The Late Neoproterozoïc Continental Tholeiitic Basalts of the Toubkal Inlier (Western High-Atlas, Morocco): A Post-Pan-African Rifting Witness in the Northern Margin of the West African Craton

The late Neoproterozo&#239c Toubkal inlier (Ancient Massif of the High-Atlas, Morocco) contains two igneous basaltic series (Tircht and Sidi Chamharouch). Investigated rocks display characteristics of within-plate continental tholeiitic and are similar to rocks originated in orogenic contexts. The geochemical results allow the assumption that subduction active processes are indirectly responsible for the genesis of theses rocks. The orogenic signature is linked probably to a Pan-African magmatic source previously metasomatized in the northern margin of the West African Craton.

Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks Elogo Complex in Ivindo Archean Block (Congo Craton): Geodynamic Implications

The Elogo complex is a greenstone belt portion located on the Eastern edge of the Archean Congo craton at the junction with the Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic Sembe Ouesso basin. This study was carried out on this complex to determine the context of the placement of basaltic rocks. Metaluminous tholeiitic basalts (basic and ultrabasic), calc-alkaline basalts, andesitic basalts, and peraluminous calc-alkaline dacites represent greenstones. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts come from deep enriched and depleted mantle sources, including garnet in fusion residues [Al2O3/TiO2 > 16 (16.5 to 35.12) and in some samples between 12.45 to 14.48;CaO/Al2O3 1 (1.04 to 1.35) in ten samples and (Gb/Yb)PM > 1]. The calc-alkaline dacites come from a shallow depleted mantle source [Al2O3/TiO2 > 16;CaO/Al2O3 1]. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts have a negative Rb, Ba, Ce, and Nb anomaly without negative Ti anomaly, positive Ta, Pb anomalies, and a lack of significant REE [(La/Yb)n = 0.36 to 0.97 and 1 to 2.15;(Ce/Yb)n = 0.27 to 0.96 and 1.04 to 1.72, respectively] fractionation. High Nb/Th (2 to 10) and Nb/U (1.82 to 26) ratios and low La/Ta (5 to 27) ratios are characteristic of divergent margin magmatic sources. Tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts correspond to an extensive back-arc basin-type tectonic setting. Calc-alkaline andesitic basalts and dacites show positive Ba, U, Th, K, La, Ce, Pb, and Li anomalies and negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies reflecting crustal contamination and hydrothermal alteration in a compressive tectonic context as a volcanic arc in a subduction regime marking the interruption of the meso-neoarchean Elogo’s opening. Elogo’s opening and closing are probably associated with the emplacement of the greenstone of the meso-neoarchean Gabon Belinga group and the relics of the Mesoarchean greenstones of the Cameroun Ntem complex.

Petrochemical Characterization of Two Distinct Types of Dolerites from Bafoussam Area, West Cameroon

Two petrochemical types of doleritic dykes have been distinguished in Bafoussam area: 1) the olivine-bearing dolerites which are the most representative are dark green, showing characteristics of alkaline basalts and, 2) the calcite-bearing dolerites are grayish green, showing characteristics of tholeiitic basalts. The studied dolerites are less differentiated (1 FeOt/MgO 2);they present the evolution of a subalkaline magma following a calc-alkaline series (alkaline dolerites) and the tholeiitic series (tholeitiic dolerite). The chondrite normalized multielement spider diagrams of all the dolerites show a pronounced depletion in Ba, Th, and enrichment in Rb. Their geotectonic context is inferred to be intraplate and the contrast between the two types is probably due to a diverse source: crustal source for calcite-bearing dolerites and mantle source for olivine-bearing dolerites.

Ediacarian Volcanic Rocks and Basic Dikes from the Lac Ifni Sector of the Central High Atlas Mountains:Petrographic Studies and Clinopyroxene Chemical Composition

The Ediacarian volcanic series from the Lac Ifni sector are composed of a large variety of rocks from basalts and rhyolites to intermediates facies such as andesites,rhyodacites and pyroclastites.All these rocks are intruded by dolerite dikes.Secondary processes are reflected by total serpentinization of olivine within basic andesite and by albitization

The Origin of the Early Proterozoic Kuandian Complex: Evidence from Geochemistry

The Kuandian Complex is scarcely preserved Early Proterozoic volcanic suite, formed2.3-2.4 Ga ago. It is located in an Early Proterozoic mobile belt bounded by the ArchaeanRangrim and Ryonggang Blocks of the northeastern Sino-Korean Craton. The Complex ismainly made up of amphibolites, gneisses, leucoleptite, leptite and layered granite. Petrologicaland geochemical studies show that the protoliths of the Complex are mainly assoctations ofbimodal volcanics and anorogenic granites. The Kuandian amphibolites are depleted in Nb, Ta,P and Ti, and enriched in LILE, e.g. K, Rb and Cs, with pronounced depletion of Sr relative toNd and Pb; La/Nb ratios are higher than 1（1.75 to 5.18）. The trace element patterns of theamphibolites are similar to continental flood basalts formed by the Gondwana break-up, suchas those in South Karoo and Tasmania, which shows continental contamination. εNd valuesranging from 0.70 to 1.94 of the Kuandian amphibolites and the relationships between Nb/Yband La/Yb suggest that contamination of basaltic magma happened in the mantle, rather thanalong the conduit. Isotope ratios of 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/ 204Pb, 206Pb/204Pb, 143Nd/144Ndand 87Sr/86Sr indicate that the magma was derived from a contaminated mantle source likeDMM or a mixture of DMM and EM2. The Kuandian Complex has Dupal anomaly, as is thecase with some continental basalts in the south hemisphere, e.g. in South Karoo and Tasmania.Petrochemical modelling proposes that the Kuandian gneiss, granite, and amphibolite camefrom the same parental magma, being products of strong fractional crystallization. Protoliths ofthe Kuandian Complex were formed in extensional tectonic setting during the transition fromcontinental crust to oceanic crust. The formation of the Kuandian Complex indicates that 2.3or 2.4 Ga ago tectonic evolution of the Sino-Korean craton was different from that of otherwell-studied Precambrian cratons, e.g. the North American shield, European platform andAustralian continent in that strong volcanic eruption resulted in its accretion. Besides, the con-taminated magma source with a Dupal anomaly for the Complex indicates that crust-mantleconvection whose scale was similar to that of the present plate tectonics had occurred at leastbefore the formation of the Kuandian Complex （2.3-2.4 Ga B.P）.

Geochemical and Mineral Characteristics of Jurassic Volcanic Rocks from ODP Sites 304, 1149, and 801:Implications for Magmatic Evolution in the Northwest Pacific

The regular variations in magmatic activities along the Northwest Pacific plate have been little studied in spite of their importance. In this contribution, systematic analyses were conducted on tholeiitic basalts from three Ocean Drilling Program sites(Sites 304, 1149, and 801), including the petrographic features, major and trace elements, Nd isotopic compositions, and mineral structure and compositions of whole rocks. Volcanic rocks from Sites 304, 1149, and 801 belong to tholeiites and exhibit depleted light rare earth elements(LREE), large ion lithophile elemental contents(LILE), and relatively depleted Nd isotopic ratios(^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd=0.513139-0.513211), similar to those of normal mid-ocean ridge basalts(NMORB). Comprehensive data on mineral compositions, whole-rock geochemistry, and geochronology demonstrate that a regular variation trend exists in the north-south direction along the Northwest Pacific plate. The 143 Nd/144 Nd values(0.513139-0.513211) and trace-element ratios for whole rocks(Sm/Th=15.35-30.00; Zr/Hf=28.53-35.76; Zr/Y=2.58-3.67; Th/La=0.04-0.06; Th/Y=0.33-0.70), as well as the trace-element ratios(Zr/Hf, La/Yb, Ti/Zr) of clinopyroxenes from Sites 1149 and 801 tholeiites show larger variations compared to those from Site 304 tholeiites(^(143)Nd/^(144)Nd=0.513185-0.513195; Sm/Th=18.19-20.58; Zr/Hf=31.07-33.26; Zr/Y=2.62-3.03; Th/La=0.05-0.06; Th/Y=0.48-0.57). Mineral zoning textures were obvious in tholeiites from Sites 1149 and 801 but were rarely observed in Site 304.These regular features were likely attributed to the differences in the heterogeneity of the magma source,the process of magmatic evolution, the plate-spreading rate, and the effective and ineffective mixing.

High-Pressure Melting Experiments on Basalt-Peridotite Layered Source (KLB-1/N-MORB): Implications for Magma Genesis in Hawaii

In order to understand the melting processes that occur within recycled oceanic crust and mantle in a heterogeneous plume (e.g., that beneath the Hawaiian Islands), a series of high-pressure-high-temperature layered experiments were performed at 2.9 GPa, 5 GPa, and 8 GPa, from 1300°C to 1650°C, using a fertile peridotite KLB-1 and N-MORB. Our experiments at conditions below the dry peridotite solidus produced melt compositions that ranged from basaltic andesite to tholeiite. An Opx reaction band formed between eclogite and peridotite layers, likely via chemical reaction between a silica-rich eclogite-derived partial melt and olivine in the peridotite matrix. At temperatures at or above the dry peridotite solidus, substantial melting occurred in both basalt and peridotite layers, and fully molten basalt melt and melt pockets from the peridotite layer combined. In our layered experiments, major and minor element contents in reacted melts closely matched those of Hawaiian tholeiite and picrite, except for Fe. Partial melts of anhydrous run products had ~55 - 57 wt% SiO2 at low temperature (i.e., were andesitic) and had ~50 - 53 wt% SiO2 at high temperatures, slightly below the dry peridotite solidus (i.e., were tholeiitic, and similar to those that occur during the Hawaii shield-building stage). Based on the Fe- and LREE-enriched signature in Hawaiian tholeiites, we propose that recycled components in the Hawaiian plume are not modern N-MORB, but are Fe-rich tholeiite;a lithology that was common in the Archaean and early Proterozoic. We have demonstrated that the entire compositional spectrum of Hawaiian tholeiites (basalt to picrite) can be formed by basalt-peridotite reactive melting near the dry solidus of peridotite. Based on these results, we propose that the potential temperature of the sub-Hawaiian plume may be much lower than previously estimated.

Petrology and Geodynamic Context of Metabasic Rocks of Nemba Complex in the West Congo Fold Belt (Republic of Congo)

The West Congo belt contains Paleoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Units which are deformed during Panafrican event. The Neoproterozoic Unit contains rift and post rift deposits. The rift formation is made of metabasite, volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks. The metabasite constitutes the Nemba Complex which is considered put into place in a continental or oceanic context. Samples from Nemba Complex collected along the “Congo ocean railway realignment” are analyzed. Major elements indicate a low potassic subalkaline affinity of the samples. Classification diagrams based of major elements shows that the rocks are a tholeiitic serie constituted of andesitic basalts, sub-alkaline andesitic basalts and a sub-alkaline to alkaline basalts. Some samples with a calc-alkaline signature indicate a crustal contamination. The traces elements plots indicate that the rocks are the MORB. The spectrum of multi-elements is characteristic of continental rocks with a lithospheric origin. This is an agreement with many works on the Nemba Complex and the alkali plutons and acid volcanic rocks associated which attribute there a rift context.

Petrography and Geochemical Characterization of Dolerites from Figuil (Northern Cameroon) and Léré(Southwestern Chad)

This work presents the petrographic and geochemical data of the dolerite dykes crosscutting the Pan-African basement of Figuil (North-Cameroon) and Léré (South-West Chad) in order to approach their petrogenesis and their emplacement context. Two groups of dolerites have been highlighted by petrographic and geochemical studies. These groups were discriminated by their TiO2, Fe2O3, REE, Ba, Nb, Zr, La and Hf contents which are relatively higher in group I;group II, on the other hand, has higher MgO, Mg#, Sc, Ni and Cr contents. The mineralogical assemblage of these dolerites is made up by plagioclases, pyroxenes, olivine, oxides, amphibole, biotite and sometimes pyrite, calcite, apatite, epidote and chlorite. The behaviour of the major and trace elements suggest that studied dolerites have an evolution dominated by fractional crystallization. Most dolerite samples show higher REE concentrations and (La/Yb)N > 8.7, (Tb/Yb)N > 1.9 and Dy/Yb > 2 ratios characterizing a garnet-bearing mantle. The difference in incompatible elements between the two groups is explained by the degree of partial melting of the same source which becomes more important over time. Low (Ce/Yb)N values (3.3 - 11.58) also suggest relatively low partial melting degree of the source. Fractional crystallization process was possibly combined with minor crustal contamination as shown by enrichment of Th/Yb from group II to Group I that might be due to turbulent magma emplacement. The chemical compositions of these dolerites are similar to that of continental tholeiites with slightly moderate negative Nb-Ta anomalies which are attributed to crustal contamination of magmas. As other dolerites of Cameroon, continental tholeiitic signature of the studied dolerites is evidenced in geotectonic discrimination diagrams with Group II dolerite compositions falling within the field of tholeiitic basalts and group I within the field of alkali basalts.

Chemical and Sr-Nd compositions and ^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar ages of NW-trending dolerite dikes of Burkina Faso: Evidence for a Mesoproterozoic magmatism in the West African Craton

The Paleoproterozoic basement of the northeastern part of the Leo-Man craton is intruded by generally NW-trending dikes. These regional scale dikes extend over 1000 km in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. We present chemical and Sr-Nd isotope compositions, as well as 40 Ar/39 Ar ages of these dikes with the following strikes N98°-N112°, and N114°-N124° in NE Burkina Faso. Field relationships show that the dikes are posterior to all other rock types dated between 2.26 Ga and 2.0 Ga. Chemical data indicate that the dikes are continental flood basalts and composed of low-Ti(TiO2 ≤ 2 wt.%) sub-alkaline basalts and andesites. They exhibit a minor negative Europium anomaly(0.86-0.99) and slightly fractionated REE patterns((La/Yb)_N= 2.5-9.1; Yb_N = 9.5-19.9). The ratios of Th/Ta(1.3-11.4) and Ce/Pb(5.2-58.5)suggest a varying crustal assimilation of the dike magmas during ascent in the continental crust for all studied samples. Calculated P-T conditions indicate that the magma reached temperatures of 1285 ℃(calculated from olivine compositions) and pressures of 6.9 kbar(calculated for pyroxene minerals).Calculated initial 87 Sr/86 Sr(0.70040-0.70260) and ε_(Nd)(t)=+2.1 to-3.5 at 1575 Ma,also point to a crustal contamination with the most primitive samples showing T_(DM) values of 1946 Ma and 2154 Ma. The low values of La/Ba(<0.2) and Nb/La(<1.0), contrast with the low Th/Nb(<0.9), and suggest a lithospheric mantle or subduction-modified mantle as possible source for the dikes. Sr-Nd data, Mg# and NbTa-Zr-Y-Th-Tb-Yb compositions further suggest that the most primitive samples were emplaced in a none orogenic setting and their magmas were subjected to variable crustal contaminations. Literature and the present whole rock 40 Ar/39 Ar age determinations show that the dikes were emplaced during a widespread Mesoproterozoic magmatism between 1.6 Ga and 1.2 Ga, and were affected by a thermal event causing the argon systematics resetting, best constrained by the date of sample KK1(1236 ± 20 Ma,^(40)Ar/^(36)Ar = 294 ±13, MSWD = 2.2). Contemporaneous 1590-1570 Ma extensive magmatism is reported in other crustal blocks in Baltica(Sveconorw-Goth, svecofennian) NW Laurentia(Slave craton, Yukon),and Australia(Gawler craton), and together with the 1575 studied dikes, are related to the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna.

Geotectonic significance of the Neoproterozoic ophiolitic metagabbros of Muiswirab area,South Eastern Desert,Egypt:constraints from their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics

Petrological and geochemical studies of Neo-proterozoic metagabbros were carried out in the Muiswirab area,South Eastern Desert of Egypt.The Muiswirab area comprises of ophiolitic metagabbroic rocks(MOM),which are tectonically thrusted over a thick pile of metavolcanic rocks and intruded by syn-and post-tectonic granitoid rocks.The whole-rock geochemical variations coupled with chemical compositions of mineral constituents are used to attain the genesis and tectonic evolution of the studied metagabbros.The geothermobarometric investiga-tion of the analyzed amphiboles from(MOM)revealed that these metagabbros underwent regional metamorphism under lower to upper greenschist facies(biotite zone)conditions(at a temperature of 450 to 500℃and pressure of 1-3 kbar).Geochemically,the metagabbros(MOM)show tholeiitic affinity and cxhibiting both arc-and MORB-like characters as evidenced by their clinopyrox-ene compositions and the Ti/V ratios(11.84-31.65),which considered as prominent features of forearc tectonic regime.The geochemical features suggest a probable fractionation of olivine±clinopyroxene±plagioclase as well as insignificant crustal contamination.The parental magma of the investigated MOM rocks seems to be developed in a sub-arc mantle wedge setting due to the enrichments of LILE(e.g..Rb,Ba,Sr,Pb)over HFSE(e.g,Ti,Nb,Y,Zr,Hf,Ta).The studied MOM rocks have lower values of Nb/U relative to MORB and OIB indicating that their geochemical variation produced due to the enrichment of a lithosphere mantle by OIB like components.The ratios of Zn/Fet,La/Sm,Sm/Yb,Th/Yb and Nb/Yb indicate that the MOM rocks represent a fragment of oceanic crust originated at a supra-subduction zone environment and their parental magma developed by 5-30%partial melting of a spinel lherzolite mantle rather than pyroxenite in an island arc setting and conformable with most of the Egyptian ophiolitic metagabbros.

Fractional Crystallization and Crustal Contamination of Doleritic and Trachytic Dykes Crosscutting the Cretaceous Sedimentary Basins from Figuil (North Cameroon) and Léré(South-Western Chad): Geodynamic Implications

Magmatism in the Cretaceous sedimentary basins of the Figuil and Léré regions constitutes one of the fundamental parameters in the reconstruction of the history of the Cretaceous sedimentary basins. The main objective of this paper is to constrain the petrogenetic processes of hypovolcanic rocks and to determine their geodynamic context of emplacement. The petrographic study of mafic hypovolcanic and trachytic rocks was carried out under a polarizing microscope on thin sections. For the geochemical study, the major oxides and some trace elements were analyzed by ICP-AES. Trace and rare earth elements were analyzed by ICP-MS. The dolerites of the Cretaceous sedimentary basins are composed of dykes of amphibole bearing dolerites, biotite and pyroxene bearing dolerite, pyroxene bearing dolerites and trachytes. The dykes are in the order of 20 to 100 m wide by several kilometers long and oriented from N23°E to N90°E. The textures of these rocks are sub-ophitic to intergranular for dolerites and trachytic for evolved rocks (trachytes). The geochemical study shows that the dolerites are basaltic in composition with alkaline to subalkaline character. The sampled dykes have an evolution dominated by fractional with the minor impact of the crustal assimilation characterized by low Rb/Y ratios for dolerites (0.36 - 0.97) and high values of Rb/Y for the Pan-African granitoids’ samples (1.95 - 4.01). The nature of doleritic and trachytic magma sources is supported by their (Tb/Yb)N > 1.9 (1.91 - 3.79) and Dy/Yb > 2 (2.32 - 3.50) ratios of most samples, which suggests melting in a garnet-bearing mantle. Concerning the geodynamic context of the studied rocks, doleritic samples are classified as within-plate tholeiite and volcanic arc basalt, and within-plate alkali basalts.

Major,trace element and Sr-Nd isotope evidence for a sublithospheric mantle source for the Umkondo large igneous province

The Mesoproterozoic(1.11 Ga)Umkondo large igneous province(LIP)in southern Africa and Antarctica was emplaced in<5 Myr and is dominated by low-Ti tholeiitic doleritic-gabbroic sills.It is of particular interest because it is the least studied LIP in southern Africa with both sublithospheric and lithospheric mantle sources proposed and it coincides with the early assembly of Rodinia,so it has importance in understanding the nature of magmatism and tectonics in and around the Kalahari craton during the Mesoproterozoic.In this study,we compiled a large database of existing(~750)and new(~100)major and trace element data for the Umkondo province,as well as 42 new Sr-Nd isotopic measurements,to provide constraints on its magma sources and geochemical evolution.Major element compositional variations in the low-Ti tholeiites are explained by low-pressure(1 kbar)three-phase fractional crystallisation(olivine,clinopyroxene and plagioclase)of a parent magma with~10 wt.%MgO in oxidising conditions(QFM+1).Inverse models show that the low-Ti tholeiitic magmas were derived as residual melts after the crystallization of 12%-33%olivine from primary komatiitic-basaltic magmas(up to~20 wt.%MgO)in equilibrium with mantle olivine(Fo90).Low Sm/Yb and TiO2/Yb-Nb/Yb indicate that the primary magmas were derived by 2%-20%shallow(40-50 km)partial melting of spinel lherzolite.High Sm/Yb is restricted to dyke swarms and may imply limited magma production from deeper(up to~70 km)garnet lherzolite-like sources.The low-Ti tholeiites of the Umkondo province are enriched in large ion lithophile elements(Rb-Sr-Cs-K)and depleted in high-field strength elements(Zr-Hf-Nb-Ta),indicating the involvement of crustal material and/or the subcontinental lithospheric mantle.This is supported by covariations in Th/Nb,Nb/Yb,Nb/La and Ce/Sm with generally negativeΔNb.Sr-Nd isotopes lend support to the notion that the Umkondo magmas were derived from depleted and/or enriched sublithospheric mantle sources and subsequently contaminated by enriched lithospheric material during emplacement(initial(at 1.11 Ga)^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr between 0.704820 and 0.737464 andεNd between-8.9 and+5.3).The Vredefort sills are significant as they display the most depleted Sr-Nd isotopic signatures(average initial ^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr of 0.705342 and averageεNd of 0.4)and are the least contaminated magma suite in the Umkondo province.Because of(i)the large volume of low-Ti magmas,(ii)evidence of a primary hot and MgO-rich(komatiitic)magma,and(iii)the short duration of magmatism,we suggest that the Umkondo province was formed by plume-induced melting of the sublithospheric mantle beneath the Kalahari craton in an extensional setting.This contrasts with previous suggestions that the heat source developed in response to the“thermal insulation”of the mantle beneath a thickened Kalahari craton in the absence of a mantle plume.There is further evidence from the elevated Zn/Fe that the sublithospheric mantle was lithologically heterogeneous and consisted of mixed peridotite and pyroxenite domains.There is a general lack of ultramafic cumulates in the low-Ti magma suite that may imply there was deeper ponding and storage of the primary magmas that fractionated large quantities of ultramafic rocks.There is also a paucity of high-Ti rocks in the Umkondo province that may reflect limited direct melting of the lithospheric mantle or that they are simply not as well-preserved in this province compared to the Karoo province.The similar trace element and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Umkondo sills in southern Africa with the Borgmassivet sills in Antarctica support the concept that the Kalahari craton and Grunehogna terrane were adjoined at 1.11 Ga.The timing of the Umkondo province indicates there was localised lithospheric extension and upwelling asthenospheric mantle during a time of dominantly compressional tectonics on Earth at the end of the‘boring billion’.

Correlations among large igneous provinces related to the West Gondwana breakup:A geochemical database reappraisal of Early Cretaceous plumbing systems

The opening and spreading of the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and South America evolved during the Early Cretaceous and were preceded by dramatic tholeiitic(mafic)magmatism and minor silicic and alkaline volcanism.These features are presently recognized from the equatorial regions of Brazil and Africa to the Falklands and South Africa.In southeastern South America,continental flood basalts and related plumbing systems constitute the ParanáMagmatic Province(PMP),whose African counterpart is the Etendeka Magmatic Province(EMP).In northeastern Brazil,dike swarms and sill complexes compose the Equatorial Atlantic Magmatic Province(EQUAMP).As a common feature,these provinces are chemically represented by two prevalent magma types:(1)tholeiitic basalts and basaltic andesites with lowTi(TiO_(2)<~2 wt.%),also including transitional Ti tholeiites with TiO_(2)~2.7-1.7 wt.%,and low incompatible element contents.This type is predominantly found in the southern PMP and EMP,with minor occurrences in the EQUAMP.(2)Tholeiitic basalts and basaltic andesites with high Ti(TiO_(2)>~2 wt.%)and incompatible element contents.High Ti tholeiites are relevant in the northern PMP and EMP,and dominant in EQUAMP.Evolved rocks(SiO_(2)=57-65 wt.%)interpreted as byproducts of assimilation and/or fractional crystallization(AFC)processes from high Ti tholeiitic magmas,are scarce(but present)in all three provinces.An accurate analysis of multivariable databases collected from the literature for dikes and sills,including major and trace element and radiogenic isotope data,reveals close similarities in their geochemical signatures.In a paleogeographic reconstruction of West Gondwana,the intrusive remnants of the PMP,EMP and EQUAMP are spread over an area of nearly 10×10^(6)km^(2).forming perhaps the most extensive set of plumbing systems on Earth,with a relatively consistent chronology based on a vast collection of K-Ar and^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar data available in the literature.This work provides the first comprehensive data comparison to support the existence of what may have been a single intercontinental-scale magmatic province of West Gondwana.

Geochemical and Mineralogical Investigation on Different Types of Cenozoic Basalts in the Sanshui Basin:Implications for Magma Mixing Processes

Two kinds of basalts with different chemical compositions were obtained in the Sanshui Basin,they share the same eruption period. Although they have significant differences in major and trace element concentrations,their isotopic ratios suggest a similar magma source. Based on mineral geochemical analysis,orthopyroxene with reaction rim and zoned clinopyroxene are observed in Zidong(ZD)basalts,but not found in Wangjiegang(WJG) basalts. Linear scanning of these minerals suggests compositional variation between within-plate tholeiite and within-plate alkali-basalt. Presence of a doublelayer magma chamber under the Sanshui Basin,and occurrence of magma mixing between upper and lower chambers is proposed. This magma mixing leads to different chemical composition and mineral constitution of two kinds of basalts,as well as reaction rim and compositional variation of minerals in ZD basalts.

K-Ar Ages and Geochemistry of the Mariana Trough Basalts

Studies on the Mariana Trough basalts began in the early 1970s, and during the past two decades, they are getting deeper and deeper with the Deep Sea Drilling Project devoted to the back-arc and the trough.From the early 1980s to