Hf isotope systematics of kimberlites and their megacrysts: New constraints on their source regions

Abstract

Kimberlites from Southern Africa, along with their low-Cr megacrysts, have unusual Hf–Nd isotopic characteristics. Group I and Transitional kimberlites define arrays trending oblique to, and well below, the Nd–Hf isotope ‘mantle array’, defined by oceanic basalts, i.e. they have negative Hf values. Group I kimberlites have Hf values varying from –1.2 to –10.1. Low-Cr megacryst suites from individual Group I kimberlites have compositions that overlap those of their host kimberlites. The trend for all Group I kimberlite megacrysts (Hf values –1.0 to –9.0) shows a striking correspondence to that of the Group I kimberlite field. Group II kimberlites and their low-Cr megacrysts plot on or close to the mantle Nd–Hf array (Hf values 3.6 to –2.6). The data indicate a genetic link between kimberlites and the low-Cr megacryst suite. The negative Hf characteristics of Group I kimberlites and their megacrysts require a source component that is ancient (>1 Ga), and has evolved with low time-integrated Lu/Hf relative to Sm/Nd. Our preferred option is that this component originates beneath the lithosphere, from a reservoir of ancient, deeply subducted oceanic basalt that became incorporated into the convecting mantle source region for Group I and Transitional kimberlites.