Isotopic and Trace Element Evidence from Lavas, Bearing on Mantle Heterogeneity Beneath Kenya

M J NORRY, P H TRUCKLE, S J LIPPARD, Chris Hawkesworth, S D WEAVER, G F MARRINER, D K BAILEY

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Nd, Sr and Pb isotope data, together with new major and trace element data are presented for lavas from northern Kenya. A general trend towards silica saturation and decreasing incompatible element contents is observed from the Miocene to the present day. Significantly, the abundances of different incompatible elements decrease at different rates. The Nd, Sr and Pb isotope compositions of the basic lavas are similar to those observed on the Atlantic ocean islands. Comparison of the Sm/Nd ratios required to produce the Nd isotope ratios with those observed in the rocks indicates that light rare earth elements (r.e.e.) have probably been added to the source region of the lavas comparatively recently. A model involving recent metasomatism of the subcontinental mantle beneath Kenya, which could account for the correlated silica undersaturation and incompatible element content of the lavas, is proposed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)259-271
    Number of pages13
    JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences
    Volume297
    Issue number1431
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 24 Jul 1980

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