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Effect of shallow-level contamination on the helium isotope systematics of ocean-island lavas

Nature volume 373, pages 330–333 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

THE bimodal distribution of helium isotope ratios in ocean-island lavas has provided powerful constraints on the composition and evolution of the Earth's mantle1-3. 'High-3He hotspot' ratios (3He/4He greater than in mid-ocean-ridge basalt, MORB) found on Hawaii4 and Iceland5 are thought to trace pristine plumes from the deep(er) mantle, whereas 'low-3He hotspot' values (3He/ 3He≤MORB value) at Tristan da Cunha6 and St Helena7 are considered to characterize plumes composed (in part) of recycled oceanic or continental crust. Here we report the observation of both 'high-3He' and 6low-3He' characteristics8 in lavas from a single ocean island—Heard Island, in the Indian Ocean. Whereas the high-3He lavas provide unambiguous evidence for the involvement of a deep-seated plume in their genesis, we argue that the low 3He/4He ratios in other lavas result from shallow-level contamination by radiogenic helium before eruption. These observations call into question the presumed association between low-3He ratios (at Heard Island and elsewhere) and ancient crustal material recycled back into the mantle.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. J. Barling

    Present address: Laboratoires Associés de Géologie-Pétrologie et Géodynamique Chimique, Universitié Libre de Bruxelles, CP 160/02, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

  2. G. E. Wheller

    Present address: Volcanex International Proprietary Ltd, 521 Tinderbox Road, Blackmans Bay, Tasmania, 7052, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Mineralogie, FR Geochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Boltzmannstrasse 18–20, D-14195, Berlin, Germany

    D. R. Hilton

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    D. R. Hilton

  3. Max-Planck-lnstitut für Chemie, Postfach 3060, D-55020, Mainz, Germany

    J. Barling

  4. Department of Geology, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252C, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia

    G. E. Wheller

Authors
  1. D. R. Hilton
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  2. J. Barling
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  3. G. E. Wheller
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Hilton, D., Barling, J. & Wheller, G. Effect of shallow-level contamination on the helium isotope systematics of ocean-island lavas. Nature 373, 330–333 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/373330a0

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