Robert W. Kay

Bio: Robert W. Kay is an academic researcher from Cornell University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Basalt & Mantle (geology). The author has an hindex of 35, co-authored 55 publications receiving 7467 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert W. Kay include University of California, Los Angeles & Columbia University.

Chemical Characteristics and Origin of Oceanic Ridge Volcanic Rocks

Abstract: Oceanic ridge volcanic rocks alkali metal, alkaline earth, rare earth, nickel and major element content, observing partial melting

Magnesian andesite in the western Aleutian Komandorsky region: Implications for slab melting and processes in the mantle wedge

Abstract: The role of the subducting lithospheric slab in the genesis of mantle-derived (primitive) magmas is investigated through a study of volcanic rocks formed in the tectonically strike-slip–dominated western Aleutian arc. Two types of chemically and petrologically distinctive primitive andesites have been found among the Miocene–late Pleistocene–age volcanic rocks in the western Aleutians. These are termed the “Adak-type” and “Piip-type” magnesian andesites. Trace element and isotopic characteristics indicate that Adak-type magnesian andesites (adakites) formed principally as small percentage melts of the basaltic portion of the subducting oceanic crust, leaving a clinopyroxene-garnet-rutile residual mineralogy. The resulting slab melt signature (high La/Yb, Sr) distinguishes Adak-type magnesian andesites from all other Aleutian volcanic rocks. Primitive characteristics (high Mg#, Cr, Ni) and intermediate compositions (∼59% SiO2) of Adak-type magnesian andesites were acquired by interaction with peridotite and/or basalt in the mantle wedge. The absence of olivine phenocrysts from Adak-type magnesian andesites indicates that they were not equilibrated with peridotite and so are unlike Piip-type magnesian andesites, which appear to have equilibrated under low pressure and hydrous conditions in the subarc mantle. Piip-type magnesian andesites also contain a slab melt component, but reaction-equilibration with peridotite has lowered La/Yb and Sr to levels like those of common Aleutian volcanic rocks. Miocene-age calc-alkaline rocks of the Komandorsky Islands have chemical characteristics transitional between those of Adak-type magnesian andesites and common Aleutian volcanic rocks from the central and eastern arc. In a source mixture of depleted mantle wedge, slab melt, and sediment, the Komandorsky rocks have a relatively large contribution from the slab melt endmember. The strong slab melt signature among western Aleutian rocks is attributed to highly oblique convergence that produced a slow subduction path into the subarc mantle. Geochemically, the slab melt provided a high Sr, La/Yb, La/Ta, and low Ti/Hf endmember to the western Aleutian source mixture. The enhanced role for slab melting in the western Aleutians may be like that predicted for Archean systems and for modern systems where the subduction zone is warm. In this regard, Adak-type magnesian andesites are probably the appropriate analog to sanukitoids and other primitive andesitic rocks of Archean age.

The Rare Earth Content and Origin of Alkali-Rich Basalts

Abstract: The rare earth content of alkali-rich, silica-undersaturated basalts erupted onto oceanic and continental plates is consistent with their derivation by slight amounts of partial melting of hydrous garnet peridotite at the top of the asthenosphere, within the low-velocity, low-Q zone of the mantle. The rare earths are fractionated during partial melting by retention of heavy rare earths relative to light rare earths in garnet and clinopyroxene in the mantle residue. We conclude from a melting model that the amount of melting of hydrous peridotite at the top of the asthenosphere and its clinopyroxene-garnet ratio increase with decreasing thickness of the overlying dry lithospheric plate. Thus, potassic basalts derived by 0.5% melting of peridotite with a clinopyroxene-garnet ratio of 0.3 come from deeper than nephelinites (1% melting, ratio of 1), and alkali basalts (2% melting, ratio of 5). Convection within the partly molten asthenosphere establishes an adiabatic geothermal gradient and localizes renewabl...

Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalt : implications for mantle composition and processes

Abstract: Summary Trace-element data for mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORBs) and ocean island basalts (OIB) are used to formulate chemical systematics for oceanic basalts. The data suggest that the order of trace-element incompatibility in oceanic basalts is Cs ≈ Rb ≈ (≈ Tl) ≈ Ba(≈ W) > Th > U ≈ Nb = Ta ≈ K > La > Ce ≈ Pb > Pr (≈ Mo) ≈ Sr > P ≈ Nd (> F) > Zr = Hf ≈ Sm > Eu ≈ Sn (≈ Sb) ≈ Ti > Dy ≈ (Li) > Ho = Y > Yb. This rule works in general and suggests that the overall fractionation processes operating during magma generation and evolution are relatively simple, involving no significant change in the environment of formation for MORBs and OIBs. In detail, minor differences in element ratios correlate with the isotopic characteristics of different types of OIB components (HIMU, EM, MORB). These systematics are interpreted in terms of partial-melting conditions, variations in residual mineralogy, involvement of subducted sediment, recycling of oceanic lithosphere and processes within the low velocity zone. Niobium data indicate that the mantle sources of MORB and OIB are not exact complementary reservoirs to the continental crust. Subduction of oceanic crust or separation of refractory eclogite material from the former oceanic crust into the lower mantle appears to be required. The negative europium anomalies observed in some EM-type OIBs and the systematics of their key element ratios suggest the addition of a small amount (⩽1% or less) of subducted sediment to their mantle sources. However, a general lack of a crustal signature in OIBs indicates that sediment recycling has not been an important process in the convecting mantle, at least not in more recent times (⩽2 Ga). Upward migration of silica-undersaturated melts from the low velocity zone can generate an enriched reservoir in the continental and oceanic lithospheric mantle. We propose that the HIMU type (eg St Helena) OIB component can be generated in this way. This enriched mantle can be re-introduced into the convective mantle by thermal erosion of the continental lithosphere and by the recycling of the enriched oceanic lithosphere back into the mantle.

Composition of the Continental Crust

Abstract: This chapter reviews the present-day composition of the continental crust, the methods employed to derive these estimates, and the implications of the continental crust composition for the formation of the continents, Earth differentiation, and its geochemical inventories. We review the composition of the upper, middle, and lower continental crust. We then examine the bulk crust composition and the implications of this composition for crust generation and modification processes. Finally, we compare the Earth's crust with those of the other terrestrial planets in our solar system and speculate about what unique processes on Earth have given rise to this unusual crustal distribution.

Trace element discrimination diagrams for the tectonic interpretation of granitic rocks

Abstract: Granites may be subdivided according to their intrusive settings into four main groups—ocean ridge granites (ORG), volcanic arc granites (VAG), within plate granites (WPG) and collision granites (COLG)—and the granites within each group may be further subdivided according to their precise settings and petrological characteristics. Using a data bank containing over 600 high quality trace element analyses of granites from known settings, it can be demonstrated using ORG-normalized geochemical patterns and element-SiO2 plots that most of these granite groups exhibit distinctive trace element characteristics. Discrimination of ORG, VAG, WPG and syn-COLG is most effective in Rb-Y-Nb and Rb-Yb-Ta space, particularly on projections of Y-Nb, Yb-Ta, Rb-(Y + Nb) and Rb—(Yb + Ta). Discrimination boundaries, though drawn empirically, can be shown by geochemical modelling to have a theoretical basis in the different petrogenetic histories of the various granite groups. Post-collision granites present the main problem of tectonic classification, since their characteristics depend on the thickness and composition of the lithosphere involved in the collision event and on the precise timing and location of magmatism. Provided they are coupled with a consideration of geological constraints, however, studies of trace element compositions in granites can clearly help in theelucidation of post-Archaean tectonic settings.