The principal objective of this project is to define regional variations of upper mantle composition in the Atlantic and explain them in terms of P-T conditions of equilibration, partial melting and initial heterogeneity. The research program involves both whole rock analyses using emission plasma spectrometry, XRF, and neutron activation as well as mineral analyses using electron and ion probe analyses for major and trace elements. The analytical work on peridotite samples recently acquired from the north Atlantic will refine correlations of geoid height and crustal depth with North Atlantic peridotite chemistry. %%% Understanding of upper mantle geochemical variations is fundamental to a complete understanding of petrogenesis of the midocean ridge basalts which are derived from the peridotites. The PI is recognized as a leader in the study of oceanic peridotite geochemistry, and this project will be a valuable contribution to our understanding of the chemical variation in the source rocks from which oceanic crust is derived.
