Lithospheric contributions to high-MgO basanites from the Cumbre Vieja Volcano, La Palma, Canary Islands and evidence for temporal variation in plume influence

• Published in: Journal of volcanology and geothermal research Vol. 149; no. 3; pp. 213 - 239
• Main Authors: Prægel, N.-O., Holm, P.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.01.2006
• Subjects: geochemistry; HIMU; hot spots; isotope ratios; ocean-island basalts; partial melting; HIMU; hot spots; geochemistry; ocean-island basalts; isotope ratios; partial melting
• ISSN: 0377-0273; 1872-6097
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2005.07.019

New geochemical and isotopic data are presented from the oldest part of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, La Palma (Canary Islands), located near the assumed emergence of the Canary mantle plume. The volcanics comprise a suite dominated by basanite flows with subordinate amounts of phono-tephrite, tephri-phonolite and phonolite flows and intrusives. Two compositionally different basanite groups have been identified, both with HIMU (high-μ)-type incompatible trace element characteristics: Primitive high-MgO basanites (10.7–12.1% MgO), found only at the base of a stratigraphic profile near Fuencaliente on the south coast, and intermediate-MgO basanites (6.0–7.3% MgO), exposed in the upper part of the profile and widespread on the east coast of La Palma. The high-MgO basanites are interpreted as near-primary mantle melts (primary composition 14–15% MgO) derived by progressive melting (2.9% to 4.5%) of a common lithospheric mantle source. Model calculations indicate that it is not possible to generate the intermediate-MgO basanites from the high-MgO group by crystal fractionation of observed phenocrysts. Relative to intermediate-MgO basanites, the high-MgO flows have lower concentrations of LIL and HFS elements, except for Ti, which is markedly enriched in the primitive rocks (3.7–4.7% TiO 2 vs 3.4–3.9% TiO 2). Fuencaliente volcanics display limited temporal isotopic variations suggested to be a result of mixing of melts originating from the rising plume and the metazomatized lithospheric mantle. 87Sr / 86Sr and 143Nd / 144Nd ratios range 0.70305–0.70311 and 0.51285–0.51291, respectively, while the corresponding ranges in Pb-isotope ratios are 206Pb / 204Pb = 19.46–19.64, 207Pb / 204Pb = 15.55–15.61, and 208Pb / 204Pb = 39.16–39.53. The overall variation of the Cumbre Vieja isotopic data can be accounted for by mixtures of three mantle components in the proportions 72–79% plume source (LVC = low velocity component), 9–16% depleted mantle (DM) and up to 12% enriched mantle (EMI). Negative Δ7 / 4 Pb (− 0.6 to − 5.4) in the Cumbre Vieja volcanics suggest derivation from a young HIMU mantle source. The relative abundance of plume source material increase in younger rocks in the Fuencaliente section, suggesting waning plume–lithosphere interaction during the emplacement of this part of the Cumbre Vieja volcano. The high-MgO volcanics define regular and systematic geochemical trends, interpreted as partial melting trends, when plotted against abundances of highly incompatible elements (P, Ce). Evaluation of minor and trace element variation in consecutive melts suggests control by residual amphibole, phlogopite, garnet and a Ti-bearing phase, possibly ilmenite. The melting mode changed gradually, allowing increasing input from residual phlogopite during partial melting. The residual mineralogy constrains the source region of the high-MgO basanites to the lowermost oceanic lithospheric mantle, presumably around 100 km depths.