Neogene rhyolites of the northern Jemez volcanic field, New Mexico
Abstract
Volcanic centers previously mapped as the 2.0 Ma El Rechuelos Rhyolite in the northern Jemez volcanic field, New Mexico, include three distinct episodes of rhyolitic volcanism. An early (7.5 Ma) extrusive dome of flow-banded biotite rhyolite and an intermediate (5.8 Ma) rhyolite, possibly a volcanic neck, correspond in age to rhyolites of the Keres Group in the southern Jemez volcanic field. Three other extrusive domes of aphyric, pumiceous rhyolite and obsidian comprise a late volcanic episode, dated at 2.0 Ma. We retain the name El Rechuelos Rhyolite only for these late centers. Another center, farther north than the others but previously mapped with the El Rechuelos Rhyolite, is a dacite pumice ring whose age (5.2 Ma), petrography, major- and trace-element chemistry, and Sr initial ratio all suggest it should be included with rocks of the Tschicoma Formation. Nd and Sr isotopic ratios of the Neogene rhyolites of the northern Jemez volcanic field suggest that these rhyolites were not produced by partial melting of either upper or lower crust. Rather, they may have been generated from a mantle-derived mafic magma, such as the nearby Lobato Basalt, by fractional crystallization with concomitant assimilation of small amounts (<6%) of lower crust. If the El Rechuelos is derived from a lower crustal magma chamber, as seems likely, then it is not related to the Bandelier magma system, even though it is part of a continuum of rhyolite volcanism ranging from 3.6 Ma to 130,000 years ago that includes the Bandelier and precursor rhyolitic units.
- Publication:
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Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- June 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JB093iB06p06157
- Bibcode:
- 1988JGR....93.6157L
- Keywords:
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- Mineralogy;
- Petrology;
- and Rock Chemistry: Igneous petrology;
- Mineralogy;
- Petrology;
- and Rock Chemistry: Geochronology (radiometric);
- Mineralogy;
- Petrology;
- and Rock Chemistry: Isotope composition;
- Information Related to Geographic Region: North America;
- Mineralogy;
- Petrology;
- and Rock Chemistry: Major element composition