Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nature, source and composition of volcanic ash in surficial sediments around the Zhongsha Islands

  • Published:
Journal of Ocean University of China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Volcanic detrital sediments are a unique indicator for reconstructing the petrogenetic evolution of submarine volcanic terrains. Volcanic ash in surficial sediments around the Zhongsha Islands includes three kinds of volcanogenic detritus, i.e., brown volcanic glass, colorless volcanic glass and volcanic scoria. The major element characteristics show that bimodal volcanic activity may have taken place in the northern margin of the South China Sea, with brown volcanic glass and colorless volcanic glass representing the mafic end-member and felsic end-member, respectively. Fractional crystallization is the main process for magma evolution. The nature of the volcanic activity implies that the origin of volcanic activity was related to extensional tectonic settings, which is corresponding to an extensional geodynamic setting in the Xisha Trench, and supports the notion, which is based on geophysical data and petrology, that there may exist a mantle plume around the Hainan Island.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bacon, C. R., and T. H. Druit, 1988. Compositional evolution of the zoned calc-alkaline magma chamber of Mount Magma, Crater Lake Oregon. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 98: 224–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bühring, C., and M. Sarnthein, 2000. Toba ash layers in the South China Sea: Evidence of contrasting wind directions during eruption ca. 74 ka. Geology, 28: 275–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clift, P., and J. Lin, 2001. Preferential mantle lithospheric extension under the South China margin. Mar. & Pet. Geol., 18: 929–945.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daly, R. A., 1925. The geology of Ascension IsLand. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 60: 180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dehn, J., J. W. Farrell, and H. U. Schmincke, 1991. Neogene tephrochronology from Site 758 on northern Ridge: Indonisian arc volcanism of the Past 5Ma. In: Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results. Weissel, J. P., and E. Taylor, eds., College Station, Taxas, Ocean Drilling Program. 121: 273–295.

  • Duncan, A. R., A. J. Erlank, and J. S. Marsh, 1984. Regional geochemistry of the Karoo igneous province. Spec. Publ. Geol. Soc. Africa, 13: 355–388.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foder, R. V., and S. K. Verrer, 1984. Rift-zone magmatism: petrology of basaltic rocks transitional from CFB to MORB, southeastern Brazil margin. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 88: 307–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garland, F., C. J. Hawkesworth, and M. S. Mantovani, 1995. Description and petrogenesis of the paraná rhyolites, southern Brazil. J. Petrol., 36: 1193–1227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasparotto, G., E. Spadafora, V. Summa, and F. Tateo, 2000. Contribution of grain size and compositional data from the Bengal Fan sediment to the understanding of Toba volcanic event. Mar. Geol., 162: 561–572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grove, T. L., and J. M. Donnelly-Nolan, 1986. The evolution of young silicic lavas at Medicine Lake Volcano-California: implications for the origin of compositional gaps in calc-alkaline series Lavas. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 92: 281–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hildreth, W., 1981. Gradients in silicic magma chambers: Implications for lithosphere magmatism. J. Geophys. Res., 86(B11): 10 153–10 192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoang, N., and M. Flower, 1998. Petrogenesis of cenozoic basalts from vietnam: Implication for origins of a ‘diffuse igneous province’. J. Petrol., 39(3): 369–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horn, D. R., M. N. Delach, and B. M. Horn, 1969. Distribution of volcanic ash layers and turbidites in the North Pacific. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., 81: 1715–1724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Izett, G. A., 1981. Volcanic ash beds: recorders of Upper Cenozoic silicic pyroclastic volcanism in the western United States. J. Geophys. Res., 86: 10 200–10 222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jia, D. C., X. L. Qiu, R. Z. Hu, and Y. Lu, 2003. Geochemical nature of mantle reservoirs and tectonic setting of basalts in Beibu gulf and its adjacent region. J. Trop. Oceanog., 22(2): 30–39 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebedev, S., S. Chevrot, G. Nolet, and R. D. V. Hilst, 2001. New seismic evidence for a deep mantle origin of the S. China Basalts (the Hainan Plume) and other observations in SE Asia. Eos Trans. AGU, 81(48): 22–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebedev, S., and G. Nolet, 2003. Upper mantle beneath Southeast Asia from S velocity tomography, J. Geophys. Res., 108(B1): 20–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. Y., and L. A. Lawver, 1995. Cenozoic plate reconstruction of Southeast Asia. Tectonophysics, 251: 85–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bas, M. J., R. W. Le Maitre, A. Streckeisen, and B. Zanettin, 1986. A chemical classification of volcanic rocks based on the total alkali-silica diagram. J. Petrol., 27: 745–750.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, C. N., F. Z. Wang, and C. S. Zhong, 2005. Geochemistry of Quaternary basaltic volcanic rocks of Weizhou island in Beihai City of Guangxi and a discussion on characteristics of their source. Acta Petrol. et Mineral., 24(1): 1–11 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S. T., C. S. Lin, Q. M. Zhang, S. G. Yang, and P. K. Wu, 1998. Dynamic process of episodic rifting in continental marginal basin and tectonic events since 10 Ma in South China Sea. Chin. Sci. Bull., 43(8): 797–810 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z. Z., 1987. Detritus minerals in surface sediment and its controlled factors in central part of the South China Sea. Donghai Mar. Sci., 5(1–2): 136–145 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, X. L., W. G. Wei, L. Shao, X. H. Li, and R. C. Wang, 2001. Record in sediment from the South China Sea for Toba volcanic erupting activity: Evidence from volcanic glass in borehole, ODP1143. Sci. Chin. (Ser. D), 31(10): 861–866.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lightfoot, P. C., C. J. Hawkesworth, and S. F. Sethna, 1987. Petrogenesis of rhyolites and trachytes from the Deccan Trap: Sr, Ndand Pb isotope and trace element evidence. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 95: 44–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsh, B. D., 1976. Some Aleutian andesites: their nature and source. J. Geol., 84: 27–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mascarenhas-Pereira, M. B., B. N. Nath, D. V. Borole, and S. M. Gupta, 2006. Nature, source and composition of volcanic ash in sediments from a fracture zone trace of Rodriguez Triple Junction in the Central Indian Basin. Mar. Geol., 229: 79–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montelli, R., G. Nolet, F. A. Dahlen, G. Masters, E. R. Engdahl, and S. H. Hung, 2004. Finite-frequency tomography reveals a variety of plumes in the mantle. Science, 303: 338–343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montelli, R., G. Nolet, and F. A. Dahlen, 2005. Deep plumes in the mantle: geometry and dynamics. EGU, Geophys. Res. Abs., 7: 2473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montelli, R., G. Nolet, F. A. Dahlen, and G. Masters, 2006. A catalogue of deep mantle plumes: New results from finite frequency tomography, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 7(11), 1–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolet, G., S. I. Karato, and R. Montelli, 2006. Plume fluxes from seismic tomography. Earth. Planet. Sci. Let., 248: 685–699.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pattan, J. N., P. Shane, B and V. K. anakar, 1999. New occurrence of Youngest Toba Tuff in abyssal sediments of the Central Indian Basin. Mar. Geol., 155: 243–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pin, C., and F. Marini, 1993. Early Ordovician continental break-up in Variscan Europe: Nd-Sr isotope and trace element evidence from bimodal igneous associations of the southern Massif Central, France. Lithos, 29: 177–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, X. L., S. Y. Ye, S. M. Wu, X. B. Shi, D. Zhou, K. Y. Xia, et al., 2001. Crustal structure across the Xisha Trough, north-western South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 341: 179–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rickwood, P. C., 1989. Boundary lines within petrologic diagrams which use oxides of major and minor elements. Lithos, 22: 247–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shane, P., J. Westgate, M. Williams, and R. Korisettar, 1995. New geochemical evidence for the Youngest Toba Tuff in India. Quat. Res., 44: 200–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straub, S. M., 1997. Multiple sources of Quaternary tephra layers in the Mariana Trough. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 76: 251–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tu, K., F. J. Flower, R. W. Carlson, G. H. Xie, C. Y. Chen, and M. Zhang, 1992. Magmatism in the South China Basin 1. Isotopic and trace-element evidence for an endogenous Dupal mantle component. Chem. Geol., 97(1–2): 47–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H. Z., F. G. Zhou, and Z. M. Jian, 1992. Volcanic clasts in the periplatform carbonate ooze near Zhongsha islands and their bearing on paleoenvironment. In: Contributions to Late Quaternary Paleoceanography of the South China Sea. Ye, Z. Z., and Wang, P. X., eds., Qingdao Ocean University Press, Qingdao, 42–55 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Q. Qian, L. Liu, and Q. Zhang. 2000. Major geochemical characteristics of bimodal volcanic rocks in different geochemical environments. Acta Petrol. Sin., 16(2): 169–173 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei, B. Z., and W. Y. Chung, 1995. Strike-slip faulting on the northern margin of the South China Sea: evidence from two earthquakes offshore of Hainan Island, China, in December 1969. Tectonophysics, 241: 55–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westgate, J. A., P. A. Shane, N. J. Pearce, W. T. Perkins, R. Korisettar, C. A. Chesner, et al., 1998. All Toba tephra occurrences across peninsula India belong to the 75 ka eruption. Quat. Res., 50: 107–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiesner, M. G., Y. B. Wang, and L. F. Zheng, 1995. Fallout of volcanic ash to the deep South China Sea induced by the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo (Phillipine). Geology, 23(10): 881–888.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wissmann, G., H. Kudrass., and K. Hinz, 1996. Continuing rifting on the south China margin. Geowissenschaften, 16(7–8): 310–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, P., D. Zhou, and Z. S. Liu, 2001. A crustal structure profile across the northern continental margin of the South China Sea. Tectonophysics, 338: 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Q. S., and X. F. Shi., 2007a. Hainan mantle plume and the formation and evolution of the South China Sea. Geological J. Chin. Univ., 13(2): 311–322 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Q. S., X. F. Shi, and K. S. Wang, 2007b. Mineral provinces and material provenance of the light mineral in surface sediments of the sea area near Zhongsha Islands in South China Sea. Acta Oceanol. Sin., 26(1): 66–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Q. S., X. F. Shi, K. S. Wang, W. R. Bu, and L. Xiao, 2008. Major element, trace element, and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope studies of Cenozoic basalts from the South China Sea. Sci. Chin. (Ser. D), 51(4): 550–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, M., K. Tu, G. H. Xie, M. F. Flower, and R. W. Carlson, 1992. Trace element and isotope geochemistry of Cenozoic basalts from Hainan island. In: Geochronology and Geochemistry of Cenozoic Volcanic Rocks in China. Liu, R. X., ed., Seismological Publishing House, Beijing, 246–268 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, D., 2007. Seismic images under 60 hotspots: Search for mantle plumes. Gondwana Res., 12: 335–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Marine Sedimentology and Environment Geology, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266100, P. R. China

    Quanshu Yan & Xuefa Shi

  2. Guangxi Institute of Geological Survey, Nanning, 530023, P. R. China

    Xinyu Wang

Authors
  1. Quanshu Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xuefa Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xinyu Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xuefa Shi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yan, Q., Shi, X. & Wang, X. Nature, source and composition of volcanic ash in surficial sediments around the Zhongsha Islands. J. Ocean Univ. China 7, 154–160 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-008-0154-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-008-0154-6

Key words

Search

Navigation