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Constraints on flux rates and mantle dynamics beneath island arcs from Tonga–Kermadec lava geochemistry

Nature volume 389, pages 568–573 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Subduction processes are central to plate tectonics and to crust–mantle recycling and differentiation. Here we present a study of lavas from the Tonga–Kermadec island arc which places important constraints on the processes and rates involved. The mantle wedge overlying the subducting oceanic plate is dynamically coupled to the descending plate, but may convect more slowly than expected. Fluid and sediment fluxes from the ocean plate enrich the wedge but differ in their location, mechanisms and rates. After partial melting, magma extraction occurs rapidly via channelled flow through the wedge.

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Figure 1: Map of the Tonga–Kermadec island arc system.
Figure 2: Geochemical and isotopic properties of the Tonga–Kermadec lavas.
Figure 3: (230Th/232Th) versus (238U/232Th) (parentheses indicate activity ratios) ‘equiline’ diagram showing that the Tonga–Kermadec lavas with the largest U-excesses lie on or above a ∼50,000-yr reference line (dashed).
Figure 4: Scaled east–west cross section across the Tonga arc through Tafahi illustrating the inferred mantle wedge dynamics and flux rates be.

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Acknowledgements

We thank H. Davies, T. Plank, D. Peate, N. Rogers, J. Hergt, I. Smith, T.Worthington, A. Cohen and P. van Calsteren for discussions about island arc magma petrogenesis and U-series disequilibria generally; J. Bartlett and N. Rogers for providing analytical assistance; I. Smith, T.Worthington, J. Pearce, S. Acland, T. Vallier and J. Gill for providing us with samples; T. Plank for allowing us to refer to her work in press; and T. Plank for reviews of the manuscript. This work was supported in part by the NERC, and S.T. was supported by a Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

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    Simon Turner & Chris Hawkesworth

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Correspondence to Simon Turner.

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Turner, S., Hawkesworth, C. Constraints on flux rates and mantle dynamics beneath island arcs from Tonga–Kermadec lava geochemistry. Nature 389, 568–573 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/39257

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