1

MORB Genesis
Wilson p. 138-149
In this lecture:
Along axis variation in major
element composition (review from
previous lecture)
Major elements, crystallization,
and magma mixing models
Trace element composition of
MORB
Radiogenic isotope composition
of MORB
Along axis variation in trace
element and isotopic composition
Integrated petrologic model
Major Element Composition of MORB
Normal versus Plume MORB (N-MORB vs. E-MORB)
Correlation: depth to MOR and chemical composition
JOIDES Resolution
P
P P
2
Major Element Composition of
MORB
Fractional Crystallization and mixing
Primitive high-MgO < > Fe-rich evolved
magmas
Mineralogical controls: olivine + plagioclase
JOIDES Resolution
Trace element composition of MORB
Large low valency cations
Cs, Rb, K, Ba, Pb, and Sr
Depleted relative to OIB and Continental
tholeiite
Depleted in N-MORB relative to P-MORB
Except Sr, these elements have D<<1
Thus, ratios independent of:
Source mineralogy
Degree of partial melting
Extent of shallow fractional xtlln
Large high valency cations
Th, U, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta
Depleted in N-MORB relative to P-MORB
Zr/Nb ratio in N-MORB > 30
in P-MORB < 10
JOIDES Resolution
3
Trace element composition of MORB
Rare Earth Elements
N-MORB are LREE depleted, < 10x chondrites
Oliv+plag+cpx+spin fractionation elevates total REE
abundances
P-MORB are flat or slightly LREE enriched
REE not fractionated if melting > 10%
La/Ce, La/Sm, La/Yb reflect mantle source
(La/Sm)
N
varies along MAR:
JOIDES Resolution
Distinction
between N-
MORB and
P-MORB is
artificial
Binary
Mixing of
mantle
source
materials?
Radiogenic Isotopes in MORB
Sr-Nd-Pb ratios
Small but significant ranges
Thus, mantle source is heterogeneous
87
Sr/
86
Sr
N-MORB: 0.7024 to 0.7030
P-MORB: 0.7030 to 0.7035
Nd and Pb isotope ratios less variable along EPR than MAR
JOIDES Resolution
4
(La/Sm)
N
Seismic Tomography
Plume influence on MORB
Schilling and colleagues
87
Sr/
86
Sr
Iceland
Azores
Detailed Petrologic Model
N-MORB:
LREE & incompatible element depleted
High K/Ba, K/Rb, Zr/Nb. Low
87
Sr/
86
Sr
P-MORB:
less LREE & incompatible depleted than N-MORB
Lower K/Ba, K/Rb, Zr/Nb. Higher
87
Sr/
86
Sr
Continuous spectrum of intermediates
MORB parent magmas melt
polybarically from spinel lherzolite
Last point of equilibration determines
chemistry of melt
Mixing of sources a deep process?
5
Detailed Petrologic Model
Slow spreading ridges
Larger blobs of OIB source mantle
Not effectively homogenized
Clear chemical & isotopic signatures
Differentiation dominated by magma
mixing and xtlln in mush zones
Fast spreading ridges
Smaller, more numerous OIB blobs
Rapid supply of asthenosphere
Effective homogenization
Less distinctive chemical
and isotopic signatures
Differentiation dominated by fractional xtlln
Detailed Petrologic Model
Isotopic and chemical gradients in
mantle
May persist as ridge migrates away
from plume source
Azores
hot spot
Mid-Atlantic
Ridge
6
Detailed Petrologic Model: East Pacific Rise
From: Perfit and Davidson (2000) in Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, H. Sigurdsson, ed.