Geochemical composition of minerals obtained from ODP Sites 180-1109, 180-1117 and 180-1118

During the last 8 m.y. the Papuan Peninsula region of Papua New Guinea has been affected by extension which opened the Woodlark Basin. The present-day spreading tip is located at the foot of the Moresby Seamount, a crustal block whose northern flank is an active low-angle normal fault related to this extension. During Ocean Drilling Program Leg 180 (7 June-11 August 1998), 11 sites (1108-1118) were drilled along a north-south-trending transect across the Woodlark Basin just ahead of the spreading tip. Four of these sites (1118, 1109, 1114, and 1117) reached the crystalline basement, which is composed of diabase and gabbro. Sites 1118 and 1109, located on the Woodlark Rise, belong to the hanging wall block, and Sites 1114 and 1117, located on the crest of the Moresby Seamount, belong to the footwall block and the fault zone itself. Most of the basalt, diabase, and gabbro that were recovered show a well-preserved magmatic texture. The diabase, which is the most abundant rock type, has a coarse-grained ophitic texture composed of poikilitic clinopyroxene including radiating, locally skeletal plagioclase laths with interstitial iron oxide grains. Secondary mineralogy consists of chlorite, zeolite, calcite, albite, and quartz. The gabbro shows a medium-grained granular texture. The magmatic mineralogy consists of euhedral laths of plagioclase and anhedral interstitial clinopyroxene. Secondary mineralogy consists of a magnesio to actinolitic hornblende, chlorite, clinozoisite, zeolite, quartz, and calcite. The retrograde metamorphic evolution of both gabbro and diabase occurred under low amphibolite to subgreenschist facies conditions associated mainly with brittle deformation and the development of a local low-temperature shear zone. This shows no evidence for high thermal gradient in the crust during the continental rifting.

Geochemistry and mineralogy of interstitial waters and clays in sediments of ODP Leg 180 sites

Oxygen and strontium isotopes and Rb and Ba were determined in interstitial water (IW) collected from Sites 1109, 1115, and 1118 drilled on the Woodlark Rise during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 180. The trace element and mineralogical composition of the clay fraction of sediments isolated from the squeeze cakes corresponding to IW samples from Site 1109 was also determined.

Chemical composition of Late Cenozoic volcanic and volcaniclastic deposits from the western Woodlark Basin area, SW Pacific

Tephra fallout layers and volcaniclastic deposits, derived from volcanic sources around and on the Papuan Peninsula, form a substantial part of the Woodlark Basin marine sedimentary succession. Sampling by the Ocean Drilling Program Leg 180 in the western Woodlark Basin provides the opportunity to document the distribution of the volcanically-derived components as well as to evaluate their chronology, chemistry, and isotope compositions in order to gain information on the volcanic sources and original magmatic systems. Glass shards selected from 57 volcanogenic layers within the sampled Pliocene-Pleistocene sedimentary sequence show predominantly rhyolitic compositions, with subordinate basaltic andesites, basaltic trachy-andesites, andesites, trachy-andesites, dacites, and phonolites. It was possible to correlate only a few of the volcanogenic layers between sites using geochemical and age information apparently because of the formation of strongly compartmentalised sedimentary realms on this actively rifting margin. In many cases it was possible to correlate Leg 180 volcanic components with their eruption source areas based on chemical and isotope compositions. Likely sources for a considerable number of the volcanogenic deposits are Moresby and Dawson Strait volcanoes (D'Entrecasteaux Islands region) for high-K calc-alkaline glasses. The Dawson Strait volcanoes appear to represent the source for five peralkaline tephra layers. One basaltic andesitic volcaniclastic layer shows affinities to basaltic andesites from the Woodlark spreading tip and Cheshire Seamount. For other layers, a clear identification of the sources proved impossible, although their isotope and chemical signatures suggest similarities to south-west Pacific subduction volcanism, e.g. New Britain and Tonga- Kermadec island arcs. Volcanic islands in the Trobriand Arc (for example, Woodlark Island Amphlett Islands and/or Egum Atoll) are probable sources for several volcaniclastic layers with ages between 1.5 to 3 Ma. The Lusancay Islands can be excluded as a source for the volcanogenic layers found during Leg 180. Generally, the volcanogenic layers indicate much calc-alkaline rhyolitic volcanism in eastern Papua since 3.8 Ma. Starting at 135 ka, however, peralkaline tephra layers appear. This geochemical change in source characteristics might reflect the onset of a change in geotectonic regime, from crustal subduction to spreading, affecting the D'Entrecasteaux Islands region. Initial 143Nd/144Nd ratios as low as 0.5121 and 0.5127 for two of the tephra layers are interpreted as indicating that D'Entrecasteaux Islands volcanism younger than 2.9 Ma occasionally interacted with the Late Archean basement, possibly reflecting the mobilisation of the deep continental crust during active rift propagation.

Geochemistry, mineral composition and Ar40/Ar39 ages of dolerites from ODP Leg 180 sites

New trace element analyses are presented for Leg 180 dolerites, basalts from the Papuan Ultramafic Belt (PUB), and basement rocks of Woodlark Island. The Leg 180 dolerites are similar to those from Woodlark Island in being derived from an enriched source but differ from the PUB, which came from a source similar to normal mid-ocean ridge basalts. A reliable 40Ar/39Ar age of 54.0 ± 1.0 Ma has been obtained by step heating of a whole-rock sample from Site 1109, and a similar but less reliable age was obtained for a sample from Site 1118. Plagioclase from Site 1109 did not give a meaningful age. This age is broadly similar to ages from the Dabi volcanics of the nearby Cape Vogel and for the PUB.

Total organic carbon content, methane isotopic composition and hydrocarbon characteristics of ODP Leg 180 sites

The organic geochemistry of Sites 1108 and 1109 of the Woodlark Basin, offshore Papua New Guinea, was studied to determine whether thermally mature hydrocarbons were present in the penetrated section and, if present, whether they are genetically related to the penetrated "coaly" interval. Both the organic carbon and pyrolysis data indicate that there is no significant hydrocarbon source-rock potential at Site 1108. The hydrocarbons encountered during drilling appear to be indigenous and not migrated products or contaminants. In contrast, the coaly interval at Site 1109 contains zones with significant hydrocarbon-generation potential. Several independent lines of evidence indicate that the coaly sequence encountered at Site 1109 is thermally immature. The Site 1108 methane stable-carbon isotope composition does not display a clear trend with depth as would be expected if it was solely reflecting a maturation profile. The measured isotopic composition of methane has most probably been altered by fractionation during sample handling and storage. This fractionation would result in isotopically heavier values than would be obtained on free gas. The organic geochemical data gathered indicate that Site 1108 can be safely revisited and that the organic-rich sediments encountered at Site 1109 were not the source of the gas encountered at Site 1108.

Mineral composition, major element oxides and trace element concentration of sediments from ODP Leg 180 sites

Middle Miocene to Holocene fine-grained argillaceous sediments (clays, claystones/muds, and mudstones), which volumetrically dominated the sediment recovery in the Woodlark Basin during Leg 180, were chemically analyzed for major elements, trace elements, and some rare earth elements by X-ray fluorescence. Selected samples also underwent X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis for mineral determination. The results shed light on sediment provenance when combined with shipboard sediment descriptions, smear slide study, and XRD. The oldest sediments recovered (Site 1108) of middle-late Miocene age include volcanogenic muds with distinctive high MgO and K2O, indicative of a relatively basic calc-alkaline source related to an inferred Miocene forearc succession. The forearc basement, composed of diabase and basalt, was locally exposed (Site 1109) and eroded in the late Miocene (<5.4-9.93 Ma), giving rise to fluvial conglomerates (Sites 1109, 1115, and 1118). Chemically distinctive fine-grained claystones and siltstones (with relatively high Ti, low K) are compatible with derivation from tropically weathered basic igneous rocks, correlated with the Paleogene Papuan ophiolite. Overlying latest Miocene-Pleistocene fine-grained sediments throughout the Woodlark Basin were partly derived from calc-alkaline volcanic sources. However, relatively high abundances of Al2O3 and related element oxides (K2O and Na2O) and trace elements (e.g., Rb and Y) reflect an additional terrigenous input throughout the basin, correlated with pelitic metamorphic rocks exposed on Papua New Guinea and adjacent areas. In addition, sporadic high abundances of Cr and Ni, some other trace metals, and related minerals (talc, crysotile, and chlorite) reflect input from an ophiolitic terrain dominated by ultramafic rocks, correlated with the Paleogene Papuan ophiolite. The source areas possibly included serpentinized ultramafic ophiolitic rocks exposed in the Papua New Guinea interior highlands. Chemical evidence further indicates that fine-grained terrigenous sediment reached the Woodlark Basin throughout its entire late Miocene-Holocene history. Distinctive high-K volcanogenic muds rich in tephra and volcanic ash layers that appear at <2.3 Ma (Sites 1109 and 1115) are indicative of high-K calc-alkaline volcanic centers, possibly located in the Dawson Strait, Moresby Strait, or Dobu Seamount area. Chemical diagenesis of fine-grained sediments within the Woodlark Basin is reflected in clay neomorphism and localized formation of minerals including dolomite, ankerite, and zeolite but has had little effect on the bulk chemical composition of most samples.

Grain counts and relative abundances of volcaniclastic sands and sandstones of ODP Leg 180 sites

Modal analysis of middle Miocene to Pleistocene volcaniclastic sands and sandstones recovered from Sites 1108, 1109, 1118, 1112, 1115, 1116, and 1114 within the Woodlark Basin during Leg 180 of the Ocean Drilling Program indicates a complex source history for sand-sized detritus deposited within the basin. Volcaniclastic detritus (i.e., feldspar, ferromagnesian minerals, and volcanic rock fragments) varies substantially throughout the Woodlark Basin. Miocene sandstones of the inferred Trobriand forearc succession contain mafic and subordinate silicic volcanic grains, probably derived from the contemporary Trobriand arc. During the late Miocene, the Trobriand outerarc/forearc (including Paleogene ophiolitic rocks) was subaerially exposed and eroded, yielding sandstones of dominantly mafic composition. Rift-related extension during the late Miocene-late Pliocene led to a transition from terrestrial to neritic and finally bathyal deposition. The sandstones deposited during this period are composed dominantly of silicic volcanic detritus, probably derived from the Amphlett Islands and surrounding areas where volcanic rocks of Pliocene-Pleistocene age occur. During this time terrigenous and metamorphic detritus derived from the Papua New Guinea mainland reached the single turbiditic Woodlark rift basin (or several subbasins) as fine-grained sediments. At Sites 1108, 1109, 1118, 1116, and 1114, serpentinite and metamorphic grains (schist and gneiss) appear as detritus in sandstones younger than ~3 Ma. This is thought to reflect a major pulse of rifting that resulted in the deepening of the Woodlark rift basin and the prevention of terrigenous and metamorphic detritus from reaching the northern rift margin (Site 1115). The Paleogene Papuan ophiolite belt and the Owen Stanley metamorphics were unroofed as the southern margin of the rift was exhumed (e.g., Moresby Seamount) and, in places, subaerially exposed (e.g., D'Entrecasteaux Islands and onshore Cape Vogel Basin), resulting in new and more proximal sources of metamorphic, igneous, and ophiolitic detritus. Continued emergence of the Moresby Seamount during the late Pliocene-early Pleistocene bounded by a major inclined fault scarp yielded talus deposits of similar composition to the above sandstones. Upper Pliocene-Pleistocene sandstones were deposited at bathyal depths by turbidity currents and as subordinate air-fall ash. Silicic glassy (high-K calc-alkaline) volcanic fragments, probably derived from volcanic centers located in Dawson and Moresby Straits, dominated these sandstones.

(Table T2) Rock magnetic parameters of ODP Leg 180 sites

Rock magnetic measurements were performed on sediments above 20 meters below seafloor (mbsf) (general) and above 2.5 mbsf (detailed) at Sites 1109, 1110, and 1115 (Ocean Drilling Program Leg 180) in the western Woodlark Basin. Rock magnetic parameters imply the presence of magnetite as a principal magnetic mineral in the sediments. The hysteresis ratios lay in the pseudo-single domain field and generally showed the trend close to that for the mixture of single domain and multidomain magnetite The sediments in the oxidized zones at the top at Sites 1109 and 1115 provided a different trend in the logarithmic plot of the hysteresis ratios, and the oxidized samples were characterized by higher coercivity.

Argon, uranium, thorium and lead composition and ages of ODP Leg 180 sites

During Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 180, 11 sites were drilled in the vicinity of the Moresby Seamount to study processes associated with the transition from continental rifting to seafloor spreading in the Woodlark Basin. This paper presents thermochronologic (40Ar/39Ar, 238U/206Pb, and fission track) results from igneous rocks recovered during ODP Leg 180 that help constrain the latest Cretaceous to present-day tectonic development of the Woodlark Basin. Igneous rocks recovered (primarily from Sites 1109, 1114, 1117, and 1118) consist of predominantly diabase and metadiabase, with minor basalt and gabbro. Zircon ion microprobe analyses gave a 238U/206Pb age of 66.4 ± 1.5 Ma, interpreted to date crystallization of the diabase. 40Ar/39Ar plagioclase apparent ages vary considerably according to the degree to which the diabase was altered subsequent to crystallization. The least altered sample (from Site 1109) yielded a plagioclase isochron age of 58.9 ± 5.8 Ma, interpreted to represent cooling following intrusion. The most altered sample (from Site 1117) yielded an isochron age of 31.0 ± 0.9 Ma, interpreted to represent a maximum age for the timing of subsequent hydrothermal alteration. The diabase has not been thermally affected by Miocene-Pliocene rift-related events, supporting our inference that these rocks have remained at shallow and cool levels in the crust (i.e., upper plate) since they were partially reset as a result of middle Oligocene hydrothermal alteration. These results suggest that crustal extension in the vicinity of the Moresby Seamount, immediately west of the active seafloor spreading tip, is being accommodated by normal faulting within latest Cretaceous to early Paleocene oceanic crust. Felsic clasts provide additional evidence for middle Miocene and Pliocene magmatic events in the region. Two rhyolitic clasts (from Sites 1110 and 1111) gave zircon 238U/206Pb ages of 15.7 ± 0.4 Ma and provide evidence for Miocene volcanism in the region. 40Ar/39Ar total fusion ages on single grains of K-feldspar from these clasts yielded younger apparent ages of 12.5 ± 0.2 and 14.4 ± 0.6 Ma due to variable sericitization of K-feldspar phenocrysts. 238U/206Pb zircon, 40Ar/39Ar K-feldspar and biotite total fusion, and apatite fission track analysis of a microgranite clast (from Site 1108) provide evidence for the existence of a rapidly cooled 3.0 to 1.8 Ma granitic protolith. The clast may have been transported longitudinally from the west (e.g., from the D'Entrecasteaux Islands). Alternatively, it may have been derived from a more proximal, but presently unknown, source in the vicinity of the Moresby Seamount.