Systematic Across‐Arc Variations of Molybdenum Isotopes in a Fluid‐Dominated Subduction Zone System

• Published in: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
• Main Authors: Willbold, Matthias, Messling, N.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Pacific; Emperor Seamount Chain; Kamchatka; Ocean Island
• Online Access: https://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gro-2/132946; https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GC011007

Abstract Mass‐dependent Mo isotope variations are a promising new tracer to study magmatic processes in different geological settings. We report the first Mo isotope data for the Kamchatka arc system in the Northwest Pacific, comprising basaltic lavas of a complete Southeast‐Northwest traverse from the volcanic arc front through to the back arc region. The majority of volcanic centers investigated directly override the Hawaii‐Emperor Seamount Chain, which is currently being subducted underneath the arc system. Our Mo isotope data show systematic trends with Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo, Nb/Zr, La/Sm, and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios from the volcanic arc front to the back arc. Arc front lavas have higher δ 98/95 Mo and lower Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo, Nb/Zr, La/Sm compared to back arc lavas. Because the involvement of subducted sediments can be excluded, we attribute the observed variations to a change in the mantle source composition from the arc front to the back arc regions. The isotopic and chemical budget of arc front lavas is dominated by a slab fluid component (high δ 98/95 Mo, low Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo), whereas mantle‐like Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo, elevated Nb/Zr and La/Sm in the back arc samples suggest an enriched mantle source. Combined δ 98/95 Mo, Nd, and Pb isotope data in back arc lavas are very similar to those observed for modern ocean island basalts from Hawaii. We thus explore the possibility that the back arc mantle was contaminated by a Hawaii‐type, enriched asthenospheric mantle component from the subducted Hawaii‐Emperor Seamount Chain. Plain Language Summary In subduction zones, tectonic plates—tens of kilometers thick and making up the outer shell of our planet—are on a collision course. Although the absolute convergence rates of these plates are minute (a few cm/year), the forces in this process are so large that one plate is pushed under the other, causing the lower plate to be recycled into the Earth's mantle over time scales of millions of years. The tangible consequences are high‐magnitude earthquakes and large‐volume volcanic eruptions ...