Geochemistry of the appinite suite

Abstract

Summary The suite is highly enriched in many of the trace elements, both those typical of basaltic rocks (Co, Ni, Cr) and those more frequently richer in calc alkaline suites (Ba, Sr). The suite is rich in these elements and in K in all the members of the suite and the geochemical characters are indicative of normal igneous differentiation of a volatile, K and trace element-rich basaltic magma. The suite is not similar to any of the more widespread basaltic or andesitic suites although the rocks mostly vary in composition from a rather ultramafic basalt to a silica-poor andesite. There are also abundant acidic and alkaline differentiates but these do not show any more extreme enrichment in major or trace elements than the more basic rocks.