Textural and compositional zoning in plagioclase phenocrysts:implications for magma chamber processes in the Emeishan large Igneous Province,SW China

Textural and compositional zoning within plagioclase phenocrysts records the magma chamber processes,such as magma differentiation,magma recharge and mixing,and crustal contamination.The plagioclase phenocrysts in the Daqiao and Qiaojia plagioclase-phyric basalts from the Emeishan Large Igneous Province(LIP)show complex textural and compositional zoning patterns,e.g.,normal,reverse,oscillatory,and patchy zoning patterns.Most plagioclase phenocrysts exhibit a core–rim normal zoning pattern(Pl-A)with euhedral high-An cores(An=76–78%,in mole fraction)and low-An rims(An=68–72%),indicative of the crystal regrowth processes caused by recharge of relatively evolved magmas after the formation of high-An cores.Some phenocrysts have a core–rim reverse zoning pattern(Pl-B)with irregular ovaloid cores,characterized by extremely low An(60–61 mol%)and Ba(84–88 ppm)contents and extremely high87Sr/86Sr ratios(0.7120–0.7130).The rims of the Pl-B have relatively high An(69–72%),Ba(~160 ppm)contents,and low87Sr/86Sri(~0.7056).These Pl-B plagioclase phenocrysts preserve the information about the interaction between the crustal xenocrysts and the transporting magmas.Some plagioclase phenocrysts show a core–mantle–rim oscillatory zoning pattern(Pl-C)with multiple oscillations of An(70–80%),Ba(88–147ppm)from core to rim,revealing replenishment and mixing of multiple batches of basaltic melts with diverse compositions.87Sr/86Sr ratios of the Pl-C do not vary significantly(0.7050–0.7054).A small portion of phenocrysts has patchy patterns in the cores(Pl-D),where the low-An patches(72–75%)in form of elliptical or irregular elongated shapes were enclosed by the high-An domains(80–87%).These features can be attributed to crystal dissolution and regrowth processes during the reaction between earlyformed low-Cumulates and recharged hot primitive melts.The cores,mantles,and rims of different types of plagioclase phenocrysts(except the core of Pl-B)commonly display nearly constant Sr isotopic compositions,implying insignificant wall-rock assimilation at shallow-level magma reservoir(s)during the growth of these plagioclase phenocrysts.In conclusion,the massive crystallization of plagioclase in the late stage was an important controlling factor for the formation of iron-rich basalts in the Emeishan LIP.

Chemical composition and petrogenesis of plagioclases in plagioclase-phyric basalts from the Southwest Indian Ridge(51°E)

Electron microprobe analysis was conducted on plagioclase from the plagioclase ultraphyric basalts(PUBs)erupted on the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR)(51°E)to investigate the geochemical changes in order to better understand the magmatic processes occurring under ultraslow spreading ridges and to provide insights into the thermal and dynamic regimes of the magmatic reservoirs and conduit systems.The phenocryst cores are generally calcic(An74–82)and are depleted in FeO and MgO.Whereas the phenocryst rims(An67–71)and the plagioclase in the groundmass(An58–63)are more sodic and have higher FeO and MgO contents than the phenocryst cores.The crystallization temperatures of the phenocryst cores and the calculation of the equilibrium between the phenocrysts and the matrix suggest that the plagioclase cores are unlikely to have crystallized from the host basaltic melt,but are likely to have crystallized from a more calcic melt.The enrichment in incompatible elements(FeO and MgO),as well as the higher FeO/MgO ratios of the outermost phenocryst rims and the groundmass,are the result of plagioclase-melt disequilibrium diffusion during the short residence time in which the plagioclase crystallized.Our results indicate that an evolved melt replenishing under the SWIR(51°E)drives the eruption over a short period of time.