This project will develop petrogenetic constraints for the origin and evolution of basalts from the Albertine rift. It will involve field relations, major and trace elements and phenocryst compositions in collab with radiometric (K-Ar) age dates, Sr and He isotope data, and gravity and seismic studies. The goal is to determine thermal and geochemical characteristics of the mantle beneath this part of central Africa. What is the petrogenesis of alkalic (ultra-Potassic) basalts?