Abstract
Pressure-temperature divariant melting phase relations of model carbonated peridotite in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CO2 from 8 to 12 GPa are reported. From 8 to 12 GPa, melting temperatures on the studied pressure-temperature divariant surface rise quite rapidly. Liquids, in equilibrium with forsterite, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, and garnet, on the low-temperature side of the divariant surface are magnesiocarbonatitic in composition. With increasing temperature along an isobar on the pressure-temperature divariant surface, and with the same crystalline phase assemblage, liquids gradually become kimberlitic in their composition. Given the model system data reported here, Group IB kimberlites and perhaps some kimberlites from Greenland, Canada, and South Africa could be generated from direct melting of carbonated peridotite in the pressure range of approximately 6-8 GPa. Some kimberlites from Canada and Russia could have formed by partial melting of carbonated mantle peridotite at pressures of about 10-12 GPa. From 8 to 12 GPa, liquid compositions on the studied divariant surface show a limited compositional range, which implies that the divariant surface is essentially flat. The implied flatness of the divariant surface, and so long as the liquid is in equilibrium with the crystalline assemblage of forsterite + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + garnet on the divariant surface, indicate that kimberlites belonging to Group IA and those more magnesian than Group IA cannot have their origin in only being a melting product of carbonated mantle peridotite. The absence of topography of the studied pressure-temperature divariant surface in all likelihood limits the generation of kimberlites in the Earth's upper mantle only.