Melting experiments on peridotite to lowermost mantle conditions. Issue 6 (24th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tateno, Shigehiko; Hirose, Kei; Ohishi, Yasuo
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 119:Issue 6(2014:Jun.)
• Page Start: 4684
• Page End: 4694
• Publication Date: 2014-06-24
• Subjects: Geomagnetism -- Periodicals; Geochemistry -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; 551.1
• DOI: 10.1002/2013JB010616
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9313

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Melting experiments on a pyrolitic mantle material were performed in a pressure range from 34 to 179 GPa based on laser‐heated diamond‐anvil cell (DAC) techniques. The textural and chemical characterizations of quenched samples were made by using field‐emission‐type electron microprobe (FE‐EPMA). Melts formed by 46 to 77 wt.% partial melting in this study were ultrabasic in composition and became more depleted in SiO₂ and more enriched in FeO with increasing pressure. Melting textures indicate that the liquidus phase changed from ferropericlase to MgSiO₃‐rich perovskite at least above 34 GPa and further to post‐perovskite. The first phase to melt (disappear) changed from CaSiO₃ perovskite to (Mg, Fe)O ferropericlase between 68 and 82 GPa. The stability of ferropericlase above solidus temperature shrinks with increasing pressure (melting last below 34 GPa and first 82 GPa), resulting in higher (MgO + FeO)/SiO₂ ratio in partial melt at higher pressure. Additionally, the Fe‐Mg distribution coefficients (<italic>K</italic>_D) between perovskite/post‐perovskite and melt decreased considerably with increasing pressure, leading to strong Fe‐enrichment in partial melts. It supports dense partial melts in a deep lower mantle, which migrate downward to the core mantle boundary (CMB).</p> </abstract>