Geochemistry of metavolcanics and granitic intrusive from western margin of northern afar depression, Dallol, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The western margin of northern Afar Depression constitutes various rock units of Neoproterozoic basement complex. Major oxide data of metavolcanic and granitoid rock samples from basement complex indicate significant variation in the concentration of major oxides (e.g. Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, CaO, MgO). Metavolcanic rocks of Dallol demonstrate heterogeneous nature of magma source. The mafic metavolcanics indicate two distinct groups, (i) CaO-enriched and (ii) tholeiitic composition. Another group of magmatic series, the felsic metavolcanic group, shows a co-genetic relationship with the tholeiitic metavolcanics. Granitoids on the other hand have a wider range of SiO₂ (61.5 – 76.65 wt %) and are peraluminous to metaluminous in nature.