Alkaline rocks and their economic and geodynamic significance through geological time

Alkaline igneous rocks have a relative excess of alkalis over silica. Most are silica undersaturated and contain normative nepheline and real feldspathoids (nepheline, leucite). Although alkaline rocks make up only about 1% of total igneous rocks by volume, their diverse mineralogy accounts for 90% of all igneous rock names proposed by the IUGS. They occur in all tectonic settings; in the ocean basins and on the continents, along mid-ocean ridges (rare), on oceanic islands, in subduction zones in the oceans and along continental margins, as well as along rift zones. Alkaline rocks commonly include alkali basalts and foidites, tephrites, phonolites, trachytes and their intrusive equivalents, including lamprophyres and carbonatites. In the literature, a plethora of local names for alkaline rocks from different localities have been created and many geoscientists still consider them as petrological curiosities. However, their study can significantly aid the interpretation of mantle evolution, ancient terranes and their geodynamic settings. Additionally, alkaline rocks may host world-class precious- and rare-metal mineralization. During recent years, the exploration interest in critical and rare metal deposits (Nb, rare earth elements (REEs) and Th) has increased dramatically as they represent vital resources for the so-called ‘green energy transition’. This Special Publication presents new comprehensive data, results and findings on alkaline rocks from different terranes worldwide and uses their mineralogy and geochemical fingerprints in order to elucidate their petrogenesis, tectonic settings and mineralization potential. This volume is not only of interest for igneous petrologists, but also for exploration geologists prospecting for precious- and rare-metal mineralization worldwide.