Adakites and adakitic melts: Compositions of rocks, quenched glasses, and inclusions in minerals

Abstract

Data set of rocks and glasses whose compositions correspond to the term “adakite” (SiO₂ > 56 wt %, Sr > 400 ppm, Sr/Y > 18) was compiled from two large geochemical data bases. It was revealed that the adakitic melts are characterized by extremely low abundance as compared to adakitic rocks. Only 50 adakitic compositions (~0.5%) were identified in the data base that includes the major and trace element compositions of over 9700 quenched and melt inclusion glasses. It was established that only 22 of selected analyses characterize melt inclusion glasses, while other analyses represent residual glass or “pocket melts” in ultramafic mantle xenoliths. The question of a genetic relationship between adakitic rocks, adakitic melts, and melting of subsiding plate remains open. Original data on the Shiveluch volcanic center (Kamchatka) were used to demonstrate the formation of adakitic signatures through mineral accumulation.