Anorthite megacrysts from island arc basalts

Abstract

Abstract Anorthite megacrysts are common in basalts from the Japanese Island Arc, and signally rare in other global fields. These anorthites are 1 to 3 cm in size and often contain several corroded Mg-olivine inclusions. The megacrysts generally range from An 94 Ab 4 Ot 2 to An 89 Ab 6 Ot 5 (Ot: other minor end-members, including CaFeSi 3 O 8 , CaMgSi 3 O 8 , AlAl 3 SiO 8 , □Si 4 O 8 ) and show no chemical zoning. They often show parting. Redclouded megacrysts contain microcrystals of native copper with a distribution reminiscent of the shape of a planetary nebula. Hydrocarbons are also present, both in the anorthite megacrysts and in the olivines included within them. Implications of lateral variations in the Fe/Mg ratio of the included olivines, in Sr-content and in Sr-isotope ratio of the anorthite megacrysts with respect to the Japanese island arc, relate to mixing of crustal components and subducted slab-sediments into the basaltic magmas.