Oxygen isotope geochemistry of lavas from an oceanic to continental arc transition, Kermadec-Hikurangi margin, SW Pacific

Abstract

New oxygen isotope data are presented for submarine lavas erupted close to the transition between the oceanic Kermadec island arc and the continental Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. Volcanic glasses display δ18O values ranging from +5.65‰ to +5.83‰, clinopyroxenes range from +5.23‰ to +5.78‰ and olivines range from +4.83‰ to +5.47‰. Coexisting glass and phenocrysts in the lavas are in isotopic equilibrium, with one exception. Oxygen isotope ratios of back-arc lavas erupted through oceanic crust are indistinguishable from mid-ocean ridge basalts or lavas erupted in nearby back-arc settings. Although lavas from the arc front display elevated oxygen isotope ratios, the magnitude of 18O-enrichment is too great to result from recycling of subducted material alone. A single back-arc lava erupted through continental crust is also relatively 18O-rich suggesting that the most likely origin for the high δ18O signature is limited amounts of interaction between continental crust and melts derived from a mantle wedge that has been variably fluxed by recycled oxygen. The results of modelling open system behaviour in this volcanic system highlight the need for strong controls on the composition of local contaminants. Application of 'average' crustal lithologies, as in other volcanic provinces, may lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the involvement of local basement.