Anorogenic Cenozoic Volcanism in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region

The origin and source of intra-plate anorogenic basaltic magmas has been the subject of discussion for several decades. The generation of basaltic magma has been ascribed either to decompression melting triggered by lithospheric extension or to addition of heat supplied by an upwelling mantle plume. These magmas could have been produced from lithospheric or asthenospheric mantle source and also could represent mixing between both sources. The lithospheric mantle is too cold to be considered as a source of alkaline basaltic magmas and only under special conditions (steep geothermal gradient) can produce basaltic magmas. To contribute towards solving these problems this book provides additional evidence from alkaline basalts of Burgenland and SE Styrian Basin at the western margin of the Carpathian-Pannonian Region. The study of anorogenic Cenozoic volcanism of the Carpathian-Pannonian Region offers an excellent opportunity to understand the relationship between tectonics, mantle processes and volcanism in a back-arc setting. This book provides new insights and important constraints on the nature of their mantle sources and melting conditions.