Module 2: Magma differentiation and

tectonic settings
• For pure research
• For volcano studies: hazards and prediction
• Implications on mineralization models (for economic minerals)
• For geodynamic studies: geochemical compositions can be used to
interpret environment of formation
 Module 2: Magma differentiation and
tectonic settings
Example
Obducted ophiolite Ophiolite generated as fore-arc, back-arc or intra-arc

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Tectonic-model-for-
Suprasubduction model the-formation-and-emplacement-of-the-Dariv-Ophiolite-
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and- and-the-Dariv_fig4_46677032
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semail_Ophiolite
planetary-sciences/ophiolite
Magma differentiation as shown by major and
trace elements
Any process by which a magma is able to diversify and
produce a magma or rock of different composition
• Partial Melting
• Crystallization: Equilibrium and Fractional Crystallization
• Magma Mixing
• Assimilation

*Magma is a mixture of minerals, liquid, and dissolved volatiles

 Primary magma
• magma originating in source, directly from melting
• Mantle melts
• Not modified by fractional crystallization or assimilation

How do you melt the mantle?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqWVXRtcSiA
Partial
Melting

Winter (Igneous Petrology)

 Partial
Melting

Winter (Igneous Petrology)

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T7bzVEN5As
Crystallization
• Equilibrium

J. Winter (Igneous Petrology)

 • Temperature of sample vs. Percent Glass
1250

1200

Temperature oc
1150

1100

1050

1000

950

900
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Percent Glass
Fig. 6.1. From Wright and Okamura, (1977) USGS Prof. Paper, 1004.

J. Winter (Igneous Petrology)

 Mineral composition during crystallization
100 High Mg# Ol and CPX, high An#
Olivine Augite Plagioclase during early crystallization and
percentage liquid (glass) is high.
90
I would expect the Mg# of the
liquid (glass) to be high and
Weight % Glass

80 SiO2 to be low at this stage.

70
Lower Mg# Ol and CPX, lower
An# at more advanced
60 crystallization – less % liquid
(glass). I would expect the Mg#
50
of the liquid (glass) to be lower
.9 .8 .7 .9 .8 .7 .6 80 70 60 and its SiO2 higher at this stage.
Mg / (Mg + Fe) Mg / (Mg + Fe) An

Fig. 6.3. From Wright and Okamura, (1977) USGS Prof. Paper, 1004.

J. Winter (Igneous Petrology)

Olivine equilibrium field with liquid or whole rock (if the rock is not so crystallized)

Putirka (2008)
 Crystallization
• Fractional Crystallization

Terms: Fractional/partial vs equilibrium/batch

Note: illustration is for dense crystals

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8mk9wg4MQI J. Winter (Igneous Petrology)

Crystallization
• Fractional Crystallization Lever rule

Rollinson (Using Geochemical Data)

 2-Component Eutectic System

X
2.) Fractional
crystallization, with Y
X as starting T1
composition, at
point Z. Anorthite Z
T2
crystals were
removed
E

The final composition is Z not X Y Z X

Trace elements
Compatible elements: elements
that are easily accepted (in the
mineral structure)

Incompatible elements: elements

that are not easily accepted (in the
mineral structure)
: large ionic radius, high ionic
charge elements

Rollinson (Using Geochemical Data)

 Magma differentiation models
• Equilibrium melting

Cl = concentration of an element in the liquid

Cs = concentration of an element in the solid
Co = original concentration of the system

Rollinson (Using Geochemical Data)

Magma differentiation models
• Equilibrium melting • Fractional crystallization

Rollinson (Using Geochemical Data)

Implications on igneous rock compositions?
Equations for magma differentiation
• Fractional crystallization
𝐶𝑖𝑙 𝐷−1
= (1 − 𝑋) 𝐶𝑖𝑙 is concentration of element i
𝐶𝑖𝑜 in liquid
𝐶𝑖𝑜 is the original concentration
of i in the whole system
• Equilibrium melting X is fraction crystallized (0-1)
F is melt fraction (0-1)
𝐶𝑖𝑙 1
𝑜 =
𝐶𝑖 𝐷 1−𝐹 +𝐹

White (2013) Geochemistry

Magma Mixing
3-end member mixing (*), note that there are points outside the
polygon defined by the end-members
Assimilation
• Incorporation of wall rocks
(diffusion, xenoliths)
• Assimilation by melting is
limited by the heat
available in the magma