Isotopic systematics of ultramafic and mafic rocks of the Taitao ophiolite, southern Chile
Isotopic systematics of ultramafic and mafic rocks of the Taitao ophiolite, southern Chile
Files
Publication or External Link
Date
2007-03-14
Authors
Schulte, Ruth Frost
Advisor
Walker, Richard J
Citation
DRUM DOI
Abstract
A variety of ultramafic and mafic rocks from a well-mapped sampling of the ~6 Ma Taitao Ophiolite, Chile, have been examined. Calculated initial 187Os/188Os ratios of the peridotitic rocks range from 0.1168 to 0.1282. Similar ranges of Os isotopic compositions have been reported for abyssal peridotites, peridotites, and chromites from other ophiolites. A correlation between Mg # of primary olivine and Os isotopic compositions of whole rock peridotites suggests that the isotopic variability is due to variable extents of partial melting at ~1.5 Ga. This conclusion is also supported by a linear correlation between 187Re/188Os and 187Os/188Os. The ancient melting event requires that this km-scale block of the mantle remained isolated and unmixed within the convecting upper mantle for a period of ~1.5 Ga. The results are comparable to global observations of Os isotopic compositions in mid-ocean ridge basalts versus abyssal peridotites, but the geologic relations here are well-defined.