Geochemical and Petrological Nature of Volcanism in the Equatorial Atlantic

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This is a project to continue analyses of samples recovered from the Mid Atlantic Ridge near the equator. Analyses will focus on trace element analyses and Sr and Nd isotopes on the same samples already analyzed for Pb. Data should provide insight into effects of shear (cold spot) and hot spots on the geochemistry and petrology of basalts. %%% A fundamental problem in the petrogenesis of oceanic crustal rocks is understanding the diversity of chemical composition and mineralogy. Tectonic effects such as mantle plumes (hot spots) and fracture zones (cold spots) are thought to play a role. Dr. Schilling's analyses of rocks from parts of the oceanic crust where these effects are present should shed light on the important problem of magmatic diversity.