Across-arc geochemical trends in the Izu-Bonin arc: Contributions from the subducting slab

Abstract

We propose that across-arc differences in the geochemistry of Izu-Bonin arc magmas are controlled by the addition of fertile-slab fluids to depleted mantle at the volcanic front, and residual-slab fluids to fertile mantle in the back arc without slab melting or contemporaneous back arc spreading. The arc consists of a volcanic front, an extensional zone, and seamount chains (the Western Seamounts) that trend into the Shikoku Basin. Each province produces a distinct suite of arc-like volcanic rocks that have relative Nb depletions and high ratios of fluid-mobile elements to high field strength elements. The volcanic front has the lowest concentrations of incompatible elements and the strongest relative enrichments of fluid-mobile elements (high U/Nb, Ba/Nb, Pb/Zr, Th/Nb, 206Pb/204Pb, εNd, and 87Sr/86Sr). A fluid derived from both sediment and altered oceanic crust explains most of the slab-related characteristics of the volcanic front. The Western Seamounts and some of the extensional zone rocks have lower εNd, 87Sr/86Sr, 206Pb/204Pb, Ba/Th, and U/Th; moderate Ba/Nb and U/Nb; and similar or higher Th/Nb and Th/Nd. Although the lower εNd and higher Th/Nd tempt a sediment melt explanation, a lack of correlation between the strongest sediment proxies, such as εNd, Th/Nb, and Ce/Ce∗, precludes sediment melts. The subduction component for the Western Seamounts is probably a fluid dehydrated from a residual slab that was depleted in fluid-mobile elements beneath (as well as trenchward of) the volcanic front. This depleted fluid is added to elementally and isotopically more enriched mantle beneath the Western Seamounts.