Identification, classification, and interpretation of boninites from Anthropocene to Eoarchean using Si-Mg-Ti systematics

Abstract Boninites are rare, high-Si, high-Mg, low-Ti lavas that have considerable tectonic significance, especially for recognizing and interpreting episodes of subduction initiation in the geologic record. Formal identification and classification of boninites may be carried out using MgO-SiO2 and MgO-TiO2 diagrams to find compositions that satisfy modified International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) criteria of Si8 > 52 and Ti8 < 0.5, where Si8 and Ti8 refer to concentrations of the oxides at 8 wt% MgO. However, screening of highly metasomatized rocks and accurate classification require precautions, including normalization to a 100% volatile-free basis. The MgO-SiO2 diagram can also be used for subdivision into low-Si boninites (Si8 < 57) and high-Si boninites (Si8 > 57). Satisfying one but not both of the boninite criteria are rocks with Si8 > 52 but Ti8 ≥ 0.5 (siliceous high-magnesium basalts) and rocks with Si8 ≤ 52 but Ti8 < 0.5 (low-Ti basalts). We tested the classification methodologies using ∼100 low-Ti lava suites dating from the present-day back to the Eoarchean. We conclude that, of those classifying as “boninite series,” Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc–type subduction initiation terranes provide the dominant setting only back as far as ca. 2 Ga, which marks the maximum age of extensive clinopyroxene-undersaturated melting and eruption of high-Si boninites. From 2 to 3 Ga, most boninites formed in intraplate settings by melting of refertilized, depleted cratonic roots. Prior to 3 Ga, hot, depleted mantle plumes provided the main boninite sources. Nonetheless, arc-basin boninites, though rare, do extend back to 3.8 Ga, and, together with the inherited subduction component in intracratonic boninites, they provide evidence for some form of subduction during the Archean.