A comparative review of petrogenetic processes beneath the Cameroon Volcanic Line: Geochemical constraints

The origin and petrogenesis of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), composed of volcanoes that form on both the ocean floor and the continental crust, are difficult to understand because of the diversity, heterogeneity, and nature of available data. Major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data of volcanic rocks of the CVL spanning four decades have been compiled to reinterpret their origin and petrogenesis. Volcanic rocks range from nephelinite, basanite and alkali basalts to phonolite, trachyte and rhyolite with the presence of a compositional gap between SiO2 58–64 wt.%. Similarities in geochemical characteristics, modeled results for two component mixing, and the existence of mantle xenoliths in most mafic rocks argue against significant crustal contamination. Major and trace element evidences indicate that the melting of mantle rocks to generate the CVL magma occurred dominantly in the garnet lherzolite stability field. Melting models suggest small degree (<3%) partial melting of mantle bearing (6–10%) garnet for Mt. Etinde, the Ngaoundere Plateau and the Biu Plateau, and <5% of garnet for the oceanic sector of the CVL, Mt. Cameroon, Mt. Bambouto, Mt. Manengouba and the Oku Volcanic Group. The Sr-Nd-Pb isotope systematics suggest that mixing in various proportions of Depleted MORB Mantle (DMM) with enriched mantle 1 and 2 (EM1 and EM2) could account for the complex isotopic characteristics of the CVL lavas. Low Mg number (Mg# = 100 × MgO/(MgO + FeO)) and Ni, Cr and Co contents of the CVL mafic lavas reveal their crystallization from fractionated melts. The absence of systematic variation in Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios, and Sr-Nd isotope compositions between the mafic and felsic lavas indicates progressive evolution of magmas by fractional crystallization. Trace element ratios and their plots corroborate mantle heterogeneity and reveal distinct geochemical signatures for individual the CVL volcanoes

Eruption history and petrogenesis of rocks from Nyos volcano (NW Cameroon): Evidence from lithostratigraphy and geochemistry

Even though ca 1746 people and over 3000 cattle were killed in 1986 by sudden release of about 800 million m3 of CO2 from Lake Nyos volcano in northwest Cameroon, the lake's formation history is not known. Here we report results of a lithostratigraphic and petrogenetic study of Nyos volcano that allows us to confirm its phreatomagmatic (maar) origin. Eruptive products are divided into 2 units, the phases of each of which are closely related in time. Unit A comprises 4 phases, the last (A-4) represents the cataclysmic phreatomagmatic formation of Nyos maar and may have been triggered by collapse of the vent system of the previous (A-1 to A-3) phases, and/or reactivation of basement faults. After a repose period, activity shifted NE of the maar to form Unit B products. The B-1 phase of this unit deposited the scoria now covering most of the Lake Nyos area. Unit B-2 constructed the Fon's cone. A small lava flow (Unit B-3) represents the latest phase of volcanic activity of Nyos volcano. Based on area-thickness estimation methods, a total of ca 0.8 km3 of eruptive material was produced from the volcano. Geochemical data suggest that magma of the 2 units probably formed by melting of the same garnet-bearing OIB-like asthenospheric mantle source, and evolved mainly by crustal contamination and fractional crystallization in independent magma batches that erupted without mixing. Our results provide a basis for advice on general hazard mitigation in the Lake Nyos area