Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Late Cretaceous-Early Cenozoic volcanism of Southern Mongolia: A trace of the South Khangai mantle hot spot

  • Published:
Journal of Volcanology and Seismology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Gobi-Tien Shan volcanic area (in Southern Mongolia) is part of the South Khangai volcanic region (SKVR). The formation of its lava fields was related to three stages of volcanic activity: the Late Cretaceous (88–71 Myr), Paleocene-Early Eocene (62–47 Myr), and Early Oligocene (37–30 Myr). Volcanic occurrences of different age are represented by trachybasalt, trachyandesitobasalt, basanite, and melanephelinite with similar geochemical characteristics, which are also close to the geochemical characteristics of OIB basalt. The isotope composition (Sr, Nd) of the rocks indicates that the magma sources were formed as a result of mixing of a moderately depleted PREMA mantle and an EM-I mantle enriched in neodymium.The patterns of migration of volcanic centers of different ages over the area of interest have been studied. The earliest (Late Cretaceous) volcanic occurrences were concentrated mainly in the south of the area, the Paleocene-Early Eocene eruptions took place at the center of the area, and the Early Oligocene volcanism occurred in the northern area. The observed migration of the volcanic activity centers is related to lithospheric plate motions relative to a localized source of hot mantle (the South Khangai mantle hot spot), which controlled volcanic activity within SKVR. In the lithospheric structure of this region, local asthenospheric high, reaching a depth of ∼50 km, correspond to this hot spot.

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

  1. Afonin, V.P., Gunicheva, T.N., and Piskunova, L.F., Rentgenofluorestsentnyi silikatnyi analiz (X-ray Fluorescence Silicate Analysis), Novosibirsk: Nauka, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Devyatkin, E.V., Kainozoi Mongolii (The Cenozoic of Mongolia), Moscow: Nauka, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Zonenshain, L.P., Kuz’min, M.I., and Natapov, L.M., Tektonika litosfernykh plit territorii SSSR (Tectonics of Lithospheric Plates in the USSR), Moscow: Nedra, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Zorin, Yu.A., Balk, E.V., Novoselova, M.R., and Turutanov, E.Kh., Lithospheric Thickness below the Mongolian-Siberian Highland and Adjacent Regions, Fiz. Zemli, 1988, no. 7, pp. 32–42.

  5. Kovalenko, V.I., Yarmolyuk, V.V., Kovach, V.P., et al., Magmatism as Factor of Crust Evolution in the Central Asian Foldbelt: Sm-Nd Isotopic Data, Geotektonika, 1999, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 21–41 [Geotectonics (Engl. Transl.), 1999, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 191–208].

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kovalenko, V.I., Yarmolyuk, V.V., Kovach, V.P., et al., Sources of Phanerozoic Granitoids in Central Asia: Sm-Nd Isotope Data, Geokhimiya, 1996, no. 8, pp. 14–30 [Geochem. Int. (Engl. Transl.), 1996, no. 8].

  7. Kovalenko, V.I., Yarmolyuk, V.V., Sal’nikova, E.B., et al., Sources of Igneous Rocks and Genesis of the Early Mesozoic Tectonomagmatic Area of the Mongolia-Transbaikalia Magmatic Region: 2. Petrology and Geochemistry, Petrologiya, 2003, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 227–254 [Petrology (Engl. Transl.), 2003, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 205–229].

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kovalenko, D.V., Yarmolyuk, V.V., and Solov’ev, A.V., Migration of Volcanic Centers at the South Khangai Hot Spot: Paleomagnetic Evidence, Geotektonika, 1997, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 66–73 [Geotectonics (Engl. Transl.), 1997, vol. 31, no. 3, pp. 228–235].

    Google Scholar 

  9. Kontinental’nyi vulkanizm Mongolii (Continental Volcanism of Mongolia), Moscow: Nauka, 1983, p. 153.

  10. Mezozoiskaya, kainozoiskaya tektonika i magmatizm Mogolii (Mesozoic and Cenozoic Tectonics and Magmatism of Mongolia), Moscow: Nauka, 1975, p. 305.

  11. Savatenkov, V.M., Morozova, I.M., and Levsky, L.K., Behavior of the Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr, K-Ar, and U-Rb Isotopic Systems during Alkaline Metasomatism: Fenites in the Outer-Contact Zone of an Ultramaphic-Alkaline Intrusion), Geokhimiya, 2004, no. 10, pp. 1027–1049 [Geochem. Int. (Engl. Transl.), 2004, no. 10, pp. 899–920].

  12. Samoilov, V.S. and Kovalenko, V.I., Kompleksy shchelochnykh porod i karbonatitov Mongolii (Complexes of Alkaline Rocks and Carbonates of Mongolia), Moscow: Nedra, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Frikh-Khar, D.I. and Luchitskaya, A.I., Pozdnemezozoiskie vulkanity i svyazannye s nimi gipabissal’nye intruzivy Mongolii (Late Mesozoic Vulcanites and Related Hypabyssal Intrusions of Mongolia), Moscow: Nauka, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Shuvalov, V.F. and Nikolaeva, T.V., On the Age and Spatial Distribution of Cenozoic Basalts in Southern Mongolia, Vestn. Leningr. Univ., 1985, no. 14, pp. 52–59.

  15. Yarmolyuk, V.V., Ivanov, V.G., and Kovalenko, V.I., Dynamics of Formation and Magmatism of the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic Southern Khangai Mantle Hot Spot (Mongolia), Geotektonika, 1994, no. 5, pp. 28–45.

  16. Yarmolyuk, V.V., Ivanov, V.G., and Kovalenko, V.I., Sources of Intraplate Magmatism of Western Transbaikalia in the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic: Trace Element and Isotope Data), Petrologiya, 1998, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 115–139 [Petrology (Engl. Transl.), 1998, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 101–123].

    Google Scholar 

  17. Yarmolyuk, V.V. and Kovalenko, V.I., Deep Geodynamics and Mantle Plumes: Their Role in the Formation of the Central Asian Fold Belt, Petrologiya, 2003, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 556–586 [Petrology (Engl. Transl.), 2003, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 504–531].

    Google Scholar 

  18. Yarmolyuk, V.V., Kovalenko, V.I., and Ivanov, V.G., Intraplate Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic Volcanic Province of the Central-Eastern Asia Is Projection of the Mantle Hot Spot, Geotektonika, 1995, no. 5, pp. 41–67.

  19. Yarmolyuk, V.V., Kovalenko, V.I., Ivanov, V.G., and Zhuravlev, D.Z., Isotopic Composition of Sr and Nd Basic Vulcanites of the Southern Khangai Hot Spot in Central Asia, Dokl. Akad. Nauk, 1995, vol. 342, no. 2, pp. 230–234.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Barry, T.L., Saunders, A.D., Kempton, P.D., et al., Petrogenesis of Cenozoic Basalts from Mongolia: Evidence for the Role of Asthenospheric versus Metasomatized Lithospheric Mantle Sources, J. Petrol., 2003, vol. 44, pp. 55–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Dergunov, A.B., Kovalenko, V.I., Ruzhentsev, S.V., and Yarmolyuk, V.V., Tectonics, Magmatism, and Metallogeny of Mongolia, London: Routledge. Taylor Francis Group, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Gao, S.S., Liu, K.H., Davis, P.M., et al., Evidence for Small-Scale Mantle Convection in the Upper Mantle Beneath the Baikal Rift Zone, J. Geophys. Res., 2003, vol. 108B, no. 4, pp. 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Halliday, A.N., Lee, D.-Ch., Tommasini, S., et al., Incompatible Trace Elements in OIB and MORB and Source Enrichment in Sub-Oceanic Mantle, EPSL, 1995, vol. 133, pp. 379–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kovalenko, V.I., Yarmolyuk, V.V., Kovach, V.P., et al., Isotope Provinces, Mechanism of Generation and Sources of the Continental Crust in the Central Asian Mobile Belt: Geological and Isotopic Evidence, J. Asian Earth Sci., 2004, vol. 23, pp. 605–627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Macdonald, R., Rogers, N.W., Fitton, J.G., et al., Plume-Lithosphere Interactions in the Generation of the Basalts of the Kenya Rift, East Africa, J. Petrol., 2001, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 877–900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Rogers, N., Macdonald, R., Fitton, J.G., et al., Two Mantle Plumes beneath the East African Rift System: Sr, Nd and Pb Isotope Evidence from Kenya Rift Basalts, EPSL, 2000, vol. 176, pp. 387–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Sun, S.S. and Donough, W.F., Chemical and Isotopic Systematizes of Oceanic Basalts: Implications for Mantle Composition and Processes, Magmatism in the Ocean Basins, Saunders, A.D. and Norry, M.J., Eds., Geol. Soc. London, Spec. Publ., 1989, vol. 42, pp. 313–346.

  28. Tomlinson, K.Y. and Condie, K.C., Archean Mantle Plumes: Evidence from Greenstone Belt Geochemistry, in Mantle Plumes: Their Identification through Time. Spec. Paper, 2001, pp. 341–358.

  29. Wilson, M. and Patterson, R., Intraplate Magmatism Related to Short-Wavelength Convective Instabilities in the Upper Mantle: Evidence from the Tertiary-Quaternary Volcanic Province of Western and Central Europe, Geol. Soc. Am. Spec. Paper, 2001, vol. 352, pp. 37–58.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Zindler, A., Hart. Ä. Chemical Geodynamics, Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 1986, vol. 14, pp. 493–571.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Zorin, Yu.A., Turutanov, E.Kh., Mordvinova, V.V., et al., The Baikal Rift Zone: the Effect of Mantle Plumes on Older Structure, Tectonophysics, 2003, vol. 371, pp. 153–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of the Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry (IGEM), Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetnyi per. 35, Moscow, 119017, Russia

    V. V. Yarmolyuk, E. A. Kudryashova & A. M. Kozlovsky

  2. Institute of Precambrian Geology and Geochronology, Russian Academy of Sciences, nab. Makarova 2, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia

    V. M. Savatenkov

Authors
  1. V. V. Yarmolyuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. A. Kudryashova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. M. Kozlovsky
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. V. M. Savatenkov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Original Russian Text © V.V. Yarmolyuk, E.A. Kudryashova, A.M. Kozlovsky, V.M. Savatenkov, 2007, published in Vulkanologiya i Seismologiya, 2007, No. 1, pp. 3–31.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yarmolyuk, V.V., Kudryashova, E.A., Kozlovsky, A.M. et al. Late Cretaceous-Early Cenozoic volcanism of Southern Mongolia: A trace of the South Khangai mantle hot spot. J. Volcanolog. Seismol. 1, 1–27 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0742046307010010

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0742046307010010

Keywords

Search

Navigation