Melting of MORB at core–mantle boundary
Résumé
We investigated the melting properties of natural mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) up to core–mantle
boundary (CMB) pressures using laser-heated diamond anvil cell. Textural and chemical characterizations
of quenched samples were performed by analytical transmission electron microscopy. We used in
situ X-ray diffraction primarily for phase identification whereas our melting criterion based on laser
power versus temperature plateau combined with textural analysis of recovered solidus and subsolidus
samples is accurate and unambiguous. At CMB pressure (135 GPa), the MORB solidus temperature is
3970 (±150) K. Quenched melt textures observed in recovered samples indicate that CaSiO3 perovskite
(CaPv) is the liquidus phase in the entire pressure range up to CMB. The partial melt composition
derived from the central melt pool is enriched in FeO, which suggests that such melt pockets may be
gravitationally stable at the core mantle boundary.