Major and trace element analyses of a Lower Palaeozoic metavolcanic sequence of convergent plate type from Bømlo, southwest Norwegian Caledonides, are presented and discussed. This sequence ranges in age from the Upper Cambrian through the Lower Silurian. Petrogenetic models for the lavas in terms of partial melting and crystal fractionation are discussed. Two models are presented for the metabasalts in order to explain their different trace element abundances and ratios:

(1) REE modelling, assuming a mantle source with REE abundances twice chondritic, suggests progressively more varied sources with time. Thus the metabasalts from the oldest (Upper Cambrian–Lower Ordovician) Geitung Unit of primitive island arc type, and those of the mid-Ordovician Siggjo Complex of ‘Basin and Range’ type can be modelled in terms of high (around 25%) and moderate (around 5%) degrees of partial melting of spinel lherzolite, respectively. The metabasalts of the post-Ashgillian Vikafjord Group of typical continental flood basalts are compatible with moderate (c. 5–10%) degrees of partial melting of spinel- and garnet-lherzolite sources. The supposed Lower Silurian Langevåg Group of calc-alkaline ‘Andean’ type metabasalts, grading into alkaline to tholeiitic metabasalts of early marginal basin (youngest) character, require low (<5%) to moderate degrees of partial melting of amphibole-, garnet- and spinel-lherzolite sources, respectively.

(2) Source heterogeneity, produced by subduction zone-derived enrichment of LIL elements, and contemporaneous stabilization of minor phases which accommodate HFS elements. This process, combined with possible continental contamination, may possibly yield the trace element concentrations and ratios of the different metabasalts by partial melting of modally similar mantle sources.