Petrogenesis and Geochemistry of Pleistocene and Pliocene Basalt
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UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2005 Petrogenesis and geochemistry of Pleistocene and Pliocene basalt flows of the Pine alleV y Volcanic Field, Utah and their relationship to the tectonics of the Utah transition zone Matthew Faust University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Faust, Matthew, "Petrogenesis and geochemistry of Pleistocene and Pliocene basalt flows of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field, Utah and their relationship to the tectonics of the Utah transition zone" (2005). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1827. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/rtfy-myf4 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PETROGENESIS AND GEOCHEMISTRY OF PLEISTOCENE AND PLIOCENE BASALT FLOWS OF THE PINE VALLEY VOLCANIC FIELD, UTAH AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE TECTONICS OF THE UTAH TRANSITION ZONE by Matthew Faust Bachelor of Science Pacific Lutheran University 2002 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Geoscience Department of Geoscience College of Science Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas August 2005 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number 1429701 UMI' UMI Microform 1429701 Copyright 2006 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1348 Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Thesis Approval TTNTV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas MAY 13th ■20_05 The Thesis prepared by Matthew Faust Entitled Petrogenesis and Geochemistry of Pleistocene and Pliocene Basalt Flows of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field, Utah and Their Relationship to the Tectonics of the Utah Transition Zone is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geoscience___________________ Examination Committee Owir Dean of the Graduate College Examination Committee Member ------------ Examination Committee Member Graduate College faculty Representative 11 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Petrogenesis and Geochemistry of Pleistocene and Pliocene Basalt Flows of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field, Utah and Their Relationship to the Tectonics of the Utah Transition Zone by Matthew Faust Dr. Eugene I. Smith, Examination Committee Chair Professor of Geoscience University of Nevada, Las Vegas The Pine Valley Volcanic Field in southwestern Utah consists of at least 24 mafic lava flows and 10 vents. Eruptions have spanned the past 2.4 m.y. The youngest emptions at the Snow Canyon and Diamond Valley cones occurred between 1 and 20 ka. Lava flows range in composition from basalt to andésite, and include both alkaline and subalkaline rocks throughout the field. Trace element abundances for the youngest lavas show both oceanic island basalt (OIB) and mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORE) components in their source. Sr and Nd isotopic ratios exhibit evolved values, spanning a large range from Exd of 0.54 and ^^Sr/^^Sr of 0.7036 to SNd of -7.83 and ^^Sr/^Sr of 0.7055. The apparent conflict between geochemical evidence for an asthenospheric source (MORE and OIE-like trace element abundances) and a lithospheric source (evolved isotopic ratios) is resolved through a model that calls upon contamination of an asthenospheric melt with ancient (isotopically-evolved) mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORE) within the lithosphere. Ill Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................iii TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................... iv LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................................vi LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................................ vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2 REGIONAL BACKGROUND GEOLOGY................................................ 5 Precambrian ......................................................................................................................... 5 Paleozoic...............................................................................................................................5 Mesozoic...............................................................................................................................6 Cenozoic ...............................................................................................................................6 CHAPTER 3 PREVIOUS WORK........................................................................................9 Geologic Mapping...............................................................................................................9 Ages of Flows......................................................................................................................9 Petrology of Flows.............................................................................................................11 Space-Time-Composition Patterns and the Relationsip to Tectonics .............................15 CHAPTER 4 PINE VALLEY VOLCANIC FIELD.........................................................18 Eruptive History of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field ........................................................18 Correlation of Mapped Flows of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field ................................. 21 Volcanoes of the Pine Valley Volcanic Field ..................................................................22 Lava Flows o f the Pine Valley Volcanic Field ................................................................26 CHAPTER 5 VOLCANOLOGY OF THE SANTA CLARA AND DIAMOND VALLEY FLOWS.................................................................................................................28 Diamond Valley Cone ...................................................................................................... 28 Diamond Valley Flow ....................................................................................................... 30 Snow Canyon Cone ...........................................................................................................31 Santa Clara Flow ................................................................................................................33 Discussion .......................................................................................................................... 35 IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER 6 MAGNETIC SURVEY ...............................................................................40