Major-, trace-, and rare-earth element analyses are presented from a suite of basaltic rocks from the basement of the Celebes Sea. The major elements and trace-elements were determined by X-ray fluorescence techniques, and the rare-earth elements were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Compositionally the Celebes Sea basalts are very similar to typical normal mid-ocean ridge basalts, such as those described from the Indian Ocean triple junction. Petrogenetic modeling shows that all of the basalts analyzed can be formed by 10% to 20% partial melting of a light rare-earth element-depleted spinel lherzolite followed by fractional crystallization of mixtures of olivine, Plagioclase, and iron oxide. The Celebes Sea is interpreted as a fragment of the basement of the Jurassic Argo abyssal plain trapped during the Eocene to the north of Australia.

Supplement to: Smith, Terence E; Huang, C H; Sajona, F G (1991): Geochemistry and petrogenesis of basalts from Holes 767C, 770B, and 770C, Celebes Sea. In: Silver, EA; Rangin, C; von Breymann, MT; et al. (eds.), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 124, 311-320