Shatsky Rise: Ar/Ar Geochronology and geochemistry of igneous rock samples from the Shatsky Rise Plateau (northwest Pacific Ocean)

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The primary goal of IODP Exp 324 Shatsky Rise is to study the origin and temporal and geochemical evolution of the submarine Shatsky Rise Plateau, a large igneous province (LIP) in the northwest Pacific Ocean located ca. 1500 km east of Japan. Two 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages (on sills in the overlying sediments) and paleomagnetic data indicate that the plateau largely formed during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. The paleomagnetic data also allow the original tectonic setting to be reconstructed, indicating that the Shatsky Rise formed at a ridge-ridge-ridge triple junction. The purpose of this study is two-fold. First we will determine the strontium (Sr), neodymium (Nd), lead (Pb) and hafnium (Hf) isotopic compositions of the freshest igneous basement rock samples from each major lithological unit from two different drill sites on the plateau, in order to define the magmatic source composition(s). Constraining the geochemical composition of the magma source(s) will help achieve the primary objective of the expedition: testing contrasting endmember models of oceanic plateau formation at Shatsky Rise (plume head or ridge-controlled model). Second, we will determine the absolute age of samples from two sites using the 40Ar/39Ar step heating technique on plagioclase phenocrysts whenever available, in order to constrain further the temporal and geochemical evolution of the plateau. Ultimately we will combine our results with data on the same samples (e.g. major and trace element and He, Os, B, O and V isotope data) and from other drill sites generated by other Expedition 324 participants to produce the most comprehensive data set possible, enabling us to evaluate if mantle plumes are involved in the generation of LIP’s such as Shatsky Rise or if they are formed by other processes.