Open AccessNoble gases in olivine phenocrysts from drill core samples of the Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project (HSDP) pilot and main holes (Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, Hawaii)
Author(s) -
Althaus Tilmann,
Niedermann Samuel,
Erzinger Jörg
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1029/2001gc000275
Subject(s) - geology , plume , phenocryst , seamount , volcano , subaerial , geochemistry , mantle plume , volcanic gases , lava , scientific drilling , earth science , paleontology , volcanic rock , drilling , lithosphere , physics , tectonics , thermodynamics , mechanical engineering , engineering
We have determined concentrations and isotopic compositions of all noble gases in olivine phenocrysts from the Hawaii Scientific Drilling Project (HSDP) drill core, comprising Mauna Loa lavas in the top 247 m and Mauna Kea lavas down to the preliminary depth of 3109 m. Our aim was to describe the long‐term isotopic evolution of noble gases over a significant time fraction of the active life of a major Hawaiian volcano. The He isotopic signature displays a clear temporal trend: 3 He/ 4 He ratios increase from MORB‐like 9 R A in the youngest lavas to 15 R A in the Mauna Loa section and from ∼7 R A to ∼12 R A in the subaerial Mauna Kea deposits. They remain close to 12 R A in most of the submarine Mauna Kea samples, except for a few excursions with 3 He/ 4 He ratios of up to 21 R A in borehole depths between 2000 and 2600 m. The average 3 He/ 4 He ratio of 12 R A is lower than that observed in recent eruptions of Kilauea and Loihi seamount and supports the idea of a concentrically zoned Hawaiian plume [ Kurz et al. , 1996]. The Ne isotopic signature does not show a temporal evolution. It remains plume‐like (plotting close to the Loihi–Kilauea correlation line in a Ne three‐isotope diagram) over the whole Mauna Kea section in those samples which are not dominated by air‐like Ne. Maximum 20 Ne/ 22 Ne and 21 Ne/ 22 Ne ratios reach 12.10 ± 0.36 and 0.0360 ± 0.0042, respectively. 40 Ar/ 36 Ar ratios vary widely between 360 and ∼3300 in the ≥1000°C release steps due to variable atmospheric contributions. In at least one sample, a 40 Ar/ 36 Ar ratio of 14,300 ± 910 demonstrates the presence of a MORB‐like Ar component. Kr and Xe isotopic compositions are atmospheric throughout. We discuss several possibilities on how to explain the isotopic trends of the noble gases and their correlation to other geochemical parameters. Simple admixture of MORB‐like noble gases to the plume component cannot account for the observations. We favor a model involving early melt extraction from the outer plume sections, followed by radiogenic ingrowth and, possibly, some interaction with ambient mantle material.