Magma type and tectonic setting of metabasites, Southern Alps, New Zealand, using immobile elements

Abstract

Ti, P, Zr, Y, and Nb concentrations in greenschist‐amphibolite grade metabasites from the Southern Alps, New Zealand, indicate that they are tholeiitic and of mid ocean ridge and intraplate (ocean island) origin. The metabasites were tectonically emplaced within the Torlesse sediments during Mesozoic subduction and subsequently underwent further fragmentation and recrystallisation during metamorphism prior to uplift of the Alps.