Magmatic evolution of a dying spreading axis: evidence for the interaction of tectonics and mantle heterogeneity from the fossil Phoenix Ridge, Drake Passage

Haase, K.M.; Beier, C.; Fretzdorff, S.; Leat, Philip T.; Livermore, R.A.; Barry, T.L.; Pearce, J.A.; Hauff, F.. 2011 Magmatic evolution of a dying spreading axis: evidence for the interaction of tectonics and mantle heterogeneity from the fossil Phoenix Ridge, Drake Passage. Chemical Geology, 280 (1-2). 115-125. 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.11.002

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Abstract/Summary

New 40Ar–39Ar ages of 5.6 to 1.3 Ma for lavas from the fossil Phoenix Ridge in the Drake Passage show that magmatism continued for at least 2 Ma after the cessation of spreading at 3.3 ± 0.2 Ma. The Phoenix Ridge lavas are incompatible element-enriched relative to average MORB and show an increasing enrichment with decreasing age, corresponding to progressively decreasing degrees of partial melting of spinel peridotite after spreading stopped. The low-degree partial melts increasingly tap a mantle source with radiogenic Sr and Pb but unradiogenic Nd isotope ratios implying an ancient enrichment. The post-spreading magmas apparently form by buoyant ascent of enriched and easily fusible portions of the upper mantle. Only segments of fossil spreading ridges underlain by such enriched and fertile mantle show post-spreading volcanism frequently forming bathymetric highs. The Phoenix Ridge lavas belong to the Pacific, rather than the Atlantic, mantle domain in regional Sr–Nd–Pb space. Our new data show that the southern Pacific Ocean mantle is heterogeneous containing significant enriched portions that are preferentially tapped at low melt fractions. Isotopic mapping reveals that Pacific-type upper mantle flows eastward through Drake Passage and surrounds the subducting Phoenix Plate beneath the Bransfield Basin.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.11.002
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution
ISSN:	0009-2541
Additional Keywords:	Partial melting; Mantle upwelling; Incompatible elements; Basalt; Mid-ocean ridges
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	17 Mar 2011 14:47 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/13041

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.11.002

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > Polar Science for Planet Earth (2009 - ) > Environmental Change and Evolution

ISSN:

0009-2541

Additional Keywords:

Partial melting; Mantle upwelling; Incompatible elements; Basalt; Mid-ocean ridges

NORA Subject Terms:

Earth Sciences