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Origin of calc-alkaline series lavas at Medicine Lake Volcano by fractionation, assimilation and mixing

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Abstract

The results of experimental studies and examination of variations in major elements, trace elements and Sr isotopes indicate that fractionation, assimilation and magma mixing combined to produce the lavas at Medicine Lake Highland. Some characteristics of the compositional differences among the members of the calc-alkalic association (basalt-andesite-dacite-rhyolite) can be produced by fractional crystallization, and a fractionation model reproduces the major element trends. Other variations are inconsistent with a fractionation origin. Elevated incompatible element abundances (K and Rb) observed in lavas intermediate between basalt and rhyolite can be produced through assimilation of a crustal component. An accompanying increase in 87Sr/86Sr from ∼ 0.07030 in basalt to ∼0.7040 in rhyolite is also consistent with crustal assimilation. The compatible trace element contents (Ni and Sr) of intermediate lavas can not be produced by fractional crystallization, and suggest a magma-mixing origin for some lavas. Unusual phenocryst assemblages and textural criteria in these lavas provide additional evidence for magma mixing.

A phase diagram constructed from the low pressure melting experiments identifies a distributary reaction point, where olivine+augite react to pigeonite. Parental basalts reach this point at low pressures and undergo iron-enrichment at constant SiO2 content. The resulting liquid line of descent is characteristic of the tholeiitic trend. Calc-alkalic differentiation trends circumvent the distributary reaction point by three processes: fractionation at elevated pH2O, assimilation and magma mixing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Timothy L. Grove, David C. Gerlach & Thomas W. Sando

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  1. Timothy L. Grove
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  2. David C. Gerlach
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Grove, T.L., Gerlach, D.C. & Sando, T.W. Origin of calc-alkaline series lavas at Medicine Lake Volcano by fractionation, assimilation and mixing. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 80, 160–182 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00374893

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