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9
ACTIVE ~GINS: GROUP 3
MASS AND CHEMICAL TRANSFER
INTRODUCTION
Melting Pot of the Earth:
Crustal Formation and Modification
at Active Margins
Plate tectonic theory depicts the earth as a dynamic and
evolving body. Much of the evolution takes place at active
margins (convergent plate boundaries), both oceanic and
continental, where continental crust is created as oceanic crust
is carried back into the earth's interior.
The process of
subduction creates hazards, such as large earthquakes and
explosive volcanic eruptions. Voicanic ash also profoundly
affects climate. More benevolent results of subduction are the
formation of economically significant ore bodies and geothermal
resources. In addition to these socially significant aspects,
active margins are of great scientif to interest as regions where
the earth's crust. mantle, oceans . and atmosphere
interact.
Indeed, it now appears that much of earth's crust, atmospheric
gases, surface waters, and upper mantle have been subducted and
recycled at active margins, perhaps several times. - ~
reasons, active margins are the melting pots of the
For these
earth.
The last decade has seen implementation of new geophysical
and geochemical techniques, yielding a rapid improvement in the
amount and quality of observational data on subduction systems.
For example, seismic tomography now allows us to image the mantle
above the subducting slab (the mantle wedge), a region which is
central to studies of active margins. ,°Be and U-series
disequilibria allow us to constrain the time scale of element
recycling through the system. GeochemicaI data for arc volcanic
rocks have made possible recognition of global patterns that can
be related to variations in input parameters, such as subducted
ocean crust or the mantle. Finally, consensus, though not
unanimity, that the mantle wedge is the primary source of arc
magmatism, and better understanding of the physics of magma
formation and extraction are leading to refined models of the
complex melting and mixing processes that accompany plate
convergence. As a result of these advances, the stage is set for
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us to pose and answer a new level of questions: it is now
realistic to begin to examine the melting pot not as a set of
unrelated processes, but as an ordered dissipative system. New
field, experimental, and theoretical studies, on land, at sea,
and in the laboratory can now be focused on representative active
margins e We expect that this integrated approach, with a focus
on the arc system, will produce major breakthroughs.
Explosive volcanism, metal deposition, and major mass
feedback loops accompanying distillation of crust from mantle are
all connected through the subduction process. A modern systems
approach stresses that these phenomena are all manifestations of
a dynamical system whose basic components are illustrated in
Figure 1. Oceanic crust enters the active margin system on the
downgoing plate (#1~. Mass is transferred out of the downgoing
plate (~2) at depths ranging from the trench to the site of magma
formation beneath the volcanic arc and backarc basin. Mixing
then occurs within the mantle wedge (#3) between slab-derived and
wedge-derived components, with the relative effect of the slab
contribution apparently decreasing away from the plate boundary.
The mantle wedge is thus the melting pot, into which is fed new
mantle plus material transferred from subducted Oceanic crust,
and from which magmas and fluids are extracted into the crust of
the active margin (#4~. This magmatism both creates and modifies
the crust. Preexisting crust, in turn, can modify the ascending
magma. Ultimately, the magma and fluids appear at the earth's
surface ~#5) , where they can be sampled in forearm, volcanic arc,
and backarc settings. Critical problems for mass transfer
processes operating in each of these numbered regions are
discussed below, but the main objective is to use mass flux to
understand convergent margins as an integrated dynamical system.
~ ~ in
r. VA 8A
_~
\~o
\~
FIGURE 1 Input from the subducted oceanic crust (#1, SOC) is
transferred t#2) and mixed with new mantle in the mantle wedge
(#3, MOO), which is the principal source of the continents.
Magmas and fluids traverse preexisting crust (~4, C) en route to
the surface (#5) where they can be sampled in the forearc (FA),
volcanic arc (VA), and backarc (BA).
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CRITI CAL PROBLEMS
Chemica_ Variability of Input from the Subducting Plate
The definition of mass fluxes at active margins requires
compositional data on the altered basaltic crust and the
sedge meets that form the upper part of the subducting plate. The
basal tic crust ~ hat is subducted differs from that formed at
spreading axes because of compos itional changes caused by
seawater. Hign temperature alteration, driven by the forced
hydrothermal circulation of seawater near the ridge axis ~ sty ips
The basaltic crust of elements, such as K, Rb, and B. However,
nydrothermal circulation wanes due to cooling in the newly formed
crust as it moves away from the ridge, and all crust older than
20 Ma may have similar hydrothermal circulation signatures. In
contrast, the extent of passive low temperature hydrothermal
alteration f which enriches the crust in elements, such as U. K,
Rb, Cs, and B. varies with the flow patterns and the age of the
crust that is subducted. The sediments deposited on the oceanic
crust and supplied to subduction zones vary significantly in
total thickness (150 m to 2500 m) and Ethology (carbonate,
pelagic, voicanic~astic, terrig~nous), but then generally have
high abundances of many of the incompatible elements (H. C, U. K,
Rb, Cs, Ba ,°Be, B. Pb, Sr) that are enriched in magmas erupted
at active margins. Therefore, some of these enrichments are
thought to reflect a seafloor alteration or sediment contribution
to the arc magmas.
A first order Question is whether observed regional
differences in the chemical composition of arc magmas can be
linked to differences in the composition of the subducting plate.
For example, do the differences-between the island arc tholeiites
of the Bonin arc, the calc-alkaline magmas of the southern
Mariana arc, and the alkaline-magmas of the northern Marianas arc
reflect contributions from sediments of~different compositions?
This issue can be addressed if geochemical reference holes
are drilled outboard of the trench as part of transects across
arcs, as recommended by COSOD IT. Existing DSDP cores outboard
of the Japan, Aleutian, Sunda, and Middle America trenches also
should be exploited more fully.
Rough mass balance calculations based on isotopic and
elemental abundance ratios that are distinctive in sediments
indicate that less than 5 percent sediment is required in the
hybrid mantle source that melts to yield arc lavas. The sediment
contribution does not influence concentrations of the most
abundant elements in the source, but it does have a major effect
on the budget of incompatible elements, including the carbon and
water that play a major rote in explosive volcanism. The effects
of modern sediment contributions must be distinguished uniquely
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from those resulting from the preexisting chemical variation of
the mantle and contamination in the crust in order to establish
mass flux values. This can be done through improved measurements
and interpretations of isotopic tracers which are sensitive to
sediment alteration and which have half-lives appropriate to the
time scales of plate subduction beneath active margins (e.~.,
Abe) r and of magma segregation and differentiation (e.g., 30Th,
and other actinides) e
While the sediment contribution of arc magmas is small by
mass, sediment subduction to the depths of magma generation has
major consequences. For example, the presence of sediments in
the subduction zone may well dictate earthquake locations and
mechanisms by determining the degree of mechanical coupling
between the downgoing and overlying plates. Additional studies
are necessary to provide systematic measurements of all potential
tracers of sediments or altered oceanic crust outboard of the
trench, a goal not yet achieved. Combination of these sediment
studies (part of the input) with investigation of tracers in arc
magmas and fluids (the output) will provide a better
understanding of the mechanisms of sediment incorporation in arc
magmas, a distinction between contributions from sediment and the
altered basaltic crust, and a better constraint on the balance of
sediment accretion and subduction at active margins.
Fundamental advances in understanding of the subduction
process await resolution of two paradoxes that have emerged from
mass tracer studies. The first is that while the alteration and
sediment components are chemically variable at many spatial and
temporal scales, the behavior of s~ab-dominated elements in arc
layas Is commonly systematic within specific arc segments at
10 -10 year time scales. Efficient homogenization is required.
The second is that different tracers of sediment incorporation
commonly dogtrot correlate well, presumably ref lecting dif ferent
behavior of the elements during transfer from the downgoing plate
to the mantle wedge (discusser} below).
Mass Transfer Across Plate Boundaries
An important aspect of the interaction between plates at
convergent margins is the exchange of mass between the subducting
and overriding plates. This exchange involves a variety of
processes ranging from solid state transfer (e.g., accretion and
erosion of the hangingwall crust or mantle) to migration of
fluids derived by devolatilization reactions which occur as
hydrous and carbonate minerals in the subducting plate are
transported to higher pressure and temperature. We focus here on
the chemical reactions -occurring in the the uppermost part of the
subducting plate because these reactions can transfer the
volatile components, HI and C02, into the overlying lithosphere
and asthenosphere. Even small amounts of these volatiles can
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have major effects on (1) theological characteristics; (2)
solidus temperatures; (3) stability of minerals; (4) oxygen
fugacities-; and (5) concentrations of elements that are highly
soluble in volatile-rich fluids.
Mineral reactions occur in the subducted plate because the
sediments and altered basa~ts that compose its upper part have
minerals that are stable only at relatively low pressures and
temperatures. However, as the slab is subducted, these minerals
are transported to higher pressures and temperatures where they
are unstable e Reactions create new mineral assemblages and
low-density fluids that can segregate and rise from the downgoing
slabe ~ sequence of important reaction and segregation events
begins as the slab descends beneath the forearm, and continues
during descent through the asthenosphere. Examples of these
reactions and segregation processes are the serpentinite diapirs
in the Mariana forearc, and the slab-derived fluid which is
inferred to be a component in volcanic arc and backarc lavas.
Al though the composition of the components segregated from the
slab must change as a function of temperature and pressure r the
important reactions controlling compositions of segregated phases
are not known. Clearly, a quantitative understanding of these
reactions is necessary to determine the composition of components
transferred from the subducted plate to the overlying pi ate or
asthenosphere. Because of the important effects of even small
amounts of volatile components, we are particularly concerned
with partitioning of elements into a fluid or silicate melt that
segregates from the slab. Our knowledge of element partitioning
between minerals and H2O- and CO=rich fluids in the so ab is very
limited, and much less is understood than for sin icate
melt/mineral partitioning. An attainable ob; active is to
determine how el ement part it ion ing varies as the f lu id pha s e in
equip ibrium with minerals in the slab and mantle wedge varies
f ram HzO-rich to CO=rich to an alkal i-rich sil icate melt .
Identification and understanding of the controlling reactions can
be achieved by a combination of thermodynamic calculations and
experimental studies designed to mimic the subduction zone
environment.
Another important experimental and theoretical objective is
to understand how slab-derived fluids migrate through and
interact with the overlying plate or asthenosphere. Key
questions are the mechanism of transport and distance of
migration of these fluids. This multi-phase flow problem is
analogous to those invioving migration of silicate melts
discussed below.
Mantle Wedge Processes
It is increasingly accepted that the mantle wedge is the
dominant site of crust/mantle differentiation. The key issues
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are: (1) the mechanisms and sites of magma generation and
segregation; (2) the chemical composition of melt generated in
the mantle wedge; (3) the relation between magma type and
physical parameters, such as plate coupling, thermal structure,
slab dip, distance from trench, and the amount of sediment
subduction; and (4) replenishment rates of fertile mantle within
the wedge.
A maj or obj ective is to develop integrated physical models
f or magma generation and mass bans f er in the mantle wedge. For
instance, available data indicate that "arc tholeiitic'' suites
generally tend to be in areas without large earthquakes flits le
plate coupling), whereas calc-alkaline rocks are more comlac~nly
associates] with zones of maj or earthquakes. Field and] geochemic
data are requires] to evaluate, in various types of arcs ~ the
relationships between magma composition, age and dip of the slab,
distance of volcanism from the trench, stress regime in the areas
of magma genesis, the amount of sediment subducted as estimated
from comparisons of sediment influx with the volume of the
accreted prism, and the physical state of the downgoing slab
(e.g., thickness, extent of fracturing). These should be linked
with the results o f geophysical studies including heat f ~ ow and
conductivity variations, and spatial variation in seismic
velocities and attenuation, which may reveal degrees of melting
and determine the rheological characteristics of likely materials
in the mantle wedge. The integrated field' geochemical, and
geophysical database for selected arc systems can then be used to
model the thermal structure, magma generation, and fluid flow
within the mantle wedge.
Magma generation and segregation processes have been the
subject of detailed modelling along active spreading centers, and
geochemica~ tests are being developed to evaluate them in areas
of continental extension and rifting (see Passive Margins Group
1, page 27~. In comparison, at destructive plate margins, magma
generation is affected by the introduction of hydrous fluids,
rather than only by adiabatic upwell ing . Furthermore, the amount
of refractory clinopyroxene is likely to be variable and the
stress regime more complex in the mantle wedge. These
differences between the arc and ridge systems are likely to
modi fy the processes of magma segregation and element ~
fractionation. To better constrain models for magma generation
in the arc environment, more precise data are needed on changes
of magma composition and volumes with age during the evolution of
different arc systems. Alkalic rocks may be an important link
since they occur in both destructive plate margins and
within-plate environments. Relatively uncommon magma types
berg., Mg-andesites) may provide important impetus for novel
ideas.
The sources of minor and trace elements in subduction-
related magmas are at present subdivided into a mantle component,
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which is variably enriched or depleted in ways anal ogous to that
seen in MORB (~nid-oceanic ridge basalts) and OTB (oceanic isl and
basal tag, ant] an additional component that is a feature of
subduction zones. The ~ atter is in some way red ated to the
subduction process, whereas the former reflects the preexisting
composition of the mantle wedge. In this motley, the mantle wedge
varies significantly from place to place, being highly depleted
beneath convergent margins ~ hat yield island arc tholeiite
suites, and relatively enriched beneath continental arcs . This
concept needs to be properly eval utter by detailed transverses
across magmatic arcs in oceanic and continental areas,
characterized by different age provinces in the overriding p7 ate.
Crustal Processes
The tangible outputs of the mantle wedge are the magmas that
cross the crust-mantle boundary and form new crust. To
investigate the mantle wedge, we need to identify the composition
of these magmas and to determine their compositional variation in
space and time. The identification is complicated by
modification of the magmas as they fractionate and interact with
preexisting crust. The intracrustal processes are tightly
coupled with the nature and mechanical state of the preexisting
crust.
In both continental and oceanic arcs, intracrustal
differentiation results in the redistribution of crustal
components, leading to a generally more silicic and hydrous upper
crust and a more mafic and less hydrous lower crust. In
addition, to evolve-mature continental crust from transient
oceanic arc crust requires a second stage of refinement and
crustal thickening, thought to occur during arc-continent
collision. Often this collision exposes crust that was
originally at mid- or even lower-crustal levels. These
intracrustal processes are of economic and social significance as
they lead to the-emplacement of hydrothermal and magmatic ore
deposits. They are important in the thermal evolution of
petroleum in overlying sedimentary basins, and they determine the
eruptive histories of voicanos.
The sequence of processes by which magma interact with the
preexisting crust is as enigmatic as the analogous processes
operating in accretionary prisms. Obviously, the evolution of
arc magmas is coupled with the composition, structure, and state
of stress of the preexisting crust, but this coupling is only
understood in the broadest sense. Generally' the simplest
crustal environments are thought to be oceanic arcs with steeply
dipping slabs (i.e., Tonged, while the most complex are
continental arcs over shallowly dipping slabs (i.e., Andes). In
oceanic arcs, the preexisting crust consists of products of
previous arc magmatic events and the basement upon which the arc
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was built. This basement is thought to consist of oceanic or
backarc crust which may be dismembered. In continental arcs,
the preexisting crust is older continental crust that has a
complex previous history. In extensional regimes, arc magmas may
pass with little fractionation to shallow level magma chambers
which periodically feed voicanos. In contractional regimes r arc
magmas may pond at depth leading to a higher intrusive-extrusive
ratio, greater heating of the preexisting crust, and subsequent
melting anti mixing with that crust. Heating anc} melting of the
crust influence ductile and brittle behavior and have a profound
but poorly understood influence on deformation of the crust.
The middle to lower oceanic and continental crusts are
inaccessible, but processes occurring there can be partially
deciphered by studying magmas that reached the surface after
having traversed these regions. As a sequence of fossils records
evolution, the geochemistry and mineralogy of a series of magmas
are a catalogue of interaction of these magmas with the
preexisting crust. The tools to decipher this history are
available, but they are just beginning to be used to their
fu1 lest potential in understanding the evolution of continental
margins from a mass balance viewpoint. Integrated field,
geochemical, and geophysical studies are needed to determine how
new arc magmas refine old crust and influence mechanisms and
patterns of crustal deformation. An understanding of the
relation between deformation and magmatism is essential as
deformation affects how differentiation processes proceed, and it
provides a continual mechanism of recycling fusible upper crust
back into the hot deforming lower crust.
The destiny of--mantle-derived magmas in-the crust -has broad
impl ications for continental crustal formation. Most studies
agree that new crust is primarily aclded at convergent margins or
by underplaying in extensional regions and that this newly added
crust is largely of basaltic composition. Ponding of these
basalts-at-the crust-mantle boundary-probably-results in
fractionation of mafic-minerals, forming new-mantle. The fate of
the new mantle is poorly understood. Furthermore, these ideas
lead to a fundamental question: how can addition of basalt
result in a bulk crust which, by most estimates, has an andesitic
composition? ~
There are two possible resolutions to this paradox e First,
early (Archean) crustal formation processes were-distinct, and
melts extracted from the mantle at that time were more silicic.
In this case, recent crustal additions at lower rates lead to a
more mafic crust through time. Alternatively, the mafic lower
crust formed during compositional stratification at active
margins are actually recycled into the mantle through a poorly
understood process of crustal delamination. This process could
be triggered by thickening and cooling of hot lower crust leading
to garnet production and an increase in crustal density to the
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point that the lower crust is actually denser than the underlying
mantle. Delamination of the lower crust and mantle lithosphere
could then occur, possibly associated with terrane accretion and
continental collision. The delaminated lower crust could be
stored in the lithosphere until subsequent melting results in a
return to the crust or recycling into the asthenosphere. A
similar process could have operated in the Archean. The paradox
of the disparity between the composition of material added to the
crust and the bulk composition of the crust points to our lack of
research on crustal formation processes involving active margins.
Chemical Variability of the Output: Geochemistry
of Magmas and Fluids at Active Margins
Two phenomena, active volcanism and hydrothermal venting,
are the dramatic outputs of the active margins system. In
addition to being important as hazards and sources of economic
mineralization , they also sample the current output along and
across arc systems e By a detailed sampling program combined with
a judicious choice of geochemical tracers, the red ative role of
the various input parameters can be constrained. Older volcanic
rocks and ve in mineral i z at ions make it pass ibI e to study pa st
outputs as well, so that time sequences can be developed.
New observational tools developed during the past decade
have invigorated study of both phenomena. As a result, globally
consistent patterns in magma composition have emerged. These, in
turn, seem to be related to variations in the kind and style of
input and tectonically controlled mass transfer processes.
A systematic analytical study of volcanic rocks-and fluids
should be carried out in representative forearc-voicanic
arc-backarc systems in order to develop mass flux models,
especially for elements and isotopes that trace different input
components. The sampling and analytical program should emphasize
components that are transferred across the plate boundary rather
than those that are recycled near the earth's surface. However,
distinguishing between fluxes from the underthrust plate, mantle
wedge, and sites of intracontinental differentiation is an
important objective. Forearc fluids from accretionary prisms and
serpentinite diapirs, magmatic rocks from the full width of the
volcanic arc, and volcanic rocks from backarcs should all be
sampled along a representative length of the arc. Metal deposits
in all localities should be included. To gain historical
perspective about output diversity, volcanic rocks and
mineralized veins related to the entire last volcanic cycle
(i.e., episodic pulse of activity) of the arc system should be
dated and analyzed.
In order to emphasize subcrustal components in volcanic
rocks, thorough igneous geochemical characterization is
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necessary, including multi-element' multi-isotope systematic
study of suites that are well-defined with respect to
stratigraphy-and mineralogy. Special attention should be given
to isotopic tracers with decay rates appropriate to the time
scale of orogenic processes.
Episodicity of Volcanism: Reflection of a Nonlinear System
Explosive volcanism poses significant threats to inhabitants
of active margins, as the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens
demonstrated powerfully. This explosibi~ity is a direct
consequence of the melting pot. Seawater enters the system as
the result of first being added to oceanic crust, then lost from
it as the result of dehydration reactions during subduction.
Some of the water that enters the mantle wedge participates in
magma genesis, is further concentrated by intracrustal magmatic
differentiation, and finally causes explosive eruption if it
separates rapidly from large magma volumes. As a result, the
rates and episodicity of magma formation, transfer, and
dif ferentiation all af feet volcanic behavior.
The episodic release of magmas into anc] onto the crust of
magmatic arcs reflects nonlinear behavior within the crust and
mantle. The episodes occur on several time scales' and a
fundamental goal is to associate episodes with magma generation
processes within dissipative structures of the upper crust, lower
crust, and upper mantle.
On the shortest time scales (101 to 103 yr) are the repeat
intervals between eruptions from established volcanic centers.
The prediction of eruptions has an empirical (historical) basis,
and the quasi-periodic eruptive history encourages the
investigation of mechanisms involving upper crustal magma chamber
dynamics, magmatic "triggering" by quasi-periodic release of
magmas from greater depth, or nonlinear buoyant rise. The
characteristics of eruptions clearly depend on volatile release.
Determination of the volatile content of the magmas, and of the
rocks surrounding the magma body, are incompletely explored
approaches for investigating and predicting explosive potential.
Because a volcanic center may erupt thousands of times during its
lifetime, the documentation and explanation of steady state
behavior should yield important clues about-volcano dynamics.
The waning of activity, culminating in extinction, is the
fate of arc vo~canos We have some idea of a volcano's life
expectancy (10 to 10~ yr) and also an expectation that, over the
scale of severe, million years, a new volcano is born for every
one that dies. The longevity of volcanism may trace the
stability of dissipative structures--convective cells, diapirs,
Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities--in the underlying mantle. Our
ideas about flow of peridotite and basaltic melt in the mantle
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wedge are primitive at present, and the locations of voicanos,
and their life expectancy, combined with possible e secular change
in the composition of primitive magmas, is one way to constrain
physical mode] s of flow in the mantle wedge. For example, if
heterogeneities exist in the downgoing plate, such as chemical
singularities clue to subduction of an oceanic ridge, then the
duration of the same chemical s ingularities in the voicanos may
give the-best available information about the convective pattern
and the efficiency of mass transfer through the mantle wedge.
Because the fundamental control of volcano location appears to be
in the source region, the migration of volcanic loci along and
across the strike of any arc should be used to monitor changes in
the physical state of the mantle wedge.
On shill longer time scales of 5 to 25 Ma, fundamental
changes in arc geometry occur. Migration of the vo~ canic front,
splitting of the arc to form a backarc spreading center, and the
cessation of volcanism al together all occur on this time scale.
So also cio episodes of crustal deformation. There are
indications of coupling between these phenomena: some volcanic
arcs may be relatively quiescent during episodes of spreading in
adjacent backarc basins. Large changes in volcanic production
rate--magmatic episodes--also occur in the 5- to 25-Ma time
scale. These changes certainly are related to changes in the
mantle under the arc. However, they appear to be regional and
perhaps global in scale, and thus may be difficult to explain by
some singularity in the subducted plate itself. Nonlinearity on
this time scale may be a fundamental property of mass extraction
from the mantle wedge.
As a result of this range in time scales of pulsed output'
we must integrate over at least one magmatic episode of regional
significance in order to address the range of pertinent problems.
Of more practical importance, the accumulation of economic
resources that depend on hydrothermal circulation and on thermal
state Leggy, both base metals and petroleum) may be formed and
destroyed at very infrequent times over the history of a
convergent margin.
NEEDED STUDIES
Field, analytical, experimental, and theoretical studies are
needed, all focused on specific representative arc systems. From
the standpoint of diversity in volcanic output, these systems
should include one from each of the following categories.
(1) One should be dominated by highly depleted magmas in which
the signatures of recycled materials would remain the clearest.
Examples include the Tonga, Kermadec, Bonin, New Britain, and
Scotia arcs. Generally, these are characterized by weak plate
coupling and backa-rc spreading. (2) The other extreme should be
a continental margin where isotopically distinctive
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subcontinental mantle potentially is involved, but where deeper
components are not masked by crusta1-1evel processes. Examples
include the South Cascades, South Andes, Central America, and
Japan. (3) The third should be dominated by more fertile but
still young mantle. Examples include the Aleutians, Marianas,
Antilles, and Sunda arcs. Generally, these are characterized by
geochemical and geophysical parameters intermediate between those
of the first two.
The field program should include extensive sampling of
volcanic and phonic rocks, crustal and mantle xenoliths, and
fluids, both along and across the strike of the arc system, both
on ~ and and at sea, as necessary . It shout ~ include geophys ical
studies such as 1 ocal seismic experiments, including ocean bottom
seismometers, deployed to image the mantle wedge from sl ab to
crust and from the trench to the axis of backarc volcanism.
Surveys of stress orientation, heat flow, and conductivity are
needed. Studies should determine the location of the plate
boundary independent of epicenter loci (e.g. ~ where are the
earthquakes relative to the plate boundary, in the depth range O
to 200 km?); the attenuation and heat flow gradients between the
volcanic and aseismic fronts; the length scale of attenuating
regions; contrasts between the volcanic arc and backarc; and
differences in these respects between arcs.
The analytical program must provide coordinated and thorough
multi-element, multi-isotope studies of both the inputs and
outputs at the three types of arcs. Special emphasis should be
placed on tracers, which may distinguish input components or mass
transfer processes' and which constrain time scales of mass
transfer through the subduction system, Voicanic rocks, fluids,
and veins must be studied in sufficient detail to identify
chemical features acquired within the crust,and dated with
sufficient accuracy to relate them to the local geodynamic
history e
The experimental program should also include as geochemical
objectives the partitioning of elements between a range of
residual minerals and H~-CO2 fluids plus alkali-rich silicate
melts, under the P-T-fO2 conditions of the subducting plate and
mantle wedge. Also, determining the character of primitive
basaltic magma within the mantle remains a difficult but
important experimental objective. Geophysical experiments are
needed concerning multi-phase flow of both fluids and silicate
melts in the mantle wedge environment.
The final goal is the development of quantitative models of
the arc system. The models must explain the spatial and temporal
pattern of output, and be consistent with what is learned about
the input parameters, the chemical and physical processes that
transfer material into the wedge, the physical behavior of the
wedge, and the effects of intracrustal differentiation. Decades
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of study of the processes relevant to arc subsystems have
prepared us for this larger objective; that is, to define the
relationships between the various subsystems and thereby to
achieve an integrated view of the whole arc system.
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