Physical evolution of Grande Ronde Basalt magmas, Columbia River Basalt Group, north-western USA

In this paper we present what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first comprehensive study of clinopyroxenes and plagioclases contained in the flows of the Grande Ronde Basalt member of the Columbia River Basalt Group (northwestern USA). The rocks have MgO (wt%) <6, and trace amounts of Cr and Ni. About 56% of extracted solid containing normative clinopyroxene and plagioclase explains the liquid line of descent from the more mafic sample (MgO=5.89wt%) to the most evolved. The most ubiquitous phases in the basalts; are plagioclase and augite. Ilmenite and magnetite are accessories in all rocks. Olivine is present in small amount only in one sample (RT 89-7). Based on principles of Ca-Na plagioclase-liquid exchange, estimates of preeruptive magmatic water are