Search Results (9)

This study redefines the Nordestina Kimberlite Province (PKN), in the northeastern sector of the São Francisco Craton (SFC), as a composite kimberlitic–lamproitic system that hosts two genetically distinct magma types: (1) the primitive Braúna kimberlite and (2) hybridized phlogopite-rich lamproites belonging to the SFC lamproite variety. Braúna kimberlites represent an olivine-rich kimberlite sourced from a metasomatized lithospheric mantle, as reflected by its high MgO (15%–30.6%), Ni (up to 1172 ppm), and Cr (up to 2500 ppm). These geochemical signatures are consistent with a primitive melt capable of preserving diamond stability conditions. In contrast, the SFC lamproite variety exhibits strong crustal overprinting, marked by hydrothermal barite–carbonate–silica veining, cristobalite, elevated SiO₂ (up to 80 wt.%), and high LOI (up to 27.5%). These features indicate significant post-magmatic alteration, felsic crust assimilation, and melt hybridization. Textural and mineralogical features found in both magma types, including olivine-phlogopite aggregates, irregular zoning, and disequilibrium assemblages, suggest magma mingling between compositionally distinct melts and/or crystallization under polybaric conditions. These findings clarify long-standing classification controversies by demonstrating that PKN magmatism is not represented by a single rock type but instead spans a continuum spectrum from primitive kimberlite to strongly hybridized lamproite. Regionally, the data reveal that PKN magmatism reflects Paleoproterozoic mantle metasomatism reactivated during Neoproterozoic tectonism. This dual-stage evolution explains the contrasting degrees of primitiveness and hybridization melt signatures observed across the province. Full article

The Arkansas alkaline province (AAP), southeastern US, consists of seven intrusions or intrusive complexes that lie along a NE–SW trend that falls on the extension of the Mississippi Valley graben. There are three distinct magmatic events: (1) emplacement of lamproites at ~104 Ma, (2) emplacement of lamprophyres, phonolites, carbonatites, ijolites, and a variety of nepheline syenites between 100 and 98 Ma, and (3) emplacement of a large nepheline syenite body at ~88 Ma. Unpublished and published mineralogical, elemental, and isotope data are used to develop an integrated model for the AAP magmatic activity. The lamproites were derived from ancient enriched subcontinental lithosphere. The carbonatite–lamprophyre–phonolite–ijolite–nepheline syenite association comprises several intrusive complexes (Magnet Cove, Potash Sulphur Springs, V-intrusive) and the Benton lamprophyre–felsic dike swarm. Magmatic evolution is controlled by fractional crystallization of pyroxene and nepheline. The carbonatites may be the result of liquid immiscibility between carbonate and lamprophyric liquids. The large nepheline syenite body (Granite Mountain and Saline County) evolved through fractional crystallization of feldspar and nepheline. Event 2 and 3 magmas were derived from an OIB-like asthenospheric source. The most likely model for the origin of the AAP is the reactivation of a zone of crustal weakness by far field stresses. Full article

Alkali-rich carbonate melts are found as inclusions in magmatic minerals, mantle xenoliths, and diamonds from kimberlites and lamproites worldwide. However, the depth of their origin and bulk melt composition remains unclear. Here, we studied quench products of K-Ca-Mg carbonate melt at 3 and 6 GPa. The following carbonates were detected at 3 GPa: K₂CO₃, K₂Ca(CO₃)₂ bütschliite (R$\overline{3}$2/m), o-K₂Ca₃(CO₃)₄ (P2₁2₁2₁), K₂Ca₂(CO₃)₃ (R3), K₂Mg(CO₃)₂ ($R\overline{3}m$), Mg-bearing calcite, dolomite, and magnesite. At 6 GPa, the variety of quench carbonate phases includes K₂CO₃, K₂Ca(CO₃)₂ bütschliite (R$\overline{3}$2/m), d-K₂Ca₃(CO₃)₄ (Pnam), K₂Mg(CO₃)₂ ($R\overline{3}m$), aragonite, Mg-bearing calcite, dolomite, and magnesite. The data obtained indicate that alkali-bearing carbonate melts quench to the alkaline earth and double carbonates that are thermodynamically stable at quenching pressure and can be used as markers reflecting the pressure of their entrapment. Further, in this study, we established the fields of melt compositions corresponding to the distinct quench assemblages of carbonate minerals, which can be used for the reconstruction of the composition of carbonatitic melts entrapped by mantle minerals. Full article

Dynamic metasomatism experiments were performed by reacting a lamproite melt with garnet peridotite by drawing melt through the peridotite into a vitreous carbon melt trap, ensuring the flow of melt through the peridotite and facilitating analysis of the melt. Pressure (2–3 GPa) and temperature (1050–1125 °C) conditions were chosen where the lamproite was molten but the peridotite was not. Phlogopite was formed and garnet and orthopyroxene reacted out, resulting in phlogopite wehrlite (2 GPa) and phlogopite harzburgite (3 GPa). Phlogopites in the peridotite have higher Mg/(Mg + Fe) and Cr₂O₃ and lower TiO₂ than in the lamproite due to buffering by peridotite minerals, with Cr₂O₃ from the elimination of garnet. Compositional trends in phlogopites in the peridotite are similar to those in natural garnet peridotite xenoliths in kimberlites. Changes in melt composition resulting from the reaction show decreased TiO₂ and increased Cr₂O₃ and Mg/(Mg + Fe). The loss of phlogopite components during migration through the peridotite results in low K₂O/Na₂O and K/Al in melts, indicating that chemical characteristics of lamproites are lost through reaction with peridotite so that emerging melts would be less extreme in composition. This indicates that lamproites are unlikely to be derived from a source rich in peridotite, and more likely originate in a source dominated by phlogopite-rich hydrous pyroxenites. Phlogopites from an experiment in which lamproite and peridotite were intimately mixed before the experiment did not produce the same phlogopite compositions, showing that care must be taken in the design of reaction experiments. Full article

The Tuscany Magmatic Province consists of a Miocene to Pleistocene association of a wide variety of rock types, including peraluminous crustal anatectic granites and rhyolites, calcalkaline and shoshonitic suites and ultrapotassic lamproites. In addition to the magma types already recognised, the occurrence of a new, distinct magma type at Capraia and Elba islands and in mafic enclaves in the San Vincenzo rhyolites has been suggested by recent studies. This particular type of magma, represented by intermediate to acidic calcalkaline rocks showing high Sr, Ba, and LREE, is restricted to the northwestern sector of the province and to a time interval of about 8 to 4.5 Ma. New data obtained on rocks from Capraia Island have allowed for the verification of the occurrence of this new magma type, the exploration of its origin and a discussion of its possible geodynamic significance. The high-Sr-Ba andesite-dacite rocks occurring in the Laghetto area at Capraia display a composition that is intermediate between adakitic and calcalkaline rocks. It is suggested that they represent a distinct type of magma that originated at mantle pressure by melting of the lower continental crust, followed by mixing with other Capraia magmas. The geodynamic model that best explains the composition of the studied rocks is the thickening of the continental crust during continental collision, followed by extension that favoured melting of the lower crust. Full article

During the period 750–600 Ma ago, prior to the final break-up of the supercontinent Rodinia, the crust of both the North American Craton and Baltica was intruded by significant amounts of rift-related magmas originating from the mantle. In the Proterozoic crust of Southern Norway, the 580 Ma old Fen carbonatite-ultramafic complex is a representative of this type of rocks. In this paper, we report the occurrence of an ultramafic lamprophyre dyke which possibly is linked to the Fen complex, although ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data from phenocrystic phlogopite from the dyke gave an age of 686 ± 9 Ma. The lamprophyre dyke was recently discovered in one of the Kongsberg silver mines at Vinoren, Norway. Whole rock geochemistry, geochronological and mineralogical data from the ultramafic lamprophyre dyke are presented aiming to elucidate its origin and possible geodynamic setting. From the whole-rock composition of the Vinoren dyke, the rock could be recognized as transitional between carbonatite and kimberlite-II (orangeite). From its diagnostic mineralogy, the rock is classified as aillikite. The compositions and xenocrystic nature of several of the major and accessory minerals from the Vinoren aillikite are characteristic for diamondiferous rocks (kimberlites/lamproites/UML): Phlogopite with kinoshitalite-rich rims, chromite-spinel-ulvöspinel series, Mg- and Mn-rich ilmenites, rutile and lucasite-(Ce). We suggest that the aillikite melt formed during partial melting of a MARID (mica-amphibole-rutile-ilmenite-diopside)-like source under CO₂ fluxing. The pre-rifting geodynamic setting of the Vinoren aillikite before the Rodinia supercontinent breakup suggests a relatively thick SCLM (Subcontinental Lithospheric Mantle) during this stage and might indicate a diamond-bearing source for the parental melt. This is in contrast to the about 100 Ma younger Fen complex, which were derived from a thin SCLM. Full article

The alkaline igneous rocks of the Chompolo field (Aldan shield, Siberian craton), previously defined as kimberlites or lamproites, are more correctly classified as low-Ti lamprophyres. The emplacement age of the Ogonek pipe (137.8 ± 1.2 Ma) and the Aldanskaya dike (157.0 ± 1.6 Ma) was obtained using ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar K-richterite dating. The Chompolo rocks contain abundant xenocrysts of mantle minerals (chromium-rich pyropic garnets, Cr-diopsides, spinels, etc.). The composition of the mantle xenocrysts indicates the predominance of spinel and garnet–spinel lherzolites, while the presence of garnet lherzolites, dunites, harzburgites, and eclogites is minor. The Chompolo rocks are characterized by large-ion lithophile element (LILE) and Light Rare Earth Element (LREE) enrichments, and high field strength element (HFSE) depletions. The rocks of the Ogonek pipe have radiogenic Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (t) = 0.70775 and 0.70954), and highly unradiogenic εNd_(t) (−20.03 and −20.44) isotopic composition. The trace element and isotopic characteristics of the Chompolo rocks are indicative of the involvement of subducted materials in their ancient enriched lithospheric mantle source. The Chompolo rocks were formed at the stage when the Mesozoic igneous activity was triggered by global tectonic events. The Chompolo field of alkaline magmatism is one of the few available geological objects, which provides the opportunity to investigate the subcontinental lithospheric mantle beneath the south part of the Siberian craton. Full article

Mesozoic (125–135 Ma) cratonic low-Ti lamproites from the northern part of the Aldan Shield do not conform to typical classification schemes of ultrapotassic anorogenic rocks. Here we investigate their origins by analyzing olivine and olivine-hosted inclusions from the Ryabinoviy pipe, a well preserved lamproite intrusion within the Aldan Shield. Four types of olivine are identified: (1) zoned phenocrysts, (2) high-Mg, high-Ni homogeneous macrocrysts, (3) high-Ca and low-Ni olivine and (4) mantle xenocrysts. Olivine compositions are comparable to those from the Mediterranean Belt lamproites (Olivine-1 and -2), kamafugites (Olivine-3) and leucitites. Homogenized melt inclusions (MIs) within olivine-1 phenocrysts have lamproitic compositions and are similar to the host rocks, whereas kamafugite-like compositions are obtained for melt inclusions within olivine-3. Estimates of redox conditions indicate that “lamproitic” olivine crystallized from anomalously oxidized magma (∆NNO +3 to +4 log units.). Crystallization of “kamafugitic” olivine occurred under even more oxidized conditions, supported by low V/Sc ratios. We consider high-Ca olivine (3) to be a fingerprint of kamafugite-like magmatism, which also occurred during the Mesozoic and slightly preceded lamproitic magmatism. Our preliminary genetic model suggests that low-temperature, extension-triggered melting of mica- and carbonate-rich veined subcontitental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) generated the kamafugite-like melts. This process exhausted carbonate and affected the silicate assemblage of the veins. Subsequent and more extensive melting of the modified SCLM produced volumetrically larger lamproitic magmas. This newly recognized kamafugitic “fingerprint” further highlights similarities between the Aldan Shield potassic province and the Mediterranean Belt, and provides evidence of an overlap between “orogenic” and “anorogenic” varieties of low-Ti potassic magmatism. Moreover, our study also demonstrates that recycled subduction components are not an essential factor in the petrogenesis of low-Ti lamproites, kamafugites and leucitites. Full article

The generation of strongly potassic melts in the mantle requires the presence of phlogopite in the melting assemblage, while isotopic and trace element analyses of ultrapotassic rocks frequently indicate the involvement of subducted crustal lithologies in the source. However, phlogopite-free experiments that focus on melting of sedimentary rocks and subsequent hybridization with mantle rocks at pressures of 1–3 GPa have not successfully produced melts with K₂O >5 wt%–6 wt%, while ultrapotassic igneous rocks reach up to 12 wt% K₂O. Accordingly, a two-stage process that enriches K₂O and increases K/Na in intermediary assemblages in the source prior to ultrapotassic magmatism seems likely. Here, we simulate this two-stage formation of ultrapotassic magmas using an experimental approach that involves re-melting of parts of an experimental product in a second experiment. In the first stage, reaction experiments containing layered sediment and dunite produced a modally metasomatized reaction zone at the border of a depleted peridotite. For the second-stage experiment, the metasomatized dunite was separated from the residue of the sedimentary rock and transferred to a smaller capsule, and melts were produced with 8 wt%–8.5 wt% K₂O and K/Na of 6–7. This is the first time that extremely K-enriched ultrapotassic melts have been generated experimentally from sediments at low pressure applicable to a post-collisional setting. Full article