Magmatic Processes at Euganean Hills (Veneto Volcanic Province, Italy): Clinopyroxene Investigation to Unravel Magmatic Interactions

Abstract

The Euganean Hills (NE Italy) magmatic district represents the final volcanic activity of the Veneto Volcanic Province. Alkaline to subalkaline magmatic suite dominated by intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks characterises the latest volcanic activity of the Euganean Hills. Magmatic (intrusive and volcanic) enclaves are common in Euganean Hills trachytes. We used the ability of clinopyroxene to record variations of P, T, and fO2 to reconstruct the geological history of the volcanic enclaves and trachytic host. Despite similar major and trace elements composition, clinopyroxene from host is higher in Ca and Na (and Fe3+) and lower in Mg than enclaves and is slightly enriched in trace elements but with the same pattern distribution. Minor differences in geochemistry and crystal structure of clinopyroxene from enclaves and trachytic host suggest similar parental magmas that differs by small degrees of fractional crystallisation. Clinopyroxene geobarometry performed combining X-ray diffraction with mineral geochemistry for volcanic enclaves–trachytic host combined with amphibole geobarometry for intrusive enclaves and crystal mushes points to a crystallisation pressure range between 4.8–2.0 kbars. Our data support the model of a complex system of magma chambers at intermediate to shallow crustal level where mafic magma accumulated, evolved by fractionation processes and mixed.