Major element chemistry of ocean island basalts — Conditions of mantle melting and heterogeneity of mantle source

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

9

Scientific paper

We estimate average compositions of near-primary, ‘reference’ ocean island basalts (OIBs) for 120 volcanic centers from 31 major island groups and constrain the depth of lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary (LAB) at the time of volcanism and the possible depth of melt-mantle equilibration based on recently calibrated melt silica activity barometer. The LAB depth versus fractionation corrected OIB compositions (lava compositions, X, corrected to Mg# 73, XOIB#73, i.e., magmas in equilibrium with Fo90, if olivine is present in the mantle source) show an increased major element compositional variability with increasing LAB depths. OIBs erupted on lithospheres < 40 km thick approach the compositions (e.g. SiO2#73, TiO2#73, [CaO/Al2O3]#73) of primitive ridge basalts and are influenced strongly by depth and extent of shallow melting. However, XOIB#73 on thicker lithospheres cannot be explained by melt-mantle equilibration as shallow as LAB. Melt generation from a somewhat deeper (up to 50 km deeper than the LAB) peridotite source can explain the OIB major element chemistry on lithospheres ≤ 70 km. However, deeper melting of volatile-free, fertile peridotite is not sufficient to explain the end member primary OIBs on ≥ 70 km thick lithospheres. Comparison between XOIB#73 and experimental partial melts of fertile peridotite indicates that at least two additional melt components need to be derived from OIB source regions. The first component, similar to that identified in HIMU lavas, is characterized by low SiO2#73, Al2O3#73, [Na2O/TiO2]#73, and high FeO*#73, CaO#73, [CaO/Al2O3]#73. The second component, similar to that found in Hawaiian Koolau lavas, is characterized by high SiO2#73, moderately high FeO*#73, and low CaO#73 and Al2O3#73. These two components are not evenly sampled by all the islands, suggesting a heterogeneous distribution of mantle components that generate them. We suggest that carbonated eclogite and volatile-free, silica-excess eclogite are the two most likely candidates, which in conjunction with fertile mantle peridotite, give rise to the two primitive OIB end members.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Major element chemistry of ocean island basalts — Conditions of mantle melting and heterogeneity of mantle source does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Major element chemistry of ocean island basalts — Conditions of mantle melting and heterogeneity of mantle source, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Major element chemistry of ocean island basalts — Conditions of mantle melting and heterogeneity of mantle source will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1443489

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.