The Meaning of Mean-F - Clarifying the Mean Extent of Melting at Ocean Ridges

Publication Status is "Submitted" Or "In Press: 
LDEO Publication: 
Publication Type: 
Year of Publication: 
1995
Editor: 
Journal Title: 
Journal of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth
Journal Date: 
Aug 10
Place Published: 
Tertiary Title: 
Volume: 
100
Issue: 
B8
Pages: 
15045-15052
Section / Start page: 
Publisher: 
ISBN Number: 
0148-0227
ISSN Number: 
Edition: 
Short Title: 
Accession Number: 
ISI:A1995RN99200006
LDEO Publication Number: 
Call Number: 
Abstract: 

In a recent paper, Forsyth (1993) concludes that fractional melting leads to unexpected relationships between the degree of melting (F), crustal thickness, and the depth of melting beneath mid-ocean ridges. Specifically, he suggests that a commonly cited rule of thumb, that 10% mean melting of a 60-km column of mantle leads to 6 km of crustal thickness (Klein et al., 1991; Langmuir et al., 1992), is incorrect for fractional melting of the mantle. Here we show that the rule of thumb remains valid for Langmuir et al.'s definition of mean F and that confusion has arisen because there has been disagreement on the definition of mean F. Plank and Langmuir (1992) have defined mean F as the ratio of the mass flux of melt added to the oceanic crust to the mass flux of mantle entering the melting region; Forsyth (1993) has defined mean F as the average degree of melting of all pooled melt increments, with degree calculated at the last point of chemical equilibration. We show here that both definitions of mean F are valid conceptually and mathematically, clarify the differences between them, show how they relate differently to observables such as crustal thickness and crustal composition, and propose nomenclature to clarify usage in the future (F-B for Plank and Langmuir's bulk melt fraction and F-V for Forsyth's mean value).

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Rn992Times Cited:18Cited References Count:22

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