U series disequilibria: Insights into mantle melting and the timescales of magma differentiation

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Several U series nuclides have half-lives (Th-230, (76)kyr; Pa-231, (33)kyr; and Ra-226, (1.6)kyr) comparable to timescales of magmatic processes. We review the basic principles of extracting time information from U series nuclides and summarize variations in (Th-230/U-238), (Ra-226/Th-230), and (Pa-231/U-235) observed in magmas from mid-ocean ridges, within-plate settings, and subduction zones to contrast melt generation processes in different tectonic settings. U series disequilibria on melt and crystal phases of igneous rocks can provide temporal information on different stages in the magmatic history (melting duration, melt transport rates, magmatic crustal residence times, and timing of crystal growth) and potentially provide clues about the nature and mineralogy of mantle sources, mantle upwelling rates and porosity, fluid influences, and mechanisms of melt generation and transport. The subject is beginning to take a genuinely integrated approach to developing physically realistic quantitative models that offer increasingly exciting opportunities in the study of magmatic processes.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)-
    Number of pages43
    JournalReviews of Geophysics
    Volume43
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2005

    Keywords

    • IONIZATION MASS-SPECTROMETRY
    • MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE
    • STATE RA-226/TH-230 DISEQUILIBRIUM
    • SOUTHWESTERN UNITED-STATES
    • TONGA-KERMADEC ISLAND
    • EAST PACIFIC RISE
    • U-238 TH-230-RA-226 DISEQUILIBRIA
    • SUBDUCTING OCEANIC-CRUST
    • AUCKLAND VOLCANIC FIELD
    • SR ISOTOPE SYSTEMATICS

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