Peridotite Melting at 1 GPa: Reversal Experiments on Partial Melt Compositions Produced by Peridotite-Basalt Sandwich Experiments

One of the goals of igneous petrology is to use the subtle andmore obvious differences in the geochemistry of primitive basaltsto place constraints on mantle composition, melting conditionsand dynamics of mantle upwelling and melt extraction. For thisgoal to be achieved, our first-order understanding of mantlemelting must be refined by high-quality, systematic data oncorrelated melt and residual phase compositions under knownpressures and temperatures. Discrepancies in earlier data onmelt compositions from a fertile mantle composition [MORB (mid-oceanridge basalt) Pyrolite mg-number 87] and refractory lherzolite(Tinaquillo Lherzolite mg-number 90) are resolved here. Errorsin earlier data resulted from drift of W/Re thermocouples at1 GPa and access of water, lowering liquidus temperatures by30–80°C. We demonstrate the suitability of the ‘sandwich’technique for determining the compositions of multiphase-saturatedliquids in lherzolite, provided fine-grained sintered oxidemixes are used as the peridotite starting materials, and thechanges in bulk composition are considered. Compositions ofliquids in equilibrium with lherzolitic to harzburgitic residueat 1 GPa, 1300–1450°C in the two lherzolite compositionsare reported. Melt compositions are olivine + hypersthene-normative(olivine tholeiites) with the more refractory composition producinga lower melt fraction (7–8% at 1300°C) compared withthe model MORB source (18–20% at 1300°C). KEY WORDS: mantle melting; sandwich experiments; reversal experiments; anhydrous peridotite melting; thermocouple oxidation; olivine geothermometry     

H2O Abundance in Depleted to Moderately Enriched Mid-ocean Ridge Magmas; Part I: Incompatible Behaviour, Implications for Mantle Storage, and Origin of Regional Variations

The H₂O contents and trace-element abundances are presentedfor two well-studied suites of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)glasses from the Northern East Pacific Rise (EPR, 9–11°N)and the South East Indian Ridge (SEIR, 127–129°E).Exactly the same region of the glass samples has been analysedfor these components using microbeam techniques. Our data allowexamination of the fine details of H₂O geochemical behaviourduring MORB genesis. We demonstrate that relative H₂O contents[i.e. H₂O/(another incompatible element)] vary systematicallywith increasing (La/Sm)_N in MORB glasses from both the EPR andSEIR. This indicates that H₂O behaves like other incompatible(in peridotite mineralogies) elements during MORB petrogenesis,and is primarily controlled by solid–melt partitioning.However, the relative H₂O contents of MORB glasses from theSEIR are higher than in glasses from the EPR at a given (La/Sm)_N,demonstrating global variations in the H₂O contents of MORB.Despite regional differences in relative H₂O contents, the incompatiblebehaviour of H₂O is similar in both studied regions. The relativeincompatibility of H₂O varies systematically with increasing(La/Sm)_N: in depleted MORB, H₂O is similar to La whereas inEMORB, H₂O is similar to Ce. Similar patterns of varying relativeincompatibility (to REE) are displayed by Zr, Hf, and P. Ourdata are best explained if H₂O is stored in the mantle in thesame phase with LREE (clinopyroxene?) at sub-solidus. Regionalvariations in relative H₂O contents in EMORB that have moreradiogenic Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes might be explained by differencesin the nature of enriched components recycled via subductionprocesses. However, when EMORB have the same radiogenic isotopecompositions as NMORB within a segment, relative H₂O contentsin EMORB probably reflect local processes that lead to enrichmentin incompatible elements. Regional differences in relative H₂Ocontents of NMORB may reflect either initial variations in theEarth’s mantle or inhomogeneities left after formationof the continental crust. KEY WORDS: glass; geochemistry; H₂O; MORB; petrology     

Melt Inclusions in Olivine Phenocrysts: Using Diffusive Re-equilibration to Determine the Cooling History of a Crystal, with Implications for the Origin of Olivine-phyric Volcanic Rocks

A technique is described for determining the cooling historyof olivine phenocrysts. The technique is based on the analysisof the diffusive re-equilibration of melt inclusions trappedby olivine phenocrysts during crystallization. The mechanismof re-equilibration involves diffusion of Fe from and Mg intothe initial volume of the inclusion. The technique applies toa single crystal, and thus the cooling history of differentphenocrysts in a single erupted magma can be established. Weshow that melt inclusions in high-Fo olivine phenocrysts frommantle-derived magmas are typically partially re-equilibratedwith their hosts at temperatures below trapping. Our analysisdemonstrates that at a reasonable combination of factors suchas (1) cooling interval before eruption (<350°C), (2)eruption temperatures (>1000°C), and (3) inclusion size(<70 µm in radius), partial re-equilibration of upto 85% occurs within 3–5 months, corresponding to coolingrates faster than 1–2°/day. Short residence timesof high-Fo phenocrysts suggest that if eruption does not happenwithin a few months after a primitive magma begins cooling andcrystallization, olivines that crystallize from it are unlikelyto be erupted as phenocrysts. This can be explained by efficientseparation of olivine crystals from the melt, and their rapidincorporation into the cumulate layer of the chamber. Theseresults also suggest that in most cases erupted high-Fo olivinephenocrysts retain their original composition, and thus compositionsof melt inclusions in erupted high-Fo olivine phenocrysts donot suffer changes that cannot be reversed. Short residencetimes also imply that large unzoned cores of high-Fo phenocrystscannot reflect diffusive re-equilibration of originally zonedphenocrysts. The unzoned cores are a result of fast efficientaccumulation of olivines from the crystallizing magma, i.e.olivines are separated from the magma faster than melt changesits composition. Thus, the main source of high-Fo crystals inthe erupted magmas is the cumulate layers of the magmatic system.In other words, olivine-phyric rocks represent mixtures of anevolved transporting magma (which forms the groundmass of therock) with crystals that were formed during crystallizationof more primitive melt(s). Unlike high-Fo olivine phenocrysts,the evolved magma may reside in the magmatic system for a longtime. This reconciles long magma residence times estimated fromthe compositions of rocks with short residence times of high-Foolivine phenocrysts. KEY WORDS: melt inclusions; olivine; picrites; residence time; diffusion     

Anhydrous Partial Melting of a Fertile and Depleted Peridotite from 2 to 30 kb and Application to Basalt Petrogenesis

Reversal experiments have been performed to check the methodof Jaques & Green (1980) to determine equilibrium partialmelts from peridotite compositions. Reversals of the Jaques& Green (1980) calculated equilibrium partial melt (CEPM)compositions have been carried out in two ways: (1) By runningCEPM compositions at original P and T conditions and testingfor multiple saturation in residual phases of the original experiments.(2) By sandwich/mixed experiments using the CEPM compositionplus peridotite (either Hawaiian pyrolite or Tinaquillo lherzolite). The glass (liquid) compositions from the first series of experimentsshow that the CEPM compositions of Jaques & Green (1980)are too olivine-rich. The glass (liquid) compositions from thesecond series of experiments define new olivine+orthopyroxene?clinopyroxenecotectics in a molecular normative tetrahedron. The new cotecticsplot towards the Qz apex of the tetrahedron, away from the cotecticsdefined by the CEPM compositions of Jaques & Green (1980).Partial melt compositions have also been determined at 20 and30 kb, using both the sandwich technique and the approach bymodal analysis and mass balance. The results of the experimental study are used to evaluate thepetrogenesis of mid-ocean ridge basalts, Hawaiian tholentesand primary magmas in intraoceanic convergent margin settings.     

Melting of Refractory Mantle at 1{middle dot}5, 2 and 2{middle dot}5 GPa under Anhydrous and H2O-undersaturated Conditions: Implications for the Petrogenesis of High-Ca Boninites and the Influence of Subduction Components on Mantle Melting

Boninites are an important ‘end-member’ supra-subductionzone magmatic suite as they have the highest H₂O contents andrequire the most refractory of mantle wedge sources. The pressure–temperatureconditions of boninite origins in the mantle wedge are importantto understanding subduction zone initiation and subsequent evolution.Reaction experiments at 1·5 GPa (1350–1530°C),2 GPa (1400–1600°C) and 2·5 GPa (1450–1530°C)between a model primary high-Ca boninite magma composition anda refractory harzburgite under anhydrous and H₂O-undersaturatedconditions (2–3 wt % H₂O in the melt) have been completed.The boninite composition was modelled on melt inclusions occurringin the most magnesian olivine phenocrysts in high-Ca boninitesfrom the Northern Tongan forearc and the Upper Pillow Lavasof the Troodos ophiolite. Direct melting experiments on a modelrefractory lherzolite and a harzburgite composition at 1·5GPa under anhydrous conditions (1400–1600°C) havealso been completed. Experiments establish a P, T ‘meltinggrid’ for refractory harzburgite at 1·5, 2 and2·5 GPa and in the presence of 2–3 wt % H₂O. Theeffect of 2–3 wt % dissolved H₂O produces a liquidus depressionin primary boninite of