DYNAMIC MELTING OF THE ICELAND PLUME

• Main Authors: ELLIOTT, T R, Hawkesworth, Chris, GRONVOLD, K
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1991
• Subjects: OCEAN RIDGE BASALTS; REYKJANES PENINSULA BASALTS; MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE; MANTLE EVOLUTION; BENEATH ICELAND; ISOTOPE RATIOS; FAMOUS AREA; MAGMA; LEAD; STRONTIUM; Mid-Atlantic Ridge; Reykjanes; Iceland
• Online Access: https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/dynamic-melting-of-the-iceland-plume(6e07170f-fe85-4048-bbad-b4afff569b53).html; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0026003491&partnerID=8YFLogxK

Icelandic high-magnesia basalts show striking correlations between major element abundances and incompatible element and radiogenic isotope ratios. The most MgO-rich lavas have the most depleted incompatible element ratios and among the least radiogenic lead isotopes recorded in Atlantic mid-ocean-ridge basalts, highlighting a decoupling of the major and trace element characteristics expected of plume melts. This paradox can be explained by the process that mixes melts segregated from different depths of the melting column. The resulting model provides insight into the processes governing melt compositions at spreading ridges.