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Data Processing Methods for 3D Seismic Imaging of Subsurface Volcanoes: Applications to the Tarim Flood Basalt
Published on: August 7, 2017
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High water content in primitive continental flood basalts
Qun-Ke Xia1, Yao Bi2, Pei Li1
1School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 5, 2016
Summary
High water content in mantle sources is crucial for forming continental flood basalts (CFB). This study provides the first clear evidence of significant H2O in CFB generation, specifically in the Tarim large igneous province.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Petrology
- Earth Science
Background:
- Continental flood basalts (CFB) are massive volcanic events linked to large igneous provinces.
- Their generation is attributed to high temperature, decompression, mafic sources, or elevated mantle H2O content.
- Convincing evidence for high H2O in CFB source rocks has been lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of H2O in the generation of continental flood basalts.
- To retrieve the initial H2O content of primitive CFB from the Tarim large igneous province.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of H2O content in early-formed clinopyroxene (cpx) crystals from Tarim CFB.
- Utilizing the partition coefficient of H2O between cpx and basaltic melt.
- Reconstruction of primitive Tarim basaltic melt composition.
Main Results:
- The initial H2O content of primitive Tarim CFB was determined to be 4.82 ± 1.00 wt.%.
- This H2O content is comparable to that found in arc settings.
- This represents the first direct evidence for significant H2O in CFB source.
Conclusions:
- H2O plays a critical role in the generation of continental flood basalts.
- The findings challenge previous assumptions about CFB petrogenesis.
- This study provides a new perspective on the factors controlling massive volcanic eruptions.
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