Constraining the sub-arc, parental magma composition for the giant Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex, northern Chile

Abstract

The Andean continental arc is built upon the thickest crust on Earth, whose eruption products reflect varying degrees of crustal assimilation. In order to robustly model magma evolution and assimilation at subduction zones such as the Andes, the compositions of parental magmas feeding crustal magma reservoirs need to be defined. Here we present new olivine and clinopyroxene oxygen isotope data from rare mafic volcanic rocks erupted at the margins of the giant Altiplano-Puna Magma Body (APMB) of the Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex, Central Andes. Existing olivine and pyroxene delta O-18 values for the Central Andes are highly variable and potentially not representative of sub-arc parental compositions. However, new olivine (n=6) and clinopyroxene (n=12) delta O-18 values of six Central Andean volcanoes presented here display a narrow range, with averages at 6.0 parts per thousand +/- 0.2 (2 sigma S.D.) and 6.7 parts per thousand +/- 0.3 (2 sigma S.D.), consistent with a common history for the investigated minerals. These data allow us to estimate the delta O-18 values of sub-arc, parental melts to ca. 7.0 parts per thousand +/- 0.2 (2 sigma S.D.). Parental melts feeding the APMB and associated volcanic centres are postulated to form in the felsic continental crust following assimilation of up to 28% high-delta O-18 basement rocks by mantle-derived magmas.