Role of dunite in genesis of primitive MORB

Abstract

Dunite and related rocks from the Moho transition zone of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) and the Mid-Cayman Trough (MCT) are examined to know the spreading-rate dependence of their compositions. The rocks from both ridges are basically a reaction product between peridotite and primitive MORB. Despite the large difference of prevalent peridotite chemistry, depleted harzburgite for EPR and lherzolite for MCT, the dunite has less different compositional ranges. The Al2O3 content of spinel differs only by 5 wt%, which may be equivalent to the difference of about 1 wt% of Al2O3 in the melt. This is almost equal to the possible spreading-rate dependent compositional difference of observed Mg-rich MORB. The relatively unfractionated MORBs erupted are in equilibrium with the oceanic dunite of which composition is independent of or only slightly dependent on spreading rate. Dunite is calculated to be about half of the total oceanic mafic crust by weight. The dunite is concentrated as the Moho transition zone, and is sparsely distributed as small lenses within the uppermost mantle peridotite. (Communicated by Ikuo KUSHIRO, M.J.A.)