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Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions of calc-alkaline and peralkaline silicic volcanics from the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea, and their tectonic significance

Sr, Nd und Pb Isotopenzusammensetzung saurer kalkalkalischer und peralkalischer Vulkanite der D' Entrecasteaux Inseln, Papua Neuguinea, und ihre tektonische Bedeutung

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Summary

Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data are presented for a transitional basalt-peralkaline rhyolite suite, and spatially associated calc-alkaline rhyolites from the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, eastern Papua New Guinea. Both suites have a typical convergent margin geochemical signature (i.e. high Zr/Nb, La/Nb, and low Ta/Yb compared with OIB). The transitional basalt-peralkaline rhyolite suite and calc-alkaline rhyolites have a restricted range of206Pb/204Pb (18.522–18.661),207Pb/204Pb (15.543–15.631), and208Pb/204Pb (38.31–38.63) values which overlap the fields of volcanics from Tonga, Fiji, and Pacific MORB and sediments. The transitional basalt-peralkaline rhyolite suite also displays a restricted range of143Nd/144Nd values (0.513053–0.512984), but a much broader range of87Sr/86Sr (0.703989–0.70585) values. The latter reflects uncertainties in the ages of samples with very high87Rb/86Sr values and the effects of Sr exchange with seawater. The calc-alkaline rhyolites have consistently lower143Nd/144Nd values (0.512923—0.512867), and a more restricted range of87Sr/86Sr values (0.703864–0.704028) compared with the transitional basalt-peralkaline rhyolite suite.

The isotopic and trace element data are consistent with the interpretation that the calc-alkaline rhyolites were produced by partial melting of a young arc protocrust, whereas associated calc-alkaline basic and intermediate magmas were derived from a depleted mantle source which previously had been modified by subduction along the Trobriand Trough. The transitional basalt-peralkaline rhyolite suite was produced by extensive magmatic differentiation of a parental transitional basalt magma in a relatively shallow magma chamber. The parent magma was produced by partial melting of either a depleted MORB-source mantle or a less-depleted OIB-type source which previously had been modified by subduction processes. The hy- and ol-normative transitional basalt magmas were probably generated in response to lithospheric thinning at somewhat higher pressures than qz-normative calc-alkaline magmas.

The close spatial and temporal relationship between the transitional basalt-peralkaline rhyolite suite and the tale-alkaline volcanics reflects the complex and dynamic tectonic setting of eastern Papua and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands. In particular, the change from calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatism appears to have occurred following a change from compressional to extensional tectonics resulting from the westward propogation of the Woodlark spreading ridge into eastern Papua.

Zusammenfassung

In dieser Arbeit werden Sr, Nd und Pb Isotopendaten transitionaler Basalt-peralkalischer Rhyolithabfolgen und räumlich mit diesen assoziierter kalkalkalischer Rhyolithe der D' Entrecasteaux Inseln im östlichen Papua Neuguinea vorgestellt. Beide Abfolgen zeigen für konvergiernde Plattenränder typische geochemische Signaturen (z.B. hohe Zr/Nb, La/Nb und niedrige Ta/Yb Verhältnisse im Vergleich mit OIB). Die transitionale Basalt-peralkalische Rhyolithabfolge und die kalkalkalischen Rhyolithe zeigen eine geringe Variation in ihren206Pb/204Pb (18.522–18.661),207/204Pb (15.543–15.631) und208Pb/204Pb (38.31–38.63) Verhältnissen, die mit denen von Vulkaniten aus Tonga, Fiji und den pazifischen MOR-Basalten und Sedimenten übereinstimmen. Die transitionale Basalt-peralkalische Rhyolithabfolge zeigt weiters eine geringe Variationsbreite der143Nd/144Nd Verhältnisse (0.513053–0.512984), aber eine größere Streuung der87Sr/86Sr Verhältnisse (0.703989–0.70585). Letztere reflektiern die Unsicherheiten der Alterseinstufung der Proben mit sehr hohen87Rb/86Sr Verhältnissen und die Effekte des Sr-Austausches mit Meerwasser. Die87Sr/86Sr Verhältnisse kalkalkalischer Rhyolithe variieren im Vergleich dazu gerigfügiger (0.703864–0.704028).

Isotopen und Spurenelementdaten sind mit der Interpretation, daß die kalkalkalischen Rhyolithe durch partielle Anatexis junger Inselbogen-Protkruste entstanden sind, kompatibel. Die mit ihnen vergesellschafteten basischen bis intermediären klakalkalischen Magmen entstammen einer abgereicherten Mantelquelle, die zuvor durch Subduktionsprozesse entlang des Trobriandgrabens modifiziert wurde. Die transitionale Basalt-peralkalische Rhyolithabfolge entstand durch extensive magmatische Differentiation eines transitionalen basaltischen Stammagmas in einer relativ seicht liegenden Magmenkammer. Das Stammagma wurde durch partielle Aufschmelzung entweder eines abgereicherten MORB-Mantels oder einer weniger stark abgereicherten OIBQuelle, die zuvor durch Subduktionsprozesse modifiziert wurde, gebildet. Die Hyund O1-normativen transitionalen Basaltmagmen wurden wahrscheinlich im Zuge der Ausdünnung von Lithosphäre unter etwas höheren Drucken gebildet als die Quarznormativen kalkalkaischen Magmen.

Die enge räumliche und zeitliche Beziehung der transitionalen Basalt-peralkalischen Rhyolithabfolge mit kalkalkalischen Vulkaniten spiegelt die komplexen und dynamischen geotektonischen Vorgänge im östlichen Papua Neuguinea wieder. Der Wechsel von kalkalkalischem zu alkalischem Magmatismus könnte durch die Umstellung von Kompressions- auf Extensionstektonik, die mit der Verlagerung des westlich gelegenen Woodlark Spreadingzenrums in das östliche Papua Neugiunea in Beziehung gebracht wird, erklärt werden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Tasmania, G.P.O. Box 252C, 7001, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

    A. J. Stolz & A. J. Crawford

  2. Faculteit der Aardwetenschwappen, Vrije Universiteit, Be Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    G. R. Davies

  3. Department of Geology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, New Zealand

    I. E. M. Smith

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  1. A. J. Stolz
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Stolz, A.J., Davies, G.R., Crawford, A.J. et al. Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions of calc-alkaline and peralkaline silicic volcanics from the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Papua New Guinea, and their tectonic significance. Mineralogy and Petrology 47, 103–126 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01161562

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