Reconciling Major Element Petrologic Constraints and Trace Element Isotopic Constraints on the Composition and Melting of the MORB Source

Cornell University, Ithaca NY

Investigators

Abstract

Under this award, the PI proposes a computational thermodynamics study that explores why the major element chemistry of MORB (and OIB) so strongly seems to suggest they are the by product of melting a peridotite mantle source, not a basalt-eclogite source, yet the isotopic composition of these same basalts and their melt-inclusions suggest the presence of significant recycled components in their source that were not peridotites, at least to begin with. The second part of the study is a more complete examination of melt-migration processes beneath a spreading center that explores the potential pressure and stress changes associated with melt-migration, and their potential feedbacks for melting episodicity and melt transport processes. The study involves graduate students and other training activities, and that the results of the study will be broadly interesting to a wide community of scientists. In addition, the study involves international collaboration.