EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Melson et al. 2002
Melson, W.G., O'Hearn, T. and Jarosewich, E. (2002). A data brief on the Smithsonian Abyssal Volcanic Glass Data File. Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems 3: doi: 10.1029/2001GC000249. issn: 1525-2027.

It is well known that the compositions of glasses quenched by contact with seawater are a good guide to unmodified erupted liquid compositions. We present here an updated version of the Smithsonian Abyssal Volcanic Glass Data File (AVGDF) of the major and minor element compositions of such glasses mainly from seafloor spreading centers determined by electron microprobe analyses. These data help define the major and minor element compositions of the most abundant terrestrial volcanic rock. The AVGDF contains 9050 individual glass analyses along with the sample donor, latitude, longitude, depth, tectonic setting, ship-cruise-dredge, and the major and minor elements SiO2, Al2O3, FeO*, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, P2O5, and MnO (for some samples). The samples are from 664 Atlantic, 28 Caribbean, 89 Indian, and 1304 Pacific localities. These include dredge, submersible, DSDP and ODP sites. The data serve to (1) map out and model processes associated with magma generation and fractionation in the asthenosphere and lithosphere beneath seafloor spreading centers and (2) as an educational aide for exercises in the use of such data at the graduate and undergraduate levels in geochemistry, geophysics, and igneous petrology. The extensive polished sample collection is available on loan for additional petrographic (in reflected light) or microbeam analyses.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract
Abstract

Table 1
Table 1
Table 2
Table 2
Table 3
Table 3

Analytical Methods, Accuracy & Precision
Analytical Methods, Accuracy and Precision

Keywords
Marine Geology and Geophysics, Midocean ridge processes, Mineralogy and Petrology, Major element composition, Mineralogy and Petrology, Igneous petrology
Journal
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit