Volatile-rich mantle beneath eastern Australia

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    Abstract

    Evidence for the geochemical characteristics of mantle metasomatism in eastern Australia is provided by primitive magma compositions and by mantle-derived xenoliths. Trace-element and isotopic compositions of the magmas indicate definable heterogeneous mantle domains on cm, km, and 50 km scales. High 87Sr/86Sr values in the basaltic rocks correlate with the presence of amphibole + or - mica + or - apatite in deep-seated xenoliths entrained in these or associated host rocks in the same province. The xenoliths may also contain fluid inclusions which reflect the composition of trapped mantle fluid phases. Both isotopic data and xenolith microstructures suggest that repetitive, discrete episodes of mantle metasomatism have occurred throughout the evolution of the eastern Australian lithosphere. Therefore the timing of mantle metasomatism relative to a given volcanic episode is variable. -J.M.H.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMantle Xenoliths
    EditorsPeter H. Nixon
    Place of PublicationChichester, UK
    PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons
    Pages661-670
    Number of pages10
    ISBN (Electronic)9780471912095
    ISBN (Print)0471912093
    Publication statusPublished - 1987

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