The composition of olivine phenocrysts in Hawaiian tholeiitic picrites and
in Mid-Ocean Ridge picrites vary up to Mg-91.3(#) and Mg-92.1(#) respective
ly. The compositions and liquidus temperatures of the magmas crystallizing
the most magnesian phenocrysts can be estimated and we find that anhydrous
liquidus temperatures (at 1 bar pressure) of Hawaiian tholeiitic picrites a
verage 1365 degreesC, for E-MOR picrites average 1355 degreesC, and for N-M
OR picrites average 1335 degreesC. Water contents of the magmas decrease in
the order Hawaiian picrites, E-MOR picrites to N-MOR picrites, and conside
ration of liquidus depression by these water contents leads to the conclusi
on that magma temperatures for all types were approximately 1325 degreesC a
t similar to 1 bar. The data from parental or primary magmas suggests that
the temperature contrast between 'Hot-Spot' and MOR magmas is less than or
equal to 20 degreesC. Application of information from partial melting studi
es of Iherzolites and liquidus studies of the Hot-Spot and MOR picrites lea
ds to the conclusion that both 'Hot-Spot' and MOR primary basalts are deriv
ed from mantle with potential temperature T-p similar to 1430 degreesC. Ins
ofar as primitive magmas may be used to infer the potential temperature of
their sources, there is no evidence for a temperature contrast of Delta T-p
= 100-250 degreesC between 'Hot-Spot' or 'Deep Mantle Plume' sources and a
mbient (MOR source) asthenospheric mantle.
Although magma temperatures are similar, the residual mantle compositions f
or Hawaiian picrites are refractory harzburgites, more refractory (includin
g Cr/Cr+Al ratio) than the Iherzolite to harzburgite residue from MOR picri
te extraction. It is argued that the buoyancy plume and geophysically anoma
lous mantle beneath the Hawaiian Arch is due to compositional and not tempe
rature contrasts in the upper mantle. The four-component mixing identified
in the Hawaiian source is attributed to interaction between old subducted l
ithospheric slabs, buoyant or suspended in the upper mantle, and surroundin
g ambient mantle at T-p = 1430 degreesC.