Geochemistry of tholeiitic and alkalic lavas from the Koolau Range, Oahu, Hawaii: Implications for Hawaiian volcanism

Earth and Planetary Science Letters
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Abstract

Lavas of the post-erosional, alkalic Honolulu Volcanics have significantly lower 87Sr/86Sr and higher 143Nd/144Nd than the older and underlying Koolau tholeiites which form the Koolau shield of eastern Oahu, Hawaii. Despite significant compositional variation within lavas forming the Honolulu Volcanics, these lavas are isotopically (Sr, Nd, Pb) very similar which contrasts with the isotopic heterogeneity of the Koolau tholeiites. Among Hawaiian tholeiitic suites, the Koolau lavas are geochemically distinct because of their lower iron contents and Sr and Nd isotopic ratios which range to bulk earth values. These geochemical data preclude simple models such as derivation of the Honolulu Volcanics and Koolau tholeiites from a common source by different degrees of melting or by mixing of two geochemically distinct sources. There may be no genetic relationship between the origin and evolution of these two lava suites; however, the trend shown by Koolau Range lavas of increasing 143Nd/144Nd and decreasing 87Sr/86Sr with decreasing eruption age and increasing alkalinity also occurs at Haleakala, East Molokai and Kauai volcanoes. A complex mixing model proposed for Haleakala lavas can account for the variations in Sr and Nd isotopic ratios and incompatible element abundances found in lavas from the Koolau Range. This model may reflect mixing and melting processes occurring during ascent of relatively enriched mantle through relatively depleted MORB-related lithosphere. Although two isotopically distinct components may be sufficient to explain Sr and Nd isotopic variations at individual Hawaiian volcanoes, more than two isotopically distinct materials are required to explain variations of Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic ratios in all Hawaiian lavas.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Geochemistry of tholeiitic and alkalic lavas from the Koolau Range, Oahu, Hawaii: Implications for Hawaiian volcanism
Series title Earth and Planetary Science Letters
DOI 10.1016/0012-821X(84)90079-7
Volume 69
Issue 1
Year Published 1984
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 18 p.
First page 141
Last page 158
Country United States
State Hawaii
Other Geospatial Koolau Range
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