Spatial and temporal variations in mantle redox state beneath the Massif Central, France

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Alan Butler Woodland
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2010 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 192754881

The Tertiary and Quaternary volcanism of the Massif Central, France, has sampled the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) in the form of peridotite xenoliths over a large geographical area. Geochemical studies by Lenoir et al. (2000) and Downes et al. (2003) suggest the existence of two distinct mantle domains, lying north and south of 45° 30’ latitude, respectively. The goal here is to trace the variations in mantle redox state that will provide further clues about the evolution of the SCLM in this part of Europe, for example if these two domains record distinctive redox states. In addition to spatial variations, temporal changes can be studied by analysing xenoliths from volcanic centers with different eruption ages (~20 Ma to recent). The effects of metasomatism will also be monitored since such interactions are often observed to modify redox state. This study will provide important new information on the chemical evolution of the SCLM beneath Western Europe.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants