Abstract
Abstract The genesis of bytownite megacryst-bearing olivine tholeiites from the Asal rift is reviewed in the light of available data integrated by new mineralogical and chemical results. A model is favoured of a very shallow stationary high-T magmatic system located underneath the Asal spreading axis. A biphase magmatic convection is needed to maintain the stationary state and could explain the up-arching of the Asal rift, as well as the formation and stability of the homogeneous bytownite megacrysts in the tholeiitic lava. The occurrence at shallow depth of such a hot and probably large mass of magma could also account for the recently observed attenuation of seismic waves.
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