Abstract
Isotopic variations in oceanic igneous rocks provide important constraints on models of oceanic mantle structure. Of particular interest is the global negative correlation between 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd, which has been used to estimate ‘bulk earth’ values1–3 for 87Sr/86Sr, 87Rb/88Sr and 143Nd/144Nd. Simple two-reservoir models have failed to explain all the isotopic variations, however, because of the complicated trends in Pb isotopes4–6. This has led to suggestions that recycled oceanic crust or sediments must be considered in these models7–9. We report here the results of helium isotopic analyses in basaltic phenocrysts from the islands of Gough and Tristan da Cunha. Because basalts from the islands lie near bulk earth on the Sr–Nd correlation diagram3, the study was initiated to characterize the helium isotopic signature of this component. Whereas the 3He in mantle gases is mostly primordial, the 4He is primarily radiogenic, having been produced by decay of 238U, 235U and 232Th. High 3He/4He ratios in igneous rocks therefore indicate primordial volatiles10,11. We believe that the present results are inconsistent with the notion that the mantle beneath Gough and Tristan da Cunha is primitive or undepleted relative to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB). Helium isotopic results on basaltic glasses and phenocrysts from the rift zone of Kilauea confirm the previously reported high values from this area12–15. We also report new analyses from Loihi Seamount (40km south-east of Kilauea), which does seem to be derived from a more primitive source. When these data are combined with values for MORBs (from ref. 16) and plotted with respect to 87Sr/86Sr, the observed trends offer insight into the different source regions for oceanic island basalts and the nature of mantle heterogeneity.
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Kurz, M., Jenkins, W. & Hart, S. Helium isotopic systematics of oceanic islands and mantle heterogeneity. Nature 297, 43–47 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1038/297043a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/297043a0
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