Abstract
A simple conduction-based heat-flow model is used to calculate the thickness of zones of continental crustal rock adjacent to basalt sheets which are raised to the temperatures of (1) hydrous mineral breakdown and (2) partial melting. Basalt emplacement leads to wide zones of partial fusion and aqueous fluid circulation at most crustal levels. Contamination of the basalt magma by partial melts or aqueous fluids is most effective where mag-matism is episodic and repetitive on a 0.1–1,000 yr time scale.
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Patchett, P. Thermal effects of basalt on continental crust and crustal contamination of magmas. Nature 283, 559–561 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/283559a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/283559a0
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