Basanite

Abstract: Thirty five minor and trace elements (Li, Be, B, Sc, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Rb, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Tb, Ho, Tm, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U) in experimentally produced near-liquidus phases, from a primitive nelpheline basanite from Bow Hill in Tasmania (Australia), were analysed by LAM ICP-MS. A number of halogens (F, Cl and I) were also analysed by electron microprobe. The analyses were used to determine mineral/melt partition coefficients for mica, amphibole, garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and olivine for conditions close to multiple saturation of the basanite liquidus with garnet lherzolite (approximately 2.6 GPa and 1,200°C with 7.5 wt% of added H2O). A broader range of conditions was also investigated from 1.0 GPa and 1,025°C to 3.5 GPa and 1,190°C with 5–10 wt% of added H2O. The scope and comprehensiveness of the data allow them to be used for two purposes, these include the following: an investigation of some of the controlling influences on partition coefficients; and the compilation of a set partition coefficients that are directly relevant to the formation of the Bow Hill basanite magma by partial melting of mantle peridotite. Considering clinopyroxene, the mineral phase for which the most data were obtained, systematic correlations were found between pressure and temperature, mineral composition, cation radius and valence, and ΔGcoulb (the coulombic potential energy produced by substituting a cation of mismatched valence into a crystallographic site). ΔGcoulb is distinctly different for different crystallographic sites, including the M2 and M1 sites in clinopyroxene. These differences can be modelled as a function of variations in optimum valence (expressed as 1 sigma standard deviations) within individual M1 and M2 site populations.

Abstract: Ultramafic inclusions and the enclosing basaltic rocks were collected from a number of localities in the Hawaiian Islands; these and other specimens were studied by standard petrographic techniques and with an electron microprobe. Emphasis was on determination of mineral assemblages, mineral compositions, and variations in composition. Sixty-eight inclusions and thirteen basaltic rocks are described, with partial chemical analyses (Ti, Al, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Mg, Ca, Na, K) of olivines, orthopyroxenes, clinopyroxenes, and some feldspars and other minerals. Inclusions range from dunite to anorthosite, and basaltic hosts range from olivine nephelinite to olivine tholeiite. The inclusions are separable into three categories, which correlate with three groups basaltic hosts: Lherzolite inclusions are relatively poor in Fe, and the component minerals have limited ranges of composition. In Hawaii, lherzolite inclusions occur preferentially in extremely undersaturated hosts (olivine nephelinite, nepheline basanite, and ankaratrite). Other varieties of inclusions (dunite, wehrlite, feldspathic peridotite, pyroxenite) are relatively rich in Fe, and the component minerals have wider ranges of composition. These inclusions, together with gabbro, occur preferentially in hosts which are but moderately undersaturated (alkaline olivine basalt, hawaiite, and ankaramite). The sparse inclusions in nearly-saturated basalt (olivine tholeiite) are petrographically distinct from those in the other two categories. These correlations suggest that the inclusions and the enclosing basaltic rocks are genetically related. As the three suites of inclusions differ chemically, mineralogically, physically, and texturally, more than one origin is probable.

Abstract: Partial melt compositions of natural carbonated peridotite (KLB-1 + 2.5 wt% CO2) have been determined at 3 GPa using the diamond aggregate method. Melt obtained at 1350 °C is carbonatitic, and with increasing temperature melt composition becomes silicate-rich. These melts are lower in SiO2 and Al2O3 and higher in MgO and CaO compared to dry partial melts of KLB-1 generated at the same pressure. The 1400 and 1450 °C liquids have melilititic compositions, which are in good agreement with those of natural alkali-basalts from continental regions. At higher temperatures, partial melts are richer in SiO2, and the compositions of liquids at 1475 and 1525 °C approximate nephelinite and basanite respectively. However, they deviate from natural alkaline rocks in that the CaO/(CaO+MgO) ratios are smaller, suggesting that the natural nephelinite and basanite magmas were formed at lower pressures. The compositional trend of natural alkaline rocks, melilitites-nephelinites-basanites, may reflect the effect of decreasing pressure.