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Solidus of carbonated fertile peridotite under fluid-saturated conditions

Journal Article · · Geology; (USA)
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Tasmania, Hobart (Australia)

The solidus for a fertile peridotite composition (Hawaiian pyrolite) in the presence of a CO{sub 2}-H{sub 2}O fluid phase has been determined from 10 to 35 kbar. The intersection of the decarbonation reaction (olivine + diopside + CO{sub 2} {l reversible} orthopyroxene + dolomite) with the pyrolite solidus defines the point Q{prime}, located at 22 kbar and 940 C. At pressures less than Q{prime}, the solidus passes through a temperature maximum at kbar, 1060 C. The solidus is coincident with amphibole breakdown at pressures less than 16 kbar. At pressures above Q{prime}, the solidus is defined by the dissolution of crystalline carbonate into a sodic, dolomitic carbonatite melt. The solidus is at a temperature of 925 C at {approximately} 28 kbar. The solidus temperature above the point Q{prime} is similar to the solidus determined for Hawaiian pyrolite-H{sub 2}O-CO{sub 2} for small contents of H{sub 2}O (<0.3 wt%) and CO{sub 2} (<5 wt%), thus indicating that the primary sodic dolomitic carbonatite melt at both solidi has a very low and limited H{sub 2}O solubility. The new data clarify the roles of carbonatite melt, carbonated silicate melt, and H{sub 2}O-rich fluid in mantle conditions that are relatively oxidized (f{sub O{sub 2}} {approximately} MW to FMQ). In particular, a carbonatite melt + garnet lherzolite region is intersected by continental shield geothermal gradients, but such geotherms only intersect regions with carbonated silicate melt if perturbed to higher temperatures (kinked geotherm).

OSTI ID:
6140657
Journal Information:
Geology; (USA), Journal Name: Geology; (USA) Vol. 18:3; ISSN GLGYB; ISSN 0091-7613
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English