The lesser antilles — A discussion of the Island arc magmatism

Abstract

The active island arc of Lesser Antilles marks the junction between the Atlantic and Carribbean lithospheric plates. With the exception of the alkali basalts of Grenada, the volcanics of the arc can be regarded as belonging to the low-K, island arc, calc-alkaline suite. Although compositions ranging from basalt to rhyolite have been described, porphyritic andesite appears to be the dominant rock type on most volcanoes (intermediate centers). Variable amounts of basalt and basaltic andesite occur and rarely predominate over andesite (latter are basic centers), whereas the more silicic members are only occasionally found. The calc-alkaline suite is characterized by relatively high Al₂O₃ and CaO and low K₂O, Rb and Ni. Variations, especially in the alkali elements, occur both with space and time. A characteristic feature of many of the volcanoes is the occurrence in the basalt and basaltic andesite volcanics of plutonic blocks, often showing cumulate textures. The blocks which ware composed of plagioclase — amphibole — olivine — clinopyroxene — magnetite are thought to be the products of fractionation. The differences between basic and intermediate centers is probably due to the frequency that the magma ascended to the surface or remained in high level chambers where fractionation occurred.