Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Résumé : International audience
Microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of anorthosite samples interlayered in the upper and lower gabbro sections in the Oman ophiolite were analyzed in this paper. In the anorthosites registering the dynamics of the melt lenses, foliation is flat lying and starts to develop a few meters below the root zone of the sheeted dike complex (RZSDC). Microstructures and CPO of these rocks were developed in response to four different mechanisms: (1) density-controlled settling of plagioclase on the lens floor, (2) deposition of anorthosites related to convection currents, (3) melt compaction, and (4) uncompacted melt accumulation. In these anorthosites, the poles to (010) of plagioclase are parallel to the flow plane of convection, whereas the [100] axes and poles to (001) express the convection flow direction and the axis of convection rolls, respectively. The effect of subsidence of melt lens floor is recorded immediately below the RZSDC and is characterized by the rapid (but progressive) development of dipping foliation and lineation, reflecting the increase of deformation downsection. The degree of foliation and CPO development in the anorthosites is directly related to the distance of the center of the melt lenses before the subsidence starts. Despite the uncertain origin of the anorthosites from the lower gabbro section, all the samples lost the magmatic microstructural characteristics and presently are reequilibrated aggregates. However, they still preserve plagioclase CPO, where some of these patterns present similarities with the anorthosites from the upper gabbro section, but no evidence of intracrystalline deformation under high temperatures.
ISSN: 0278-7407

hal-00617446
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00617446
DOI : 10.1029/2010TC002697

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The present study is based on a set of lavas and crosscutting dikes collected by dives along detailed vertical transects on the northern flank of the western part of the Blanco Transform Fault, Northeast Pacific. The studied area consists of a small basin, the Western Blanco Depression (WBD), extending from the southern end of the Juan de Fuca ridge to a pseudofault trace 60 km eastward. The Northern Scarp of the WBD comprises a volcanic unit overlying a sheeted-dike complex. Major and trace element data, coupled with Sr–Nd isotope ratios, reveal a two-component mantle source, composed by an isotopically depleted matrix variably veined by more enriched material. One chemical group (NS2), indistinguishable from the other Northern Scarp samples on the basis of trace element data, has an unusually depleted isotopic composition typical of a nearly pure mantle end-member. Some cogenetic samples of the Northern Scarp have been used to constrain the differentiation modalities. Anorthite and MgO content profiles in plagioclase xenocrysts and phenocrysts reveal (i) the existence of H2O-bearing evolved melts in the mushy zones and (ii) the occurrence of mixing process between these melts and anhydrous mafic liquids. The hydration is supported by other petrographic features such as high magmatic fO2 values, calculated from Fe–Ti oxide pairs, and the presence of pyroxene inclusions in plagioclase phenocrysts. Mixing, consistent with the existence of Ni-rich ferrobasalts, is interpreted to be the consequence of the reservoir refilling by mafic liquids (Mg# = 70). These petrological and geochemical evidences are combined with the evolution of Mg# with depth to suggest a periodic open-system magma chamber evolution beneath the southern end of the Juan de Fuca ridge.
ISSN: 0024-4937

insu-00213426
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00213426
DOI : 10.1016/j.lithos.2007.06.009

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : International audience
A comprehensive model for the activity of the elementary accretion segment at fast-spreading ridges relies on integration of structural data from the Oman ophiolite and geophysical results from the East Pacific Rise (EPR) around 9°N, which are of comparable size and spreading rates. The axial melt lens at shallow crustal level provides a link between Deval segmentation at the seafloor and a lower melt sill at Moho level, imaged at the EPR as a crustal melt zone (CMZ) and mapped in Oman as the Moho transition zone (MTZ). Both are attached to a mantle upwelling at the EPR, and to a frozen diapir in Oman. The physical link between diapiric mantle uprising at the Moho and Devals segmentation at the seafloor is the melt being injected from the mantle into the lower MTZ, ponding there, and then being released by powerful injections into the upper melt lens. The magma chamber covers the diapir at a distance of 5 km from the ridge axis.
ISSN: 0954-4879

hal-01171958
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01171958
DOI : 10.1111/ter.12137

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
In ophiolites and in present-day oceanic crust formed at fast spreading ridges, oceanic plagiogranites are commonly observed at, or close to the base of the sheeted dike complex. They can be produced either by differentiation of mafic melts, or by hydrous partial melting of the hydrothermally altered sheeted dikes. In addition, the hydrothermally altered base of the sheeted dike complex, which is often infiltrated by plagiogranitic veins, is usually recrystallized into granoblastic dikes that are commonly interpreted as a result of prograde granulitic metamorphism. To test the anatectic origin of oceanic plagiogranites, we performed melting experiments on a natural hydrothermally altered dike, under conditions that match those prevailing at the base of the sheeted dike complex. All generated melts are water saturated, transitional between tholeiitic and calc-alkaline, and match the compositions of oceanic plagiogranites observed close to the base of the sheeted dike complex. Newly crystallized clinopyroxene and plagioclase have compositions that are characteristic of the same minerals in granoblastic dikes. Published silicic melt compositions obtained in classical MORB fractionation experiments also broadly match the compositions of oceanic plagiogranites; however, the compositions of the coexisting experimental minerals significantly deviate from those of the granoblastic dikes. Our results demonstrate that hydrous partial melting is a likely common process in the root zone of the sheeted dike complex, starting at temperatures exceeding 850A degrees C. The newly formed melt can either crystallize to form oceanic plagiogranites or may be recycled within the melt lens resulting in hybridized and contaminated MORB melts. It represents the main MORB crustal contamination process. The residue after the partial melting event is represented by the granoblastic dikes. Our results support a model with a dynamic melt lens that has the potential to trigger hydrous partial melting reactions in the previously hydrothermally altered sheeted dikes. A new thermometer using the Al content of clinopyroxene is also elaborated.
ISSN: 0010-7999

hal-00534058
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00534058
DOI : 10.1007/s00410-010-0502-6

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : National audience
New experimental data on electrical and anelastic properties of oceanic rocks at high pressures and temperatures are compared with the field data of seismic and electrical anomalies observed at oceanic spreading centers. The laboratory results of electrical conductivity and internal friction on gabbro and peridotites permit to estimate a degree of partial melting and maximum temperature in axial magma chambers (12-15% of melting at 1155-1165°C) and at the upper boundary of a source zone at the depth of 40-90 km (less than 5% of melting in the absence of pyroxene crystals and up to 11-14% in the pyroxene reach rocks at 1360-1370°C) at mid-oceanic ridges.
ISSN: 0934-6554

hal-01322920
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01322920

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD AGU and the Geochemical Society
Résumé : International audience
The ODP/IODP multileg campaign at ODP Site 1256 (Cocos plate, eastern equatorial Pacific) provides the first continuous in situ sampling of fast spreading ocean crust from the extrusive lavas, through the sheeted dikes and down into the uppermost gabbros. This paper focuses on a detailed petrographic and microanalytical investigation of the gabbro section drilled during IODP Expedition 312. The marked patchy and spotty features that can be observed in many Hole 1256D gabbros is mostly due to a close association of two different lithological domains in variable amounts: (1) subophitic domains and (2) a granular matrix. Major and trace element mineral compositions, geothermometry, and petrological modeling suggest that subophitic and granular domains follow one single magma evolution trend formed by in situ fractionation. The subophitic domains correspond to the relative primitive, high-temperature end-member, compositionally similar to the basalts and dikes from the extrusive unit upsection, while the granular domains fit with a magma evolution by crystal fractionation to lower temperatures, up to a degree of crystallization of similar to 80%. Our results support the following scenario for the fossilization of the axial melt lens at ODP Site 1256: relatively primitive MORB melts under near-liquidus conditions fill the melt lens and feed the upper, extrusive crust. Near the melt lens-sheeted dike boundary at lower temperatures, crystallization starts with first plagioclase before clinopyroxene in a mushy zone forming the subophitic domains. At decreasing temperatures, the subophitic domains continue to crystallize, finally forming a well-connected framework. Evolved, residual melt is finally trapped within the subophitic network, crystallizing at near-solidus conditions to the granular matrix. Another important textural feature in Hole 1256D gabbros is the presence of microgranular domains which are interpreted as relics of stoped/assimilated sheeted dikes (transformed to "granoblastic dikes" by contact metamorphism). All these different domains can be observed in close association, often at the thin section scale, demonstrating the extremely complex petrological record of combined crystallization/assimilation processes ongoing in the axial melt lens. Very similar gabbros with a marked spotty/patchy appearance, and bearing the same close association of lithological domains as observed at Site 1256, are known in the so-called "varitextured gabbro" unit from the Oman Ophiolite located at the same structural level, between cumulate gabbros and granoblastic dikes. The close petrological similarity of the gabbro/dike transition between both IODP Hole 1256D and the Oman ophiolite suggests that in situ fractionation and dike assimilation/contamination are major magmatic processes controlling the dynamics and fossilization of the axial melt lens at fast spreading oceanic ridges.
ISSN: 1525-2027

hal-00644798
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00644798
DOI : 10.1029/2011GC003655

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Large sand intrusions often exhibit conical morphologies analogous to magmatic intrusions such as saucer-shaped or cup-shaped sills. Whereas some physical processes may be similar, we show with scaled experiments that the formation of conical sand intrusions may be favoured by the pore-pressure gradients prevailing in the host rock before sand injection. Our experiments involve injecting air into a permeable and cohesive analogue material to produce hydraulic fractures while controlling the pore pressure field. We control the state of overpressure in the overburden by applying homogeneous basal pore pressure, and then adding a second local pore pressure field by injecting air via a central injector to initiate hydraulic fractures near the injection point. In experiments involving small vertical effective stresses (small overburden, or high pore fluid overpressure), the fracturing pressure (lambda(fract)) is supralithostatic and two dipping fractures are initiated at the injection point forming a conical structure. From theoretical considerations, we predict that high values of lambda(fract), are due to strong cohesion or high pore fluid overpressure distributed in the overburden. Such conditions are favoured by the pore pressure/stress coupling induced by both pore pressure fields. The dips of cones can be accounted for elastic-stress rotation occurring around the source. Contrary to magmatic chamber models, the aqueous fluid overpressure developed in a parent sandbody (and prevailing before the formation of injectites) may diffuse into the surrounding overburden, thus favouring stress rotation and the formation of inclined sheets far from the parent source. For experiments involving higher vertical effective stresses (thick overburden or low pore fluid overpressure), the fracturing pressure is lower than the lithostatic stress, and a single fracture is opened in mode I which then grows vertically. At a critical depth, the fracture separates into two dilatant branches forming a flat cone. We make use of a P.I.V. (Particle Imaging Velocimetiy) technique to analyse plastic deformation, showing that these inclined fractures are opened in mixed modes. Close to the surface, they change into steep shear bands where fluids can infiltrate. The final morphology of the fracture network is very similar to the common tripartite architecture of various injection complexes, indicating that different mechanisms may be involved in the formation of dykes. Feeder dykes under the sill zones may open as tensile fractures, while overlying dykes may be guided by the deformation induced by the growth of sills. These deformation conditions may also favour the formation of fluid escape structures and pockmarks. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00745640
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00745640
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2011.10.029

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Chile Triple junction is a natural laboratory to study the interactions between magmatism and tectonics during the subduction of an active spreading ridge beneath a continent. The MLBA plateau (Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires) is one of the Neogene alkali basaltic plateaus located in the back-arc region of the Andean Cordillera at the latitude of the current Chile Triple junction. The genesis of MLBA can be related with successive opening of slabs windows beneath Patagonia: within the subducting Nazca Plate itself and between the Nazca and Antarctic plates. Detailed Ar-40/Ar-39 dating and geochemical analysis of bimodal magmatism from the western flank of the MLBA show major changes in the back-arc magmatism. which occurred between 14.5 Ma and 12.5 Ma with the transition from calc-alkaline lavas (Cerro Plomo) to alkaline lavas (MLBA) in relation with slab window opening. In a second step, at 4-3 Ma, alkaline felsic intrusions were emplaced in the western flank of the MLBA coevally with the MLBA basalts with which they are genetically related. These late OIB-like alkaline to transitional basalts were generated by partial melting of the subslab asthenosphere of the subducting Nazca plate during the opening of the South Chile spreading ridge-related slab window. These basalts differentiated with small amounts of assimilation in shallow magma chambers emplaced along transtensional to extensional zones. The close association of bimodal magmatism with extensional tectonic features in the western MLBA is a strong support to the model of Patagonian collapse event proposed to have taken place between 5 and 3 Ma as a consequence of the presence of the asthenospheric window (SCR-1 segment of South Chile Ridge) below the MLBA area.
ISSN: 0377-0273

hal-00475648
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00475648
DOI : 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2009.11.022

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The characteristic frequencies at which two different melt-related attenuation mechanisms occur in partially molten gabbronorite are computed as a function of aspect ratios of the melt-filled cracks, and the melt viscosity. The computations were done for basaltic and andesitic melts. The melt viscosity is constrained by (i) laboratory measurements performed in the range 10(8)-10(14) Pa s with a creep apparatus and in the range 10(-1) to 10(5) Pas with a rotational Couette viscorneter, and (ii) modeling of viscosity at high temperatures. The results of the characteristic frequency calculations suggest that melt squirt flow is a viable attenuation mechanism at seismic frequencies for aspect ratio of melt inclusions in the range 10(-1) to 10(-2) for the andesite, and 10(-4) to 10(-3) for the two basalts.
ISSN: 0031-9201

hal-00412014
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00412014
DOI : 10.1016/j.pepi.2008.04.010

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
At oceanic spreading centers, interactions between magma and hydrothermal convecting systems trigger major physical, thermal, and chemical exchanges. The two-pyroxene hornfels recovered from the base of the sheeted dike sequence at Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site 1256 (equatorial Eastern Pacific) are interpreted as a conducting boundary layer between the underlying axial melt lens and the hydrothermally cooled sheeted dikes. They are cut by numerous small, felsic veins, which were recently interpreted as a product of hydrous partial melting of sheeted dikes. Here, we present trace element compositions of products (melts and residues) of hydrous partial melting experiments using basalts and hornfels from IODP Site 1256 as starting material. The experimental products generated between 910 °C and 970 °C match the natural lithologies from Site 1256 in terms of major and trace element compositions. The compositions of the anatectic melts correspond to the compositions of the felsic veins, while the residual minerals match the compositions of the two-pyroxene hornfels, evidencing that hydrous partial melting is an important magmatic process in the gabbro/dike transition of fast-spreading mid-oceanic ridges. Our results complement previous experimental studies on anatectic processes occurring at the roof of the magma chambers from fast-spreading mid-ocean ridges. Moreover, calculations of mixing and assimilation fractional crystallization using the experimental partial melts as contaminant/assimilant showed that anatectic melts can only be a minor contributor to the contamination process.
ISSN: 0024-4937

hal-01419949
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01419949
DOI : 10.1016/j.lithos.2016.05.001