Abstract
A number of experiments have been conducted in order to study the equilibria between olivine and basaltic liquids and to try and understand the conditions under which olivine will crystallize. These experiments were conducted with several basaltic compositions over a range of temperature (1150–1300° C) and oxygen fugacity (10−0.68–10−12 atm.) at one atmosphere total pressure. The phases in these experimental runs were analyzed with the electron microprobe and a number of empirical equations relating the composition of olivine and liquid were determined. The distribution coefficient
relating the partioning of iron and magnesium between olivine and liquid is equal to 0.30 and is independent of temperature. This means that the composition of olivine can be used to determine the magnesium to ferrous iron ratio of the liquid from which it crystallized and conversely to predict the olivine composition which would crystallize from a liquid having a particular magnesium to ferrous iron ratio.
A model (saturation surface) is presented which can be used to estimate the effective solubility of olivine in basaltic melts as a function of temperature. This model is useful in predicting the temperature at which olivine and a liquid of a particular composition can coexist at equilibrium.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bowen, N. L., Schairer, J. F.: The system MgO-FeO-SiO2. Am J. Sci. 29, 151–217 (1935).
Bradley, R. S.: Thermodynamic calculations on phase equilibria involving fused salts. Part II. Solid solutions and application to the olivines. Am. J. Sci. 260, 550–554 (1962).
Brown, G. M.: The layered ultrabasic rocks of Rhum, Inner Hebrides. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. Lond. Ser. B 240, 1–53 (1956).
Campbell, F. E., Roeder, P. L.: The stability of olivine and pyroxene in the Ni-Mg-Si-O system. Am. Mineralogist 53, 257–268 (1968).
Darken, L. S., Gurry, R. W.: The system iron-oxygen I. The Wustite Field and related equilibria. J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 67, 1398–1412 (1945).
Emslie, R. F.: The Michikamau Anorthositic Intrusion, Labrador. Can. J. Earth Sciences 2, 385–399 (1965).
Fudali, R. F.: Oxygen fugacities of basaltic and andesitic magmas. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 29, 1063–1075 (1965).
Green, T. H., Ringwood, A. E.: The genesis of basaltic magmas. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 15, 103–190 (1967).
Hakli, T. A., Wright, T. L.: The fractionation of nickel between olivine and augite as a geothermometer. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 31, 877–884 (1967).
Hill, R. E. T.: The crystallization of basaltic melts as a function of oxygen fugacity. Ph. D. Thesis, Queen's University (1968).
Roeder, P. L.: Stability of spinel in basaltic melts. Geol. Soc. Am. Annual Meeting Abstract, 96–97 (1967).
Irvine, T. N.: Chromian spinel as a petrogenic indicator. Part I, Theory. Can. Jour. Earth Sci. 2, 648–672 (1966).
Kennedy, G. C.: Equilibrium between volatiles and iron oxides in igneous rocks. Am. J. Sci. 246, 529–549 (1948).
—: Some aspects of the role of water in rock melts. Geol. Soc. Am. Special Paper 62, 489–503 (1955).
Medaris, L. G., Jr.: Partioning of Fe++ and Mg++ between coexisting synthetic olivine and orthopryoxene. Am. J. Sci. 267, 945–968 (1969).
Morse, S. A.: The geology of the Kiglapait layered intrusion, coast of Labrador, Canada. Unpub. Ph. D. thesis, McGill Univ. (1961).
Muan, A., Osborn, E. F.: Phase equilibria at liquidus temperatures in the System MgO-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2. Am. Ceramic Soc. J. 39, 121–140 (1956).
Nafziger, R. H., Muan, A.: Equilibrium phase compositions and thermodynamic properties of olivines and pyroxenes in the system MgO-“FeO”-SiO2. Am. Mineralogist 52, 1364–1385 (1967).
Osborn, E. F., Tait, D. B.: The system Diopside-Forsterite-Anorthite. Am. J. Sci. Bowen Volume: 413–433 (1952).
Peck, D. L., Wright, T. L., Moore, J. G.: Crystallization of tholeiitic basalt in Alae Lava Lake, Hawaii. Bull. Volcanol. 29, 629–655 (1966).
Presnall, D. C.: The Join Forsterite-Diopside-Iron oxide and its bearing on the crystallization of basaltic and ultramafic magmas. Am. J. Sci. 264, 753–809 (1966).
Roeder, P. L., Emslie, R. F.: Olivine-liquid equilibrium in basaltic melts. Geol. Soc. Am. Annual Meeting Abstract, 251 (1968).
Smith, C. H., Kapp, H. E.: The Muskox Intrusion, a recently discovered layered intrusion in the Coppermine River area, Northwest Territories, Canada. Min. Soc. Amer. Special Paper 1, 30–35 (1963).
Smith, J. V.: X-ray-emission microanalysis of rock-forming minerals 1. Experimental techniques. J. Geol. 73, 830–864 (1966).
Wager, L. R.: The major element variation of the layered series of the Skaergaard intrusion and a reestimation of the average composition of the hidden layered series and of the successive residual magmas. J. Petrol. 1, 364–398 (1960).
—, Brown, G. M.: Layered igneous rocks, 588 p. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd Ltd. 1967.
—, Deer, W. A.: Geological investigations in East Greenland, Pt. III. The petrology of the Skaergaard Intrusion, Kangerdlugssuag, East Greenland. Medd. Groenland 105, No 4, 1–352 (1939).
Williams, R. J., Eugster, H. P.: An experimental study of (Fe, Mg), olivine-(Fe, Mg) pyroxene reactions and their geological applications. Geol. Soc. Am. Annual Meeting Abstract, 237 (1969).
Yoder, H. S., Jr., Tilley, C. E.: Origin of basalt magmas: An experimental study of natural and synthetic rock systems. J. Petrol. 3, 342–532 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Roeder, P.L., Emslie, R.F. Olivine-liquid equilibrium. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 29, 275–289 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371276
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371276