The geochemistry of pliocene volcanism in the Shahba region, sSouth of Syria

Abstract EN

Pliocene volcanic rocks are considered as dominant rocks and form an important part of igneous succession in this region.

The architecture type of Pliocene basalt is various as it consists of several diverse lithological formations, which vary from continuous basalts flow to scoria materials.

The Pliocene basaltic rocks consist of several lava flows, which are divided into three primary petrographic groups: alkali basalt, augite alkali basalt and the basanite.

The three petro-types can be classified geochemically from alkaline to sub-alkaline and termed as alkali olivine basalt.

They have similar compositional ranges of major and trace elements.

The geochemical composition shows that the basaltic Pliocene rocks consist of both partial melting and crystal fractions signatures.

So the geochemical changing components can be considered as a result of crystal fractions that developed after partial melting process.