Systematic Across‐Arc Variations of Molybdenum Isotopes in a Fluid‐Dominated Subduction Zone System

Abstract

Abstract Mass‐dependent Mo isotope variations are a promising new tracer to study magmatic processes in different geological settings. We report the first Mo isotope data for the Kamchatka arc system in the Northwest Pacific, comprising basaltic lavas of a complete Southeast‐Northwest traverse from the volcanic arc front through to the back arc region. The majority of volcanic centers investigated directly override the Hawaii‐Emperor Seamount Chain, which is currently being subducted underneath the arc system. Our Mo isotope data show systematic trends with Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo, Nb/Zr, La/Sm, and 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios from the volcanic arc front to the back arc. Arc front lavas have higher δ 98/95 Mo and lower Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo, Nb/Zr, La/Sm compared to back arc lavas. Because the involvement of subducted sediments can be excluded, we attribute the observed variations to a change in the mantle source composition from the arc front to the back arc regions. The isotopic and chemical budget of arc front lavas is dominated by a slab fluid component (high δ 98/95 Mo, low Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo), whereas mantle‐like Ce/Pb, Ce/Mo, elevated Nb/Zr and La/Sm in the back arc samples suggest an enriched mantle source. Combined δ 98/95 Mo, Nd, and Pb isotope data in back arc lavas are very similar to those observed for modern ocean island basalts from Hawaii. We thus explore the possibility that the back arc mantle was contaminated by a Hawaii‐type, enriched asthenospheric mantle component from the subducted Hawaii‐Emperor Seamount Chain.

Plain Language Summary In subduction zones, tectonic plates—tens of kilometers thick and making up the outer shell of our planet—are on a collision course. Although the absolute convergence rates of these plates are minute (a few cm/year), the forces in this process are so large that one plate is pushed under the other, causing the lower plate to be recycled into the Earth's mantle over time scales of millions of years. The tangible consequences are high‐magnitude earthquakes and large‐volume volcanic eruptions along these convergent plate margins. It is thus important to better understand the geological processes that operate in subduction zones. Here, we have studied the chemical and isotopic composition of volcanic rocks from the Kamchatka subduction zone. Our results confirm that water, locked into the subducting plate while residing on the surface, is released into the hot, overlying mantle after subduction, causing the formation of large volumes of magma that eventually erupt in volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Our data also indicate that the subducting plate, once pushed into the mantle, is being ripped apart, allowing buoyant mantle material from greater depth to rise and contribute to the large‐scale volcanism observed along this convergent plate margin.

Key Points Molybdenum isotope systematics in arc basalts from Kamchatka are consistent with presence of a slab‐derived fluid in their mantle source Back arc basalts also show contribution from a geochemically enriched source Combined Mo, Nd, and Pb isotope and trace element data for back arc basalts suggest involvement of Hawaii‐type asthenospheric mantle