Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Rare Earth Geochemistry of Basalts from the 'FAMOUS' Area Mid-Atlantic Rift Valley-A Preliminary Study


Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Bombay-400076, India
2 Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay-400085, India
3 Centre Oceanologique de Bretagne, 29-273 Brest, France
 

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Rare earth element (REE) analysis for fresh glass and crystalline basalts from the FAMOUS area along the Rift Valley at about 36°N in Atlantic Ocean lying close to the triple junction of North American, Eurasian and African plates, are presented. These rocks display light rare earth element (LREE) patterns with (La/Sm)e.f. ratios ranging between 0.56-0.84 similar to spreading mid-oceanic ridge rocks, suggesting the definite presence of large ion lithophile element (LILE) depleted mantle source in this area. White and Bryan (1977) report the presence of LREE enriched basalts from the FAMOUS area which perhaps resulted due to the effect of the Azores mantle plume. Thus, geochemically the FAMOUS area represents a transitional zone-a mixture of mantle plume and LILE depleted normal ridge.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size

Abstract Views: 210

PDF Views: 129




  • Rare Earth Geochemistry of Basalts from the 'FAMOUS' Area Mid-Atlantic Rift Valley-A Preliminary Study

Abstract Views: 210  |  PDF Views: 129

Authors

K. V. Subbarao
Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Bombay-400076, India
V. V. Reddy
Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Bombay-400076, India
G. R. Reddy
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay-400085, India
R. Hekinian
Centre Oceanologique de Bretagne, 29-273 Brest, France

Abstract


Rare earth element (REE) analysis for fresh glass and crystalline basalts from the FAMOUS area along the Rift Valley at about 36°N in Atlantic Ocean lying close to the triple junction of North American, Eurasian and African plates, are presented. These rocks display light rare earth element (LREE) patterns with (La/Sm)e.f. ratios ranging between 0.56-0.84 similar to spreading mid-oceanic ridge rocks, suggesting the definite presence of large ion lithophile element (LILE) depleted mantle source in this area. White and Bryan (1977) report the presence of LREE enriched basalts from the FAMOUS area which perhaps resulted due to the effect of the Azores mantle plume. Thus, geochemically the FAMOUS area represents a transitional zone-a mixture of mantle plume and LILE depleted normal ridge.