Lithosphere peridotites of the Kaapvaal craton

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

29

Cratons, Garnets, Lithosphere, Peridotite, Petrology, Chemical Composition, Earth Mantle, Magma, Melting, Pressure Effects

Scientific paper

A large number of garnet peridotite xenoliths from the lithosphere below the Kaapvaal craton are too orthopyroxene-rich and SiO2-rich to have formed as residues from a normal mantle peridotite source by the extraction of basalt or komatiite. However, they can be understood as originally harzburgite rocks (i.e., olivine + orthopyroxene) which formed as either residues or cumulates from a source material that was also enriched in SiO2 compared to normal mantle peridotite or its pyrolite analogue. These harzburgites could have crystallized as cumulates from ultrabasic magmas that were higher in SiO2 than most komatiites, magmas that would have required extensive melting (greater than 50%) of normal mantle peridotite to form, possibly in a gigantic plume. Alternatively, the harzburgites may have crystallized directly from a high-SiO2 terrestrial magma ocean during the birth of the Earth, or from a high-SiO2 source formed by the mixing of impacted chondritic materials with normal mantle peridotite later in time. Whatever the case, there appear to have been unusual geological circumstances involved in the formation of the continental lithosphere below the Kaapvaal craton.

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

Lithosphere peridotites of the Kaapvaal craton 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 Lithosphere peridotites of the Kaapvaal craton, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lithosphere peridotites of the Kaapvaal craton will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-809547

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