Carbonatite Metasomatized Peridotite Xenoliths from Southern Patagonia: Implications for Lithospheric Processes and Neogene Plateau Magmatism
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2000
Abstract
The mineral chemistry, major and trace element, and Sr-Nd isotopic composition of Cr-diopside, spinel peridotite xenoliths from the Estancia Lote 17 locality in southern Patagonia document a strong carbonatitic metasomatism of the backarc continental lithosphere. The Lote 17 peridotite xenolith suite consists of hydrous spinel lherzolite, wehrlite, and olivine websterite, and anhydrous harzburgite and lherzolite. Two-pyroxene thermometry indicates equilibration temperatures ranging from 870 to 1015 °C and the lack of plagioclase or garnet suggests the xenoliths originated from between ˜40 and 60 km depth. All of the xenoliths are LILE- and LREE-enriched, but have relatively low 87Sr/86Sr (0.70294 to 0.70342) and high ε(Nd) (+3.0 to +6.6), indicating recent trace element enrichment (˜25 Ma, based on the low 87Sr/86Sr and high Rb concentrations of phlogopite separates) in the long-term, melt-depleted Patagonian lithosphere. Lote 17 peridotite xenoliths are divided into two basic groups. Group 1 xenoliths consist of fertile peridotites that contain hydrous phases (amphibole ± phologopite ± apatite). Group 1 xenoliths are further subdivided into three groups (a, b, and c) based on distinctive textures and whole-rock chemistry. Group 1 xenolith mineralogy and chemistry are consistent with a complex metasomatic history involving variable extents of recent carbonatite metasomatism (high Ca/Al, Nb/La, Zr/Hf, low Ti/Eu) that has overprinted earlier metasomatic events. Group 2 xenoliths consist of infertile, anhydrous harzburgites and record cryptic metasomatism that is attributed to CO2-rich fluids liberated from Group 1 carbonatite metasomatic reactions. Extremely variable incompatible trace element ratios and depleted Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of Lote 17 peridotite xenoliths indicate that the continental lithosphere was neither the primary source nor an enriched lithospheric contaminant for Neogene Patagonian plateau lavas. Neogene plateau magmatism associated with formation of asthenospheric slab windows may have triggered this occurrence of 'intraplate-type' carbonatite metasomatism in an active continental backarc setting.
DOI
10.1007/s004100000164
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Gorring, Matthew and Kay, Suzanne M., "Carbonatite Metasomatized Peridotite Xenoliths from Southern Patagonia: Implications for Lithospheric Processes and Neogene Plateau Magmatism" (2000). Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 187.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/earth-environ-studies-facpubs/187