Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mineral chemistry and geochemistry of ophiolitic metaultramafics from Um Halham and Fawakhir, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study is focused on ophiolitic metaultramafics from Um Halham and Fawakhir, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The rocks include serpentinized peridotites, serpentinites together with talc– and quartz–carbonates. The primary spinel relict is Al–chromite [Cr# > 60], which is replaced by Cr–magnetite during metamorphism. The high Cr# of Al–chromites resembles supra-subduction zone (SSZ) peridotites and suggests derivation from the deeper portion of the mantle section with boninitic affinity. These mantle rocks equilibrated with boninitic melt have been generated by high melting degrees. The estimated melting degrees (~ 19–24%) lie within the range of SSZ peridotites. The high Cr# of spinel and Fo content of olivine together with the narrow compositional range suggest a mantle residual origin. Serpentinized peridotite and serpentinites have low Al2O3/SiO2 ratios (mostly < 0.03) like fore-arc mantle wedge serpentinites and further indicate that their mantle protolith had experienced partial melting before serpentinization process. Moreover, they have very low Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf concentrations along with sub-chondritic Nb/Ta (0.3–16) and Zr/Hf (mostly 1–20) ratios further confirming that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The high chondrite normalized (La/Sm)N ratios (average 10) reflect input of subduction-related slab melts/fluids into their mantle source.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Data sources: fore-arc peridotites (Pearce et al. 2000; Song et al. 2009); SED ophiolitic ultramafics (Abdel-Karim et al. 2016)

Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd El-Rahman Y, Polat A, Dilek Y, Fryer BJ, El-Sharkawy M, Sakran S (2009a) Geochemistry and tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic incipient arc–forearc crust in the Fawakhir area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Precambr Res 175:116–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abd El-Rahman Y, Polat A, Dilek Y, Fryer BJ, El-Sharkawy M, Sakran S (2009b) Geochemistry and tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic Wadi Ghadir ophiolite, Eastern Desert. Egypt Lithos 113:158–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abd El-Rahman Y, Ploat A, Dilek Y, Kusky T, El-Sharkawy M, Said A (2012) Cryogenian ophiolite tectonics and metallogeny of the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Int Geol Rev 54(16):1870–1884

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abd El-Salam MG, Stern RJ (1996) Sutures and shear zones in the Arabian-Nubian Shield. J Afr Earth Sci 23:289–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Karim AM, Ahmed Z (2010) Possible origin of the ophiolites of Eastern Desert of Egypt, from geochemical prospectives. Arab J Sci Eng 34:1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Karim AM, El-Mahallawi MM, Finger F (1996) The ophiolite mélange of Wadi Dunqash and Wadi Arayis, Eastern Desert of Egypt: petrogenesis and tectonic evolution. Acta Mineral Petrogr 37:129–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Karim AM, Azzaz SA, Moharem AF, El-Alfy H (2008) Petrological and geochemical studies on the ophiolite and island arc association of Wadi Hammaryia, Egypt. Arab J Sci Eng 33(1C):117–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Karim AM, Ali S, Helmy HM, El-Shafei SA (2015) Mantle rocks from Neoproterozoic Gerf ophiolite, South Eastern Desert, Egypt: a case for a possible boninitic fore-arc oceanic fragment. The second International Conference on New Horizons in Basic and Applied Science, 1–6 August 2015, Hurghada, Egypt

  • Abdel-Karim AM, Ali S, Helmy HM, El-Shafei SA (2016) Fore-arc setting of the Gerf ophiolite, Eastern Desert, Egypt: evidence from mineral chemistry and geochemistry of ultramafites. Lithos 263:52–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Karim AM, Ali S, El-Shafei SA (2017) Mineral chemistry and geochemistry of ophiolitic ultramafics from central Eastern Desert, Egypt: a case for contaminated mantle-derived magma. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 19, EGU2017-16680-1, EGU General Assembly 2017

  • Abu El-Ela FF (1990) Bimodel volcanism of volcanosedimentary sequence around Gabal Um Halham, central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Bull Fac Sci Assiut Univ 19:37–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed AH, Habtoor A (2015) Heterogeneously depleted Precambrian lithosphere deduced from mantle peridotites and associated chromitite deposits of Al’Ays ophiolite, Northwestern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia. Ore Geol Rev 67:279–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed AH, Arai S, Attia A (2001) Petrological characteristics of podiform chromitites and associated peridotites of the Pan African Proterozoic ophiolite complexes of Egypt. Miner Deposita 36:72–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed AH, Gharib ME, Arai S (2012) Characterization of the thermally metamorphosed mantle–crust transition zone of the Neoproterozoic ophiolite at Gebel Mudarjaj, south Eastern Desert, Egypt. Lithos 142–143:67–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andresen A, Abu El-Rus MA, Myhre PI, Boghdady GY, Coru F (2009) U-Pb TIMS age constraints on the evolution of the Neoproterozoic Meatiq Gneiss Dome, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Int J Earth Sci 98:481–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anzil PA, Guereschi AB, Martino RD (2012) Mineral chemistry and geothermometry using relict primary minerals in the La Cocha ultramafic body: a slice of the upper mantle in the Sierra Chica of Cordoba, Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina. J S Am Earth Sci 40:38–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai S (1992) Chemistry of chromian spinel in volcanic rocks as a potential guide to magma chemistry. Mineral Mag 56:173–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai S (1994) Compositional variation of olivine-chromain spinel in Mg-rich magmas as a guide to their residual spinel peridotites. J Volcanol Geoth Res 59:279–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azer MK, Khalil AES (2005) Petrological and mineralogical studies of Pan-African serpentinites at Bir Al-Edeid area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 43:525–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azer MK, Stern RJ (2007) Neoproterozoic (835–720 Ma) serpentinites in the Eastern Desert, Egypt: fragments of fore-arc mantle. J Geol 115:457–472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azer MK, Samuel MD, Ali KA, Gahlan HA, Stern RJ, Ren M, Moussa HE (2013) Neoproterozoic ophiolitic peridotites along the Allaqi–Heiani Suture, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Mineral Petrol 107(5):829–848

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aziz NRH, Aswad KJA, Koyi HA (2011) Contrasting settings of serpentinite bodies in the northwestern Zagros Suture Zone, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Geol Mag 148:819–837

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes SI (2000) Chromite in Komatiites, II. Modification during Greenschist to Mid Amphibolite Facies Metamorphism. J Petrol 41:387–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beccaluva L, Macciota G, Piccardo GB, Zeda O (1989) Clinopyroxene composition of ophiolitic basalts as petrogenetic indicator. Chem Geol 77:165–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloomer SH, Taylor B, Macleod CJ et al. (1995) Early arc volcanism and ophiolite problem: a perspective from drilling in the Western Pacific. In: Taylor B, Natland J (eds) Active margins and marginal basins of the western Pacific. Geophys Monogr 88: 1–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodinier JL, Godard M (2003) Orogenic, ophiolitic, and abyssal peridotites. In: Carlson RW (ed), Treatise on geochemistry mantle and core: treatise on geochemistry, 2 edn. Elsevier Science Ltd, Amsterdam, pp 103–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonatti E, Michael PJ (1989) Mantle peridotites from continental rifts to oceanic basins to subduction zones. Earth Planet Sci Lett 91:297–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boskabadi A, Pitcairn IK, Broman C, Boyce A, Teagle DAH, Cooper MJ, Azer MK, Stern RJ, Mohamed FH, Majka J (2017) Carbonate alteration of ophiolitic rocks in the Arabian-Nubian Shield of Egypt: sources and compositions of the carbonating fluid and implications for the formation of Au deposits. Int Geol Rev 59(4):391–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chalot-Prat F, Ganne J, Lombard A (2003) No significant element transfer from the oceanic plate to the mantle wedge during subduction and exhumation of the Tethys lithosphere (Western Alps). Lithos 69:69–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi SH, Shervais JW, Mukasa SB (2008) Supra-subduction and abyssal mantle peridotites of the coast range ophiolite, California. Contrib Miner Petrol 156:551–576

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai J, Wang C, Hébert R, Santosh M, Li Y, Xu J (2011) Petrology and geochemistry of peridotites in the Zhongba ophiolite, Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone: implications for the Early Cretaceous intraoceanic subduction zone within the Neo-Tethys. Chem Geol 288:133–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai J, Wang C, Polat A, Santosh M, Li Y, Ge Y (2013) Rapid forearc spreading between 130 and 120 Ma: evidence from geochronology and geochemistry of the Xigaze ophiolite, southern Tibet. Lithos 172–173:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delavari M, Amini S, Saccani E, Beccaluva L (2009) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of mantle peridotites from the Nehbandan Ophiolitic Complex, eastern Iran. J App Sci 9(15):2671–2687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deschamps F, Guillot S, Godard M, Chauvel C, Andreani M, Hattori K (2010) In situ characterization of serpentinites from forearc mantle wedges: timing of serpentinization and behavior of fluid-mobile elements in subduction zones. Chem Geol 269:262–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deschamps F, Godar M, Guillot S, Hattori K (2013) Geochemistry of subduction zone serpentinites: a review. Lithos 178:96–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dick HJ, Bullen T (1984) Chromian spinel as a petrogenetic indicator in abyssal and alpine type peridotites and spatially associated lavas. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:51–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Bahariya GA (2008) Geology, mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of Neoproterozoic metamorphosed ophiolitic ultramafics, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: implication for the classification and origin of the ophiolitic mélange. Egypt J Geol 52:55–81

    Google Scholar 

  • El Bahariya GA (2012) Classification and origin of the Neoproterozoic ophiolitic mélanges in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Tectonophysics 568:357–370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Bahariya GA, Arai S (2003) Petrology and origin of Pan-African serpentinites with particular reference to chromian spinel compositions, Eastern Desert, Egypt: implication for supra-subduction zone ophiolite. Third International Conference on the Geology of Africa, Assiut University, Egypt, 371–388

  • El-Bayoumi R (1980) Ophiolites and associated rocks of Wadi Ghadir, East of Gebel Zabara, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Ph.D. thesis, Cairo University

  • El-Gaby S (2005) Integrated evolution and rock classification of the Pan-African belt in Egypt. First symposium on the classification of the basement complex of Egypt. Bull Fac Sci, Assiut University, 1–9

  • El-Sayed MM, Furnes H, Mohamed FH (1999) Geochemical constraints on the tectonomagmatic evolution of the late Precambrian Fawakhir ophiolite, central Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 29:515–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Sharkawy MA, El-Bayoumi R (1979) The ophiolites of Wadi Ghadir area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 9:125–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans B, Frost B (1975) Chrome spinel in progressive metamorphism: a preliminary analysis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 39:379–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farahat ES (2008) Chrome spinels in serpentinites and talc carbonates of the El-Ideid–El Sodmein District, central Eastern Desert, Egypt: their metamorphism and petrogenetic implications. Chem Erde 68(2):195–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farahat ES, El Mahallawi MM, Hoinkes G, Abdel Aal AY (2004) Continental back-arc basin origin of some ophiolites from the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Mineral Petrol 82:81–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farahat ES, Hoinkes G, Mogessie A (2011) Petrogenetic and geotectonic significance of Neoproterozoic suprasubduction mantle as revealed by the Wizer ophiolite complex, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Int J Earth Sci 100:1433–1450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd PA (1991) Oceanic basalts. Blachie and Son Ltd, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey FA, Suen JC, Stockman HW (1985) The Ronda high temperature peridotite: geochemistry and petrogenesis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 49:2469–2491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghoneim MF, Salem IA, Hamdy MM (2003) Origin of magnesite veins in serpentinites from Mount El-Rubshi and Mount El-Maiyit, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Arch Mineral 54:41–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Godard M, Lagabrielle Y, Alard O, Harvey J (2008) Geochemistry of the highly depleted peridotites drilled at ODP Sites 1272 and 1274 (Fifteen-Twenty Fracture Zone, Mid-Atlantic Ridge): implications for mantle dynamics beneath a slow spreading ridge. Earth Planet Sci Lett 267:410–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gruau G, Bernard-Griffiths J, Lécuyer C (1998) The origin of U-shaped rare earth patterns in ophiolite peridotites: assessing the role of secondary alteration and melt/rock reaction. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 62(21/22):3545–3560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillot S, Hattori KH, de Sigoyer J, Nägler T, Auzende AL (2001) Evidence of hydration of the mantle wedge and its role in the exhumation of eclogites. Earth Planet Sci Lett 193:115–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdy MM, Lebda EM (2007) Metamorphism of ultramafic rocks at Gebel Arais and Gebel Malo Grim, Eastern Desert, Egypt: mineralogical and O-H stable isotopic constraints. Egypt J Geol 51:105–124

    Google Scholar 

  • Hart SR, Zindler A (1986) In search of a bulk-Earth composition. Chem Geol 57:247–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassanen MA (1985) Petrology and geochemistry of ultramafic rocks in the Eastern Desert, Egypt, with special reference to Fawakhir area. Ph.D. dissertation. Alexandria University, Egypt

  • Hattori KH, Guillot S (2007) Geochemical character of serpentinites associated with high- to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Alps, Cuba, and the Himalayas: recycling of elements in subduction zones. Geochem Geophys Geosyst. https://doi.org/10.1029/2007GC001594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins JW (2003) Geology of supra-subduction zones—implications for the origin of ophiolites. In: Dilek Y, 438 Newcomb S (eds) Ophiolite Concept and the Evolution of Geological Thought. Boulder, CO, Geological 439 Society of America Special Paper 373: 227–268

  • Hellebrand E, Snow JE, Dick HJB, Hofmann AW (2001) Coupled major and trace elements as indicators of the extent of melting in mid-ocean-ridge peridotites. Nature 410:677–681

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishii T, Robinson PT, Maekawa H, Fiske R (1992) Petrological studies of peridotites from diapiric Serpentinite Seamounts in the Izu-Ogasawara-Mariana forearc, leg 125. In: Pearce J, Stokking LB, et al (eds), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Project, Leg 125, Scientific Results (College Station), pp 445–485

  • Jagoutz E, Palme H, Baddenhausen H, Blum K, Cendales M, Dreibus G, Spettel B, Lorenz V, Wanke H (1979) The abundances of major, minor and trace elements in the earth’s mantle as derived from primitive ultramafic nodules. Proc. Lunar Planet. Conf. 10: 2031–2050

  • Johnson PR, Abdelsalam MG, Stern RJ (2003) The Bi’r Umq-Nakasib suture zone in the Arabian-Nubian Shield: a key to understand crustal growth in the East African Orogen. Gondwana Res 6:523–530

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamenetsky VS, Crawford AJ, Meffre S (2001) Factors controlling chemistry of magmatic spinel: an empirical study of associated olivine, Cr-spinel and melt inclusions from primitive rocks. J Petrol 42:655–671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khalil KI (2007) Chromite mineralization in ultramafic rocks of the Wadi Ghadir area, Eastern Desert, Egypt: mineralogical, microchemical and genetic study. Neues Jb Mineral Abh 183:283–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalil AES, Azer MK (2007) Supra-subduction affinity in the Neoproterozoic serpentinites in the Eastern Desert, Egypt: evidence from mineral composition. J Afr Earth Sci 49:136–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khedr MZ, Arai S (2013) Origin of Neoproterozoic ophiolitic peridotites in south Eastern Desert, Egypt, constrained from primary mantle mineral chemistry. Mineral Petrol 107(5):807–828

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khedr MZ, Arai S, Python M, Tamura A (2014) Chemical variations of abyssal peridotites in the central Oman ophiolite: evidence of oceanic mantle heterogeneity. Gondwana Res 25:1242–1262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khudeir AA (1995) Chromian spinel-silicate chemistry in peridotite and orthopyroxenite relicts from ophiolitic serpentinites, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Bull Fac Sci Assiut Univ 24:221–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Khudeir AA, El Haddad MA, Leake BE (1992) Compositional variation in chromite from the Eastern Desert. Mineral Mag 56:567–574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kodolányi J, Pettke T, Spandler C, Kamber BS, Gméling K (2012) Geochemistry of ocean floor and fore-arc serpentinites: constraints on the ultramafic input to subduction zones. J Petrol 53:235–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bas MJ (1962) The role of aluminum in igneous clinopyroxenes with relation to their parentage. Am J Sci 260:267–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonough WF, Sun SS (1995) The composition of the Earth. Chem Geol 120:223–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mellini M, Rumori C, Viti C (2005) Hydrothermally reset magmatic spinels in retrograde serpentinites: formation of “ferritchromit” rims and chlorite aureoles. Contrib Miner Petrol 149:266–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mével C (2003) Serpentinization of abyssal peridotites at mid-ocean ridges. C R Geosci 335:825–852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mondal SK, Baidya TK, Rao KNG, Glascock MD (2001) PGE and Ag mineralization in a breccia zone of the Precambrian Nuasahi Ultramafic–mafic Complex, Orissa, India. Can Mineral 39:979–996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morimoto NFJ, Ferguson AK, Ginzburg IV, Ross M, Seifert FA, Zussmaann I (1988) Nomenclature of pyroxene. Mineral Mag 52:535–550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Niu Y (2004) Bulk-rock major and trace element compositions of abyssal peridotites: implications for mantle melting melt extraction and post-melting processes beneath mid-ocean ridges. J Petrol 45(12):2423–2458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nozaka T (2010) A note on compositional variation of olivine and pyroxene in thermally metamorphosed ultramafic complexes from SW Japan. Okayama Univ Earth Sci Rep 17(1):1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Hanley DS (1996) Serpentinites, records of tectonic and petrological history. Oxford Monographs on Geology and Geophysics no 34

  • Obeid MA, Khalil AES, Azer MK (2016) Mineralogy, geochemistry and geotectonic significance of the Neoproterozoic ophiolite of Wadi Arais area, south Eastern Desert, Egypt. Int Geol Rev 58:687–702

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohara Y, Stern RJ, Ishii T, Yurimoto H, Yamazaki T (2002) Peridotites from the Mariana Trough: first look at the mantle beneath an active back-arc basin. Contrib Mineral Petrol 143:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozawa K (1994) Melting and melt segregation in the mantle wedge above a subduction zone; evidence from the chromite-bearing peridotites of the Miyamori ophiolite complex, northeastern Japan. J Petrol 35:647–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parkinson IJ, Arculus RJ (1999) The redox state of subduction zone: insights from arc peridotites. Chem Geol 160:409–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parkinson IJ, Pearce JA (1998) Peridotites from the Izu–Bonin–Mariana fore-arc (ODP Leg125): evidence for mantle melting and meltmantle interaction in a supra-subduction zone setting. J Petrol 39:1577–1618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulick H, Bach W, Godard M, De Hoog JCM, Suhr G, Harvey J (2006) Geochemistry of abyssal peridotites (Mid-Atlantic Ridge, 15°20′N, ODP Leg 209): implications for fluid/rock interaction in slow spreading environments. Chem Geol 234:179–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce JA, Barker PF, Edwards SJ, Parkinson IJ, Leat PT (2000) Geochemistry and tectonic significance of peridotites from the south sandwich arc-basin system, South Atlantic. Contrib Miner Petrol 139:36–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roeder PL (1994) Chromite from the Fiery rain of Chondrules to the Kilauea iki lava lake. Canad Mineral 32:729–746

    Google Scholar 

  • Rollinson H, Adetunji J (2015) The geochemistry and oxidation state of podiform chromitites from the mantle section of the Oman ophiolite: a review. Gondwana Res 27:543–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sack RO, Ghiorso MS (1991) Chromian spinels as petrogenetic indicators: thermodynamic and petrological applications. Am Miner 76:827–847

    Google Scholar 

  • Salters VJM, Stracke A (2004) Composition of the depleted mantle. Geochem Geophys Geosyst. https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GC000597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sano S, Kimura JI (2007) Clinopyroxene REE geochemistry of the Red Hills peridotite, New Zealand: interpretation of magmatic processes in the upper mantle and in the Moho transition zone. J Petrol 48:113–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savov IP, Ryan JG, D’Antonio M, Kelley K, Mattie P (2005a) Geochemistry of serpentinized peridotites from the Mariana Forearc Conical Seamount, ODP Leg 125: implications for the elemental recycling at subduction zones. Geochem Geophys Geosyst. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GC000777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savov IP, Guggino S, Ryan JG, Fryer P, Mottl MJ (2005b) Geochemistry of serpentinite muds and metamorphic rocks from the Mariana forearc, ODP Sites 1200 and 778–779, South Chamorro and Conical Seamounts. In: Shinohara M, Salisbury MH, Richter C (eds), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results 195: 1–49

  • Shackleton RM (1994) Review of late proterozoic sutures, ophiolitic mélanges and tectonics of eastern Egypt and northeast Sudan. Geol Rundsch 83:537–546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shackleton RM, Ries AC, Graham RH, Fitches WR (1980) Late Precambrian ophiolitic mélange in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Nature 285:472–474

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma M, Wasserburg GJ (1996) The neodymium isotopic compositions and rare earth patterns in highly depleted ultramafic rocks. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 60:4537–4550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snow JE, Dick HJB (1995) Pervasive magnesium loss by marine weathering of peridotite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:4219–4235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song S, Su L, Niu Y, Lai Y, Zhang L (2009) CH4 inclusions in orogenic harzburgite: evidence for reduced slab fluids and implication for redox melting in mantle wedge. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 73(6):1737–1754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ (1994) Arc assembly and continental collision in the Neoproterozoic East African Orogen: implications for the consolidation of Gondwanaland. Ann Rev Earth Planet Sci 22:319–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ (2004) Subduction initiation: spontaneous and induced. Earth Planet Sci Lett 226:275–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Gwinn CJ (1990) Origin of late Precambrian intrusive carbonates, Eastern Desert of Egypt and Sudan: C, O, and Sr isotopic evidence. Precambr Res 46:259–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stern RJ, Johanson PR, Kröner A, Yibas B (2004) Neoproterozoic ophiolites of the Arabian-Nubian Shield. In: Kusky TM (ed), Precambrian ophiolites and related rocks. Developments in Precambrian geology, vol. 13. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 95–128

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Suita M, Strieder A (1996) Cr-spinels from Brazilian mafic–ultramafic complexes: metamorphic modifications. Int Geol Rev 38(3):245–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uysal I, Yalçın Ersoy E, Karslı O, Dilek Y, Burhan Sadıklar M, Ottley CJ, Tiepolo M, Meisel T (2012) Coexistence of abyssal and ultra-depleted SSZ type mantle peridotites in a Neo-Tethyan Ophiolite in SW Turkey: constraints from mineral composition, whole-rock geochemistry (major–trace–REE–PGE), Re–Os isotope systematics. Lithos 132–133:50–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang S-H, Zhou M-F (2009) Geochemistry of the ~ 430‒Ma Jingbulake mafic‒ultramafic intrusion in Western Xinjiang, NM China: implications for subduction related magmatism in the South Tianshan orogenic belt. Lithos 113: 259‒273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmer M, Kröner A, Jochum KP, Reischmann T, Todt W (1995) The Gabal Gerf complex: a Precambrian 600 N-MORB ophiolite in the Nubian Shield, NE Africa. Chem Geol 123:29–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to H.M. Helmy who kindly carried out the XRF analyses of the Major elements during his stay in Japan. Critical comments and constructive reviews by M.K. Azer and an anonymous referee and by editor, Wolf-Christian Dullo, substantially improved an early version of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt

    Abdel-Aal M. Abdel-Karim & Shaimaa A. El-Shafei

  2. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt

    Shehata Ali

Authors
  1. Abdel-Aal M. Abdel-Karim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shehata Ali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shaimaa A. El-Shafei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shehata Ali.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (XLSX 21 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Abdel-Karim, AA.M., Ali, S. & El-Shafei, S.A. Mineral chemistry and geochemistry of ophiolitic metaultramafics from Um Halham and Fawakhir, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 107, 2337–2355 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-018-1601-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-018-1601-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation