Petrology, geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes of the volcanic rocks from Pico Island-Azores (Portugal)

The present study can contribute to a better understanding of the volcanic evolution of all the Azores islands because: (1) Pico island is the youngest island of the archipelago; (2) Pico contains an important composite volcano with a magmatic chamber in an early stage of development; (3) the archipelago is located in a complex geodynamic setting and; (4) there is no major geochemical variation between the eruptive products of the islands. Because Pico represents an early stage of volcanic island formation, its study offers (1) a direct approach to evaluate the early phases of evolution of the other islands and, (2) thereby providing a context to better assess potential hazards from any future eruptive activity at Pico.