Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature

The Kapsiki Plateau represents the northernmost extension of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) in West Africa. Unlike other regions of the CVL, this area is characterised by a higher prevalence of felsic and intermediate rocks compared to basaltic ones. Detailed investigations into the petrogenetic e...

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Main Authors: Diddi Hamadjoda Djamilatou, Merlin Gountié Dedzo, Nils Lenhardt, Désiré Tsozué, Elvis Asaah Asobo Nkengmatia, Moussa Klamadji Ngarena
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Solid Earth Sciences
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451912X25000042
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author Diddi Hamadjoda Djamilatou
Merlin Gountié Dedzo
Nils Lenhardt
Désiré Tsozué
Elvis Asaah Asobo Nkengmatia
Moussa Klamadji Ngarena
author_facet Diddi Hamadjoda Djamilatou
Merlin Gountié Dedzo
Nils Lenhardt
Désiré Tsozué
Elvis Asaah Asobo Nkengmatia
Moussa Klamadji Ngarena
author_sort Diddi Hamadjoda Djamilatou
collection DOAJ
description The Kapsiki Plateau represents the northernmost extension of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) in West Africa. Unlike other regions of the CVL, this area is characterised by a higher prevalence of felsic and intermediate rocks compared to basaltic ones. Detailed investigations into the petrogenetic evolution of these rocks are currently limited. For this reason, Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas from the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi) were studied to enhance comprehension of their crystallisation process, genetic evolution of the magma, and insights into its petrogenesis and source mineralogy. The examined lavas are comparable to the mafic lavas that span the whole range of the CVL and demonstrate major and trace element characteristics similar to those seen in ocean island basalts (OIB). The major and trace element compositions suggest fractional crystallisation mainly including olivine, clinopyroxene, and Fe–Ti oxide with evidence of crustal contamination. The multi-element diagrams reveal consistency with those reported from other CVL volcanoes, displaying depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and enrichment of light rare elements (LREE), indicating an enriched source and the existence of garnet. The studied lavas have high large ion lithophile element (LILE) contents (Sr = 812–1065 ppm, Ba = 394–467 ppm) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE) (Sr/Zr = 3.97–4.94; average OIB = ∼1 Ba/La = 9.42–11.72; average OIB = 9.4). They also have Zr/Sm ratios (26.93–29.88) that are similar to the average OIB (Zr/Sm = 28). Moreover, the studied lavas exhibit elevated levels of incompatible trace elements (e.g., Rb, Pr, U, and Th), as well as higher Ta/Yb and Th/Yb ratios compared to normal OIB values, associated with a notable fluctuation in Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios. The correlations between Th, La, U, and SiO2, coupled with the trend of the samples on Nb/Y vs. Rb/Y diagrams, indicate the influence of crustal contamination on the lavas' composition. The source of these lavas was a heterogeneous source with less than 4 % garnet that underwent partial melting of less than 2 %. The presence of a Pb depletion (Ce/Pb > 30) also implies that these magmas belong to the high μ (HIMU)-OIB type, attributed to lithospheric mantle metasomatism. The formation of these magmas involved partial melting of a mantle source evolving chemically and mineralogically over time with a HIMU composition at very low temperatures. Hydrous minerals, such as phlogopite or amphibole, may indicate modal metasomatism, supported by high Rb/Sr ratios or K2O high levels. Sr/Zr ratios (3.97–4.94) above OIB values (0.8–1.5) suggest Sr and Ba-rich fluid influence. Elevated Zr/Sm ratios (>28) and variations in Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios point to metasomatic fluids or melts altering the mantle's composition. Therefore, the Moukoulvi lavas, like many CVL alkaline lavas, likely erupted from a metasomatized mantle source that was enriched in incompatible trace elements (Rb, Ba, Ce, Nb, and Zr). This enrichment is reflected in the elevated concentrations of these incompatible trace elements, as well as the relative enrichment in HFSE. The absence of temperature anomalies in the upper mantle beneath the CVL suggests that the magmatism originates from the lithospheric mantle source rather than a mantle plume.
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spelling doaj-art-4e2f694991e441f897e8c46f6ab6bb9b2025-08-20T03:30:49ZengElsevierSolid Earth Sciences2451-912X2025-06-0110210023110.1016/j.sesci.2025.100231Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signatureDiddi Hamadjoda Djamilatou0Merlin Gountié Dedzo1Nils Lenhardt2Désiré Tsozué3Elvis Asaah Asobo Nkengmatia4Moussa Klamadji Ngarena5Department of Earth Sciences, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814, Maroua, Cameroon; Department of Geology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa; Corresponding author. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814, Maroua, Cameroon.Department of Life and Earth Sciences, High Teachers' Training College, University of Maroua, PO Box 55, Maroua, CameroonDepartment of Geology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, 0028 Pretoria, South AfricaDepartment of Earth Sciences, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 814, Maroua, CameroonDepartment of Mines, Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, P.O. Box 70, Yaounde, Cameroon; Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology, JapanDépartement des Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences Techniques et de la Technologie, University of Pala, Pala, ChadThe Kapsiki Plateau represents the northernmost extension of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) in West Africa. Unlike other regions of the CVL, this area is characterised by a higher prevalence of felsic and intermediate rocks compared to basaltic ones. Detailed investigations into the petrogenetic evolution of these rocks are currently limited. For this reason, Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas from the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi) were studied to enhance comprehension of their crystallisation process, genetic evolution of the magma, and insights into its petrogenesis and source mineralogy. The examined lavas are comparable to the mafic lavas that span the whole range of the CVL and demonstrate major and trace element characteristics similar to those seen in ocean island basalts (OIB). The major and trace element compositions suggest fractional crystallisation mainly including olivine, clinopyroxene, and Fe–Ti oxide with evidence of crustal contamination. The multi-element diagrams reveal consistency with those reported from other CVL volcanoes, displaying depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) and enrichment of light rare elements (LREE), indicating an enriched source and the existence of garnet. The studied lavas have high large ion lithophile element (LILE) contents (Sr = 812–1065 ppm, Ba = 394–467 ppm) relative to high field strength elements (HFSE) (Sr/Zr = 3.97–4.94; average OIB = ∼1 Ba/La = 9.42–11.72; average OIB = 9.4). They also have Zr/Sm ratios (26.93–29.88) that are similar to the average OIB (Zr/Sm = 28). Moreover, the studied lavas exhibit elevated levels of incompatible trace elements (e.g., Rb, Pr, U, and Th), as well as higher Ta/Yb and Th/Yb ratios compared to normal OIB values, associated with a notable fluctuation in Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios. The correlations between Th, La, U, and SiO2, coupled with the trend of the samples on Nb/Y vs. Rb/Y diagrams, indicate the influence of crustal contamination on the lavas' composition. The source of these lavas was a heterogeneous source with less than 4 % garnet that underwent partial melting of less than 2 %. The presence of a Pb depletion (Ce/Pb > 30) also implies that these magmas belong to the high μ (HIMU)-OIB type, attributed to lithospheric mantle metasomatism. The formation of these magmas involved partial melting of a mantle source evolving chemically and mineralogically over time with a HIMU composition at very low temperatures. Hydrous minerals, such as phlogopite or amphibole, may indicate modal metasomatism, supported by high Rb/Sr ratios or K2O high levels. Sr/Zr ratios (3.97–4.94) above OIB values (0.8–1.5) suggest Sr and Ba-rich fluid influence. Elevated Zr/Sm ratios (>28) and variations in Nb/Ta and Zr/Hf ratios point to metasomatic fluids or melts altering the mantle's composition. Therefore, the Moukoulvi lavas, like many CVL alkaline lavas, likely erupted from a metasomatized mantle source that was enriched in incompatible trace elements (Rb, Ba, Ce, Nb, and Zr). This enrichment is reflected in the elevated concentrations of these incompatible trace elements, as well as the relative enrichment in HFSE. The absence of temperature anomalies in the upper mantle beneath the CVL suggests that the magmatism originates from the lithospheric mantle source rather than a mantle plume.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451912X25000042Cameroon Volcanic LineKapsiki PlateauFractional crystallisationPetrogenesisMetasomatismSub-continental lithospheric mantle
spellingShingle Diddi Hamadjoda Djamilatou
Merlin Gountié Dedzo
Nils Lenhardt
Désiré Tsozué
Elvis Asaah Asobo Nkengmatia
Moussa Klamadji Ngarena
Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature
Solid Earth Sciences
Cameroon Volcanic Line
Kapsiki Plateau
Fractional crystallisation
Petrogenesis
Metasomatism
Sub-continental lithospheric mantle
title Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature
title_full Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature
title_fullStr Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature
title_full_unstemmed Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature
title_short Crystallisation and petrogenesis of Cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the Kapsiki Plateau (Moukoulvi, Far-North Cameroon): Unveiling the mantle's heterogeneity and HIMU signature
title_sort crystallisation and petrogenesis of cenozoic alkaline basaltic lavas on the kapsiki plateau moukoulvi far north cameroon unveiling the mantle s heterogeneity and himu signature
topic Cameroon Volcanic Line
Kapsiki Plateau
Fractional crystallisation
Petrogenesis
Metasomatism
Sub-continental lithospheric mantle
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451912X25000042
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