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Petrogenesis of spinel lherzolite and pyroxenite suite xenoliths from the Koolau shield, Oahu, Hawaii: Implications for petrology of the post-eruptive lithosphere beneath Oahu

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Abstract

Three major types of xenoliths, namely, dunite, spinel lherzolite, and pyroxenite suites, occur. The spinel lherzolite suite [ol: Fo86–92] is more refractory than the pyroxenite suite [Fo71–85], and is composed of olivine, orthopyroxene, Cr-diopside, and spinel. Spinel lherzolites represent metasomatically modified mantle residues that constitute the lithosphere underneath Oahu. Metasomatism has induced significant heterogeneity in terms of [Na]cpx in the spinel lherzolitic lithosphere: compared to other vents, Salt Lake xenoliths are anomalously high in [Na]cpx. The fluids responsible for such a process may have been released after crystallization of the hydrous phases in pyroxenite suite veins intrusive into the spinel lherzolites.

The pyroxenite suite rocks range from clinopyroxenites, wehrlites, websterites, to lherzolites and a rare dunite. Garnet generally occurs as a secondary phase forming reaction rims around spinel or exsolved blebs in clinopyroxene. Phlogopite and amphibole are common. The garnet-bearing pyroxenite suite rocks last equilibrated in the mantle at 1000°–1150° C and 16–25 kb (50–75 kms depth). Similar temperature range is recorded by the spinel lherzolite suite and rare plagioclase lherzolites. This P-T path is significantly hotter than a calculated conductive geotherm indicating that the lithosphere was substantially warmed up by passing Hawaiian magmas.

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  1. Gautam Sen

    Present address: Department of Geology, Florida International University, University Park Campus, 33199, Miami, FL, USA

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  1. Geosciences Program University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, 75083, TX, USA

    Gautam Sen

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Contribution No. 585, Geosciences Program, University of Texas at Dallas

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Sen, G. Petrogenesis of spinel lherzolite and pyroxenite suite xenoliths from the Koolau shield, Oahu, Hawaii: Implications for petrology of the post-eruptive lithosphere beneath Oahu. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 100, 61–91 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399440

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