The Role of the Mantle Plumes in the Formation of Ophiolitic Extrusive Sequence, Northwest Sabzevar

In northwest Sabzevar the exposed extrusive sequence and supraophiolite series haveinterbedded pelagic limestone containing Late Cretaceous microfaunas. The extrusive sequence comprise of hyaloclastic breccia, tuff and sheet flow in lower part, aphyric and vesiculated pillow lava in middle part and volcanic sedimentary rocks upwards. The supraophiolite series contain alternations of volcanogenic sediments, turbidites and lavas. The study of chemical analyses of the lavas of the upper part of extrusive sequence and the lavas of supraophiolite series indicate similar geochemical affinity. These lavas have calc alkaline character and show cleardepletions of Nb and definite depletions of Zr and Ti in the patterns of spider diagrams. In tectonomagmatic diagrams, they plot in the realm ofsubduction zone suggesting their formation above the subducted slab. Slight changes of HREE in the patterns of spider diagram can beattributed to partial melting of depleted mantle wedge which influenced by subduction components (fluids- melt) released from subducted slab causing enrichments of LREE. In comparison, the sheet flow and pillow lave of the lower and middle parts of extrusive sequence have OIB character without depletion of Nb, Zr and Ti. The patterns of their spider diagrams show enrichment of LREE indicating low partial melting of garnet-bearing enriched mantle. It seems a period of extension or arc rifting or slab roll-back have occurred before the arc is well developed. These process formed back-arc basin located close to arc. In this stage, arc magmatism stopped and caused the mantle plumes rising. It seems that the extrusive sequence exposed in northwest Sabzevar formed in transitional zone between arc to back-arc in Late Cretaceous.