Arc-transform magmatism in the Wrangell volcanic belt

Thomas Skulski, Don Francis, J. Ludden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The late Cenozoic Wrangell volcanic belt records a transition in magma supply and geochemistry from a subduction to transform margin between the northeastern Pacific and North American plates. The northwestern volcanic belt comprises calc-alkaline lavas that are above the Wrangell-Wadati Benioff zone, whereas the southeastern belt comprises transitional lavas with minor alkaline and calc-alkaline lavas that overlie a leaky transform fault. The subduction-transform transition is marked by an increase in Fe/Mg and Nb/La ratios and a decrease in Ba/La ratios. Thus, the lavas of the transform regime display a geochemical signature that is intermediate to that of calc-alkaline and intraplate alkaline lavas. Whereas the effects of crustal contamination can be recognized in the evolved lavas of all suites, all primitive lavas in the transform regime are mantle derived and reflect the variable melting and mixing of depleted (mid-ocean ridge basalt) upper mantle, enriched mantle (ocean island basalt), and slab-derived components. 

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)11-14
Number of pages4
JournalGeology
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Arc-transform magmatism in the Wrangell volcanic belt'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this