Geochemical and isotopic features of the Early Cretaceous volcanism of the Torey Volcanic Field (Eastern Transbaikalia, Russia) as a record of the transition from pyroxenite to eclogite mantle source

The Mesozoic magmatic activation in Central and Northeast Asia resulted in the formation of a large volume of volcanic rocks with diverse compositions. The most dramatic compositional change occurred at the end of the Early Cretaceous, when mainly alkaline basaltic lavas began to erupt after subalkaline differentiated lavas. The nature of crustal and mantle processes that led to this change in volcanism remains unclear. The Torey Volcanic Field (TVF) of Eastern Transbaikalia (Russia) demonstrates a similar compositional change. Therefore, the TVF is crucial to studying the cause of the difference in geochemical and isotopic signatures of the Mesozoic volcanism in Central and Northeast Asia.

TVF belongs to the northeastern end of the Eastern Mongolia Volcanic Area (EMVA). Like other volcanic fields of the EMVA, TVF formed in two stages: early (∼121–129 Ma) and late (∼101–119 Ma). The TVF is composed of subalkaline and alkaline basaltic trachyandesites – trachyandesites. All TVF rocks are characterized by negative Ti and Sr anomalies and positive Ba and Pb anomalies. Compared to the late TVF rocks, the early TVF rocks have distinct negative Ta and Nb anomalies and are highly enriched in light rare earth elements relative to heavy rare earth elements. TVF rocks have the following isotopic characteristics: ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(t) = 0.70477–0.70540, ε_{Nd(t) =} − 0.9 – +2.4, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_(t) = 17.9–18.4, and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_(t) = 15.5–15.6. However, older rocks mainly have higher ε_Nd(t) values and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_(t) and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb_(t) ratios.

Geochemical and isotopic data of samples suggest that the TVF formed by melting in the continental metasomatized lithospheric mantle (CMLM). Phlogopite-amphibole-rutile-bearing pyroxenite veins played a major role in the formation of older rocks. Eclogite, represented by the recycled oceanic crust or the buried lower continental crust, was dominant in the source of younger rocks. The common source for both groups of the TVF rocks was metasomatized hydrous peridotite.

Lithospheric extension and subsequent asthenospheric upwelling led to melting in the CMLM and the formation of the TVF. At the early stage of the volcanism, melting occurred at relatively low temperatures where amphibole, phlogopite, and rutile were stable. Due to ongoing lithosphere extension, the melting of eclogite occurred at a higher temperature and/or lower pressure at the late stage of the volcanism.