Mantle sources of quaternary volcanism on Zhokhov Island (De Long Islands, East Arctic): Isotope-geochemical features of the basalts and spinel lherzolite xenoliths

This paper reports the results of isotope-geochemical studies and distribution patterns for trace elements and rare earth elements in a collection of specimens of Cenozoic alkaline olivine basalts and spinel lherzolite xenoliths sampled at Zhokhov Island, De Long Archipelago (New Siberian Islands), East Arctic. In spite of various contributions of xenogenic minerals of mantle lherzolite xenoliths (olivine, pyroxene and spinel), the bulk-rock isotope composition of the studied specimens deviates within insignificant limits. This evidences the isotopic and geochemical homogeneity of the mantle source and the absence of a significant effect of processes of contamination by crustal host rocks, which frequently occur within the basalts as xenoliths. On the other hand this reflects the short lifetime of existence and evolution of the mantle melt source. The studied basalts by their isotope and geochemical characteristics resemble volcanics of oceanic islands, intraplate continental volcanics, and those of ocean rises, relate to the activity of mantle plumes. The lack of elevated U/Pb in the studied specimens permits us to correlate the occurrence of the Cenozoic volcanism at De Long Islands of East Arctic with intraplate continental plume volcanism of the rifting stage (analogous to plume magmatism of the East African Rift, Mesozoic alkaline ultramafic volcanism of Eastern India, and others).