Geochemistry of Kerguelen-Heard Plateau basalts, supplement to: Salters, Vincent J M; Storey, Michael; Sevigny, James H; Whitechurch, Hubert (1992): Trace element and isotopic characteristics of Kerguelen-Heard Plateau basalts. In: Wise, SW; Schlich, R; et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 120, 55-62

• Main Authors: Salters, Vincent J M, Storey, Michael, Sevigny, James H, Whitechurch, Hubert
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA - Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science 1992
• Subjects: Drilling/drill rig; Leg120; Joides Resolution; Ocean Drilling Program ODP; Heard Island; Indian; Kerguelen; Kerguelen Island
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.758553; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.758553

During Leg 120 basalts were recovered at four drill holes on the Kerguelen-Heard Plateau. This paper reports the trace element and Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotopic characteristics of these basalts and compares these basalts with Indian Ocean basalts and Kerguelen and Heard island volcanics. Kerguelen-Heard Plateau basalts are extremely heterogeneous in character. Intersite variations are larger than intrasite variations. Part of the chemical variations of the plateau volcanics overlap with those characteristics of Kerguelen Island volcanics, which indicates tapping of the same mantle source during the two different periods of activity. The estimates of the degree of melting for the plateau basalts (smaller degree of melting than for mid-ocean ridge basalts) and the heterogeneous character of the plateau exclude an origin that requires large degrees of melting or more rigorous convection than at ocean ridges. However, all characteristics indicate an oceanic origin for the Kerguelen-Heard Plateau.