This proposal requested support for research on the nature of the distribution of the liquid phase in partially molten materials representative of those occurring in the Earth's upper mantle. It is an experimental study of the wetting properties of basaltic melts of primitive composition as a function of temperature and pressure over ranges corresponding to accepted magma source regions. The wetting angles are primary determinants of fluid distribution and permeability for fluid flow. At the present time, wetting angle data are not available over much of the pressure-temperature range commonly attributed to magma source regions within the mantle. The information which will be provided by this research is needed for proper understanding of upper mantle magma segregation and transport processes operating in regions where primitive melt compositions are generated.
