Geochemistry of Spencer-High Point Volcanic Field Lava Flows, Idaho

Lava flows in Spencer-High Point (SHP) volcanic field, an ~1700 sq km mafic volcanic rift zone located near Yellowstone in the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP), have been compared physically and chemically to other ESRP olivine tholeiites. Overall, SHP lavas are geochemically similar to other ESRP olivine tholeiites but their geomorphology is entirely different. The structural alignment of vents and fissures in an east-west direction in the Spencer-High Point region contrasts with most of the ESRP volcanic features aligned northwest-southeast. Numerous cinder cones at SHP, features that characterize Craters of the Moon volcanic field, are unusual on most of the eastern Snake River Plain. This study agrees with preliminary geochemical data by Leeman (1982) and Kuntz et al. (1992) suggesting that SHP lavas are typical ESRP basalts. However, a broad range of geochemical compositions exists in the SHP field that is similar to the entire range of ESRP olivine tholeiites. A few of the samples are actually closer in composition to lavas present at Craters of the Moon but only a limited number of samples from vents with physically higher relief, in the central and eastern portions of the field show these evolved chemical compositions. Typically Ta ranges 0.5-4.5ppm, La 20-90ppm, Ba 200-1100ppm and Cr 7-550ppm. Some lava flows in the central and eastern sections of SHP volcanic field also contain crustal xenoliths, implying a prolonged crustal history. These results although preliminary, suggest that the SHP system represents a possible petrologic transition between the dominant ESRP tholeiites and the evolved compositions found at Craters of the Moon.