RARE EARTHS IN OCEANIC BASALTS

Journal Article · Sat Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ069i004p00775· OSTI ID:4083272

Frey, F A; Haskin, L

Rare-earth relative abundance distribution patterns barely altered from thnt characteristic of chondritic meteorites have been found in three basalts from the midAtlantic ridge and in one from the experimental Mohole. Lanthanum has been depleted to about half its normal chondritic relative abundance in all four specimens, and Ce and Pr have been depleted by l0 to 15 per cent inthe ridge basalts. Absolute rare-eanth concentrations are 10 to l6 times those of chondritic meteorites and are comparable to those of calcium-rich achondrites. It is probable that the whole-earth lanthanide distribution is identical with the chondritic pattern. The presence of this pattern in terrestrial, chondritic, and achondritic matter is chemical evidence in support of the hypothesis that bodies in the solar system derived from a homogeneous source. No time or mechanism for rare-earth enrichment of the basalts or of the calcium-rich achondrites over chondritic matter is indicated, but mechanisms that would fractionate the rare- earth group may be ruled out. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-014708
• OSTI ID: 4083272
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 69; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ASTROPHYSICS
BASALT
CALCIUM
CERIUM
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGY
GEOPHYSICS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
LANTHANUM
MEASURED VALUES
METEORITES
MINERALS
PHYSICS
PRASEODYMIUM
QUANTITY RATIO
RARE EARTHS
SEA
VOLCANICS