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K, U and Th in mid-ocean ridge basalt glasses and heat production, K/U and K/Rb in the mantle

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Abstract

Analyses on fresh glass samples of mid-ocean ridge basalt yield a uniform ratio K/U = 12,700 ± 200. In contrast, Th/U increases systematically with Th concentration. From these results we calculate an upper limit (1.5 pW kg−1) and a best estimate (0.6 pW kg−1) for the heat production in the depleted portion of the mantle. A new estimate is given for the terrestrial ratio of K/Rb = 513.

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Author notes

  1. E. Ito: Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5241 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington DC 20015, USA and Department of Geology, University of Minnesota, 310 Pillsbury Drive, S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Saarstrasse 23, 6500, Mainz, FRG

    K. P. Jochum, A. W. Hofmann, E. Ito, H. M. Seufert & W. M. White

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  1. K. P. Jochum
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  2. A. W. Hofmann
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  3. E. Ito
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  4. H. M. Seufert
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  5. W. M. White
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Jochum, K., Hofmann, A., Ito, E. et al. K, U and Th in mid-ocean ridge basalt glasses and heat production, K/U and K/Rb in the mantle. Nature 306, 431–436 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/306431a0

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