First information about rare earth mineralization in rocks of Esmeralda volcano (Mariana island arc)

Abstract

The results of the study of rare earth mineralization in the rocks composing the Esmeralda underwater volcano located in the southern part of the Mariana island arc are presented. Despite the fact that the composition and structure of the Esmeralda volcano have been studied by various scientists for 75 years, information about the content of rare earth elements in its rocks is sporadic and is given in only six papers, and two of them present only average values. Our micro-level study of the mineral composition of the basaltic andesite, dissected by a crack, dredged during the 5th voyage of the research vessel «Vulcanologist» in 1978, made it possible for the first time for the Esmeralda volcano to establish the presence of rare earth minerals in its rocks, to determine their composition and formation conditions. The minerals were found to be localized in open crack zones and gas vacuoles.

Keywords

• esmeralda submarine volcano
• mariana island arc
• rare earth mineralization