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The role of slab melting in the petrogenesis of high-Mg andesites: evidence from Simbo Volcano, Solomon Islands

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Abstract

The petrogenesis of high-Mg andesites (HMA) in subduction zones involves shallow melting of refractory mantle sources or, alternatively, the interaction of ascending slab-derived melts with mantle peridotite. To unravel the petrogenesis of HMA, we report major, trace element and Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotope data for a newly found occurrence of HMA in the New Georgia group, Solomon Islands, SW-Pacific. Volcanism in the Solomon Islands was initiated by subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Indian–Australian plate until a reversal of subduction polarity occurred ca. 10 Ma ago. Currently, the Indian–Australian plate is subducted northeastwards along the San Cristobál trench, forming the younger and still active southwestern Solomon island arc. However, a fossil slab of Pacific crust is still present beneath the arc. The edifice of the active volcano Simbo is located directly in the San Cristobál trench on top of the subducting Indian–Australian plate. Simbo Island lies on top of a strike-slip fault of the adjacent Woodlark spreading centre that is subducted beneath the Pacific plate. Geochemical and petrological compositions of volcanic rocks from Simbo are in marked contrast to those of volcanic rocks from islands north of the trench (mostly arc basalts). Simbo-type rocks are opx-bearing HMA, displaying 60–62 wt% SiO2 but rather primitive Mg–Ni–Cr characteristics with 4–6 wt% MgO, up to 65 ppm Ni, up to 264 ppm Cr and Mg# from 67 to 75. The compositions of the Simbo andesites are explained by a binary mixture of silicic and basaltic melts. Relict olivine phenocrysts with Fo88–90 and reaction-rims of opx also support a mixing model. The basaltic endmember is similar to back-arc basalts from the Woodlark Ridge. A slab melt affinity of the silicic mixing component is indicated by Gd(N)/Yb(N) of up to 2.2 that is higher if compared to MORB and other arc basalts from the Solomon Islands. 87Sr/86Sr, ɛNd and ɛHf values in the analysed rocks range from 0.7035 to 0.7040, +6.4 to +7.9 and +12 to +14.4, respectively. These values reveal the presence of the Indian–Australian mantle domain beneath Simbo (i.e. the Indian–Australian plate) and also beneath all other volcanic islands of the New Georgia group, which are located north of the San Cristobál trench. 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb values (18.43–18.52, 15.49–15.55 and 18.13–18.34, respectively) confirm the presence of slab melts from the subducted Pacific plate beneath southern Simbo where the highest Gd(N)/Yb(N) ratios are reported. A spatial shift towards an Indian–Australian slab signature is observed when approaching the active San Cristobál trench on northern Simbo, reflecting the decreasing influence of slab melts from the old subducted Pacific plate.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the DFG (German Research Foundation, project MU 1406/2–3). Heidi Baier and Jasper Berndt are thanked for lab support. We thank Radegund Hoffbauer from Universität Bonn for XRF analyses and Dieter Garbe-Schönberg from Universität Kiel for quadrupole ICP-MS analyses. Andrew Mason and Stanley Basi provided support in organizing the field campaign in the Solomon Islands. Journal reviews by two anonymous reviewers helped to improve the manuscript.

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  1. Institut für Mineralogie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Corrensstrasse 24, 48149, Münster, Germany

    S. König, S. Schuth & C. Münker

  2. Mineralogisch-Petrologisches Institut, Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Poppelsdorfer Schloss, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    S. König, S. Schuth & C. Münker

  3. Department of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Natural Resources, Lengakiki Road, Honiara, Solomon Islands

    C. Qopoto

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  1. S. König
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König, S., Schuth, S., Münker, C. et al. The role of slab melting in the petrogenesis of high-Mg andesites: evidence from Simbo Volcano, Solomon Islands. Contrib Mineral Petrol 153, 85–103 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-006-0136-x

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