Date of Graduation

Summer 2017

Degree

Master of Science in Geospatial Sciences

Department

Geography, Geology, and Planning

Committee Chair

Gary Michelfelder

Abstract

South-central New Mexico is characterized by many Cenozoic volcanic and tectonic events that produced a complex system of magma sources. These mechanisms are responsible for the diverse volcanic activity and magmatic evolution in New Mexico. To understand the growth and development of the mantle sources associated with these events, geochemical, petrographic, structural and spatial distribution data were collected from the Uvas volcanic field (UVF) and the Rubio Peak Formation of the Mogollon-Datil volcanic field (MDVF). Volcanic rocks from these volcanic fields were chosen based on their importance to relative timing of magmatic and tectonic transitioning events. The structural and spatial data from the UVF infer that magma migration relied on tensional fractures trending NW/SE, to progressively become magma-feed fractures. The emplacement of these dikes are explained by the mechanism of stretching, allowing discontinuous echelon dike segments to cross-cut adjacent to the extensional stress. The relationships and differences of UVF and MDVF magma sources are explained by the combination of geochemical and petrologic data. Results from oxygen isotope and radiogenic ratios suggest the UVF volcanic rocks are heavily contaminated by high and low δ18O values, while Rubio Peak rocks reflect a homogenous mantle source relative to the differential mantle array.

Keywords

basaltic andesites, geochemistry, magma-feed fractures, New Mexico, spatial analyst, Uvas Volcanic Field

Subject Categories

Geology

Copyright

© Max Logan Hoffman

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