Host: Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences
Spinel lherzolite represents the most common lithology among mantle xenoliths, but its common occurrence is not exploited in geotherm estimation since there is no appropriate geobarometer for spinel lherzolites. This study aims to develop geobarometer for spinel lherzolites. Thermal history of mantle xenoliths from the Middle Atlas in Morocco were carefully examined backward starting from the quenching upon eruption without assuming equilibrium for application of thermobarometers. We pinpointed portions of minerals and components representing condition just before xenolith entrapment in magmas, on which appropriate geothermobarometers are applied. We have detected 0.5GPa pressure difference for 100°C variation in temperatures.
