HR: 0800h
AN: V51A-1474 [Abstracts]
TI: Volume and Petrologic Characteristics of the Koloa Volcanics, Kaua`i, Hawai`i
AU: * Gandy, C E
EM: cgandy@hawaii.edu
AF: University of Hawaii, 2525 Correa Rd., Honolulu, Hi 96822
United States
AU: Garcia, M O
EM: mogarcia@hawaii.edu
AF: University of Hawaii, 2525 Correa Rd., Honolulu, Hi 96822
United States
AU: Blay, C
EM: teok@aloha.net
AF: TEOK, P.O. Box 549, Poipu, Hi 96756
United States
AB:
The Koloa Volcanics on the island of Kaua`i are the most voluminous example of the rejuvenated-stage in Hawai`i. They provide
an excellent opportunity to evaluate the cause(s) of rejuvenated-stage eruptions through the study of their volume and
petrologic characteristics. We have conducted an extensive field study of the Koloa Volcanics, collecting 162 samples and
measuring sections from most regions of the island where Koloa rocks are exposed. Published ages for Koloa Volcanics lava
range from 3.65 to 0.375 Ma. These moderately olivine-phyric lavas are alkalic basalts, basanites, foidites, and melilite
foidites; they show no temporal correlation between rock types (e.g., alkalic basalts and basanites were erupted for the
duration of Koloa volcanism). Most olivine compositions (Fo 83-86) are too low to be in equilibrium with the whole rock
compositions (Mg#) reflecting variable amounts of olivine accumulation and/or resorption of ultramafic xenoliths. Olivine
compositions indicate parental magmas with Mg#s of 62-64 for many lavas. Major-oxide and trace element variation diagrams
show trends indicating low but variable degrees of partial melting from a somewhat heterogeneous source with no correlation
of Nd or Sr isotopes with rock type. When compared with other incompatible elements, Zr and Nb are less enriched in foidic
rocks, which may reflect a residual oxide phase in the source. Data from 41 measured sections, 85 water well logs and
previous geologic studies of Kaua`i were synthesized using ARC/GIS to create a subsurface image of the Koloa Volcanics for
volume calculations. Division of the island into quadrants yielded a minimum volume estimate of 50 km3. This is the first
quantitative volume estimate for Hawaiian rejuvenation volcanism. When compared with a new, larger estimate for the total
volume of Kaua`i (57,000 km3; Robinson and Eakins, in press), the Koloa Volcanics are 0.1% of the total, which is consistent
with a previous guesstimate (<<1% of the total volume). Current models for rejuvenated stage volcanism provide
predictable consequences for the volumes and age range of the magmas produced. Flexure-induced decompressional melting and
convective mantle plume upwelling models predict a hiatus between shield and rejuvenated volcanism and relatively small
volumes, which are not observed on Kaua`i. Lithospheric melting by conductive heating predicts little or no age gap and
relatively large volumes of magma. When coupled with effects of small scale convection eroding the overlying lithosphere,
the conductive heating model best explains the observed age-volume relations for Koloa Volcanics.
Roinson, J.E. and Eakins, B.W., 2005, J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., in press.
DE: 8486 Field relationships (1090, 3690)
SC: Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology [V]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005