The generation of mid-ocean ridge basalts from the Hf and Nd isotope perspective

This paper presents new Hf and Nd isotope and trace element data for mid-ocean ridge basalts. The intention of this study was to investigate whether melt parameters derived from the isotopic systematics of MORB (δ(Lu)(Hf) and δ(Sm)(Nd)) support the variations in depth and degree of melting as inferred from the major elements and ridge depth; that is, the ‘local’ and ‘global’ trend [1]. Variation on a ‘local’ scale is defined as variation within a ridge segment, while the ‘global’ scale variation is defined as variation between ridge segments. Both on a ‘local’ and a ‘global’ scale, δ(Lu)(Hf) and δ(Sm)(Nd) show consistent variations with the major element melt parameters, Na8 and Fe8. In addition, the δ melt parameters vary consistently with ridge depth. Basalts from some of the deepest ridges, Australian-Antarctic Discordance and Mid-Cayman Rise, show evidence that a relatively large proportion of the basalt was generated in the presence of garnet. A melting model is derived using best available estimates for a large number of parameters that influence the chemistry of MORBs. With this melting model, the additional constraints of δ(Lu)(Hf) and δ(Sm)(Nd) further define the melting regime beneath the ocean ridges. The onset of melting for shallow ridges, like Kolbeinsey Ridge, starts deeper than for deep ridges, the aggregated melts from the Kolbeinsey Ridge sample a columnar shaped melting regime. Basalts from deep ridges represent a smaller degree of melting, which was generated in a triangular-shaped melting regime. The translation of δ(Lu)(Hf) and δ(Sm)(Nd) in absolute values for degree and depth of melting for individual ridge segments is hampered by uncertainties in the details of the heterogeneity of the MORB reservior.