Sampling the Cape Verde Mantle Plume: Evolution of Melt Compositions on Santo Antao, Cape Verde Islands

The volcanic history of Santo Antão, NW Cape Verde Islands,includes the eruption of basanite–phonolite series magmasbetween 7·5 and 0·3 Ma and (melilite) nephelinite–phonoliteseries magmas from 0·7 to 0·1 Ma. The most primitivevolcanic rocks are olivine ± clinopyroxene-phyric, whereasthe more evolved rocks have phenocrysts of clinopyroxene ±Fe–Tioxide ± kaersutite ± haüyne ± titanite± sanidine; plagioclase occurs in some intermediate rocks.The analysed samples span a range of 19–0·03% MgO;the most primitive have 37–46% SiO₂, 2·5–7%TiO₂ and are enriched 50–200 x primitive mantle in highlyincompatible elements; the basanitic series is less enrichedthan the nephelinitic series. Geochemical trends in each seriescan be modelled by fractional crystallization of phenocrystassemblages from basanitic and nephelinitic parental magmas.There is little evidence for mineral–melt disequilibrium,and thus magma mixing is not of major importance in controllingbulk-rock compositions. Mantle melting processes are modelledusing fractionation-corrected magma compositions; the modelssuggest 1–4% partial melting of a heterogeneous mantleperidotite source at depths of 90–125 km. Incompatibleelement enrichment among the most primitive magma types is typicalof HIMU OIB. The Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic compositions of theSanto Antão volcanic sequence and geochemical characterchange systematically with time. The older volcanic rocks (7·5–2Ma) vary between two main mantle source components, one of whichis a young HIMU type with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19·88, 7/4 =–5, 8/4 0, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·7033 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd= 0·51288, whereas the other has somewhat less radiogenicSr and Pb and more radiogenic Nd. The intermediate age volcanicrocks (2–0·3 Ma) show a change of sources to two-componentmixing between a carbonatite-related young HIMU-type source(²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 19·93, 7/4 = –5, 8/4 = –38,⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0·70304) and a DM-like source. A more incompatibleelement-enriched component with 7/4 > 0 (old HIMU type) isprominent in the young volcanic rocks (0·3–0·1Ma). The EM1 component that is important in the southern CapeVerde Islands appears to have played no role in the petrogenesisof the Santo Antão magmas. The primary magmas are arguedto be derived by partial melting in the Cape Verde mantle plume;temporal changes in composition are suggested to reflect layeringin the plume conduit. KEY WORDS: radiogenic isotopes; geochemistry; mantle melting; Cape Verde     

Holocene Saharan dust deposition on the Cape Verde Islands: sedimentological and Nd-Sr isotopic evidence

Holocene aeolian silts deposited on the Cape Verde Islands provide information about the origin of African palaeodusts that have fallen on the north-eastern Atlantic ocean over the last 10 000 years. Sedimentological composition indicates that most of these aeolian silts are unquestionably of continental origin. Their Sr and Nd isotopic composition identifies a Saharan origin-suggesting transport by Harmattan winds. We estimate that Saharan dust comprises 75–95% of material in these Holocene silts, the rest coming from the weathering of local basaltic bedrock.     

The role of eclogite in the mantle heterogeneity at Cape Verde

The Cape Verde hotspot, like many other Ocean Island Basalt provinces, demonstrates isotopic heterogeneity on a 100–200 km scale. The heterogeneity is represented by the appearance of an EM1-like component at several of the southern islands and with a HIMU-like component present throughout the archipelago. Where the EM1-like component is absent, a local DMM-like component replaces the EM1-like component. Various source lithologies, including peridotite, pyroxenite and eclogite have been suggested to contribute to generation of these heterogeneities; however, attempts to quantify such contributions have been limited. We apply the minor elements in olivine approach (Sobolev et al. in Nature 434:590–597, 2005; Science, doi: 10.1126/science.1138113, 2007), to determine and quantify the contributions of peridotite, pyroxenite and eclogite melts to the mantle heterogeneity observed at Cape Verde. Cores of olivine phenocrysts of the Cape Verde volcanics have low Mn/FeO and low Ni*FeO/MgO that deviate from the negative trend of the global array. The global array is defined by mixing between peridotite and pyroxenite, whereas the Cape Verde volcanics indicate contribution of an additional eclogite source. Eclogite melts escape reaction with peridotite either by efficient extraction in an area of poor mantle flow or by reaction of eclogite melts with peridotite, whereby an abundance of eclogite can seal off the melt from further reaction. Temporal trends of decreasing Mn/FeO indicate that the supply of eclogite melts is increasing. Modelling suggests the local DMM-like end-member is formed from a relatively peridotite-rich melt, while the EM1-like end-member has a closer affinity to a mixed peridotite–pyroxenite–eclogite melt. Notably the HIMU-like component ranges from pyroxenite–peridotite-rich melt to one with up to 77 % eclogite melt as a function of time, implying that sealing of melt pathways is becoming more effective.     

Neotectonic morphotructures in the junction zone of the Cape Verde Rise and Cape Verde Abyssal Plain,Central Atlantic

Acoustic profiling carried out with an Edgetech 3300 prophilograph in the junction zone of the Cape Verde Rise, Cape Verde Abyssal Plain, and Grimaldi and Bathymetrists seamounts in the Central Atlantic during Cruise 23 of the R/V Akademik Nikolaj Strakhov allowed us to obtain new data on neotectonic deformations in the ocean and to propose their interpretation. It has been established that neotectonic movements occurred in the discrete manner: blocks of undeformed rocks alternate with linear zones of intense deformation spatially related to paleotransform fracture zones, where anticlines, horsts, diapir-like morphostructures, and grabens were formed. The Cape Verde Ridge is a large horst. Its sedimentary cover is disturbed by thrust (?), reverse, and normal faults, steeply dipping fracture zones, and folds. Three stages of tectonic movements—Oligocene-early Miocene, pre-Quaternary, and Holocene—are recognized. The tectonic deformations occurred largely under near-meridional compression. Extension setting was characteristic of the Cape Verde Ridge and the Carter Rise in the Holocene.     

Outline of the geology of the Cape Verde Archipelago

The Cape Verde Archipelago, totalling 4033km², lies some 460km WNW from Dakar, West Africa. Topography, relief and geomorphologic development enable the islands to be placed into two major groups, indicative of their respective ages.The islands are overwhelmingly of igneous constitution, with basic volcanics and pyroclastics comprising some 83% of the total area, and sedimentary rocks amounting to some 9%. Volcanics and plutonics are distinctly basic in character, the archipelago representing a soda-alkaline petrographic province, with a petrologic succession similar to that in other Atlantic islands.Rocks perhaps as old as the Mahn, most certainly Neocomian, are present in the island of Maio, and here are found the highest dips and greatest thicknesses of sedimentary rocks. Post-Aptian Cretaceous, Palaeogene and Neogene are only sporadically represented, and indeed it can be questioned wheter any sediments are of these ages.Fogo is an active volcano, last erupting in 1951. The 8 km diameter caldera, at an elevation of 1600 m with an interior cone rising to 2829 m, is thought to have resulted from subsidence of a large cylindrical block, the feeding magma chamber lying at a depth of some 8 km.The archipelago probably dates back some 180 m. y., with an older and younger volcanic episode, the latter probably of late Neogene times.

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Zusammenfassung Der Kapverden-Archipel, insgesamt 4033 km² umfassend, liegt ca. 460 km WNW von Dakar, Westafrika. Nach Topographie, Relief und geomorphologischer Entwicklung lassen sich die Inseln auf zwei größere Gruppen verteilen, die einen Hinweis auf ihr Alter geben.Die Insekt bestehen überwiegend aus Erstarrungsgesteinen. Aus basischen Ergußgesteinen und Tuffen sind gegen 83% der Gesamtfläche aufgebaut, während Sedimentgesteine etwa 9% bedecken. Erguß- und Tiefengesteine sind deutlich basischer Natur; die Inselgruppe bildet eine natron-alkalische petrographische Provinz mit einem Differentiationsverlauf ähnlich dem anderer atlantischer Vulkaninseln.Gesteine, vielleicht des Malms, sicher des Neokoms, finden sich auf der Insel Maio; sie zeigen das steilste Einfallen und die größten Mächtigkeiten unter den Sedimentgesteinen. Kreide jünger als Alb, Paläogen und Neogen sind nur sporadisch vertreten; die Existenz von Sedimenten dieses Alters kann vielleicht überhaupt in Zweifel gezogen werden.Fogo ist ein aktiver Vulkan; der letzte Ausbruch erfolgte 1951. Die in 1600 m Höhe gelegene Caldera mit 8 km Durchmesser, in der sich ein auf 2829 m ansteigender Innenkegel erhebt, wird auf das Einsinken eines großen zylindrischen Blocks zurückgeführt. Der Magmaherd dürfte in einer Tiefe von ca. 8 km liegen.Die Entstehung des Archipels begann wahrscheinlich vor etwa 180 Millionen Jahren. Seine Geschichte weist eine ältere und eine jüngere vulkanische Periode auf, die letztere wahrscheinlich spät-neogenen Alters.

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Résumé L'Archipel du Cap-Vert, qui se monte à 4033 km², se trouve à 460 km ONO de Dakar, l'Afrique Occidentale. La topographie, le relief et un développement géomorphologique nous permet à classer les îles en deux groupes principaux, indiquant leurs âges respectifs.Les îles sont composées principalement des roches ignées. Les roches volcaniques basiques et les roches pyroclastiques comprendent environ 83% de la superficie totale, tandis que les roches sédimentaires n'en causent qu'environ 9%. Les roches volcaniques et les roches plutoniques sont d'un caractère distinctivement basiques, l'archipel représentant une province pétrographique soude-alcaline, avec une suite pétrologique semblable à celle des autres îles atlantiques.Les roches, peut-être aussi vieilles que le Malm, mais certainement de l'âge Néocomien, sont présentes dans l'île de Maio, et ici se trouvent les plus hautes plongées et l'épaisseur maximum des roches sédimentaires. Le Crétacé post-Aptien, le Paléogène et le Néogène ne sont représentés que sporadiquement et même on n'est pas certain s'il y a des sédiments de ces âges.Fogo est un volcan actif, ayant fait sa dernière éruption en 1951. La caldéra, située à une hauteur de 1600 m, avec un diamètre de 8 km, et dans laquelle s'élève un cône intérieur d'une hauteur de 2829 m, est probablement le résultat de l'affaissement d'un grand bloc cylindrique, la chambre magmatique « fournissante » située à une profondeur de 8 km.La naissance de cet archipel remonte probablement à quelques 180 m. a. Son histoire montre une période volcanique ancienne et une période plus récente, celle-ci datant peut-être de l'époque néogène.

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Kapverden, 4033 ², 460 WNW Dakar, . , , . , . ., . 83% ; 9%. . - , . Maio. . , . .Fogo — ; 1951 . , 1600 8 , 2829 , . 8 . 180 . , , , - .

     

Oxygen, hydrogen, and helium isotopes for investigating groundwater systems of the Cape Verde Islands, West Africa

Stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H), tritium (³H), and helium isotopes (³He, ⁴He) were used for evaluating groundwater recharge sources, flow paths, and residence times of three watersheds in the Cape Verde Islands (West Africa). Stable isotopes indicate the predominance of high-elevation precipitation that undergoes little evaporation prior to groundwater recharge. In contrast to other active oceanic hotspots, environmental tracers show that deep geothermal circulation does not strongly affect groundwater. Low tritium concentrations at seven groundwater sites indicate groundwater residence times of more than 50 years. Higher tritium values at other sites suggest some recent recharge. High ⁴He and ³He/⁴He ratios precluded ³H/³He dating at six sites. These high ³He/⁴He ratios (R/R_a values of up to 8.3) are consistent with reported mantle derived helium of oceanic island basalts in Cape Verde and provided end-member constraints for improved dating at seven other locations. Tritium and ³H/³He dating shows that São Nicolau Island’s Ribeira Fajã Basin has groundwater residence times of more than 50 years, whereas Fogo Island’s Mosteiros Basin and Santo Antão Island’s Ribeira Paul Basin contain a mixture of young and old groundwater. Young ages at selected sites within these two basins indicate local recharge and potential groundwater susceptibility to surface contamination and/or salt-water intrusion.     

Physical geology of the Fogo volcano (Cape Verde Islands) and its 2014–2015 eruption

The geological development of the Fogo island volcano commenced in the early Quaternary, and much later during the Last Glacial stage this involved a mega‐scale lateral collapse of the former edifice. This later event created a large caldera‐like landform open to the east, the floor of which is known as the Chã, and subsequently within this a strato‐volcanic cone has grown. The last phase of volcanic activity started in late 2014 and persisted for 77 days. It had a devastating impact on the lives of the 1000 plus people who were living within the ‘caldera’, since two large villages and a smaller one were each totally destroyed in a matter of days by the advancing lavas. In addition, large areas of cultivated land, upon which the inhabitants were dependent for their livelihood, were enveloped by lava. The eruption proved to be of a greater magnitude than the immediately preceding one of 1995, when a mass evacuation was necessary but as only a few buildings were affected, resettlement followed. Unfortunately the much greater devastation to the human environment makes it doubtful whether any significant resettlement will be possible after the 2014–2015 event.     

Variation in NbTa during differentiation of phonolitic magma,Tenerife, Canary Islands

Variation in $\text{Nb}\text{Ta}$ ratio through a suite of phonolitic volcanics is reported. Sphene, a phenocryst mineral, shows preferential incorporation of Ta relative to Mb, consistent with the bulk rock variation, where $\text{Nb}\text{Ta}$ increases with fractionation. Nb in these magmas may be partly present in the Nb³⁺ state.     

Uranium-thorium enrichment in alkali olivine basalt magma — Simpson Islands dyke,Northwest Territories Canada

Uranium, thorium and potassium show parallel trends of geochemical enrichment in a differentiated dyke exposed on the Simpson Islands, in Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada. Uranium ranges from 0.46 to 4.5 ppm, thorium from 2.2 to 22.6 ppm and K₂O from 0.81 to 8.00%. The correlation coefficient between U and K₂O is +0.985.The dyke is composite, with an early phase of olivine gabbro and the main phase ranging from gabbro to syenite. The inferred parental magma is a potassic olivine basalt. The proposed petrogenetic scheme includes partial melting (5% or less) of upper mantle, gravitational differentiation of the melt within the upper mantle and progressive intrusions of mafic to felsic fractions into a dilational fracture related to the rifting of the Athapuscow aulacogen 2200 m.y. years ago. The uppermost (eastern) levels of intrusion have been removed by erosion. Magmatic concentration of uranium and thorium beyond the levels reported may have occurred in the latest differentiates.     

Geochemical Stratigraphy of Submarine Lavas (3-5 Ma) from the Flamengos Valley, Santiago, Southern Cape Verde Islands

New high-precision Pb–Sr–Nd isotope, major and traceelement and mineral chemistry data are presented for the submarinestage of ocean island volcanism on Santiago, one of the southernislands of the Cape Verde archipelago. Pillow basalts and hyaloclastitesin the Flamengos Valley are divided into three petrographicand compositional groups; the Flamengos Formation lavas (4·6Ma) dominate the sequence, with the younger Low Si and Coastalgroups (2·8 Ma) found near the shoreline. Olivine andclinopyroxene compositions and isotopic data for minerals andtheir host melts indicate disequilibrium between some crystalsand the melt. Intra-sample disequilibrium suggests homogenisationof liquids but eruption before complete equilibration betweencrystals and melt preserves the heterogeneity. Pressures ofcrystallization for clinopyroxene (0·4–1·1GPa) indicate stalling and crystallization of the magmas overa range of depths in the lithosphere. Major element compositionsindicate melting of a carbonated eclogite source. Sr–Nd–Pbisotope data suggest the involvement of FOZO-like and EM1-likecomponents in the mantle source, which are simultaneously availableat all depths in the melting column. The Flamengos Valley lavasdisplay large compositional variations, often between stratigraphicallyadjacent flows; these frequent abrupt changes of magma compositionsuggest stalling and crystallization of discrete magma batcheson transport through the lithosphere. KEY WORDS: Cape Verde; crystal–melt disequilibrium; submarine volcanism; source heterogeneity; Pb–Sr–Nd isotopes     

Rare metal mineralization of calcite carbonatites from the Cape Verde Archipelago

Rare metal mineralization of oceanic carbonatites was studied for the first time by the example of calcite carbonatite from Fogo Island in the Cape Verde Archipelago. The following evolutionary sequence of rare metal minerals was established: zirconolite-Th-calciobetafite-betafite + Th-pyrochlore-thorite + Ti-Zr-Nb silicates + zircon.Schematic reactions were proposed for zirconolite transformation to secondary phases: (Ca,Th,U)Zr(Ti,Nb)₂O₇ (zirconolite) + SiO₂ + Ca(F,OH)₂ → ZrSiO₄ (zircon) + (Ca,Th,U)₂(Ti,Nb)₂O₆(OH,F) (Th-calciobetafite) and (Ca,Th,U)₂(Ti,Nb)₂O₆(OH,F) + Na₂Si₂O₅ → ThSiO₄ (thorite) + (Ca,Na,Th)₂(Nb,Ti)₂O₆(OH,F) (Th-pyrochlore), where SiO₂, Ca(F,OH)₂, and Na₂Si₂O₅ are the components of melt-solution coexisting with the carbonatite.It was shown that the distribution and behavior of rare and radioactive elements in oceanic carbonatites show the same tendencies as in continental carbonatites. The contents and distribution of Ti, Ta, and Th in zirconolites and pyrochlores from oceanic and continental carbonatites are different: the minerals of oceanic carbonatites are enriched in Ti and Th and strongly depleted in Ta.     

Pb-Sr-He isotope and trace element geochemistry of the Cape Verde Archipelago

New lead, strontium and helium isotopic data, together with trace element concentrations, have been determined for basalts from the Cape Verde archipelago (Central Atlantic). Isotopic and chemical variations are observed at the scale of the archipelago and lead to the definition of two distinct groupings, in keeping with earlier studies. The Northern Islands (Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau and Sal) present Pb isotopic compositions below the Northern Hemisphere Reference Line (NHRL) (cf. Hart, 1984), unradiogenic Sr and relatively primitive ⁴He/³He ratios. In contrast, the Southern Islands (Fogo and Santiago) display Pb isotopes above the NHRL, moderately radiogenic Sr and MORB-like helium signatures. We propose that the dichotomy between the Northern and Southern Islands results from the presence of three isotopically distinct components in the source of the Cape Verde basalts: (1) recycled ∼1.6-Ga oceanic crust (high ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, low ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and high ⁴He/³He); (2) lower mantle material (high ³He); and (3) subcontinental lithosphere (low ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and moderately radiogenic ⁴He/³He ratios). The signature of the Northern Islands reflects mixing between recycled oceanic crust and lower mantle, to which small proportions of entrained depleted material from the local upper mantle are added. Basalts from the Southern Islands, however, require the addition of an enriched component thought to be subcontinental lithospheric material instead of depleted mantle. The subcontinental lithosphere may stem from delamination and subsequent incorporation into the Cape Verde plume, or may be remnant from delamination just before the opening of the Central Atlantic. Basalts from São Nicolau reflect the interaction with an additional component, which is identified as oceanic crustal material.     

Seismic evidence for a mantle plume beneath the Cape Verde hotspot

P- and S-wave tomography of the upper mantle beneath the Cape Verde hotspot is determined using arrival-time data measured precisely from three-component seismograms of 106 distant earthquakes recorded by a local seismic network. Our results show a prominent low-velocity anomaly imaged as a continuous column <100 km wide from the uppermost mantle down to about 500 km beneath Cape Verde, especially below the Fogo active volcano, which erupted in 1995. The low-velocity anomaly may reflect a hot mantle plume feeding the Cape Verde hotspot.     

Volcanic and structural evolution of Pico do Fogo,Cape Verde

In recent months the media have drawn attention to the Cape Verde archipelago, with particular focus on the island of Fogo, the only island presently active and with an eruption that began on 23 November 2014, finally ceasing on 7 February 2015. The Monte Amarelo conical shield forms most of the 476 km² almost circular island of Fogo. After attaining a critical elevation of about 3500 m, the Monte Amarelo shield volcano was decapitated by a giant landslide that formed a caldera‐like depression (Cha das Caldeiras), which was subsequently partially filled by basaltic nested volcanism. This younger eruptive activity culminated in the construction of the 2829 m‐high Pico do Fogo stratocone, apparently entirely made of layers of basaltic lapilli. Continued growth of the Pico do Fogo summit eruptions was interrupted in 1750, most likely after the stratocone reached a critical height. Since then, at least eight eruptions have taken place inside the landslide depression at the periphery of the Pico do Fogo cone, including the 2014–2015 eruptive event. Strong geological similarities with the Canary Islands, 1400 km to the north, have been frequently noted, probably as a consequence of a common process of origin and evolution associated with a mantle hot‐spot. These similarities are particularly evident when comparing Fogo with the Teide Volcanic Complex on Tenerife, where a lateral collapse of the Las Cañadas stratovolcano also formed a large depression (the Caldera de Las Cañadas), now partially filled with the 3718 m‐high Teide stratocone. However, important geological differences also exist and probably relate to the contrasting evolutionary stages of both islands. The Las Cañadas volcano on Tenerife formed at a late post‐erosional stage, with predominantly evolved (trachyte and phonolite) magmas, while at Fogo basaltic volcanism is still dominant.