| Abstract: | Characteristic features of recent volcanic arcs must be preserved in the rock record to be useful in determining the magmatic affinities of metavolcanic rocks. This paper reviews criteria suggested by others, and proposes new criteria for the recognition of ancient volcanic arc complexes. Major element abundances, which discriminate magma types in recent volcanic rocks, are very susceptible to modification during low-grade metamorphism, and therefore are of limited value for determining magmatic affinities of altered volcanic rocks. Ti and Zr, Cr and the rare-earth elements, are only slightly affected by low-grade metamorphism. These elements show distinctive trends that allow ocean-floor basalts to be discriminated from most volcanic arc basalts. Clinopyroxene phenocrysts are commonly the only unaltered remnant phase present in metavolcanic rocks. Compositions of clinopyroxene phenocrysts from a suite of fractionated volcanic rocks can be employed as a petrogenetic indicator, because each magma series displays a distinctive Ca FeMg trend during differentiation. The much greater abundance of pyroclastic volcanic rocks versus flows in modern volcanic are sequences is a preservable criterion for identifying ancient volcanic arcs. Interbedded with the pyroclastic volcanic rocks are thick deposits of graywackes and mudstones. The volcanic arc deposits are overprinted by high-temperature/low-pressure metamorphism. Parallel to and on the seaward side of the volcanic arc metamorphic belt is a belt of low-temperature/high-pressure metamorphic rocks. These two metamorphic belts comprise a paired metamorphic belt that is diagnostic of Pacific-type convergent plate margins. These criteria together distinguish volcanic arc deposits from other volcanic—sedimentary deposits. |
