Temporal variation of magma chemistry in association with extinction of spreading, the fossil Antarctic-Phoenix Ridge, Drake Passage, Antarctica

The K Ar ages, whole rock geochemistry and Sr Nd Pb isotopes have been determined for the submarine basalts dredged from the P2 and P3 segments of the Antarctic-Phoenix Ridge (APR), Drake Passage, Antarctica, for better understanding on temporal variation of magma chemistry in association with extinction of seafloor spreading. The fossilized APR is distant from the known hot spots, and consists of older N-MORB prior to extinction of spreading and younger E-MORB after extinction. The older N-MORB (3.5-6.4 Ma) occur in the southeast flank of the P3 segment (PR3) and the younger E-MORB (1.4-3.1 Ma) comprise a huge seamount at the P3 segment (SPR) and a big volcanic edifice at the P2 segment (PR2). The N-type PR3 basalts have higher Mg#, K/Ba, and CaO/Al2O3 and lower Zr/Y, Sr, and Na8.0 with slight enrichment in incompatible elements and almost flat REE patterns. The E-type SPR and PR2 basalts are highly enriched in incompatible elements and LREE. The extinction of spreading occurring at 3.3 Ma seems to have led to a temporal magma oversupply with E-MORB signatures. Geochemical signatures such as Ba/TiO2, Ba/La, and Sm/La suggest heterogeneity of upper mantle and formation of E-MORB by higher contribution of enriched materials to mantle melting, compared to N-MORB environment. E-MORB magmas beneath the APR seem to have been produced by low melting degree (up to 1% or more) at deeper low-temperature regime, where metasomatized veins consisting of pyroxenites have preferentially participated in the melting. The occurrence of E-MORB at the APR is a good example to better understand what kinds of magmatism would occur in association with extinction of spreading.