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle of the North China Craton. These vein networks developed as a result of the reactions of fluids derived from subducted pelitic sediments on the downgoing Palaeo-Asian ocean floor with the enriched, subcontinental lithospheric mantle peridotites. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon dating has revealed a crystallization age of 415 Ma for the timing of the emplacement of the Gucheng pluton that marks the early stages of alkaline magmatism associated with the Andean-type continental margin evolution along the northern edge of the North China Craton facing the Palaeo-Asian Ocean.


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