The Significance of Metasomatized Continental Lithospheric Mantle in Flood Basalt Formation - Constraints From Mantle Xenoliths Beneath NW Namibia

EAR-9909255

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Two xenolith suites in NW Namibia provide a unique opportunity to sample directly the continental lithospheric mantle and lower crust in the vicinity of the major Parana-Etendeka continental flood basalt province. One xenolith locality falls within the sphere of influence of the early Tristan plume, whereas the second lies to the south of the plume influence, but within the same crustal unit. Detailed trace element and isotope analyses (Sr, Nd, Pb) on selected samples of these xenolith suites, together with available geochemical data on magmas from the early plume and depleted asthenosphere, will be used to test current models for the actual source regions of continental flood basalts. This project is collaborative endeavor with Dr. Anton le Roex, of the University of Cape Town UCT, South Africa.