240 research outputs found
Tertiary-Quaternary subduction processes and related magmatism in the Alpine-Mediterranean region
During Tertiary to Quaternary times, convergence between Eurasia and Africa resulted in a variety of collisional orogens and different styles of subduction in the Alpine-Mediterranean region. Characteristic features of this area include arcuate orogenic belts and extensional basins, both of which can be explained by roll-back of subducted slabs and retreating subduction zones. After cessation of active subduction, slab detachment and post-collisional gravitational collapse of the overthickened lithosphere took place. This complex tectonic history was accompanied by the generation of a wide variety of magmas. Most of these magmas (e.g. low-K tholeiitic, calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and ultrapotassic types) have trace element and isotopic fingerprints that are commonly interpreted to reflect enrichment of their source regions by subduction-related fluids. Thus, they can be considered as âsubduction-relatedâ magmas irrespective of their geodynamic relationships. Intraplate alkali basalts are also found in the region generally postdated the âsubduction-relatedâ volcanism. These mantle-derived magmas have not been, or only slightly, influenced by subduction-related enrichment.
This paper summarises the geodynamic setting of the Tertiary-Quaternary âsubduction-relatedâ magmatism in the different segments of the Alpine-Mediterranean region (Betic-Alboran-Rif province, Central Mediterranean, the Alps, Carpathian-Pannonian region, Dinarides and Hellenides, Aegean and Western Anatolia), and discusses the main characteristics and compositional variation of the magmatic rocks. Radiogenic and stable isotope data indicate the importance of continental crustal material in the genesis of these magmas. Interaction with crustal material probably occurred both in the upper mantle during subduction (âsource contaminationâ) and in the continental crust during ascent of mantle-derived magmas (either by mixing with crustal melts or by crustal contamination). The 87Sr/86Sr and 206Pb/204Pb isotope ratios indicate that an enriched mantle component, akin to the source of intraplate alkali mafic magmas along the Alpine foreland, played a key role in the petrogenesis of the âsubduction-relatedâ magmas of the Alpine-Mediterranean region. This enriched mantle component could be related to mantle plumes or to long-term pollution (deflection of the central Atlantic plume and recycling of crustal material during subduction) of the shallow mantle beneath Europe since the late Mesozoic. In the first case, subduction processes could have had an influence in generating asthenospheric flow by deflecting nearby mantle plumes due to slab roll-back or slab break-off. In the second case, the variation in the chemical composition of the volcanic rocks in the Mediterranean region can be explained by âstatistical samplingâ of the strongly inhomogeneous mantle followed by variable degrees of crustal contamination
Tectonic significance of changes in post-subduction Pliocene-Quaternary magmatism in the south east part of the Carpathian-Pannonian Region
The south-eastern part of the CarpathianâPannonian region records the cessation of convergence between the European platform/Moesia and the TiszaâDacia microplate. Plio-Quaternary magmatic activity in this area, in close proximity to the âVrancea zoneâ, shows a shift from normal calc-alkaline to much more diverse compositions (adakite-like calc-alkaline, K-alkalic, mafic Na-alkalic and ultrapotassic), suggesting a significant change in geodynamic processes at approximately 3 Ma. We review the tectonic setting, timing, petrology and geochemistry of the post-collisional volcanism to constrain the role of orogenic building processes such as subduction or collision on melt production and migration. The calc-alkaline volcanism (5.3â3.9 Ma) marks the end of normal subduction-related magmatism along the post-collisional CÄlimaniâGurghiuâHarghita volcanic chain in front of the European convergent plate margin. At ca. 3 Ma in South Harghita magma compositions changed to adakite-like calc-alkaline and continued until recent times (< 0.03 Ma) interrupted at 1.6â1.2 Ma by generation of Na and K-alkalic magmas, signifying changes in the source and melting mechanism. We attribute the changes in magma composition in front of the Moesian platform to two main geodynamic events: (1) slab-pull and steepening with opening of a tear window (adakite-like calc-alkaline magmas) and (2) renewed contraction associated with deep mantle processes such as slab steepening during post-collisional times (Na and K-alkalic magmas). Contemporaneous post-collisional volcanism at the eastern edge of the Pannonian Basin at 2.6â1.3 Ma was dominated by Na-alkalic and ultrapotassic magmas, suggesting a close relationship with thermal asthenospheric doming and strain partitioning related to the Adriatic indentation. Similar timing, magma chamber processes and volume for K-alkalic (shoshonitic) magmas in the South Apuseni Mountains (1.6 Ma) and South Harghita area at a distance of ca. 200 km imply a regional connection with the inversion tectonics
Post-collisional TertiaryâQuaternary mafic alkalic magmatism in the CarpathianâPannonian region: a review
Mafic alkalic volcanism was widespread in the CarpathianâPannonian region (CPR) between 11 and 0.2 Ma. It followed the Miocene continental collision of the Alcapa and Tisia blocks with the European plate, as subduction-related calc-alkaline magmatism was waning. Several groups of mafic alkalic rocks from different regions within the CPR have been distinguished on the basis of ages and/or trace-element compositions. Their trace element and SrâNdâPb isotope systematics are consistent with derivation from complex mantle-source regions, which included both depleted asthenosphere and metasomatized lithosphere. The mixing of DMM-HIMU-EMII mantle components within asthenosphere-derived magmas indicates variable contamination of the shallow asthenosphere and/or thermal boundary layer of the lithosphere by a HIMU-like component prior to and following the introduction of subduction components.
Various mantle sources have been identified: Lower lithospheric mantle modified by several ancient asthenospheric enrichments (source A); Young asthenospheric plumes with OIB-like trace element signatures that are either isotopically enriched (source B) or variably depleted (source C); Old upper asthenosphere heterogeneously contaminated by DM-HIMU-EMII-EMI components and slightly influenced by Miocene subduction-related enrichment (source D); Old upper asthenosphere heterogeneously contaminated by DM-HIMU-EMII components and significantly influenced by Miocene subduction-related enrichment (source E). Melt generation was initiated either by: (i) finger-like young asthenospheric plumes rising to and heating up the base of the lithosphere (below the Alcapa block), or (ii) decompressional melting of old asthenosphere upwelling to replace any lower lithosphere or heating and melting former subducted slabs (the Tisia block)
Simultaneous cathodoluminescence hyperspectral imaging and X-ray microanalysis
A facility has been developed to acquire hyperspectral cathodoluminescence (CL) images simultaneously with X-ray composition data. Based around an electron microprobe, the system uses a built-in Cassegrain microscope to efficiently couple emitted light directly into the entrance slit of an optical spectrograph. A cooled array detector allows the parallel acquisition of CL spectra, which are then built up into a multidimensional data-cube containing the full set of spectrally- and spatially-resolved information for later analysis. This setup has the advantage of allowing wavelength-dispersive X-ray (WDX) data to be recorded concurrently, providing a powerful technique for the direct comparison of luminescent and compositional properties of materials. The combination of beam and sample scanning thus allows the correlation of composition and luminescence inhomogeneities on length scales ranging from a few cm to sub-micron
Geochemistry and tectonic development of Cenozoic magmatism in the CarpathianâPannonian region
This review considers the magmatic processes in the CarpathianâPannonian Region (CPR) from Early Miocene to Recent times, as well as the contemporaneous magmatism at its southern boundary in the Dinaride and Balkans regions. This geodynamic system was controlled by the Cretaceous to Neogene subduction and collision of Africa with Eurasia, especially by Adria that generated the Alps to the north, the DinarideâHellenide belt to the east and caused extrusion, collision and inversion tectonics in the CPR. This long-lived subduction system supplied the mantle lithosphere with various subduction components. The CPR contains magmatic rocks of highly diverse compositions (calc-alkaline, K-alkalic, ultrapotassic and Na-alkalic), all generated in response to complex post-collisional tectonic processes. These processes formed extensional basins in response to an interplay of compression and extension within two microplates: ALCAPA and TiszaâDacia. Competition between the different tectonic processes at both local and regional scales caused variations in the associated magmatism, mainly as a result of extension and differences in the rheological properties and composition of the lithosphere. Extension led to disintegration of the microplates that finally developed into two basin systems: the Pannonian and Transylvanian basins. The southern border of the CPR is edged by the Adria microplate via Sava and Vardar zones that acted as regional transcurrent tectonic areas during MioceneâRecent times.
Major, trace element and isotopic data of post-Early Miocene magmatic rocks from the CPR suggest that subduction components were preserved in the lithospheric mantle after the CretaceousâMiocene subduction and were reactivated especially by extensional tectonic processes that allowed uprise of the asthenosphere. Changes in the composition of the mantle through time support geodynamic scenarios of post-collision and extension processes linked to the evolution of the main blocks and their boundary relations. Weak lithospheric blocks (i.e. ALCAPA and western Tisza) generated the Pannonian basin and the adjacent Styrian, Transdanubian and ZÄrand basins which show high rates of vertical movement accompanied by a range of magmatic compositions. Strong lithospheric blocks (i.e. Dacia) were only marginally deformed, where strikeâslip faulting was associated with magmatism and extension. At the boundary of Adria and TiszaâDacia strikeâslip tectonics and core complex extension were associated with small volume Miocene magmatism in narrow extensional sedimentary basins or granitoids in core-complex detachment systems along older suture zones (Sava and Vardar) accommodating the extension in the Pannonian basin and afterward PlioceneâQuaternary inversion. Magmas of various compositions appear to have acted as lubricants in a range of tectonic processes
Time-space evolution and volcanological features of the Late Miocene-Quaternary Calimani-Gurghiu-Harghita Volcanic Range, East Carpathians, Romania. A Review.
The Carpathian-Pannonian Region (CPR) hosts
one of the major Cainozoic volcanic provinces of
Europe extending in space over 6 eastern European
countries.The lithospheric evolution of this large
area governed by large-scale asthenospheric
processes is recorded by products of volcanic
activity occurred during a time interval of more
than 21 million years. According to their surface
occurrence areas, ages and composition the
Neogene volcanics of CPR were systematized in
three main groups: 1) mostly explosive products
of felsic magmas generated at the beginning of
volcanism in the whole CPR and in their particular
occurrence areas (21-12 Ma) developed in the
actual intra-Carpathian Pannonian Basin, 2) mostly
intermediate calc-alkaline rocks emplaced in both
the intra-Carpathian areas and along the arcuate
Carpathian fold-and-thrust belt, and 3) Na- and K-
alkaline and ultra-alkaline products clustered in a
number of monogenetic volcanic fields across the
whole intra-Carpathian realm developed in the final
stages of volcanic activity of the CPR as a whole
and of their particular occurrence areas. The ca.
160 km long CÄlimani-Gurghiu-Harghita volcanic
range (CGH) developed as part of the intermediate
calc-alkaline volcanism closely related in space
with the fold-and-thrust belt of the Carpathians,
representing the south-eastern segment of the CPR.
Although its map view and general petrochemical
and volcanological characteristics are quite similar
with those of other segments of the orogene belt-
tied calc-alkaline volcanic segments, at a closer
look CGH displays a number of unique features.
The time-space evolution of CGH is particular
not only in that it is the youngest (10.5 to < 0.05
Ma) dominantly calc-alkaline segment in CPR
but also it shows a transient character. Unlike
other segments along which volcanism occurred
simultaneously forming true subduction-related
400 to 800 km long volcanic fronts which were
stable in time for millions of year, in CGH
volcanic activity migrated continuously along the
range from NW to SE. So, during any given 1 Ma
time interval active volcanism was restricted to
very limited areas and to just a few active volcanic
centers. The along-range shift of volcanic foci
was concurrent with progressively lower volumes
of magma erupted and decreasing magma output
rates. As a result, gradually lower-volume and
less complex volcanic edifices were built up.
Moreover, at the range-ending and youngest South
Harghita sub-segment, magma compositions
gradually changed from normal calc-alkaline to
high-K calc-alkaline and shoshonitic, and adakitic
features emerged at the end of volcanic activity,
after a time gap of 0.5 Ma. This marks a major
geodynamic event in the development of the East
Carpathians themselves. During the transient
volcanism of CGH, edifices of varying volume and
complexity were built up forming a row of tightly-
packed adjoining stratovolcanoes/composite
volcanoes whose peripheral volcaniclastic aprons
complexly juxtaposed, overlapped and merged
with each other. The largest ones (CÄlimani
caldera, and FĂąncel-LÄpuĆna) developed until
caldera stage. Some of them (Rusca-Tihu in the
CÄlimani Mts., VĂąrghiĆ in the North Harghita
Mts.) became unstable during their growth and
collapsed, generating widespread large-volume
debris avalanche deposits. Edifice instability was
solved by volcano-basement interaction processes,
such as volcano spreading, at some large-volume
volcanoes (in particular those in the Gurghiu Mts.).
Volcano typology changed at the smaller-volume
constructs toward the southeastern terminus of the
range in the South Harghita Mts. from typical large
stratovolcanoes to smaller composite volcanoes,
dome clusters and isolated domes and simpler
internal structures. As a whole, CGH displays an
extremely particular evolutionary pattern strongly
suggesting a transient character and decreasing to
extinguishing volcanic activity along its length
from NW to SE
Asthenosphere-induced melting of diverse source regions for East Carpathian post-collisional volcanism
The occurrence of post-subduction magmatism in continental collision zones is a ubiquitous feature of plate tectonics, but its relation with geodynamic processes remains enigmatic. The nature of mantle sources in these settings, and their interaction with subduction-related components, are difficult to constrain using bulk rocks when magmas are subject to mixing and assimilation within the crust. Here we examine post-collisional magma sources in space and time through the chemistry of olivine-hosted melt inclusions and early-formed minerals (spinel, olivine and clinopyroxene) in primitive volcanic rocks from the NeogeneâQuaternary East Carpathian volcanic range in CÄlimani (calc-alkaline; 10.1â6.7 Ma), Southern Harghita (calc-alkaline to shoshonitic; 5.3â0.03 Ma) and the PerÈani Mountains (alkali basaltic; 1.2â0.6 Ma). CÄlimani calc-alkaline parental magma compositions indicate a lithospheric mantle source metasomatised by ~ 2% sediment-derived melts, and are best reproduced by ~ 2â12% melting. Mafic K-alkaline melts in Southern Harghita originate from a melt- and fluid-metasomatised lithospheric mantle source containing amphibole (± phlogopite), by ~ 5% melting. Intraplate Na-alkaline basalts from RacoÈ (PerÈani) reflect small-degree (1â2%) asthenosphere-derived parental melts which experienced minor interaction with metasomatic components in the lithosphere. An important feature of the East Carpathian post-collisional volcanism is that the lithospheric source regions are located in the lower plate (distal Europe-Moesia), rather than the overriding plate (Tisza-Dacia). The volcanism appears to have been caused by (1) asthenospheric uprise following slab sinking and possibly south-eastward propagating delamination and breakoff, which induced melting of the subduction-modified lithospheric mantle (CÄlimani to Southern Harghita); and (2) decompression melting as a consequence of minor asthenospheric upwelling (PerÈani)
- âŠ