The geochemistry of oceanic basalts in the vicinity of transform faults: Observations and implications
In: Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0012-821X; e-ISSN 1385-013X, more
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Keywords |
Chemistry Chemistry > Geochemistry Earth sciences > Geology > Petrology Geological structures > Faults > Transform faults Plate boundaries > Transform plate boundaries Rocks > Igneous rocks > Volcanic rocks > Basalts Marine/Coastal |
Authors | | Top |
- Langmuir, C.
- Bender, J.F.
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Abstract |
Consideration of geochemical data from basalts formed near major Atlantic and Pacific transform faults reveals two significant sets of observations. First, compared to basalts formed far from the transform, basalts near the ridge/transform intersection have, for the same MgO contents, higher abundances of TiO2 and other incompatible elements, higher La/Sm and La/Yb ratios, and often higher FeO. These enrichments are distinct from and occur in addition to the more variable and fractionated compositions which have been frequently noted (10-13). Modeling of this "transform fault effect" using data from the Tamayo/EPR intersection suggests the chemical systematics are caused by decreasing extents of melting as the transform is approached. |
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