G. Ferrara

Petrology and isotope-geochemistry of San Vincenzo rhyolites (Tuscany, Italy)

Two groups of rhyolites have been recognized at San Vincenzo (Tuscany, Italy). Group A rhyolites are characterized by plagioclase, quartz, biotite, sanidine and cordierite mineral assemblages. They show constant MgO and variable CaO and Na2O contents. Initial87Sr/86Sr ratios in group A samples range between 0.71950 and 0.72535, whereas the Nd isotopic compositions are relatively constant (0.51215–0.51222). Group B rhyolites are characterized by orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene as additional minerals, and show textural, mineralogical and chemical evidence of interaction with more mafic magmas. The Sr and Nd isotopic ratios range between 0.71283–0.71542 and 0.51224–0.51227 respectively. Magmatic inclusions of variable size (1 mm to 10 cm) were found in groups B rhyolites. These inclusions consist mainly of diopsidic clinopyroxene and minor olivine and biotite. They are latitic in composition and represent blobs of hybrid intermediate magmas entrained in the rhyolitic melts. These magmatic inclusions have relatively high Sr contents (996–1529 ppm) and Sr and Nd isotope-ratios of 0.70807–0.70830 and 0.51245–0.51252 respectively.87Sr/87Sr data on minerals separated from both group A and B rhyolites and magmatic inclusions reveal strong isotopic disequilibria due to the presence of both restitic and newly crystallized phases in group A rhyolites and due to interaction of rhyolites with a mantle-de-rived magma in group B rhyolites. Isotopic data on whole rocks and minerals allow us to interpret the group A rhyolites as representative of different degrees of melting of an isotopically fairly homogeneous pelitic source; conversely, group B rhyolites underwent interactions with a mantle-derived magma. The crustal source as inferred from isotopic systematics would be characterized by87Sr/86Sr and143Nd/144Nd ratios close to 0.7194 and 0.51216 respectively. The sub-crustal magma would have Sr isotopic composition close to 0.7077 and a143Nd/144Nd ratio greater than or equal to 0.51252. These isotopic features are different from those reported for the parental magmas postulated for Vulsini and Alban Hills in the nearby Roman Magmatic Province, and are similar to those of the Vesuvius and Ischia magmas.

Isotopic ratio and concentration of sulfur in the undersaturated alkaline magmas of Vulture Volcano (Italy)

Both the δ34 value and the total S content of products from Vulture Volcano, Italy are mainly controlled by the separation of S gases, predominantly SO2, from high fO2magmas containing S predominantly as SO2-4. The addition of evaporites to such magmas appears to be a relatively uncommon and limited phenomenon. The total S content of the most primitive product of Vulture Volcano (5600 mg/kg) is very high. The high δ34S value of 4‰ indicates an origin through the partial melting of a mantle containing high S, enriched in 34S of unknown origin.

Lead isotope composition of the sublimates from the fumaroles of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy): inferences on the deep fluid circulation

The fumarolic fluids of Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) consist of a mixture of both deep and shallow components. The final products, the fumarolic gases and the sublimates associated with them, provide information on the complex interactions that occur at depth. As radiogenic isotopes do not undergo fractionation after they are incorporated in a fumarolic gas, they can be used directly to characterize the components that mixed. Lead isotopes are particularly suitable, because seawater, which plays an important part in the formation of the fumarolic fluids of Vulcano, contains only negligible amounts of it (10-12 g/g). Therefore, the lead present in the fumarolic gases (and sublimates) is derived from the magmatic component and a water-rock interaction process. The lead isotope compositions of the lead sulfosalt sublimates collected from the Fossa Crater of Vulcano in 1924, and between 1989 and 1993, are given. The lead isotope ratios of most of the samples are the same within the range of analytical error, regardless of their collection date. The only samples that display slight variations are those collected in 1993. On the whole, the compositional trend of the lead isotopes of the sublimates coincides with that of the latitic-rhyolitic activity of Fossa and differs substantially from that of the pre-Fossa trachy-basaltic activity. The lead composition of the sublimates is very different from that of the Calabrian basement rocks. The data presented here show that the magma presently degassing at Vulcano has the same lead isotopic composition as the products of the recent activity of Fossa, whereas the fumarolic fluid circulation of Vulcano has not involved basement rocks similar to the Calabrian metasediments.

STRATIGRAPHICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL CORRELATIONS BETWEEN MONTE VULTURE VOLCANICS AND SEDIMENTARY DEPOSITS OF THE VENOSA BASIN

Abstract A new chronostratigraphic reconstruction of Vulture activity was used to correlate its volcanic products and relevant lacustrine–fluviolacustrine beds deposited in the nearby basins of Venosa, Melfi and Atella. The Acquatraversa erosional phase precedes the beginning of volcanic activity. The Flaminia erosional phase occurred during the period of volcanic quiescence before the buildup of the Vulture-San Michele stratovolcano. Reworked mammal remains are found in the upper bed related to the Nomentana erosional phase. This erosional phase took place after the main period of volcanic activity, when the stratovolcano was fully constructed.