Research Article| September 01, 1995 Depleted mantle-plume geochemical signatures: No paradox for plume theories Andrew C. Kerr; Andrew C. Kerr 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew D. Saunders; Andrew D. Saunders 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John Tarney; John Tarney 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Neil H. Berry; Neil H. Berry 1Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Victoria L. Hards Victoria L. Hards 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1995) 23 (9): 843–846. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0843:DMPGSN>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew C. Kerr, Andrew D. Saunders, John Tarney, Neil H. Berry, Victoria L. Hards; Depleted mantle-plume geochemical signatures: No paradox for plume theories. Geology 1995;; 23 (9): 843–846. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0843:DMPGSN>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract High-MgO liquids erupted in ocean-island settings and in some continental flood-basalt provinces commonly preserve a “depleted” composition, in terms of both highly incompatible trace elements and isotope ratios. These observations strongly imply that their source is also compositionally depleted. However, in at least one case (Iceland and the North Atlantic volcanic province), it can be shown that this depleted source is not the same as that feeding the present-day North Atlantic mid-ocean ridge. The depleted source must also have been much hotter than the mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) source to account for the volume of melt and primitive composition of some magmas that were generated. This depleted character, then, is an intrinsic component of mantle plumes, originating from the deep mantle. We propose that mantle plumes consist of a mixture of enriched or fusible streaks in a depleted, refractory matrix; preferential extraction of the enriched component occurs close to the plume axis. The depleted residue from this melting remains in the upper mantle and may therefore be a major contributor to the source region of MORB. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.