Magma fractionation systems beneath the mid-Atlantic ridge at 36–37 ° N

Variation of major and trace elements in drilled basalts from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (DSDP Leg 37) reflects distinct cycles of low pressure fractionation operating independently within a complex network of magma storage reservoirs beneath the crustal spreading axis. Low pressure phase relations are determined by parental magma composition, which varies from An-rich (An/Di > ca. 1.4) to Di-rich (An/Di < ca. 1.4). High An/Di magmas probably formed under slightly hydrous conditions in the mantle. They have low LIL element contents, low P/Y and high Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratios. Zr, P and Y abundance and inter-element ratios are highly diagnostic of primary magma type, and are used to quantify fractional crystallization models.Low pressure fractionation hypotheses were tested by least-squares modelling of whole-rock and phenocryst chemistry, which indicated removal or addition of phenocryst assemblages: ol; pl; ol + pl; ol + pl + cpx; pl + cpx, (± sp). Accumulation of plagioclase or olivine is an important mechanism for generating highly porphyritic rocks. A rare 3-phase (ol + pl + cpx) cumulate resulted from cotectic fractionation of a low An/Di magma type. Olivine and plagioclase cumulates appear to be related to high An/Di magmas. Olivine accumulation has been monitored by comparison of olivine/bulk rock partitioning of Fe and Mg to experimental measurements of the equilibrium K_D value. A single extensive sub-axial magma chamber could not account for the observed chemical variation and would probably be dynamically unstable.