Osmium isotope constraints on Mauna Loa–Kilauea magmatic connectivity, Island of Hawai‘i

Chemical Geology
Dartmouth, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
By: , and 

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Abstract

The Hawaiian volcanic chain exhibits a long-recognized double track of volcanism defined by the Loa and Kea trends, which erupt chemically and isotopically distinct lavas. Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, the two most frequently active volcanoes of the Loa and Kea trends, produce distinct endmember compositions. However, historical periods of compositional convergence have prompted debate regarding a potential magmatic connection between the two adjacent volcanoes. Proposed links include a shallow edifice-level plumbing system, a common magma source at ∼40 km depth, or a deeper asthenospheric source. In the latter scenario, based on correlated Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes and trace-element systematics, a “shared” mantle source supplies melt alternately to both volcanoes on multi-decadal timescales. Here, we use Os isotopes to evaluate the proposed connections. We measured Os isotopes in eight historical Mauna Loa tholeiites along with three Kīlauea tholeiites (1832 summit eruption; Uēkahuna Bluff; 2000 Pu‘u‘ō‘ō eruption) previously identified as isotopically intermediate between Mauna Loa and Kīlauea endmembers. We found that the acidic bromide leachates of all samples yield more radiogenic 187Os/188Os than corresponding bulk residues, with the labile Os-bearing phase comprising ∼0.4–27% of bulk Os. Mauna Loa tholeiites display nearly constant 187Os/188Os over the past ∼200 years (0.134–0.136; mean = 0.1357 ± 0.0013, n = 8, 2SD), despite large variations in total [Os] ranging from ∼30 pg/g (2022 tholeiite) to ∼966 pg/g (1868 picrite). The Kīlauea 1832 sample has 187Os/188Os = 0.1302 ± 0.0008, slightly higher than the Kīlauea endmember (0.1285 ± 0.0008), whereas the Uēkahuna Bluff and Pu‘u‘ō‘ō samples exhibit more elevated ratios (0.1314 ± 0.0008 and 0.1327 ± 0.0008, respectively). We conclude that the “shared” mantle source exerts negligible control on Mauna Loa Os isotope systematics. In contrast, the Kīlauea mantle source is more heterogeneous, with contributions from small-scale recycled domains with variable time-integrated Re/Os ratios.

    Suggested Citation

    Bharadwaj, S., Lynn, K.J., Pietruszka, A., Trusdell, F., and Sharma, M., 2026, Osmium isotope constraints on Mauna Loa–Kilauea magmatic connectivity, Island of Hawai‘i: Chemical Geology, v. 719, no. September, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2026.123567.

    Study Area

    Publication type Article
    Publication Subtype Journal Article
    Title Osmium isotope constraints on Mauna Loa–Kilauea magmatic connectivity, Island of Hawai‘i
    Series title Chemical Geology
    DOI 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2026.123567
    Edition 719
    Volume 719
    Issue September
    Publication Date June 19, 2026
    Year Published 2026
    Language English
    Publisher Elsevier
    Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
    Description 123567, 12 p.
    First page 1-12
    Country United States
    State Hawaii
    Other Geospatial Island of Hawaii
    Additional publication details