Rodey Batiza

Isotope and trace element geochemistry of young Pacific seamounts: implications for the scale of upper mantle heterogeneity

Basalts from young seamounts situated within 6.8 m.y. of the East Pacific Rise, between 9° and 14°N latitude, display significant variations in 143Nd/144Nd (0.51295–0.51321), 87Sr/86Sr (0.7025–0.7031), and(La/Sm)N (0.415–3.270). Nd and Sr isotope ratios are anti-correlated and form a trend roughly parallel to the “mantle array” on a143Nd/144Nd vs.87Sr/86Sr variation diagram. Nd and Sr isotope ratios display negative and positive correlations, respectively, with(La/Sm)N. The geochemical variations observed at the seamounts are nearly as great or greater than those observed over several hundred kilometers of the Reykjanes Ridge, or at the islands of Iceland or Hawaii. Samples from one particular seamount, Seamount 6, display nearly the entire observed range of chemical variations, offering an ideal opportunity to constrain the nature of heterogeneities in the source mantle. Systematics indicative of magma mixing are recognized when major elements, trace elements, trace element ratios, and isotope ratios are compared with each other in all possible permutations. The source materials required to produce the end-member magmas are: (1) a typical MORB-source-depleted peridotite; and (2) a relatively enriched material which may represent ancient mantle segregations of basaltic melt, incompletely mixed remnants of subducted ocean crust, or metasomatized peridotite such as that found at St. Pauls Rocks or Zabargad Island. Due to the proximity of the seamounts to the East Pacific Rise (EPR), the source materials are thought to comprise an intimate mixture in the mantle immediately underlying the seamounts and the adjacent EPR. Lavas erupted at the ridge axis display a small range of isotopic and incompatible trace element compositions because the large degrees of melting and presence of magma chambers tend to average the chemical characteristics of large volumes of mantle. If the postulated mantle materials, with large magnitude, small-scale heterogeneities, are ubiquitous in the upper mantle, chemical variations in basalts ranging from MOR tholeiites to island alkali basalts may reflect sampling differences rather than changes in bulk mantle chemistry.

Trace element evidence from seamounts for recycled oceanic crust in the Eastern Pacific mantle

We present trace element data for 80 samples from about 50 seamounts in the east equatorial Pacific near the East Pacific . Rise. These data indicate that the heterogeneous mantle source that supplies the seamounts consists of two components: 1 . an extremely depleted component, much more depleted than estimates of the source of depleted MORB; and 2 an enriched component even more enriched than average OIB. The depleted component shows large variations in ZrrHf, NbrTa, RbrCs, CerPb, and ThrU that are correlated with each other and with LarSm, indicating that these paired elements do fractionate from each other in some oceanic basalts. The order of incompatibility of trace elements we find differs slightly from that found elsewhere. For example, for seamounts, we find that D f D - D f D. In comparison with Th and U, Nb Th Ta U the enriched component shows anomalous enrichments of Ta and Nb. Since such fractionations are characteristic of subduction zones, we suggest that the most likely ultimate source of the enriched component is recycled ocean crust.

An empirical method for calculating melt compositions produced beneath mid‐ocean ridges: Application for axis and off‐axis (seamounts) melting

We present a new method for calculating the major element compositions of primary melts parental to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). This model is based on the experimental data of Jaques and Green (1980), Falloon et al. (1988), and Falloon and Green (1987, 1988) which are ideal for this purpose. Our method is empirical and employs solid-liquid partition coefficients (Di) from the experiments. We empirically determine Di = ƒ(P,F) and use this to calculate melt compositions produced by decompression-induced melting along an adiabat (column melting). Results indicate that most MORBs can be generated by 10–20% partial melting at initial pressures (P0) of 12–21 kbar. Our primary MORB melts have MgO = 10–12 wt %. We fractionate these at low pressure to an MgO content of 8.0 wt % in order to interpret natural MORB liquids. This model allows us to calculate Po, Pƒ, To, Tƒ, and F for natural MORB melts. We apply the model to interpret MORB compositions and mantle upwelling patterns beneath a fast ridge (East Pacific Rise (EPR)8°N to 14°N), a slow ridge (mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) at 26°S), and seamounts near the EPR (Lament seamount chain). We find mantle temperature differences of up to 50°–60°C over distances of 30–50 km both across axis and along axis at the EPR. We propose that these are due to upward mantle flow in a weakly conductive (versus adiabatic) temperature gradient. We suggest that the EPR is fed by a wide (−100 km) zone of upwelling due to plate separation but has a central core of faster buoyant flow. An along-axis thermal dome between the Siqueiros transform and the 11°45′ Overlapping Spreading center (OSC) may represent such an upwelling; however, in general there is a poor correlation between mantle temperature, topography, and the segmentation pattern at the EPR. For the Lament seamounts we find regular across-axis changes in Po and F suggesting that the melt zone pinches out off axis. This observation supports the idea that the EPR is fed by a broad upwelling which diminishes in vigor off axis. In contrast with the EPR axis, mantle temperature correlates well with topography at the MAR, and there is less melting under offsets. The data are consistent with weaker upwelling under offsets and an adiabatic temperature gradient in the sub axial mantle away from offsets. The MAR at 26°S exhibits the so-called local trend of Klein and Langmuir (1989). Our model indicates that the local trend cannot be due solely to intracolumn melting processes. The local trend seems to be genetically associated with slow-spreading ridges, and we suggest it is due to melting of multiple individual domains that differ in initial and final melting pressure within segments fed by buoyant focused mantle flow.

Origin of enriched-type mid-ocean ridge basalt at ridges far from mantle plumes: The East Pacific Rise at 11°20′N

The East Pacific Rise (EPR) at 11°20′N erupts an unusually high proportion of enriched mid-ocean ridge basalts (E-MORB) and thus is ideal for studying the origin of the enriched heterogeneities in the EPR mantle far from mantle plumes. These basalts exhibit large compositional variations (e.g., [La/Sm]N = 0.68–1.47, 87Sr/86Sr = 0.702508–0.702822, and 143Nd/144Nd = 0.513053–0.513215). The 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd correlate with each other, with ratios of incompatible elements (e.g., Ba/Zr, La/Sm, and Sm/Yb) and with the abundances and ratios of major elements (TiO2, Al2O3, FeO, CaO, Na2O, and CaO/Al2O3) after correction for fractionation effect. These correlations are interpreted to result from melting of a two-component mantle with the enriched component residing as physically distinct domains in the ambient depleted matrix. The observation of [Nb/Th]PM > 1 and [Ta/U]PM > 1, plus fractionated Nb/U, Ce/Pb, and Nb/La ratios, in lavas from the northern EPR region suggests that the enriched domains and depleted matrix both are constituents of recycled oceanic lithosphere. The recycled crustal/eclogitic lithologies are the major source of the enriched domains, whereas the recycled mantle/peridotitic residues are the most depleted matrix. On Pb-Sr isotope plot, the 11°20′N data form a trend orthogonal to the main trend defined by the existing EPR data, indicating that the enriched component has high 87Sr/86Sr and low 206Pb/204Pb and 143Nd/144Nd. This isotopic relationship, together with mantle tomographic studies, suggests that the source material of 11°20′N lavas may have come from the Hawaiian plume. This “distal plume-ridge interaction” between the EPR and Hawaii contrasts with the “proximal plume-ridge interactions” seen along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The so-called “garnet signature” in MORB is interpreted to result from partial melting of the eclogitic lithologies. The positive Na8-Si8/Fe8 and negative Ca8/Al8-Si8/Fe8 trends defined by EPR lavas result from mantle compositional (vs. temperature) variation.

Petrology and Chemistry of Recent Lavas in the Northern Marianas: Implications for the Origin of Island Arc Basalts

Petrologic and chemical data are presented for samples from five volcanically active islands in the northern Marianas group, an intra-oceanic island arc. The data include microprobe analyses of phenocryst and xenolith assemblages, whole rock major and trace element chemistry including REE, and Sr isotope determinations (87Sr/86Sr=0.7034±0.0001). Quartz-normative basalt and basaltic andesite are the most abundant lava types. These are mineralogically and chemically similar to the mafic products of other intra-oceanic islands arcs. It is suggested, however, that they are not typical of the ‘island arc tholeiitic’ series, having Fe enrichment trends and K/Rb, for example, more typical of calc-alkaline suits.Major and trace element characteristics, and the presence of cumulate xenoliths, indicate that extensive near surface (< 3 Kb) fractionation has occurred. Thus, even least fractionated basalts have low abundances of Mg, Ni and Cr, and high abundances of K and other large cation, imcompatible elements, relative to ocean ridge tholeiites. However, abundances of REE and small cation lithophile elements, such as Ti, Zr, Nb, and Hf are lower than typical ocean ridge tholeiites. The REE data and Sr isotope compositions suggest a purely mantle origin for the Marianas island arc basalts, with negligible input from subducted crustal material. Thus, subduction of oceanic lithosphere may not be a sufficient condition for initiation of island arc magmatism. Intersection of the Benioff zone with an asthenosphere under appropriate conditions may be requisite.Element ratios and abundances, combined with isotopic data, suggest that the source for the Marianas island arc basalts is more chondritic in some respects, and less depleted in large cations than the shallow (?) mantle source for ocean ridge tholeiites.

Abundances, distribution and sizes of volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean and implications for the origin of non-hotspot volcanoes

Abstract In this paper I present data on the abundances, sizes and crustal age for all volcanoes (volcanic islands and seamounts) which appear on published bathymetric charts of the Pacific Ocean. These new data shed light on the origin of non-hotspot volcanoes and are important, in combination with data on the chemical compositions of seamounts and volcanic islands, for estimates of the bulk composition of ocean crust. These data also provide firm constraints on off-ridge oceanic volcanism models. Results of this study show that the size-frequency distribution of Pacific volcanoes is Poisson-like and that the smallest volcanoes are much more abundant than large ones. This study shows clearly that the most abundant volcanoes on the Earth are the submerged oceanic volcanoes which comprise 5–25% of the oceanic volcanic layer. On Pacific crust of Eocene age and younger, the abundance of volcanoes (number of volcanoes per unit area) increases monotonically with increasing age. Assuming steady state, the production rate of new off-ridge volcanoes (number of volcanoes per unit area per unit time) is inversely proportional to the square root of the lithosphere age [1]. On crust older than Eocene, the number of volcanoes per unit area of crust decreases monotonically with increasing age, however the total volume of lava represented by these edifices increases with increasing age. Size frequency distributions of volcanoes on swaths of successively older crust indicate that these abundance patterns are partly due to the effect of sediment burial of small edifices on old Pacific crust as well as the effect of increased lithosphere thickness on seamount size. These general patterns are not appreciably changed by omitting from consideration known hotspot volcanoes [2] and volcanoes built at fossil constructional plate margins [3].

Variations in the geochemistry of magmatism on the East Pacific Rise at 10?30'N since 800 ka

Samples of volcanic rock, collected from the flanks of the East Pacific Rise at 10o30 0 N, were used to investigate changes in the geochemistry of magmatism at the ridge axis, over the past 800 ka at this location. We show that there have been large variations in the major element chemistry of the lavas erupted at the spreading axis on this ridge segment over this period. For example, the average MgO content of lavas erupted at the ridge axis increased from about 3.0% at 600 ka, to about 7.0% at 300 ka. Since 300 ka the average MgO content has systematically decreased, and the average MgO content of lavas collected from within the neovolcanic zone at 10o30 0 N is 6.0%. These temporal changes in major element chemistry are not accompanied by systematic changes in isotope composition or incompatible trace element ratios, and are interpreted to reflect changes in the average rate of supply of melt to the ridge axis during this period. The data support previous arguments that changes in melt supply rate over periods of 100‐1000 ka have an important influence on the major element chemistry of the lavas erupted at fast spreading ridges. At 10o30 0 N, the melt supply rate appears to have been relatively low for much of the past 800 ka. Samples younger than 50 ka, collected from within 3 km of the ridge axis at 10o30 0 N (inside the neovolcanic zone), have a smaller range in major element chemistry compared to the samples dredged from the ridge flanks. Variations in the chemistry of lavas erupted over periods of less than about 100 ka may be controlled by the geometry of the magma plumbing system beneath the ridge axis.

Petrology and magma chamber processes at the East Pacific Rise ∼ 9°30′N

We present new major and trace element data for a set of closely spaced (< 1.8 km) dredges along a well-studied portion of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) axis near 90°30′N (9°17′N to 90°50′N). With the exception of enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (E-MORB) at 9°35′N, the lavas are all normal mid-ocean ridge basalt (N-MORB) with a limited range of MgO (8.40–6.22 wt %). Major element and trace element data favor derivation of the melts from a single parental composition by low pressure crystallization of olivine, plagioclase and clinopyroxene in the ratio of 16:62:22. This model is consistent with liquid line of descent models but inconsistent with petrographic observations in that most of the N-MORB lavas have only plagioclase phenocrysts. We ascribe this to gravitational crystal settling of mafic phases and flotation of plagioclase, supported by crystal size distribution data and density relations. Most likely this occurred in the axial magma chamber (AMC) that underlies the EPR in this area. The chemistry of axial lavas varies along axis and correlates roughly with elevation of the axis and depth to the AMC. We interpret these correlations as favoring an AMC that is chemically zoned along-axis, with Fe-rich melts at its distal ends. This favors a central injection of MgO-rich melt with lateral along-axis shallow transport. The height of eruptions along axis is apparently controlled by magma density such that least dense MgO-rich melts build local volcanic constructs of the highest elevation. The E-MORB lavas are older than the N-MORB and probably erupted at a time when the AMC was absent or was much smaller in size than presently. E-MORB could have originated by deep melting processes or very shallow contamination of N-MORB. Its presence in the 9°30′N area supports the notion that magma chambers are not truly steady state. Instead they probably come and go on a time scale of 3000–6000 years. A single parental magma seems to supply melts to the AMC along the entire 60 km segment of the EPR, suggesting that central supply injection sites are widely spaced. Based on our data, there is no evidence for petrologic segmentation corresponding to 4th-order tectonic segmentation in this area; however, it may be present below the resolution of our sampling.

He, Pb, Sr and Nd isotope constraints on magma genesis and mantle heterogeneity beneath young Pacific seamounts

Pb, Sr and Nd isotope variations are correlated in diverse lavas erupted at small seamounts near the East Pacific Rise. Tholeiites are isotopically indistinguishable from MORB (206Pb/204Pb=18.1–18.5; 87Sr/86Sr=0.7023–0.7028; 143Nd/144Nd=0.51326-0.51308); associated alkali basalts always show more radiogenic Pb and Sr signatures (206Pb/204Pb=18.8–19.2; 87Sr/86Sr=0.7029–0.7031) and less radiogenic Nd (143Nd/144Nd=0.51289–0.51301). The isotopic variability covers ∼80% of the variability for Pacific MORB, due to the presence of small-scale heterogeneity in the underlying mantle. Isotope compositions also correlate with trace element ratios such as La/Sm. Tholeiites at these seamounts have 3He/4He between 7.8–8.7 RA(RA= atmospheric ratio), also indistinguishable from MORB. He trapped in vesicles of alkali basalts, released by crushing in vacuo, has low 3He/4He (1.2–2.6 R)Ain conjunction with low helium concentrations ([He]<5×10−8 ccSTP/g). In many cases post-eruptive radiogenic ingrowth has produced He isotope disequilibrium between vesicles and glass in the alkali basalts; subatmospheric 3He/4He ratios characterize the He dissolved in the glass which is released by melting the crushed powders. The narrow range of 3He/4He in the vesicles of the alkali basalts suggests that low 3He/4He is a source characteristic, but given their low [He] and high (U + Th), pre-eruptive radiogenic ingrowth cannot be excluded as a cause for low inherited 3He/4He ratios. Pb, Sr and Nd isotope compositions in lavas erupted at Shimada Seamount, an isolated volcano on 20 m.y. old seafloor at 17°N, are distinctly different from other seamounts in the East Pacific (206Pb/204Pb=18.8–19.0, 87Sr/ 86Sr≅0.7048 and 143Nd/144Nd≅0.51266). Relatively high 207Pb/204Pb (15.6–15.7) indicates ancient (>2 Ga) isolation of the source from the depleted upper mantle, similar to Dupal components which are more prevalent in the southern hemisphere mantle. 3He/4He at Shimada Seamount is between 3.9–4.8 RA. Because the helium concentrations range up to 1.5×10−6, the low 3He/4He can not be due to radiogenic accumulation of 4He in the magma for reasonable volcanic evolution times. The low 3He/4He may be due to the presence of “enriched” domains within the lithosphere with high (U + Th)/He ratios, possibly formed during its accretion near the ridge. Alternatively, the low 3He/4He may be an inherent characteristic of an enriched component in the mantle beneath the East Pacific. Collectively, the He-Pb-Sr-Nd isotope systematics at East Pacific seamounts suggest that the range of isotope compositions present in the mantle is more readily sampled by seamount and island volcanism than by axial volcanism. Beneath thicker lithosphere away from the ridge axis, smaller degrees of melting in the source regions are less efficient in averaging the chemical characteristics of small-scale heterogeneities.

Volcanic development of small oceanic central volcanoes on the flanks of the East Pacific Rise inferred from narrow-beam echo-sounder surveys

Abstract Narrow-beam bathymetric surveys of about 30 volcanoes on young crust of the Cocos plate were collected in order to help determine the origin and evolution of oceanic central volcanoes. The volcanoes are located on ocean crust 1.5–7.5 m.y. in age and range in size from to ∼600 km 3 . These volcanoes differ greatly in shape, development of linear features, small scale morphologic characteristics and crater development. We conclude that these large differences in morphologic characteristics are due to the complex interaction of many factors in their development such as: conduit geometry, magma ascent rates, eruption rate history, tectonic activity, crater formation and filling and others. Elongation directions of individual volcanoes and clear linear bathymetric features near these volcanoes are among the lines of evidence that strongly suggest these volcanoes originate and evolve on and near oceanic fracture zones. Their origin and morphologic evolution is thus closely tied to the tectonic processes and thermal regimes at fractures. We speculate that these volcanoes on fast-spreading lithosphere are generated by episodic pulses of melt production beneath ridge crests in the vicinity of fracture zones. Petrologic evidence shows that these volcanoes cannot be fed from sub-axial magma chambers beneath the East Pacific Rise. Instead, they tap the same mantle source as the ridge crest at mantle depth.