Estimating Magma Crystallization Temperatures Using High Field Strength Elements in Igneous Rocks

Abstract

Indirect calculation of magma crystallization temperatures is an important subject for geologists to know the petrogenesis of igneous rocks. During magma evolution from generation to crystallization, several processes control the behavior of elements. In this research, we obtained two new methods for the thermometry of magma by using high field strength elements (HFSEs; Zr, Hf, Ce, Y, and Ti) abundances in igneous rocks. The first was T(K) = −15,993/(lnCZr + lnCHf − 21.668), where CZr and CHf are the bulk-rock Zr and Hf contents in ppm, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. This equation was specially formulated to address metaluminous to peraluminous rocks with M < 2 [(Na + K + 2Ca)/(Al × Si)] (cation ratio) and SiO2 > 63 wt.%. The second was T(K) = −20,914/(ln(CHf + CY + CCe) + (ln(CZr/TiO2) − 31.153). CHf, CY, and CCe, and CZr are Hf, Y, Ce, and Zr contents (ppm) in the whole rocks. The second equation is more suitable for peralkaline to alkaline rocks with M > 2 and a wide range of SiO2. Both equations are applicable for temperatures from 750 °C to 1400 °C. These two equations are simple and robust thermometry methods and predict similar values in the range of TZr thermometry, which has previously been suggested for magma crystallization temperature.