RAPID-QUENCH HYDROTHERMAL EXPERIMENTS AT MANTLE PRESSURES AND TEMPERATURES

New experimental methods for the encapsulation, extraction, and analys is of large volumes of aqueous fluids enable studies of mineral solubi lities and dissolution kinetics with the piston-cylinder apparatus. Qu ench rates and volumes of experimental fluids with these methods are c omparable with those used in modern hydrothermal experiments employing cold-seal vessels. Analyses of fluid compositions are reproducible an d consistent with independent results. The techniques permit experimen tal investigations that will better characterize fluid-rock interactio n in such environments as subducting slabs, the mantle wedge, Barrovia n metamorphic belts, and middle to lower crustal granulites.