Significance and petrologic evolution of pyroxenitic layered "intrusions" in the root-zone of an ocena-island volcano

Direct observation of the hypabyssal root zone of an ocean island volcano is a rare opportunity, which is best illustrated in the uplifted Basal Complex of Fuerteventura island (Canary Archipelago, North Atlantic Ocean). This complex records a long-lasting magmatic activity, characterized by the intrusion of numerous magma batches as small plutons, dykes, dyke swarms and ring-dyke complexes of alkali-gabbros, pyroxenites, syenites and carbonatites. Elongated, vertically layered pyroxenitic bodies induced partial melting in their country rock. Their origin is unclear, they might represent incremented batches of fractionating material in the distensive feeding zone of the oceanic volcano. We plan a detailed geochemical study of minerals of the various layered facies in order to constrain the overall petrologic evolution of these hypabyssal bodies and their connexion to subaerial volcanic activity.