Mineral Constraints on the Source Lithologies at Fogo, Cape Verde.

Abstract: Variations in major, minor, and trace elements compositions and ratios, as well as isotope ratios are all useful tools in studying the composition of the Earth’s mantle, and heterogeneities present therein. Since the mantle itself doesn’t easily lend itself to study, ocean island basalt (OIBs) are commonly used as a proxy due to compositional differences combined with the range of origination depth, a combination that allows them to represent the heterogeneity of the mantle, sampling everything from the core mantle boundary to the old or recent additions of recycled oceanic crust. Fogo, being one of the most active volcanoes in the world, continuously samples the interior of our planet, and as such is a prime location for studies of mantle geochemistry. This study aims to determine the origin of the mantle lithologies present at Fogo. The study is a continuation and extension of the studies conducted by Barker et al. (2014) and Magnusson (2016). This study utilises major, minor, and trace element geochemistry in clinopyroxene and olivine phenocrysts, as well as Ni-isotopes from whole rock samples. Using the relative values of Ni, Mn, and trace elements and their ratios in olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts we aim to further unravel the mechanics of the creation of ocean islands and provide additional constraints regarding the mechanics of the formation of heterogeneities in the Earth’s mantle. This study will focus on Ni' and Mn' in olivine phenocrysts, trace element composition and ratios of olivine phenocrysts and clinopyroxene phenocrysts, and Ni-isotope data.  This study found evidence for both pyroxenite, carbonatite, and carbonated eclogite source lithologies at Fogo. A correlation between La/Sm and δ60Ni was also found, indicating a control on the δ60Ni by source pyroxenite. This study suggests a carbonated eclogite origin for the lithologies present at Fogo, which would have hosted the majority of the olivine phenocrysts. The phenocrysts then resided within a separated carbonatite melt fraction that either contaminated or metasomatized a pyroxenite melt where the clinopyroxene phenocrysts nucleated. The melt then evolved to an alkali basalt melt through melt-rock reactions, principally via the dissolution of orthopyroxenes and concomitant precipitation of clinopyroxene and olivine (Zhang, Chen, Jackson & Hofmann 2017).