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The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the lavas of the Vulsinian District, Roman province, Central Italy

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Abstract

The Vulsinian lavas are dominated by a suite of undersaturated leucite-bearing basic to intermediate compositions. The remaining lavas are mainly oversaturated and have shoshonitic affinities. One hundred and thirty-five samples have been analysed for major elements and most for 20 trace elements. Twenty-seven lavas have been analysed for REE. They are all perpotassic (for the undersaturated lavas: K2O/Na2O=2–8) and have very high LIL element concentrations, (e.g. Rb=400–800 ppm, Th=25–150 ppm, REE/REEcho=c.200, (LREE/HREE)cho=c.20) even in the most basic rocks.

The undersaturated lavas appear to be interrelated by fractional crystallization of cpx±olivine (from 14 to 11 wt.% CaO), cpx+leu±plg±mica (from 11 to 8 wt.% CaO), cpx+leu+plg+apa+magnetite±mica (from 8 to 5 wt.% CaO), and additional sanidine (or hyalophane)±haüyne (from 5 to 3 wt.% CaO). The saturated lavas and the few slightly undersaturated shoshonite basalts are thought to be evolved from the undersaturated magma(s) by crustal contamination or mixing with silica-rich magmas. The parental Vulsinian magma having: Mg-value=c.73, Cr=300–700 ppm, Ni=100–125 ppm, Sc= 40–50 ppm, Fo89–92, Di77–97 approximates a primary, mantle-derived liquid. Enrichment in LIL elements (incl. REE) and LREE/HREE suggest a small degree of partial melting from fertile mantle; whereas the low concentrations of Na, Ti and P suggest larger degrees of partial melting. This indicates that either the primary magma or the parental mantle was metasomatized by a fluid, which previously equilibrated with subducted continental material. This model agrees with published high 18O, high 87Sr/86Sr and low 143Nd/144Nd.

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Author notes

  1. Sten Lou

    Present address: Dansk Boreselskab A/S, Esplanaden 50, DK-1263, Copenhagen, Denmark

  2. Åge Nielsen

    Present address: Danmarks Geologiske Undersøgelse, Thoravej 31, DK-2400, Copenhagen, Denmark

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  1. Institut für Petrologi, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Paul M. Holm, Sten Lou & Åge Nielsen

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Holm, P.M., Lou, S. & Nielsen, Å. The geochemistry and petrogenesis of the lavas of the Vulsinian District, Roman province, Central Italy. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 80, 367–378 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378009

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