Oceanic Basalts

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Structure

   1. Introduction and the ophiolite model

      • Joe Cann

      Pages 1-5

   2. Surveying and sampling the ocean floor

      • Stephen Lewis

      Pages 6-29

   3. Structure of the oceanic crust from geophysical measurements

      • Robert White

      Pages 30-48

   4. Structure of the oceanic crust as deduced from ophiolites

      • John Spray

      Pages 49-62

3. Processes

   1. Mineralogy and crystallization of oceanic basalts

      • James Natland

      Pages 63-93

   2. Experimental phase petrology of mid-ocean ridge basalts

      • Don Elthon

      Pages 94-115

   3. Magmatic processes in oceanic ridge and intraplate settings

      • Martin Flower

      Pages 116-147

   4. Metamorphic and hydrothermal processes: basalt—seawater interactions

      • Geoffrey Thompson

      Pages 148-173

4. Environments

   1. Oceanic islands and seamounts

      • Peter Floyd

      Pages 174-218

   2. Back-arc basins

      • Andrew Saunders, John Tarney

      Pages 219-263

   3. Pacific ocean crust

      • Rodey Batiza

      Pages 264-288

   4. Indian ocean crust

      • James Natland

      Pages 289-310

   5. North Atlantic ocean crust and Iceland

      • Cherry Walker

      Pages 311-352

5. Sources

   1. Stable and noble gas isotopes

      • Richard Exley

      Pages 353-362

   2. Oceanic peridotites

      • Martin Menzies

      Pages 363-385

6. Back Matter

   Pages 386-456

   PDF

Basalt is the most voluminous of all the igneous rocks. Extensive field, experimental, petrographic and geochemical studies of basalt have provided us with a considerable understanding of igneous petrogenesis, plate tectonics, and crust-mantle interaction and exchange. One important aspect of geology that has developed over the last few decades is the study of oceanic basalts. The ocean basins cover about two thirds of the earth's surface and are floored by a basement of oceanic basalt that is continuously undergoing generation at spreading centres and destruction at subduction zones, a process which throughout geological time is recognized as the principal means of generating new crust. The study of oceanic basalts enables us to understand better the generation and recycling of crustal materials (including the continental crust), and the exchange between oceanic crust and seawater via hydrothermal activity. Compositional variations displayed by oceanic basalts provide windows into the mantle, and the identification of isotopically-distinct mantle reservoirs demonstrates that the source of oceanic basalts is heterogeneous and is controlled by convection and reservoir interactions within the mantle.

• environment
• formation
• gas
• geology
• igneous rock
• mineral
• mineralogy
• petrogenesis
• petrography
• petrology
• plate tectonics

...an excellent reference source and it will be used for both final-year undergraduates and researchers working in the field. - Scientific Drilling; ...this new book is particularly welcome. Peter Floyd has an imaginative group of authors of varying interest and experience.... abundant discussion of novel ideas and there are many references to recent work.. - Terra Books; ...a useful review and handbook - Chemical Geology

• Department of Geology, University of Keele, Staffordshire, UK

  P. A. Floyd

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