Long-lived postbreakup magmatism along the East Greenland margin: Evidence for shallow-mantle metasomatism by the Iceland plume

M. Storey, A.K. Pedersen, O. Stecher, S. Bernstein, H.C. Larsen, L.M. Larsen, J.A. Baker, R.A. Duncan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

40Ar/39Ar dating has identified a succession of middle Miocene (14-13 Ma) basaltic lavas in East Greenland that overlie Eocene flood basalts that were erupted during continental breakup ca. 56-55 Ma. The long postbreakup magmatic history (∼40 m.y.) of the East Greenland margin precludes a simple relationship between this later igneous activity and the track of the Iceland hotspot. Chemical and isotopic data suggest that the postbreakup magmas were produced from mantle that had been metasomatized by light rare earth element-enriched, H 2O- and CO 2-bearing melts originating from the Iceland plume. Episodic melting of recently metasomatized shallow mantle beneath Greenland and the North Atlantic can explain both the composition and the long-lived nature of postbreakup magmatism along the East Greenland margin, as well as lavas on Jan Mayen Island that have enriched, Icelandic-type isotopic signatures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)173-176
Number of pages4
JournalGeology
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2004

Keywords

  • Continental margin
  • Flood basalts
  • Greenland
  • Iceland
  • Jan Mayen
  • Mantle plumes
  • Metasomatism
  • Miocene
  • North Atlantic

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 4: Mineral Resources

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