14) Bowen's Reaction Series

Yesterday's post was an informal Part 1 of this short series of videos on the Bowen Reaction Series. 

The Bowen Reaction Series has three "utilizations". 

1.)  Predicting the order-of-crystallization of minerals in a cooling magma or lava. 

2.) When the order-of-crystallization is reversed, it becomes an order-of-melting (or partial melting) of a solidified magma.  [This was hinted at in yesterday's video, though not explicitly explained.]  That being the case, as Quartz is the "last" mineral to solidify, it becomes the "first" mineral to melt as the temperature increases.

This is what occurs during episodes of partial melting - if the "proper minerals" are present.  As the temperature increases, and as time duration, pressure and fluid contents "permit", Quartz, Muscovite, K Feldspar, Biotite, Sodium Plagioclase, ... progressively melt.  [Pressure and Fluid Content affect the Melting Point.]

Figure 1.

In the Figure 1 "scenario", assuming that a Gabbro is the "starting point", the "end product" is a function of the conditions listed above (time-duration, temperature, pressure, and fluid content).

[The third "utilization" of the Bowen Reaction Series will be presented tomorrow.]