The compositions of abyssal glasses obtained on Leg 82 of the awGlomar Challenger and the MAPCO cruise of Jean Charcot have been investigated. Two main compositional groups of Atlantic glasses (A1 and A2) that are separated in space and time were identified. The distribution of these groups in the studied area allowed mapping of the transition zone from A1 to A2 between 30-35°N MAR. We infer that the compositional groups of abyssal glasses of the Atlantic and other oceans reflect the depth of separation of primary melts from the oceanic mantle. Specifically, the primary melt of Group A1 separates from the mantle at a depth of 30-60 km (spinel-peridotite facies) and those for Group A2 from a depth of 15-30 km (plagioclase-peridotite facies). Modifications of dynamic models of the ocean lithosphere are discussed.

Supplement to: Dmitriev, Leonid V; Sobolev, Alexander V; Suschevskaya, N M; Zapunny, S A (1985): Abyssal glasses, petrologic mapping of the oceanic floor and “geochemical Leg” 82. In: Bougault, H; Cande, SC; et al. (eds.), Initial Reports of the Deep Sea Drilling Project, Washington (U.S. Govt. Printing Office), 82, 509-518