Spatio-temporal evolution of Australian lithosphere - asthenosphere boundary from mafic volcanism

Abstract

Cratonic margins host many of the natural resources upon which our society depends. Despite this, little is known about the dynamic evolution of these regions and the stability of substantial steps in plate thickness that delineate their boundaries with adjacent mantle. Here, we investigate the spatio-temporal evolution of Australian cratonic lithosphere and underlying asthenospheric mantle by using the geochemical composition of mafic volcanic or shallow intrusive rocks preserved throughout the continent’s history. We have collated a large database of mafic samples that were screened to remove data affected by crystal fractionation or assimilation of cumulate material. We use forward and inverse modelling of igneous trace element compositions to calculate the depth and extent of melting for 28 distinct igneous provinces in the North Australian Craton. These results are used to infer mantle potential temperature and lithospheric thickness at the time of eruption. The majority of Paleoproterozoic magmatic events record high mantle potential temperatures of 1350–1450 °C and relatively low lithospheric thicknesses of ≤50 km. In contrast, younger igneous provinces show a gradual decrease in potential temperature and an increase in lithospheric thickness with time. These constraints on the mantle lay the foundation for the development of a quantitative geodynamic understanding of the evolution of the Australian lithosphere and its resources. Show more