Trace and rare-earth element geochemistry: A tool for petrogenetic and geotectonic modeling of ensimatic ortho-amphibolites from Pan-African belt of Obudu Plateau, Southeastern Nigeria

A model for the petrogenetic affinity and original geotectonic setting of ortho-amphibolites from the Obudu Plateau was tested using the distribution patterns of trace and rare-earth elements from the geochemical analyses of twelve representative amphibolite samples. Discrimination plots, normalized patterns of the incompatible trace elements against average MORB, low ratios of Ba/Nb (9–23) and Ba/Ta (130–327) and other geochemical characteristics suggest that the protoliths were dominantly of tholeiitic MORB composition. The values of the ratios of La/Ta (8.13–10.8), Rb/Sr (0.04–0.07), Th/U (mainly 4.43–5.43) and Hf/Ta (2.35–2.88) further indicate that the ortho-amphibolites demonstrate E-type MORB characteristics. These features are related to substantial ocean floor divergent tectonic boundary setting rather than marginal basin tectonic setting. This evolutionary pattern appears to be controlled by limited progressive partial melting and fractional crystallization of a single mantle source region, irrespective, however, of variations due to local source heterogeneities. The tholeiitic magmas were most probably generated by hotspot activities on the constructive plate margins and subsequently modified by subduction-related low-K tholeiitic chemistry due to narrowing of a proto oceanic basin between the West African craton and eastern Sahara plate. A likely model, therefore, is that the amphibolites of the Obudu Plateau represent ophiolitic suites with characteristics of enriched mid-ocean floor tholeiites, which were deformed and metamorphosed during a reversed plate motion involving subduction and collision within the Obudu Plateau in the Pan-African orogenic episode.