Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Primitive basalts and andesites from the Mt. Shasta region, N. California: products of varying melt fraction and water content

  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Quaternary volcanism in the Mt. Shasta region has produced primitive magmas [Mg/(Mg+Fe*)>0.7, MgO>8 wt% and Ni>150 ppm] ranging in composition from high-alumina basalt to andesite and these record variable extents ofmelting in their mantle source. Trace and major element chemical variations, petrologic evidence and the results of phase equilibrium studies are consistent with variations in H2O content in the mantle source as the primary control on the differences in extent of melting. High-SiO2, high-MgO (SiO2=52% and MgO=11 wt%) basaltic andesites resemble hydrous melts (H2O=3 to 5 wt%) in equilibrium with a depleted harzburgite residue. These magmas represent depletion of the mantle source by 20 to 30 wt% melting. High-SiO2, high-MgO (SiO2=58% and MgO=9 wt%) andesites are produced by higher degrees of melting and contain evidence for higher H2O contents (H2O=6 wt%). High-alumina basalts (SiO2=48.5% and Al2O3=17 wt%) represent nearly anhydrous low degree partial melts (from 6 to 10% depletion) of a mantle source that has been only slightly enriched by a fluid component derived from the subducted slab. The temperatures and pressures of last equilibration with upper mantle are 1200°C and 1300°C for the basaltic andesite and basaltic magmas, respectively. A model is developed that satisfies the petrologic temperature constraints and involves magma generation whereby a heterogeneous distribution of H2O in the mantle results in the production of a spectrum of mantle melts ranging from wet (calc-alkaline) to dry (tholeiitic).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahern JL, Turcotte DL (1979) Magma migration beneath an ocean ridge. Earth Planet Sci Lett 45:115–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberede F (1983) Limitations thermiques a l'ascension des magmas hydrates. C R Acad Sci Paris 296:1441–1444

    Google Scholar 

  • Albarede F, Provost A (1977) Petrologic and geochemical mass-balance equations: an algorithm for least-squares fitting and general error analysis. Comput Geosci 3:309–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Albee AL, Ray L (1970) Correction factors for electron probe microanalysis of silicates, oxides, carbonates, pjosphates and sulfates. Anal Chem 42:1408–1414

    Google Scholar 

  • Allan JF, Sack RO, Batiza R (1988) Cr-rich spinels as petrogenetic indicators: MORB-type lavas from the Lamont seamount chain, eastern Pacific. Am Mineral 73:741–753

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson AT (1973) The before-eruption water content of some high-alumina magmas. Bull Volcanol 37:530–552

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson AT (1974a) Evidence for a picritic volatile-rich magma beneath Mt. Shasta, California. J Petrol 15:243–267

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson AT (1974b) Chlorine, sulfur and water in magmas and oceans. Geol Soc Am Bull 85:1585–1492

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson AT (1976) Magma mixing: petrological process and volcanological tool. J Volcanol Geothermal Res 1:3–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson AT (1979) Water in some hypersthenic magmas. J Geol 87:509–531

    Google Scholar 

  • Arculus RJ, Johnson RW (1981) Island-arc magma sources: a geochemical assessment of the roles of slab-derived components and crustal contamination. Geochem J 15:109–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong JT (1988) Quantitative analysis of silicate and oxide minerals: comparison of Monte Carlo, ZAF and phi-rho-z procedures. In: Newbury DE (ed) Microbeam Analysis-1988. San Francisco Press, pp 239–246

  • Ayers JC, Watson EB (1991) Solubility of apatite, monazite, zircon and rutile in supercritical aqueous fluids with implications for subduction zone geochemistry. Philos Trans R Soc London A 335:365–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacon CR (1990) Calc-alkaline, shoshonitic and primitive tholeiitic lavas from monogenetic volcanoes near Crater Lake, Oregon. J Petrol 31:135–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker MB (1988) Evolution of lavas at Mt. Shasta volcano, N. California: an experimental and petrologic study. PhD thesis, M.I.T., USA

  • Baker MB, Grove TL, Kinzler RJ, Donnelly-Nolan JM, Wandless GA (1991) Origin of compositional zonation (high-alumina basalt to basaltic andesite) in the Giant Crater lava field: Medicine Lake Volcano, northern California. J Geophys Res 96:21819–21842

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartels KS, Kinzler RJ, Grove TL (1991) High pressure phase relations of primitive high-alumina basalts from Medicine Lake, northern California. Contrib Mineral Petrol 108:253–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Bence AE, Albee AL (1968) Empirical correction factors for the electron microanalysis of silicates and oxides. J Geol 76:382–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Benz HM, Zandt G, Oppenheimer DH (1992) Lithospheric structure of northern California from teleseismic images of the upper mantle. J Geophys Res 97:4791–4807

    Google Scholar 

  • Blakely RJ, Jachens RC, Simpson RW, Couch RW (1985) Tectonic setting of the southern Cascade Range as interpreted from its magnetic and gravity fields. Geol Soc Amer Bull 96:43–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloomer SH, Hawkins JM (1987) Petrology and geochemistry of boninite series volcanic rocks from the Mariana trench. Contrib Mineral Petrol 97:361–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruggman PE, Bacon CR, Aruscavage PJ, Lerner RW, Schwarz LJ, Stewart KC (1989) Chemical analyses of volcanic rocks from monogenetic and shield volcanoes near Crater Lake, Oregon. US Geol Surv Open-File Rep 89-562

  • Bullen TD, Clynne MA (1990) Trace element and isotopic constraints on magmatic evolution at Lassen volcanic center. J Geophys Res 95:19671–19691

    Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen RL, Kleinhampl FJ, Blakely RJ, Tuchek ET, Johnson FL, Conyac MD (1977) Resource appraisal of the Mt. Shasta wilderness study area, Siskiyou County, California. US Geol Survey Open-file Rep 77-250

  • Davies JH, Stevenson DJ (1992) Physical model of source region of subduction zone volcanics. J Geophys Res 97:2037–2070

    Google Scholar 

  • Dick HJB, Bullen T (1984) Chromian spinel as a petrogenetic indicator in abyssal and alpine-type peridotites and spatially associated lavas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:54–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Donnelly-Nolan JM, Champion DE, Grove TL, Baker MB, Tagart JE Jr, Bruggman PE (1991) The Giant Crater lava field: geology and geochemistry of a compositionally zoned, highalumina basalt to basaltic andesite eruption at Medicine Lake Highland, California. J Geophys Res 96:21843–21863

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards CMH, Morris JD, Plank T (1991) B/Be and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope systematics of lavas from Java and Flores, Indonesia: distinguishing heterogeneous mantle sources from subduction signatures (abstract). EOS, Trans Am Geophys Union 72:239

    Google Scholar 

  • Elthon D (1987) Partitioning of Ni between olivine and high-MgO basaltic liquids. Lunar Planet Sci Conf XVIII:258–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Feigenson MD, Carr MJ (1993) The source of Central American lavas: inferences from geochemical inverse modeling. Contrib Mineral Petrol 113:226–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisk MR (1986) Basalt magma interaction with harzburgite and the formation of high-magnesian andesites. Geophys Res Lett 13:467–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Fountain JC (1979) Geochemistry of Brokeoff volcano, California. Geol Soc Am Bull 90:294–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuis GS, Zucca JJ, Mooney WD, Milkereit B (1987) A geologic interpretation of seismic-reflection results in northern California. Geol Soc Am Bull 98:53–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Green DH (1973) Experimental melting studies on a model upper mantle composition at high pressure under water-saturated and water-undersaturated conditions. Earth Planet Sci Lett 19:37–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Griscom A (1980) Klamath Mountains province. In: Oliver H (ed) Interpretation of the gravity map of California and its continental margin. Calif Div Mines Bull 205, pp34–36

  • Grove TL, Baker MB (1984) Phase equilibrium controls on the tholeiitic versus calc-alkaline differentiation trends. J Geophys Res 89:3253–3274

    Google Scholar 

  • Grove TL, Juster T (1989) Experimental investigations of low-Ca pyroxene stability and olivine-pyroxene-liquid equilibria at 1-atm in natural basaltic and andesitic liquids. Contrib Mineral Petrol 103:287–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Grove TL, Kinzler RJ, Bryan WB (1992) Fractionation of midocean ridge basalt (MORB) In: J Phipps-Morgan et al. (eds) Mantle flow and melt generation at mid-ocean ridges. Geophys Monogr 71, AGU, Washington DC pp 281–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson P (1982) Inorganic geochemistry. Pergamon Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsui AT, Toksoz MN (1979) The evolution of thermal structure beneath a subduction zone. Tectonophysics 99:207–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen SB, Quick JE, Wasserburg GJ (1984) A Nd and Sr isotopic study of the Trinity peridotite; implications for mantle evolution. Earth Planet Sci Lett 68:361–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Kay SM, Kay RW (1985) Aleutian tholeiitic and calc-alkaline magma series: the mafic phenocrysts. Contrib Mineral Petrol 90:276–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelemen PB (1990) Reaction between ultramafic rock and fractionating basaltic magma. I. Phase relations, the origin of calcalkaline magma series, and the formation of discordant dunite. J Petrol 31:51–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinzler RJ, Grove TL (1992a) Primary magmas of mid-ocean ridge basalts. 1. Experiments and methods. J Geophys Res 97:6885–6906

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinzler RJ, Grove TL (1992b) Primary magmas of mid-ocean ridge basalts. 2. Applications. J Geophys Res 97:6907–6926

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushiro I (1990) Partial melting of mantle wedge and evolution of island arc crust. J Geophys Res 95:15929–15939

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange RA, Carmichael ISE (1987) Densities of Na2O−K2O−CaO−MgO−FeO−Fe2O3−Al2O3−TiO2−SiO2 liquids: new measurements and derived partial molar properties. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 51:2931–2946

    Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald GA (1966) Geology of the Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau. In: Bailey EH (ed) Geology of Northern California. Calif Div Mines Bull 190, pp 65–95

  • McCulloch MT, Gamble JA (1991) Geochemical and geodynamical constraints on subduction zone magmatism. Earth Planet Sci Lett 102:358–374

    Google Scholar 

  • Mertzman SA, Savin M (1985) O-, Sr-, Nd-isotope and trace element relationships in lavas from Mount Shasta in northern California (abstract). Geol Soc Am Abstr Program 17:662

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris JD, Hart SR (1983) Isotopic and incompatible element constraints on the genesis of island are volcanics. Geochim Cosmochim Act 47:2015–2030

    Google Scholar 

  • Norrish K, Chappel BW (1977) X-ray fluorescence spectrography. In: Zussman J (ed) Physical methods in determinative mineralogy. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Norrish K, Hutton JT (1969) An accurate X-ray spectrographic method for the analysis of geologic samples. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 33:431–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Peccerillo A, Taylor SR (1976) Geochemistry of Eocene calc-alkaline volcanic rocks from the Kastamonu area, northern Turkey. Contrib Mineral Petrol 58:63–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Perfit MR, Gust DA, Bence AE, Arculus RJ, Taylor SR (1980) Chemical characteristics of ocean-island basalts: implication for mantle sources. Chem Geol 30:227–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramberg H (1971) Temperature changes associated with adiabatic decompression in geological processes. Nature 234:539–540

    Google Scholar 

  • Rumble D (1976) The adiabatic gradient and adiabatic compressibility. Carnegie Inst Washington YearbB 75:651–655

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisson TW, Grove TL (1993a) Experimental investigations of the role of water in calc-alkaline differentiation and subduction zone magmatism. Contrib Mineral Petrol 113:143–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Sisson TW, Grove TL (1993b) Temperature and H2O contents of low-MgO high-alumina basalts. Contrib Mineral Petrol 113:167–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Stebbins JF, Carmichael ISE, Moret LK (1984) Heat capacities and entropies of silicate liquids and gases. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:131–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Stolper EM, Newman S (1994) The role of water in the petrogenesis of Mariana Trough lavas. Earth Planet Sci Lett 121:293–325

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun S-s, McDonough WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. In: Saunders AD, Norry MJ (eds) Magmatism in the ocean basins. Blackwell Sci Publ, Palo Alto, CA, pp 313–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Sykes ML, Holloway JR (1987) Evolution of granitic magmas during ascent: a phase equilibrium model. In: Magmatic processes: physicochemical principles. Geochem Soc Spec Publ 1, pp 447–461

  • Tatsumi Y, Sakuyama S, Fukuyama H, Kushiro I (1983) Generation of arc basalts and thermal structure of the mantle wedge in subduction zones. J Geophys Res 88:5815–5825

    Google Scholar 

  • Waldbaum DR (1971) Temperature changes associated with adiabatic decompression in geological processes. Nature 232:545–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams H (1932a) Geology of the Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. Calif Univ Dept Geol Sci Bull 21:195–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams H (1932b) Mount Shasta, a Cascade volcano. J Geol 45:417–429

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams H (1934) Mount Shasta, California. Z Vulkanol 15:225–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams H (1949) Geology of Macdoel quadrangle (California). Calif Div Mines Bull 151:7–60

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Michael B. Baker

    Present address: Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, 91125, Pasadena, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Michael B. Baker & Timothy L. Grove

  2. Department of Geology, La Trobe University, 3083, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia

    Richard Price

Authors
  1. Michael B. Baker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Timothy L. Grove
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Richard Price
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Baker, M.B., Grove, T.L. & Price, R. Primitive basalts and andesites from the Mt. Shasta region, N. California: products of varying melt fraction and water content. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 118, 111–129 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01052863

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01052863

Keywords

Search

Navigation